Hearing my dad use my nickname is like second nature to me. When my dad used it in front of Fortune, it probably didn’t register to me he might put the dots together. Especially since I didn’t figure out Fortune’s identity until later that same night, when I was replaying our conversation from earlier in the day in my head.
“I figured it out the same day,” I start. “There aren’t that many people who use the phrase ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ regularly, but you used it twice in a twenty-four-hour period. First, in our messages and then again, while we were talking with my dad about hiring a new defensive line coach. Then I sort of just connected the dots. You played for New York… Lucky charm played for New York. He used the same uncommon phrase… and so did you. That didn’t seem like enough information to form an accurate assumption, though, so I did some research.”
A small smile creeps over Fortune’s face as he pulls a hand out of the water and runs his fingers through his jet-black hair. “I already know what you’re gonna say.”
“You didn’t think to fact check yourself before pretending to be a strength and conditioning coach?” A laugh bubbles out of my throat. “None of the details you had given me about your job or personal life matched up to any of theirs. You said you were single… and all of them had been married for at least half a decade.”
Fortune narrows his eyes at me, but there’s a wry smile on his mouth that lets me know he’s being playful. “I find it funny that you’re laughing, considering you’re a cheat.”
“How so?” Offense coats my voice.
“After the bye week party…” he starts. Shit. I know where he’s going with this. “You asked me about the girl I hung out with that night, but you knew damn well I was talking about you.”
I left my shoulders to my ears, not outright admitting to my careless mistake. “I never claimed to play fair.”
A fit of laughter takes over us as we realize how ridiculous this whole situation is. Both of us knew the whole time. Both of us were waiting to tell the other person the truth. Neither of us thought we’d start a relationship of our own prior to revealing our identities.
Once the humor dies down, he rests his arms on top of the hot tub, revealing more of his chest from the water. Fortune rakes his eyes slowly over my face, like he’s trying to memorize every feature. When our eyes finally lock, there’s a glint in his. He’s looking at me like I hang the moon. Like I’ve always been it for him, and now he doesn’t have to wonder if I’ll be able to reciprocate.
I know the look. Because it’s the same one I’m giving him, too.
“Come here.”
I don’t hesitate before pushing out of my seat to stand in front of him. When his hands wrap around my hips, and he pulls me down into his lap, a squeal slips past my lips.
“Your father’s rules have been damned from the start, haven’t they?”
His hand wraps around the nape of my neck as he pulls me in. My heart stutters when he pauses, letting our mouths brush together before sealing our fate. When he smiles against my lips, all hope is lost, and I cut the remaining distance for him.
The thudding of my heart as he forces my lips open with his tongue drowns out the bubbling sound of the hot tub.
“Fortune?”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t think I can wait until the season is over like we talked about.”
“Fuck waiting.” His hand cups underneath my ass before he sweeps me up and walks us out of the hot tub. “We’ve done enough of that already.”
FOURTEEN
FORTUNE
Our lips stay fusedas I carry Lea back into the suite. Neither of us bothered to dry off, so there are small puddles of water leaving a trail behind us with each step. I debate tossing her onto my bed as I turn to the left and walk us into my bedroom. I pause in the doorway once I remember we’ve got two rooms in the suite. Technically, we could sleep in hers if we get this one wet, but as I contemplate it further, the thought of taking her in the shower seems like the best option.
We’re already wet, so we might as well get ourselves clean while getting dirty.
Lea trails hot kisses down my neck as I lift her up so I can hold her up with just one hand under her ass. She wraps her legs tighter around my waist as I use my free hand to open the bathroom door and flick on the light.
After setting her down onto the counter, I slide my hand into the hair at the base of her neck and pull her into me again. It doesn’t feel real that the secret is out. Every fear I had about us not working out after this season has dissolved. The need I have for her burns hot, knowing she’s felt the same way about me this entire time. That she was written in the stars for me from the start.
It’s not long before I reach over and pull the top string of her bikini, and the white triangles over her breasts fall down. I cup a hand over one, rolling her taut nipple between my pointer finger and thumb. A soft moan breaks free from her lips as she reaches around her back to undo the second set of strings. All the while, she traces the outline of my abs with her other hand. It’s not long before the white material falls to the counter, and her hand drops to rub against my hard on from over my shorts.
Her mouth drops open, and she sucks in a breathy gasp when I reach over to play with her other nipple. I place a quick kiss on the side of her lips before dropping to replace my fingers with my mouth.
“Oh, my god.”
When I glance up, her eyes squeeze shut, and her head lulls back against the mirror. I palm her other tit before moving over to that side where I flick my tongue against the tight peak, and she slips a hand into my hair, tugging gently on the strands near my crown. I can feel her reaction in the way she tugs tighter whenever it’s too much for her. Or if she’s not enjoying herself, she’ll loosen her grip, which is my signal to try something else. If being with her isn’t intoxicating enough, knowing how much she’s enjoying me pleasuring her is the best drug on earth.
