Winnie

"Do you want to cook tonight or do you want me to pick something up when I'm done here?" Rhett's voice asks from my phone that I left on the kitchen counter as I flip my laundry. He had to go down to the school for a few hours this afternoon and talk with the principal about something to do with media. I guess when you're just coming off one of your most successful years as a pro player people want to know what you're up to. I don't blame them.

"I don't mind cooking." I hear him breath out a long sigh.

"I meant together Winnie, always." I smile.

"You know, you're really good at this teamwork thing. Have you ever played organized sports? Thought about coaching?" He chuckles at that.

"The thought might have occurred," he says dryly.

"Well run with it, cowboy." He laughs again. He always makes me feel funnier than I am. It takes some getting used to but I think I wouldn't mind getting used to it.

"Will do, Darlin'. I'll pick up something and see you in a couple hours."

"Sounds great, see you then. Bye, Rhett." I hang up the phone and can't stop the smile and giddy feeling spreading inside my chest. I'm nervous but excited at the thought of Rhett staying the night tonight. We may have spent the last few weeks at his place or mine, but we haven't slept together yet. On more than one occasion the opportunity presented itself and at the thought of being with him again my skin feels like it's on fire. I know he's been with women in the last eight years, I've been with other men, but being with him just means more.

I don't think I could ever love anyone the way I love him, but I do know I wouldn't want to. When he told me he loved me today it was like I knew the words before he said them and at the same time had been holding my breath waiting to hear them. This man will be the only exception to the rules I made for myself about love, so I want it to be right and I don't want to mess it up. Just as soon as I've felt happier than I can ever remember I can feel my anxiety start to rise and reach for my phone deciding I may need some help.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mare."

"What's the matter?" She asks. She's always the one to cut right to the heart of the matter. I feel my lips wobble as I struggle to tell her. One of the worst things about my anxiety is that nothing is actually wrong in the moment, I just can't stop thinking about what could be wrong potentially.

"Nothings wrong yet." I get out, hoping my voice is steady.

"Okay, and what is it you're worried could be wrong?" I feel the tears slipping down my face now, not only from the anxious energy in my body making my muscles tight, but also from the deep sense of being known and seen that Marigold has managed to make me feel. She really is the best friend you could ever ask for.

"Rhett's staying the night tonight."

"Sounds like things are going pretty right if you ask me." I let out a small snort. "What specifically are you worried about? Let's list them and work through them." How did I get so lucky?

"I love you Marigold. Thank you."

"I love you more, Win. Now let's get you right."

"What if he can't handle all of me?"

"He seems like he's pretty good at rolling with the punches." I agree.

"What if he takes a coaching job out of state?"

"If that were to happen then you would have a conversation about it, but he's locked into the job he has now for at least a year so it doesn't seem like a worry for now."

"What about Colt?"

"What about him? You should tell him, but your brother loves you more than anyone else on the planet. He'll get on board." I let out a breath at that. Maybe she's right.

"What if he changes his mind?" This. This is the scariest thought I can't seem to bypass.

"Rhett Holloway has been all in on you since you were 22. I don't see that changing. Ever."

"I really hope you're right about that. I'm really stupidly in love with him."

"I know, babe. I'm really happy for you." The sincerity in her voice is comforting and it makes my throat tight with emotion.

"I want to be happy."

"Then be happy, Winnie. Let yourself be happy." I smile.

"I think I will."

"Atta girl! Woo!" I laugh. "I'm walking into work now, but I expect a full report in the morning. Full, Winnie. I want every detail." I'm laughing again.

"Okay, go be a hero. I love you the most."

"Never. Bye, Win!" I tap my phone ending the call and get ready for my evening with Rhett.

After an extensive everything shower, spraying the pillow mist in my room and tidying up the house I hear the door bell followed by Rhett's signature knock before he lets himself in. I can feel tension coil in belly. I decided to bake something for us tonight, not only because I wanted to contribute in some way to the evening but also because it helps calm me. I made the strawberry cookies that Rhett likes and also a loaf of chocolate bread, both are high on his list of favorites.

"Hey, Darlin'" I feel his arms wrap around my waist from behind as I'm moving cookies from the baking sheet and onto a cooling rack.

"Hey yourself." I smile as he nuzzles his head into my neck and all the tension that was here in his absence melts into nothing.

"I missed you," he says.

"As crazy as it sounds I missed you, too."

"It doesn't sound crazy at all to me, Winnie. I've spent enough time away from you as it is." His hands start to explore my hips and my breath starts coming faster.

"Mm it's nice we can agree on that." His voice is so low and deep as he speaks into the skin below my ear.

"I want to take you to bed. Can we agree on that?" He"s driving me crazy as he runs his lips up and down the side of my neck, his words are soft in my ear.

"I think I would agree to anything you asked right now if I'm being honest, Rhett," I whisper.

"Is that so?" His fingers are inching their way up my shirt now. Passing my ribcage until his large hands cup my breasts. I arch into him, wanting contact on all points of my body.

"Rhett."

"Yes, Darlin'?"

"I want you."

"How bad do you want me?" My eyes pop open at his words. I'm thrilled and shocked all at once. I'm on fire.

"Bad," I whine.

"I need to hear you say how much, Winnie."

"I want you so much I can barely see straight, Rhett. I feel like I might die if you don't kiss me." My words are rushed and hard to hear, but he must understand me, because he grips my chin to tilt my head to the side and devours my mouth with his. My heart is beating out of my chest and I can't catch my breath. He's barely touched me and I'm already aching for him.

I turn into him, never breaking our kiss, and he holds me tight against him. Our kiss is pent up passion from the last eight years and need for one another now. The combination is making my head spin. I'm matching him lick for lick and letting my hands explore down the ridges of his stomach, then lower. I feel his hiss when I'm finally under the waistband of his pants, but I don't stop. I want him, have wanted him for years.

Before I get to the place I've been heading for he sweeps me up and stalks toward my bedroom with me in his arms. I kiss the stubble at his jaw and nip at it. When we enter the room he doesn't hesitate to toss me onto the center of my bed, I bounce once with the motion and watch in stupified awe as Rhett Holloway crawls onto my bed and over me. My blood heats with the look in his eyes. I feel beautiful right now, more beautiful than I may have ever felt in my life. He goes in to kiss my lips again but I put my hand to his chest and he sits back on his heels. I lean up, wanting to be close to him when I speak. I need to know something before this goes further. He's staring so lovingly into my eyes I almost forget my own name, let alone what I was going to ask. I clear my throat.

"I can be a lot to handle, Rhett." I tell him. Trying my best to convey the truth in them. This is his last chance to get out before I fall over the edge with him. I hold his gaze, bracing myself for what"s to come. If I'm giving him the out, he could take it and my heart with him in the process.

"Winnie, if you give me the chance, handling you will be an absolute pleasure for the both of us," his says. It's exactly what I needed and possibly the sexiest thing I've ever heard. I launch myself at him, feeling more ready for what"s next with him than I ever have.

"I love you," I say between our heated kisses. His answer is one I'll never forget, no matter how wrinkly I get one day, no matter how foggy my mind gets.

"I will love you until my heart stops beating, Winnie Parker. Maybe even then."

With his words, my fate is forever sealed. I'll never recover from this fall. I'll pray I never have to.