Moon Shot
Page 22
Back home—not to a place, but to a person.
Twenty
Javi pulled into his driveway and killed the ignition, shuttering the car in silence. Around him, the street was dark, the only faint light coming from the dimly glowing street lamps. It was after midnight on a Tuesday, and his sleepy little neighborhood was all tucked into bed.
As he stepped out of his car, his limbs felt heavy. It had been a week since he’d last seen Aerin and missing her was weighing on him, like he was carrying around a massive but invisible boulder. And every day, the boulder got a little heavier. But it didn’t matter how heavy it got, he wasn’t putting it down. He’d promised her that he’d wait, that he’d give her the space she’d asked for and he intended to follow through on that promise.
Even the fact that the Longhorns now had the longest winning streak in team history going—twelve games straight now—felt empty without her. Everything felt empty without her. Fans and analysts alike were starting to whisper about the Longhorns’ postseason chances, even throwing around words like pennant and World Series, but all Javi could think about was Aerin. Missing her. Wanting to do right by her. Needing her in his life, and hoping she realized she needed and wanted him too, despite everything.
As much as it pained him to admit it, she’d been right about taking some time apart to think through everything. To have the space for clarity. He’d been doing a lot of thinking over the past week, and he’d come to a couple of conclusions. The first was that the implosion of his marriage was as much his fault as it was Cara’s. He’d always hung on to the blame he’d laid at her feet, but he knew it was time to let it go and own his mistakes so that he could move forward on a new and better path with Aerin. He refused to fall into the same damaging pattern with her as he had with Cara.
The second was that he was going to do whatever it took to make things work with her, no matter the obstacles. He loved her for who she was—tough, smart, gorgeous, successful—and he loved who he was with her. He loved who they were together, and he was willing to bet that a connection like that didn’t come around every single day. Aerin was worth fighting for, without question.
The third and final conclusion he’d come to was that if she was willing to move forward with their relationship, he’d spend the rest of his days loving her. She made words like forever and always feel like foregone conclusions in his mind.
He’d barely shut the door behind him when there was a knock on the door, a soft rap that sent his heart vaulting into his throat. He recognized it, and he couldn’t really think of who else would be knocking on his door this late at night.
His hand shook as he flipped the lock and turned the knob, hope rocketing through him, only tempered by the knowledge that she might be here to end things for good. He opened the door and there she stood, bathed in the soft gleam from his porch light.
“Hey,” she said, almost shyly. “I’m sorry it’s so late. I just got in from the airport and—”
“No, it’s fine. Did you want to come in?” God, he felt like an awkward teenager. His palms started to sweat, and his stomach did its best imitation of a pretzel.
She bit her lip and nodded, and he stood back, leaving room for her to come in. She moved through the front hall and into the living room, turning on lights as she went. Something about her familiarity with his house sent an ache blooming in his chest, and he clenched his fists against the need to go to her. To pull her into his arms and kiss her. But he didn’t know where they stood, and until he did, he’d keep giving her the space she’d asked for.
She turned to him, her eyes bright and uncertain, searching his face. “I’m sorry for leaving, but I needed some time to figure everything out.”
He shook his head. “It’s okay. I get it. It was a lot to process. So…” He asked, unable to stop himself. “Did you…did you figure some stuff out?”
She took a step toward him and slid her arms around his waist, and all of the tension inside him dissolved. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her scent into his lungs, everything inside him seeming to settle back into place.
“I did. Thank you for giving me some time.” She licked her lips, looking up at him. “I love you, Javi. And that scares the shit out of me. I’ve been hurt so badly in the past that the idea of completely opening myself up to someone else is hard. Really hard. But even if it’s scary and hard, I still want to be with you. I know that even more now. I’m sorry I made you wait.”
He nodded, smoothing a hand up and down her back, her words lighting him up from the inside. “I would’ve waited as long as you needed. I’m so sorry that I made you doubt me. Us. I’m so sorry. But Aerin…” He took a deep breath, holding her gaze. “I love you. So if you’ll forgive me, I promise I’ll give you everything I have. My body, my heart, my love, my honesty, my respect. You deserve everything I have, every day.” His voice shook a little as he spoke, emotion clogging his throat.
Aerin leaned forward and kissed him, her lips soft and warm against his, and he couldn’t hold back his moan. He tightened his grip on her and deepened the kiss, giving and taking as her tongue slid against his.
She broke the kiss, pressing her forehead to his, and when she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper, her breath ghosting over his lips. “I was so scared I’d never fit with you, but I do fit because I choose you. I’m choosing you, Javi, over anything I might be scared of. Because I love you, too.”
He let out a sound he didn’t recognize, half-laugh, half-sigh, and kissed her again, needing more of her. Needing the physical contact to reassure himself that she was really here, saying she wanted to be with him. He realized then how scared he’d been of the opposite outcome. How much he’d been bracing himself for it.
“But I do need to ask you something,” she said when they came up for air a few minutes later.
“Anything.”
“When I said I love you the first time…why didn’t you say it back?”
He let out a little laugh, trying to diffuse some of the embarrassment heating his face. “Uh, well…Honestly, the fact that you’d said it didn’t fully register because I was so caught up in being bare inside you. A train could’ve blown through my bedroom and I don’t think I would’ve noticed. I was so wrapped up in you.”
She laughed and held him tighter. “I guess I’d better not tell you anything important while we’re having sex.”
He shot her a rueful grin. “Probably a smart move. But I am sorry because I do love you, Aerin. So much. And I know we still have some shit to figure out, but I want to figure it out. I want a future with you.”
She smiled up at him, making him feel like he’d just won the lottery. “I want that, too.” She sighed, but it was a peaceful, contented sound. “I’m still not sure if I believe in fairytales, but I do know that I believe in us.”
With a growl, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into his bedroom, planning to spend the night showing her that he believed in them, too.
Epilogue
Seven months later
Warm Mexican sun warmed Aerin’s skin and she stretched, luxuriating on her lounge chair. The sound of crashing waves filled the air, the scent of sunscreen and cerveza floating around her. She picked up her golden beer, the condensation cool against her hand, and took a sip. With languid movements, she adjusted the straps on her red bikini, idly wondering what she should do next—swim, drink, nap, or maybe read.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a vacation like this. The past few months had been intense with work, but now that her new agency—Prescott Sports—was up and running, she’d felt comfortable stepping away.
Besides, it wasn’t every day she had such a fabulous reason to celebrate.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Javi walking back towards her, shirtless and in a pair of black swim trunks, his brown skin gleaming in the sun. The surf ebbed and flowed around his ankles, his gaze fixed firmly on her.
“Hey, Mr. World Series champion,”
she called, pushing herself up and taking another sip of her beer. He grinned and dropped into the lounge chair beside her.
“Hey, yourself,” he said, the smile still stretching wide across his face. Aerin was pretty sure he hadn’t stopped smiling since the Longhorns had won the World Series—the club’s first in almost thirty years—just ten days ago. After celebrating with the girls—who were starting to warm to Aerin, especially Olive—he’d whisked her off to a luxury resort in the Mayan Riviera. Not that she was complaining. The man knew how to celebrate.
“Enjoy your walk?”
“Mmm,” he murmured, staring out at the ocean.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, tracing circles in the condensation on her beer with her finger. “San Diego?” When they returned home, they’d be packing up to head to California for the winter so Javi could be near the girls. Which was fine by Aerin because San Diego in winter was far superior to Dallas in winter, and she traveled so much for work anyway that it didn’t really matter where her base was.
All that mattered to her was Javi. He was where home was.
He lifted his sunglasses onto his head and met her eyes, his gaze suddenly dark and serious. “I’m thinking that we should get married and try to have a baby.”
She sputtered on her beer, coughing and gasping. “What?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. Getting married, I mean. How do you feel about the possibility of getting remarried?”
“Uh…I mean, yes, I would definitely consider it with you. But can we rewind to the baby thing? Because in case you forgot, I’m almost forty-three.”
He shrugged and took her hand. “We could pursue fertility treatments, or use a surrogate. Or adopt. The point is, I want to build a family with you.”
“Holy shit, Javi.” Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she let herself envision everything he’d described. Getting married. Bringing a baby into their lives.
And it all felt so right. So perfect. She smiled, unable to stop it from spreading across her face.
“Yeah?” he asked, weaving his fingers through hers.
“Yeah,” she said, leaning forward to kiss him. He groaned against her mouth, and as they hurried back to their hotel room, Aerin knew she’d found her fairytale ending.
THE END
Don’t miss the other books in the Dallas Longhorns series!
Dylan McCormick has it all. A pro baseball career, millions of dollars, and a life most only dream of. But everyone has regrets, including Dylan—and he’s just come face to face with his in the form of Longhorns media director Maggie Jennings. Ten years ago, he loved her but made a choice that cost him the future he’d hoped for with her. Now, with a chance at redemption on the line, Dylan’s throwing the rule book out the window, willing to do whatever it takes to win Maggie back.
When Dylan’s traded to the Longhorns, Maggie can’t deny that she’s still drawn to him after all these years, and decides that the best way to get over him is to get under him—all in the name of closure. But being friends with benefits with Dylan has Maggie wondering if they could be more to each other. When long-buried secrets resurface, Maggie will have to decide if loving Dylan is a curveball she can handle.
CLICK HERE TO READ STEALING HOME!
What happens in Vegas…
Dallas Longhorns slugger Hunter Blake is wild. He gambles, he parties, and lives in the fast lane. Impulse control isn’t his strong suit, and while he’d originally set out to distance himself from his All-Star father’s pristine reputation, walking on the wild side has become a habit. So when he’s suspended and loses his spot on the All-Star team, he heads to Vegas for a few days of fun with country singer Marlowe Story, his casual fling—who he has more than casual feelings for. When they wake up married after a night of fun, all bets are off.
…isn’t staying there…
Marlowe Story might sing about love and fairy tales, but she doesn’t believe in them, and she especially doesn’t believe in happily ever after when it comes to someone as wild as Hunter. She knows better than to give him her heart. But when they decide to stay married for the good publicity it’s bringing both of their careers, she can’t help but fall for Hunter, who has a passionate, sensitive side he keeps hidden from the world.
But old habits die hard, and when the past resurfaces, Hunter and Marlowe will need more than luck on their side. They’ll need love.
CLICK HERE TO READ WILD CARD!
Catcher Jake Landon’s career has him on the fast-track to the Hall of Fame. He’s successful, driven, and even though he’s nearing the end of his playing days, that competitive fire hasn’t been extinguished. Life is good. Really good.
But then the trade happens. He’s shipped off to the Dallas Longhorns, which not only means he’ll be starting over in a new city with a new team, but it means his top secret relationship with Longhorns hitting coach Abby Gossman is in trouble. Big, deep trouble.
Abby has worked her entire life to get where she is now. The first female coach in MLB history, she’s struggled and sacrificed for the game. It’s her passion. Her life. Her family and her identity. And she’s not willing to give it up or risk it for anyone or anything. Not even Jake.
But their connection runs deep, and staying away from each other might just be impossible for Jake and Abby. With hearts and careers on the line, they’ll have to walk through the flames of their forbidden attraction and hope they don’t get burned.
Playing hardball was never this complicated.
CLICK HERE TO READ CAUGHT LOOKING!
Want to know more about Aerin’s client, sexy MMA fighter Nick Giannakis?
Grab Dirty Boxing for FREE!
Stupid Love
Psst…want to know more about Theo and his BFF Lauren?
Look for Stupid Love, coming this fall!
To stay in the loop, visit www.tara-wyatt.com.
Books by Tara Wyatt
Dallas Longhorns Series
Stealing Home
Wild Card
Caught Looking
Moon Shot
* * *
The Graysons
When Snowflakes Fall
Like Fresh Fallen Snow
Until the Sun Sets
The Complete Graysons Trilogy:
Can’t Help Falling in Love
* * *
The Blood and Glory Series
co-written with Harper St. George
Dirty Boxing
Take Down
No Contest
* * *
The Bodyguard Series
Necessary Risk
Primal Instinct
Chain Reaction
* * *
Standalone Titles
Royal Treatment
Nailed
Stripped
Little Blue Lines
* * *
For complete information on all of Tara’s books, visit www.tara-wyatt.com/books.
About the Author
Tara Wyatt is a contemporary romance and romantic suspense author. Known for her humor and steamy love scenes, Tara’s writing has won several awards, including the Golden Quill Award and the Booksellers’ Best Award. In 2018, she was a RITA® Finalist for her novella, Until the Sun Sets.
When she’s not hanging out with your next book boyfriend, she can be found reading, bingeing something on Netflix, and drinking wine. Tara lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with her husband, daughter, and the world’s cutest dachshund.
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