Chapter 21

"There you are," Gina said, standing at the edge of the pool as I emerged from underwater.

I waded to the side and pushed my wet hair out of my face. "Where're you going?"

"Cody and I are having a picnic lunch before the game," she explained. "I just wanted to let you know I'll pick you up for the game when I get back."

"Okay. Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Girl, I wouldn't do most things you'd do," she said.

I laughed. "Then, do everything I'd do."

She shook her head. "You're such a bad influence."

"That's why you love me."

"True story," she said before spinning away and heading toward her house.

A huge splash of water splattered me from behind. I twisted to see Crew emerging from the water and wading closer to me.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi," he said stopping in front of me and caging me in with his arms as he held onto the edge of the pool. "Again," he added.

I smirked. He'd made good on spending all of his free time with me.

"What'd Gina want?"

"She and Cody are going on a picnic."

"A picnic? That guy's good."

"He really likes her, doesn't he?"

He shrugged. "He's going on a damn picnic. I'd say he feels something for her."

"If I wanted to go on a picnic, wouldn't you take me?"

"I'd take you. Then I'd take you."

"Uuuuugh," I groaned.

He laughed.

I ducked out from beneath his arms and swam toward the steps in the low end of the pool.

Before I could even get one step out of the pool, he hooked his arm around my stomach and pulled me back into him. "Don't," he said.

"Don't what?"

"Don't be mad. I was joking. If you want a picnic, I'll give you a picnic."

"I don't want a picnic," I grumbled.

"Then what do you want?" he asked, his lips brushing my ear from behind sending tingles scampering over my neck.

This to last. You to never look at another girl. You to never cheat. Us to be happy together."I don't know."

"I think you do," he said, before peppering my wet neck with soft kisses.

"Did my father leave yet?" I asked as my head dropped back to give him better access.

"Sure did," he murmured against my skin.

"What would you say if he caught us out here like this?" I asked.

"I'd say," he said between kisses, "your daughter's amazing…And you're an asshole for hurting her."

I remained silent. It hurt to hear the words leave his lips, but it was the truth.

"But," he continued, "she's a survivor. And she takes no shit from anyone. She's tough but thoughtful, feisty yet sensitive."

"Thoughtful?" I asked, calling his bluff.

"The way you do things for Gina. Come on, you've got to know you're thoughtful like that."

"Sensitive?"

"Even when you're pissed, there's still a vulnerability behind your words. Things affect you whether you show it or not."

"Sounds like you've been paying attention," I said.

"Since the first minute."

I twisted in his arms, wrapping my arms over his shoulders and my legs around his hips. "The first minute?"

He nodded then kissed me, stealing my breath away as he proved his words. He eventually pulled back. "Wait for me after the game tonight."

I wrinkled my nose. "And look like a groupie?"

He laughed. "You're certainly not a groupie. And, I wanna do something with you."

I pretended to consider it. "If I don't get a better offer."

"I knew that kid I kept sending over was gonna try to get your number," he said, playing along.

"He's like ten."

"Never trust a ball player."

A cold chill rushed up the back of my spine.

I could see in his eyes that the words left him before he even realized what he'd said. He lowered his forehead to mine. "You can trust me, Peyton. I'm falling for you."

A ripple rolled through my belly as words eluded me.

"And trust me. Feelings like this don't just go away."

I swallowed hard.

"Believe me when I tell you, this thing between us is real."

"Careful, player, these lines are starting to work on me."

He smiled. "They're not lines. And, just know, I'm only saying them to you."

Our lips collided. His tongue swept between my lips, the gentle glide of it melding in time with mine. Crew moved us to the side of the pool until my back touched the wall. I could feel his erection and was sure he was going to take me right then and there.

I pulled back. "Whoa."

Our chests were both heaving.

Crew laughed. "You started it."

"Why don't you end it?" I challenged.

And I knew all too well that Crew loved a challenge.