31. Chapter 31

Holy shit. Both of us are collapsed on my bed, completely spent. I knew sex with Brynn was going to be great, but that was explosive. Our bodies were in sync, and I feel like such a chump for coming so quickly. But with the combination of her tight pussy and sex without a condom, I was a goddamn goner.

Bringing myself to my feet, I head into the bathroom. Rummaging through my closet, I find a washcloth for Brynn. Running it under hot water, my feet carry me back to where she is still stretched out across my bed. Her eyes are shut, red splotches cover her body from where I marked her—hopefully, I wasn't too rough—lips swollen, and her curled hair looking freshly fucked. This is an image I want ingrained in my mind forever.

Gently, I run the warm washcloth between her thighs where my cum is leaking out of her. And dammit, my body reacts to the sight. She jumps at the contact.

"Relax," I speak before she has a chance to say anything. "Let me take care of you."

Taking care of a woman post-sex is new to me. I've never had someone sleep over after sex. It was always just a quick release for both of us. No cuddling and no sleepovers. But I want to clean Brynn up, the act feels intimate and right. She's so much more than a hook-up, she always has been. And it's time for me to tell her my plans for next year. I should've told her before we had sex, but the timing never felt right. Everything was so new and so fragile, I didn't want to risk it.

I finish cleaning her, stepping away and tossing the washcloth in my hamper.

"Thank you," Brynn whispers, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "No one has ever done that for me before."

A shy grin spreads across my face as I run my hand down the back of my head. "I've never done that before."

She stands, grabbing the extra bag she keeps in my room before rushing in the direction of my bathroom. While she's in the bathroom, I slip on a pair of fresh boxers. If I stay naked, there's no way we'll be talking. Crawling back onto the bed, I stretch out, waiting on her to return.

After a few minutes, I hear the door open as she steps out. My eyes trail over her body. She's changed into a pair of black Calvin Klein underwear and a matching bra. I watch as her legs carry her over to me. Her body finds my mattress while eyes find her new tattoo.

Trailing my finger over her smooth skin, I trace the arrow.

"I got it for you," she whispers, vulnerability lacing her words.

Snapping my attention toward her, I wait for her to continue.

"I wanted something to remind me to keep moving forward as you do. An arrow may be forced backward, but on its release, it shoots forward. My past has a way of dragging me backward, but you always bring me back to the present, encouraging me to keep moving forward. And that's what my future is, moving forward with you."

Her words freeze me. I've never felt so honored or important by such a permanent gesture. Sitting up, I move until my lips find hers. I kiss her with everything I have, hoping she can feel the words I haven't said to her.

I love you. I love you so much.

She kisses me back with the same emotion, almost as if she's saying it back.

Finding some strength, I break the kiss.

"That's really fucking amazing, Wilder." It's the only thing I think to say. I want so desperately to tell her that I love her, but it's not time.

"You're pretty fucking amazing," she responds.

I lie down beside her, my head resting on her stomach. Her fingers run over my head, and I trail soft touches over her legs.

"I'm going into the draft. I'm not coming back next year." I blurt the words out, knowing there isn't a great way to have this conversation, especially after what she just told me. The hand in my hair pauses. She's silent, and my chest seizes with worry. "I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner. The timing just never felt right."

I feel her body tense under my head before she sits up, causing my head to flop down on the mattress.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Quinton!" Brynn squeals. She throws her body down on me, lips finding mine immediately. I'm frozen by her reaction. Before I have a chance to kiss her back, her lips leave mine, propping her body on her elbows.

"Why are you apologizing? I'm so proud of you!"

"Yo-you are?"

"Of course I am," she answers, swatting my chest. "This is your dream. Quinton! You're going to the NFL!"

A sense of calm rushes through, instantly relaxing me. This was not the reaction I was expecting, but it's Wilder, of course she'd be proud and understanding.

"I was afraid you'd be upset I didn't tell you sooner. Especially since we just got together." My voice is quiet as I reach up, pushing fallen hair from her face.

Her head melts against my touch. Leaning down, her lips brush mine.

"How could I be upset? This is everything you've wanted. And I'm not worried about us. I know everything will work itself out."

The NFL has always been everything I've ever wanted, but that was before Brynn. Now I'm going to work damn hard at making sure I keep my girl too.

Sitting up and straddling my hips, Wilder reaches behind her back. Unclasping her bra, she lets it slowly drift down her arms. Tossing it aside, she grinds down on my hardening dick.

"Let's celebrate!"

And we celebrate all damn night.