Page 96 of The Player

He grinned. “Yeah, I did.”

He kissed her again, and for a second she was back at the airport last night, throwing herself into his arms before he’d even had time to brace for her. She’d wrapped her legs around him and barely wanted to get down long enough to grab her bags.

And then there’d been his truck in the parking garage. He’d shoved her sweater dress up to her waist, and she’d pulled off her leggings and panties and climbed onto him as soon as he’d moved out from behind the steering wheel, sinking onto his cock in one long, greedy slide.

His hands had locked on her hips, fingers digging in as he thrust up into her at an angle that punched the breath out of her with every stroke. She’d bitten his shoulder to keep from crying out. The windows were already fogging, and the chance of somebody walking past should’ve made her slow down, but she’d only ground down harder, chasing it with her forehead pressed to his.

He’d growled against her throat about how tight she was, how he was going to fuck her again just like this the second they got home. She’d come so hard her thighs shook, clenching around him until he followed.

You ready?” he asked, pulling her right out of the memory.

Nicole let her arms slip from around his neck and looked past him. His parents were standing a little farther along the walkway, waiting for them. She’d been thinking about meeting them since he’d asked her Wednesday night, and now she wished she had another minute.

“Yeah.” She met his eyes. “Let’s go.”

She held Drew’s hand as they walked over. His mother was watching them the whole way.

“Ma, Dad, this is Nicole.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Nicole,” Mr. Kiernan said with a friendly smile.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Kiernan.” His handshake was firm, and she liked that he looked right at her.

“Tommy, please. Mr. Kiernan makes me feel old.”

She laughed. “You two must be so proud of him.”

“We sure are.” Tommy clapped Drew on the shoulder. “Hell of a way to finish up here, son.”

Drew grinned, and Nicole looked toward his mother. Mrs. Kiernan had stayed quiet while they talked, her hands tucked into her coat pockets. Nicole couldn’t tell much from her face, but his mother was watching her closely enough to make her stand up straighter.

“Hello, Nicole.”

“Hi, Mrs. Kiernan. It’s nice to finally meet you. Drew’s told me so much about you.”

“Wish I could say the same.”

Nicole kept smiling, but what the fuck was she supposed to say to that?

“Ma.” Drew was looking straight at his mother with an expression that said, ‘What the fuck was that?’ Oh, he was fucking pissed.

Tommy let out a nervous laugh, and Mrs. Kiernan quickly added, “Drew only told us about you on Thursday.”

Nicole turned back to her. “Well, I’m glad we get to meet now.”

Mrs. Kiernan offered her hand, and Nicole took it. Maybe they could still start over. A handshake wasn’t how she’d pictured greeting his mother.

“I’m a hugger. Can I hug you?”

“I . . . sure.” She seemed surprised, but she opened her arms, and Nicole stepped closer.

Nicole hugged her, and after a second, Mrs. Kiernan’s hand settled against her back.

Over his mother’s shoulder, Nicole caught Drew’s eye. He gave her a small, apologetic smile, and she smiled back.

Tommy rubbed his hands together. “Now, is anybody else hungry? Because I’ve been thinking about food since halftime.”

Drew laughed. “Yeah, Dad. Let’s go eat.”