“Stop fussing. Terry’s a nice guy and he’s helped me out a lot.”
“Fine. You smell good, though.” I nuzzled my face against her neck.
She giggled.
“You didn’t come all the way over here for sex, did you?” She pulled back and looked at me with a raised brow.
“No, I just needed to be in your presence.”
“Well, I have work to do babe, so you're going to have to entertain yourself.” Mara stood and grabbed her drink off the table and went to the kitchen.
“Move in with me,” I blurted out and she gasped in shock.
“Huh?”
“Move in with me.”
“You serious?”
I followed and cupped both her cheeks.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“That means we would wake up together and go to sleep together every night.”
“I know.”
“It means you’ll see all of my weird quirks with my green facial mask, rollers in my hair, nightguard,” she explained, and I laughed.
“Baby I want all of that and more.”
“You want to really live together? I mean as a committed couple, pay bills together?”
“You don’t have to pay bills.”
“I’m not letting you pay for me, Donovan.”
“Fine, you can pay a bill, but I just need you near me. The nights of us splitting our time back and forth at our places is draining and I hate when you get up and leave me.”
“Okay.”
“Really?” I leaned down to stare into her eyes for confirmation.
“Yes, let’s move in together.” She smiled and poked her lips out for a kiss.
I lifted her and spun her around the kitchen as she laughed.
“You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Kamara.”
“I feel the same way, Donovan.”
Donovan
One month later, I set down the last box of Kamara’s items that she had brought to our official place together. That was weird for me to say in my head, but it was a beautiful thing. I loved repeating it to myself, and anyone else who would listen. We were living together officially, as a couple that was in love, and even though our jobs would sometimes clash, I wouldn’t let it take away from how much she meant to me, and vice versa. The living room was already looking different, with some of her furniture woven in, like her favorite pictures. I had her office set up in the spare guest room. Since I rarely had people over, we redid it for her to have a place to work in peace.
Luna was there, along with Sutton and Savion. Reuben had a family thing and couldn’t make it, but we planned on having a housewarming party with everyone and our parents one day the upcoming week.
After I asked her to move in with me, we’d planned on moving her in quickly, but our time was limited. I had away games back-to-back, and she ended up getting a bigger position at the newspaper as the Senior Editor after Cailey took over a position at a bigger paper and left. Now, Kamara was running things, and I was more than proud of her for taking the big leap.
“Where does this go?” Luna asked, holding a colorful vase with pictures of animals across it.
“In my office please,” Mara said.
“Are you guys seeing this?” Savion said, and turned the TV up louder. I turned and looked at what he was talking about and my mouth dropped open in surprise. Julian Anderson was being escorted out of his home in handcuffs and they say he was dealing drugs.
“OMG!” Luna gasped.
I saw a reporter post a photo of Mara, along with her name. I scrolled down to the byline at the bottom and saw it was written by the same writer who had exposed the drug deal.
“Mara you did this?” Luna said as Mara nonchalantly looked up and shrugged.
“My job.”
“Baby, you just put the biggest football star in jail.”
“I look at it as a story, no one is above the story.” She winked.
“Come here.” I lifted her hands and pressed a kiss on the back of her palm and watched as Ben Simmons came on next.
“We have to really take a moment and look at this. Would this null and void the win?” Ben asked.
“I would say the league would need to investigate,” Charles responded.
I continued watching until a knock on my door came and I figured that was the food I ordered. I dropped her hands and opened the door to see my food in the hands of the last person I needed to show up.
“Mr. Hunt, I wanted to personally deliver your food, sir.”
“Thanks, but you could have let them bring it up to me.”
“I-”
She started to speak, but Mara cut her off and yanked the bag out her hand.
“Your personal delivery services are no longer needed. I suggest you find someone to try and sleep with because this one belongs to me,” Mara told her and slammed the door in her face. I grinned and she rolled her eyes at me.
“I belong to you?”
“Do I belong to you?” she countered.
“You’re everything I want and need, Kamara Powell.” I took the food out of her hands and placed it on the couch and picked her up in my arms and she wrapped her legs around my waist, and we tongued each other down.
“Can’t you two wait until your company leaves?” Sutton asked.
“Take the food and go,” Mara replied and I laughed, hearing her taking charge. My baby put her foot down and this was a new Mara that I hadn't seen before.
Later in the evening, we were eating dinner. Her legs were strewn across my lap, and she was dressed in one of my t-shirts. I was in my boxers. Luna, Sutton, and Savion had left once we went to the bedroom. They left the food in the fridge, and we heated it up. It was pasta, baked fish, steamed vegetables, and chicken. She had me watching Mean Girls for the 10th time, and I was ready to block it from my cable channel. I massaged her feet and kissed the back of her ankle, as she closed her eyes and her head fell back against the couch.
“Mmm. This is so good.”
“Any pasta left?” I questioned.
She nodded and put a small amount on the fork, then pushed it toward me. “Good, right?”
“It is; we have to order from them again.”
“We have so much to put away.” She sighed as she looked around the living room.
“We’ll get it done.”
“How are you feeling about the upcoming season?” she asked.
“I feel good, the amount of practice we get in as a team is helping.”
“Good, I’m excited to get back to watching you from the box suite. Here try this.” She pushed more pasta my way.
“Thanks baby.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more, now can we watch something else. I’ve had enough of Regina George.”
She giggled and I shook my head and continued massaging her feet and ran a hand up her thigh and took the plate out of her hand, placing it on the table.
“Donovan Hunt are you trying to seduce me?” she asked.
“Is it working?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“If you can stay awake long enough to watch Love Jones.” She laughed, and I shook my head, tickled her as she squirmed in my arms and bent down and kissed her lips as she moaned.
“Mara.”
“Yes…”
“Never change,” I said, and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“You're all I need, Donovan Hunt.”
Epilogue
Kamara
Two Years Later
I tried to squeeze into my favorite pair of pants, and I had no luck because of the weight gain. I looked in the mirror, and then down at the reason I was no longer my usual self. I spotted the round belly that poked out, taunting me about one of the days I’d forgotten to take my birth control pill. I was now pregnant with Donovan Hunt’s baby, and on the national stage as his girlfriend in the middle of another playoff game. It was kismet that
we made it back to the same place that really launched my career and put him on the map as the superstar quarterback of a football team. Even when I tried to resist his charms and push him away, he broke through and made me believe that not all athletes were arrogant to the point where they didn’t see what was right in front of their eyes.
Today, I was heading to the stadium with Luna to watch his game in the private booth with our family and friends. Then we’d come back home and have dinner. After moving in together, I had gotten used to the housekeepers and butlers—even though I wanted to cook meals for him and start our own traditions. But he said once the baby came, then we’d make our own traditions.
“You ready?” Luna poked her head into our bedroom.
I nodded, picking up my ID badge and purse. I slid my arms into my jacket and followed her downstairs and out of the fifteen thousand square-foot mini mansion to the car that was reserved for the family. I’d told Donovan he didn’t need to do this, but once again he insisted since I was traveling with precious cargo.
“I’m hungry; I hope they have my favorite foods.” I rubbed my stomach, thinking of the hot dogs and barbequed ribs that the chef had put out the last time I went to a game.
Lately, every muscle in my body wanted to lay out and sleep instead of work, but I knew as the senior editor, I had a responsibility to get my stories told quickly and precisely. Today was no exception—even though my boyfriend was leading the team to the national championship.
“Donovan probably has the entire room setup with all the food you love to eat.” Luna typed away on her phone.
“Leave my baby out of this and you aren’t innocent either in this.”
She lifted her head and met my eyes as the car pulled out of the driveway toward the stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
“Says the woman that’s six months pregnant,” Luna teased, reaching over to rub my belly.
I smacked her hand away and flipped her off, regretting wearing jeans and a long sweater. The weather was pretty nice out, and I’d hate to sweat through my clothes on national TV—especially if the team won, and I got a chance to interview them for my column. “Don’t be jealous; your time will come soon.”
The black SUV made it to the stadium a few minutes later, and the driver parked and got out to open our door. I stepped out first, then Luna, to the awaiting flashbulbs of the cameras. Even if I was a part of the media, I didn’t like the way they hounded people to get a story, and I’d made a promise to myself to treat everyone the same—even celebrities and athletes.
Luna locked arms with me, and we jetted inside the stadium. We stepped toward the elevator and waited for it to head up to the private suite that Donovan had reserved.
“Can you believe this is his third championship game?” Luna commented when my phone rang and I wanted to ignore it, but I knew my family was meeting us here and I wanted to make sure they found the correct suite room. I picked it up, smiled hearing my mom’s soft voice.
“Baby we made it here,” Mother said.
“Oh, that was quick. I just stepped on the elevator with Luna going to the suite now.”
“That’s fine, just have Donovan send someone to get us.”
“Are you sure?” I lied, not really wanting to turn around and go back down on the elevator to escort them back up here. We made it to the front door with security standing outside. Luna waved her badge, and they opened the door for her, and she nudged me to go first. I strolled in with my head down, finger in my ear trying to block out the noise in the background.
“Surprise!” I jumped back, mouth wide open in shock, looked over my shoulder at Luna, then toward my Mom standing in front of me. I closed my mouth, glanced at my phone again and they laughed.
“Wh... What...How?” I stuttered, not understanding what was happening right now. I raised my hand to my forehead.
“Donovan wanted to have everyone here for the surprise,” she said, and he walked into the room and again I was shocked because I thought he was suited and ready to head out to the field.
“Donovan...What are you doing here?”
My entire body heated up. I didn’t know what was going on. Everybody around me held up their phones and cameras to take pictures. Then Donovan dropped to his knee, and my eyes widened in surprise. He reached over and grasped my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. My stomach dropped, my eyes watered, and I clasped my free hand over my mouth.
“Baby, we’ve come a long way and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without your strength.”
“Are you for real?” I whimpered, wiping the tears that trickled down my cheek.
Everyone chuckled at my expense.
“I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me. Will you marry me Kamara and make me the happiest man in the world?” he asked, and I was speechless for a second and then nodded.
“Answer the man!” I heard from the crowd, and they laughed.
“Yes! I’ll marry you, Donovan, and I love you, too,” I responded.
He stood and cupped my face, then kissed my lips. He pulled back to slide the ring on my finger.
“When did you do this?” I questioned and reached up to clasp the back of his neck, standing on my tiptoes.
“A man never tells his secrets baby or shall I say Mrs. Hunt,” Donovan teased, pecking me on the mouth.
The both of us grinned and I looked at the ring, then my fiancé and kissed him again on the mouth.
“Thank you Mr. Hunt and I can’t wait for the twins to get here,” I replied, surprising him along with our families. I’d gone to the doctor with Luna and they told me I was carrying twins and I debated on when to tell him. Now was the perfect time and the best motivation to win the champion game.
“Twins?” Donovan’s eyes fluttered in shock.
“Yep. Get ready for two little ones running around.”
“She—She—She’s having twins,” Donovan said.
The crowd clapped, hugging us joyfully. I let everyone rub my belly and take pictures as we talked about the ring and the wedding. I wouldn’t add any more stress to my plate with a wedding until after the babies got here. But it was more than enough for me to continue my goals as a journalist, a wife, and a mom.
“I love you, Kamara. More than you know,” Donovan said.
“I love you, too, Donovan Hunt. Now, go win the game, baby. You’re not the only one planning on being MVP today,” I teased. I blew him a kiss as he started to leave the box to head downstairs and play. I relaxed with our families, enjoying the conversations that flowed in the room and eating to my heart’s content.
I hope you enjoyed Kamara and Donovan’s story. If you want more “Contemporary Romance, why not try “Heart of Stone Series” Click here https://books2read.com/u/boWPAV
Have you read “Temptation” yet ? Click here https://books2read.com/u/mle1Vv That is a standalone contemporary, sports, curvy girl romance.
Please also check out my Dark Mafia Series “Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love” https://books2read.com/u/bzjYAE with a host of characters intertwined.
Order of Series
The Early Years: A Prequel to Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love
https://books2read.com/u/49Zjnw
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Books 1
https://books2read.com/u/4AxKLo
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Books 2
https://books2read.com/u/bpED6g
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Books 3
https://books2read.com/u/3LpgdJ
Janice & Carlo: Captivated By His Love
https://books2read.com/u/b6je6M
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Book 4
https://books2read.com/u/4NQyE9
Joaquin Fuertes (The Fuertes Cartel, Books 1)
https://books2read.com/u/mvZlgV
Joaquin Fuertes (The Fuertes Cartel, Books 2)
https://books2read.com/u/4DWwLd
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Book 5
https://books2read.com/u/b5kZ8O
The Carrington Cartel
Catalog Releases
By Chiquita Dennie:
Temptation
Antonio & Sabrina: Struck in Love, Books 1, 2, 3
Janice & Carlo: Captivated by His Love
Heart of Stone, Book 1: Emery & Jackson
Heart of Stone, Book 1.5: Emery & Jackson, A Valentine’s Day Short Story
Heart of Stone, Book 2: Jordan & Damon
Heart of Stone, Book 3: Angela & Brent
* * *
By Keke Renée:
Wet Heat
His Peace, Her Pleasure
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, Book 1
Every Time We Touch (A Wet Heat Novelette)
By Ava S. King
Agent Red-Fatal Memory(Teagan Stone Book 1)
Agent Red-Fatal Target(Teagan Stone Book 2)
About the Author
Chiquita Dennie is an Author, Filmmaker, Podcast host, and Entrepreneur. Born in Memphis, TN, and a Los Angeles CA native. Her background in film/tv has taught and shaped her passion for screenwriting with her suspense script Antonio and Sabrina, that turned into romance novel Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love Series. Since its debut, fans have embraced the unconventional love story and Chiquita has gone on to create more unforgettable couples with Heart of Stone series. Making both series Amazon BestSellers. She writes contemporary steamy romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, fantasy and so much more.
What’s Next
Want to know what happens next?
Follow me on my website to catch the next release.
Reviews are the lifeblood of the publishing world. They’re read, appreciated, and needed.
Please consider taking the time to leave a few words on your review platform of choice.
Sign up for updates and sneak peaks at the site below.
She's All I Need(A Sports Romance) Page 16