Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Promise?”
“If the dolphins don’t work, I’ll find a way to distract you.” I glance over at her with a wink.
“Foster! There will be other people on the boat.”
“Not ours,” I say, pulling the rental into the parking lot where we’re scheduled for the private dolphin tour.
“What?” she asks, whipping her head around to face me.
“I’m not the most popular guy in the league, but I still get recognized. I didn’t want the day to be about me and the fans. I just wanted to spend the day with you, celebrating your birthday, giving you more firsts. So, I booked the entire boat for just us.”
“That’s frivolous.”
I shrug, trying to play it off like it’s nothing, and it’s not a big deal, at least not to me. “I can afford to be, and I never am. If there was ever a time in my life to be frivolous, it’s with you.”
The words land heavier than I expect. They’re true in a way that goes beyond money. I’m careful with almost everything—decisions, plans, people—but standing here with her, that carefulness feels unnecessary. I love watching her take in the world like it’s brand new, love how her curiosity pulls her forward even when she’s unsure. I’ve done well for myself, invested smart, and planned ahead. I came from nothing, and I’m proud of where I am. And still, none of that feels as valuable as this moment. This trip alone is worth the ribbing I know I’m going to get from the guys when we get home. They’ve all called, and I’ve been avoiding them. I know I need to call them back today, or send a group text, or they’re going to be crashing into my condo, leading the search party. Those are Landry’s words from his last voicemail, not mine.
“I can’t believe you rented the entire boat just for us,” she says, her voice hovering somewhere between disbelief and laughter as she looks around. Her eyes are wide with excitement, fear, and that subtle look of innocence from someone who hasn’t been able to see the world beyond where they were born and raised.
I wink at her, enjoying the way her eyebrows lift just a little, and the light pink color that coats her cheeks. I hope that she never loses that. “You ready for another grand adventure?”
She takes a breath, straightens her spine, rolls her shoulders back like she’s bracing herself against more than just the ocean breeze, and then she nods. “Let’s do it.”
Her smile comes easily, but I catch the tiny tremble in her lip, the nerves she’s trying not to show. And that, right there, is what gets me. She’s scared, but she’s choosing to move forward anyway. I admire that more than I can say.
She’s out of the car, and I rush after her, taking her hand in mine as we follow the signs to the boat. We meet Pierre, our tour guide, and are fitted for our life jackets, which I expect will freak her out, but instead has the opposite effect and calms her.
“Are you ready?” Pierre asks.
I give Eden’s hand a soft squeeze. “Ready, babe?”
She nods, her smile as bright as the Florida sun. “I’m ready.”
I nod to Pierre, and he gets to work. “Good girl,” I praise her, leaning in for a kiss. Her cheeks are flushed when I pull back. “What’s this for?” I gently rub my thumb across the apple of her cheek.
“That’s what you say when we’re…” Her voice trails off.
It takes effort not to smile. “When we what, Eden?” I ask, whispering in her ear. She shifts in her seat, and I lean in closer, pressing my lips just below her ear. “When I’m inside you?”
She nods. “That.”
My cock is rock-hard, just thinking about being inside this woman. Not wanting to scar Pierre by exposing him to the steel bar in my shorts, I grip her hips and lift her onto my lap. “Much better.” I kiss her neck, wrapping my arms around her. I don’t know what I expected, but it’s not for her to lean into my embrace as she reaches into her small purse, pulls out her phone, and holds it up to take a picture of us together. Her eyes are lit with excitement, and her smile—damn, that smile—is one I’d pay millions to see every damn day.
“I promise this is just for me. I won’t share it or even show it to anyone,” she says.
“It’s okay, Eden. I trust you,” I tell her. It’s true. I knew that by bringing her here I was taking a risk of being photographed. I’m not the face of the team, but someone who follows the game might recognize me. I didn’t even give it a thought. Honestly, I don’t give a shit if someone photographs us, as long as it’s not capturing us in an intimate position—that’s private—but I’m honored to have this woman on my arm. So what if the press thinks we’re together? I mean, we are. We’re sleeping together, we’re on vacation together. We’re not breaking any laws, just enjoying each other’s company. Of course, if the guys find out that way, they’ll give me shit, but let’s be real here, they’re going to give me shit either way. This is new for me.