Page 15 of Dirty Game

“Ya, baby. It’s undying. This is a forever kind of love. Don’t you think?”

“Oh my God,” she sniffles. “I love you, too.”

“C’mere.” I swing her onto my lap and kiss her softly. Sweetly. Until she gets hungry. My girl can get real greedy. But right now, I sweep her hair off her face. “I love you. For so many reasons. That first night I couldn’t figure out why I fell so hard and so fast. But now I know why. You genuinely care. About me.”

“I do.”

“I know. And that’s what I felt. You weren’t some girl trying to get ahead by using me or my name. You were trying to be true to yourself, dive into your research, but you still showed how you cared for me. I wasn’t just a trophy to you.”

“No. You’re a treasure to me.” She says it sheepishly, and I love her all the more for it.

“I’m so lucky to have you.” I squeeze her tight.

“I’m luckier to have you.”

“Let’s call it even?”

“Sure.”

And then we spend the rest of the night testing out a few new positions. The best one being when she lays her head on my chest to sleep for the night.

Epilogue

Sully

“Umm…what are you doing?” I come to a full stop in the doorway of Pax’s office, disbelief clouding my vision.

“Heh…” He has the audacity to look sheepish as he sits with his shirt unbuttoned holding up my book to the camera that’s facing him. “Well…this was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Count me surprised.”

“Right.” In a nervous tick, he scratches the side of his jaw. “Surprise, then! I’m promoting your book.”

“Wait. What now?”

“Ya. You know, me being your boyfriend and all, a professional hockey player, aaaaand your inspiration,” he winks, “I thought it was about time to share romance with the world.”

“Okay. Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” Feigning a search, I look around the room until he stops me.

“Very funny. I just want to support you.” He tugs me into his chest. “And by the way, I don’t see my name in your acknowledgments. I’m quite upset.”

“What happened to the guy who shuddered at the idea of me mentioning his name in the book?”

“I’d like to think he’s evolved.”

“Hmmm…”

“Into something lovable.”

His thumbs are sweeping up under my hoodie to graze my skin. “I do love lovable things…”

“Besides, real men read romance.”

“Oh! Really?”

“Yes. In fact, that’s my whole campaign on socials.”

“You’re very sweet.” I pepper some kisses along his jaw.