Page 68 of Game Plan

I snort. “You think I’d have a problem with you naked in my bed for three days? It’s like you don’t even know me.”

“Well, in a few weeks, you’ll be in a hotel on Saturday nights for your Sunday game. So, you won’t even be here to take advantage of it.”

I cross the room, stopping in front of her. My hands dip beneath the fabric covering her body. My fingers bite into her hips. “You underestimate how much I like the thought of you being in my bed when I’m gone.”

Her eyes light up as a slow smirk settles on her lips. “I’m not sure you fully understand how much I want you in your bed right now.”

I slide around to her back, letting my palms drag roughly against her skin. She moans softly as I press my hips against her ass so she can feel just how hard I am.

“I beg to differ,” I whisper against the shell of her ear.

She turns her face to speak, but I catch her mouth with mine, capturing another moan against my lips.

My body reacts instantly. Wanting her. Craving her. Needing her.

Our tongues meet in a slow, deliberate dance that they’ve done many times before … but not quite like this. Her lips are soft, her breath hot, and the taste of her is achingly familiar. Still, kissing her tonight feels new.

Her eyes are wild when I pull away.

“Do you think she’s asleep?” I ask, peering over her shoulder. Sunny’s eyes are closed. “Let’s try to lay her down.”

“No,” Sunny says without opening her eyes.

Poppy giggles quietly. “Do you think that was a response or just a reflex?”

“Let’s hope to God it’s a reflex.”

I follow Poppy upstairs into the guest room. My hand stays on the small of her back. It isn’t intentional, but an unconscious need to touch her—to remind myself, and her, that this is really happening.

We’re this close to having the night to ourselves.

“Shhh,” Poppy whispers, placing Sunny on her back in the Pack ‘n Play. She touches her chest gently until Sunny settles and her breathing evens out. “There you go.”

A night light is plugged in on the other side of the bed, casting a hazy glow around the room. The white noise machine that Layla sent over hums softly. It’s the definition of cozy and peaceful.

This kid better sleep.

We exchange a hopeful look and turn toward the door. But we don’t make it halfway there before Sunny’s voice breaks through the air.

“Mama!”

I look at the ceiling as Poppy whimpers.

I’ve waited two years to have this woman as mine, and now Sunny won’t sleep? She naps just fine here when she’s visiting. She crashes out on my shoulder for hours when I’m holding her at Layla’s. But not now? When I really need her to?

Little shit.

“I think she hates us,” Poppy says.

When our eyes meet, we both begin to laugh.

“Mama!” Sunny shouts, louder this time. “Want Mama.”

“Shhh,” Poppy says, holding a finger to her lips and trying to stop giggling. “Stop laughing, or she’ll really wake up.”

“I thought she’d be my little wingwoman. Instead, she’s running interference.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.