by Marie Harte
“My girlfriends have always taken a backseat to football. I admit it. But I don’t have football blocking for me now. There’s you. And I like you. A lot.” He was falling for her, hard. “I don’t see anyone else when I’m out. I don’t think about other women. I just think about you.”
“Well.” She swallowed. “You, um…”
“Yeah. But that’s me. How do you feel about me?” He hadn’t meant to push her, but it had grown more difficult to keep his feelings inside. After all he’d told Simon, he couldn’t do less and pretend he cared little for Becca Bragg. Not when he wanted her by his side, always.
“I told you about Neal, how hard it was to let him go.”
“You did.”
“I’ve dated since, obviously. But nothing’s ever felt real. Nothing solid. Then this new obnoxious, showy football player comes to town.”
“Obnoxious, sure. But showy?”
“And he’s handsome and funny. He helps my son and the other boys, and he turns out to be nice man.”
He winced. “Nice? Really?”
“Nice is good, trust me.”
Well, if she liked it, okay.
“And I make a big move to seduce him one day, and I’m hooked.”
“Now that I like to hear.” He stood, ignoring the paused movie, and brought Becca to her feet.
“But things are complicated. I have a son who’s in high school. A business that takes up all my time. And these feelings for you are messing with my head.”
“I get you. I do.” He slowly led her from the media room down the hall to his bedroom. “Don’t forget the warnings from family to go slow, to not screw things up for Simon. Oh, and to not get sucked in by a pretty face.”
“I’ve heard all that.” She grinned. “So, have you been warned by Nora or Deacon?”
“Both.” He stripped off his shirt, pleased when she did the same. “Ah, great minds think alike.”
She removed her bra, and he had to touch. “You have the prettiest skin. Curves in all the right places.” He hugged her, groaning at the feel of her full breasts against his chest. Her nipples were hard, rubbing against him.
He palmed her breasts and felt their weight, his hands close to her heart.
“That feels good,” she whispered.
“Too good,” he whispered back and kissed her.
Tongue, lips, and a hint of teeth threw them both into a fog of lust. Clothes disappeared as they meshed, fully connected in all ways but one.
“Condom,” she moaned.
He laid her down on the bed and reached for one in his drawer. Then she grabbed it and put it on him, mounting him before he could think.
The feel of her body gloving him was better than anything. He stared up at his own warrior goddess as she rode him, her hair thrown back, her skin aglow. Her stare was direct, warm, caressing.
“I’m so close,” she warned.
He added a firmer touch, grazing her clit with fingers too rough for her soft skin.
She keened and clamped around him, and the sight of her climax pushed him into his own. He emptied into the condom on a moan, needing so much more from her.
“Becca, honey. You’re…” Everything.
When he finally stopped, he could do no more than stare up her, his heart full. Her smile reflected her joy, and the beauty of the moment overwhelmed him. The tough guy, who could bench her weight and more, who had tackled bigger men than Deacon and run in more touchdowns than any other guy in the league the past two years running, lost himself in emotion.
“Becca, I love you.”
He didn’t expect her to say it back, not yet. And he sure the hell hadn’t planned on saying it first, but it had slipped out. She surprised him by kissing him breathless once more. Becca trailed her hands and mouth over all of him. She pulled away and removed the condom, tossing it to the floor. Then she followed with more kisses, stroking and petting, until he was rock hard and wanting again.
“God, Becca. You’re driving me crazy.” The lovemaking turned from soft to wild, Becca silent and hungry, licking him up with a mouth that wouldn’t quit.
When she reached his hardening cock, she took him inside, her lips bringing him fully back to life.
“Turn around,” he wheezed, not sure a man should—or could—come again so fast.
Becca didn’t listen, and he jerked in her mouth as she tongued him, then sucked him down in heady draws.
The orgasm about broke him. “I love you so fucking much,” he confessed when he could catch his breath.
She remained quiet as she crawled back up his body and lay on top of him.
Like the missing piece of the puzzle, she fit. And he held onto her, knowing it unlikely he’d get to keep her with him overnight. If at all…
******
Becca left Mitch hours later, after napping with him before making love one final time. Nothing wild and crazy, but soft, sweet, and so mind-blowing she’d done nothing but pray his name as she lost herself in an orgasm that turned her world upside-down.
I love you so fucking much, he’d said. And he’d meant it. Endorphins or not, the man had twice admitted to loving her. All that talk about feelings and a future.
She shivered in her bed, staring at the ceiling, her heart racing as if she’d run a marathon. And lost. Tears filled her eyes, her emotions all over the place.
Elated that Mitch loved her. Worried it had all happened too soon. Glad it wasn’t just her feeling so much for him.
Terrified at the thought of losing someone else she loved…
Becca raced to the bathroom and paused over the sink, not sure if she’d throw up or just needed to splash her face with water. She looked pale. Haunted, she thought, as she stared at herself in the mirror.
Mitch had said he loved her.
Could she trust him? Did she know him as well as she thought she did? Was she crazy not to at least give him a chance?
Becca gripped the sink and swore silently, half wishing Mitch had never come to Hope’s Turn and interrupted her happy yet empty little world. Half hoping he meant what he’d said about loving her.
After years without Neal, she hadn’t thought she’d ever feel giddy in love again. But fear tainted her joy, and the addition of the holidays confused her even more.
Her Christmas revolved around family. Her, Simon, Nora, her aunt and uncle. Her father and stepmother were an afterthought, and they felt the same way about her. Neal had lost both of his folks to cancer at a young age, and they’d never been close with his extended family.
But now she couldn’t imagine Christmas without Mitch somewhere nearby.
A good thing? A bad thing? How would Simon feel, no longer being the only man in her life?
She couldn’t afford to make a mistake, rush into things, and perhaps damage her son.
Simon was too important to her. She knew Mitch would agree.
But how did she know that?
She tore herself away from her reflection, tired of looking at a crazy woman, and tried to get to sleep. But a buzz from her cell phone distracted her. She read an incoming text from Mitch.
Stop thinking so hard and go to sleep. Everything will work itself out. neal.
She froze, in shock.
Fuck. I meant Nervous Nellie. Damn autocorrect. I’m sorry, Becca. Seriously. Ignore me and go to sleep. Love you. M.
Another declaration of love. Once her heart stopped racing, she stared at the message, some fanciful part of herself imagining Neal reaching out to her, telling her it was okay to love again.
Tears filled her eyes, because he seemed a distant memory now, no longer such a part of her life. Which was crazy, because she’d lived years without him. But somehow, when she’d been single, she’d been married too.
But with Mitch by her side, she didn’t feel single at all. She had a boyfriend. One who loved her.
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered, and she stared at her text message until the words blurred. Then she dropped off to sleep, dreami
ng about Neal and Mitch playing football while Simon looked on, smiling.
Chapter Eighteen
By Sunday, Becca had turned into a basket case. She had trouble sleeping and found excuses to be too busy to deal with Mitch, still processing all he’d said and meant. And all she felt.
At the teahouse, just as they were about to close, she worked with Simon and Nora, having given the rest of the staff the weekend off. Snow fell outside, coming down in big, fat, fluffy flakes. The white powder covered the sidewalks and masked the bright Christmas lights strung over the trees lining the street.
“It’s like we’re in a Norman Rockwell painting,” Nora said as she stared through the front window.
Simon joined her, and Jenna joined him. Apparently, the girl needed even more volunteer time for the Honor Society. Yeah, right. She and Simon were holding hands.
Nora glanced at them, then looked back at Becca and raised a brow.
The last two customers drinking tea stood and left with a wave goodbye.
Becca smiled. “Hey, Simon, Jenna. Why don’t you two walk home? We have cocoa and marshmallows. And you can turn on the fire to warm it up for when I get home in a bit.”
The teenagers nodded and grabbed their jackets, not needing to be told twice. But before Simon left, he crossed to Becca. “Are you okay, Mom? You’ve been acting weird lately. Did Mitch say something to bother you?”
“No. Why is that the first thig everyone thinks when I look upset? Why does it have to be about Mitch? Maybe I’m stressed for other reasons.”
Simon took a step back. “Oh. It’s that time of the month. Sorry.”
“Simon,” she growled. “It’s not that time— Oh, go home!”
“Seriously, Simon.” Jenna shook her head. “You know better than to always think a woman’s on her period. Are you going to ask me that when—not if—I get mad at you?”
He blushed. “No. Stop with all your lady talk. Ew.”
She laughed, and the pair left together.
“Then what is your problem?” Nora asked as she wiped down tables. “Because Simon was right. You’re acting like you’re on your period.”
“Mitch told me he loves me.”
Nora stopped, frozen. “Say that again.”
Becca blew out a breath. “He said he loves me. And he texted that to me too.”
“Oh my God. Seriously?” Nora squealed and raced over to hug her. “That’s great… Why are you looking like you’re going to cry?”
“I don’t know!” Becca sniffed. “I’m so confused, emotional—”
“Pregnant?”
“No!” Becca hated that she grew even weepier at the thought. “And I’m kind of sad because I’m not. God, what is wrong with me?”
“Honey, sit down.”
Becca let Nora lead her to a table.
“When Mitch told you he loved you, what did you say back?”
“Nothing. We just kissed some more…and did a few other things. He’s so good in bed.” Becca sighed.
“Lucky bitch.”
“Nora.”
“Oh, shut up. I’m kidding. Mostly.” Nora grinned. “So, he told you he loves you. You gave him happy time.”
“You can say sex, since we’re both adults and all.”
“Fine. You sexed him up. Then what?”
“I left.”
“And?”
“And what? I left. That was Friday night.”
Nora stared. “Have you talked since Friday?”
“No. I told him I was busy.”
“I was right. You are a bitch.”
“Hey.”
“Becca, think. You have a guy any woman would give her right boob to have. Note I would have said right nut, but since we don’t have those, I went with a better analogy. My point, though, is that I know you feel something for the guy. You’re different around him. You smile more, and Simon loves him.”
“But it’s too soon.”
“Is it? You knew with Neal after a year. And that was when you were seventeen. Just a baby. Now you’re older and wiser, and you feel something for this man.”
“I do.”
“So, stop hiding and deal with it. With him.”
“I think I love him.”
“Good. Go with that.”
“I’m scared, Nora.” This time she felt the tears and accepted them. “It was like when I looked into his eyes that first time, really looked, something clicked. Even when I didn’t want to like him, I liked him. He’s smart and funny. Handsome.”
“And rich.”
“Stop.”
“Well, he is. He can be that rock for you, Becks. Neal is gone. Mitch is here, and he’s a good man. I like him.” Nora didn’t like just anyone.
“But it’s not just me. It’s Simon, too. We’re a package deal.”
“Don’t you think Mitch knows that?”
“Well, yeah.” She put her head in her hands. “Where do I go from here?”
“You invite Mitch over for dinner. You include him as a part of your family with Simon. Then you have him sleep over.”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“You had the sex talk with Simon, right? The kid knows how babies are made?”
“Of course.”
“Then let him see his mother in a healthy, adult relationship with a man. I’m not saying you should blow the guy in front of your son, just be real.”
“Ew. You really have a way with words.”
“Yes, I’m quite the pontificator.”
“Ten points.” Becca acknowledged her word choice. “I’ve been really immature about this. I hate that. I’m just not good at conflict.”
“Bullshit. You’re fine when it comes to managing the store and customers. You handle Linda and her cronies with a kind of quiet defiance.”
Becca gave a small grin. “As opposed to your mouthy rebellion.”
“Yes, I’m straight-up small town mafia.”
“Huh. I must have picked up the mafia references from you.” She remembered saying something to Mitch about football mafia. And yes, it sounded just as silly coming from Nora.
“What?”
“Never mind. I appreciate the tough love. Now I need to go home, make sure I have another ‘where babies come from’ talk with Simon after Jenna leaves, and invite Mitch over for dinner. Do you mind missing out on chicken night?”
“No problem. I’m on a seafood kick anyway. But I’ll bring dinner over Tuesday night, okay?”
“Sounds good.” She hugged Nora goodbye, finished cleaning up, then walked home. Only to find Mitch waiting for her in the driveway.
******
Mitch had half expected Becca to pull away from him after Friday night. He wished he hadn’t been surprised, but having sprung the L-word on the poor woman so soon, what had he really thought she might do?
“Mitch, hi.” She smiled at him.
Hmm. She seemed pleased to see him. That he hadn’t expected. “Hey.”
She took two steps forward and kissed him full on the lips.
Well, hell. He hadn’t expected that either.
Before he could speak, she put a finger over his lips. “Sorry, but we need to talk out here. Simon and Jenna are in the house.”
He nodded.
She took her finger away. “I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. It was childish, and I won’t do it again.”
“Ah, okay.”
“It’s just… You’re wonderful, and it doesn’t seem real. You’re the first man after Neal that I—I mean, I feel so much for you, Mitch.” She cupped his cheek, and the cold no longer bothered him.
“I moved too fast.”
“Yes, you did. But I’m glad.” Her smile took his breath away.
“You are?”
“I won’t lie. You scare me. You’re sexy and smart. What’s to keep you from being with any of the other fine ladies in Hope’s Turn? I don’t know. I can only hope we’ll be together for a long time.”
Forever. Wisely, he ke
pt that to himself. He’d have time to work up to that, he hoped.
“And then there’s Simon.”
“Yes, we’ve met.”
She sighed. “You know what I mean. I have a teenage boy to raise. He’s a handful.”
“He’s fine. You’re amazing. I’m the one who’s not all together.”
“You’ve got ideas, and you’re making things happen.”
“And I’m rich. I have a pool. And a library. Have you seen my kitchen?”
She bit her lower lip. “I have. I admit, I have kitchen envy.”
“Good.” She needed to know he could provide for her. “I have money, Becca. You never have to work”
“I’m going to stop you right there.” She poked him in the chest. And yeah, she had that mom-poke-of-death thing going on that all mothers seemed to have. “I love my job. I don’t want your money, Mitch. I just want you.”
Probably best not to mention he’d bought the row of businesses on her side of Main Street then. He gave her the most innocent smile he could drum up. “Okay then.”
“But I might want your kitchen stove. Maybe.”
He laughed.
“Since I was going to invite you over for dinner, would you like to stay for baked chicken night?”
“I’d love to.” He walked her to her front door.
“And Mitch?”
“Yeah?” His heart pounded. She looked so serious.
“I, ah, Simon knows about us.”
Not what he’d been hoping to hear, but he could wait for a declaration of love. Especially if it happened inside, where it was warm. “I guessed he’d figure it out when I’m taking you out to dinner, the movies, bowling.”
“Oh, right.” She cleared her throat. “The thing is, you and I haven’t been together and around him at the same time.”
“Becca, honey, it’s okay. I promise not to mount you in front of the kid.”
“Mitch.”
He laughed. “You are so red right now. Come on. Let’s go inside and let the boy interrogate me. His nose is pressed up against the glass as it is.”
“Oh, Simon.” Becca shook her head at her son and said to Mitch, “You’ve been warned.”