I rubbed my eyes. “Mmmhmm. Always.”

  “Good. I love you.”

  “I love you too,” and I truly meant that.

  I let him go and did something I hadn’t in a long time.

  I cried.

  As soon as the “wear seatbelt” sign went off, everyone scattered, my teammates and the other passengers in coach moving about to get their things. My attention went to my cellphone though, the first thing I usually checked after landing. I think, no, I know, I wished I had a missed call from Roxie. Especially with how we left things with each other last night, but hearing from my Gram was a close second. Her name was on my screen and her voice in my ear within seconds, my one hand holding the phone to talk to her while the other went on to gather my gear and exit the flight like the rest of the other passengers. While catching up, she told me she mailed off my legal documents to Mickey for the wedding, but she ended up staying on the line for other reasons. My own personal reasons. Again, Gram calling was a close second to the woman I shared my heart with. Gram had her fair share of the other part, my mom when I didn’t have one, and soon she knew all the things that held heavy on my heart regarding the woman I loved.

  “You really should have told her, sweetie pie,” she said, telling me something I knew well already. Roxie shouldn’t have found out about the prenup the way she did. I didn’t regret not disposing of it. I meant it when I said we should have made such an important decision together instead of me going all caveman and wanting to protect her. But I shouldn’t have kept it from her as long as I did. If not at all.

  “That Roxie is a tough little cookie,” she continued. “But don’t let her fool you. She’s got to deal with a lot being with you. She’s alone a lot of the time and sharing you with the world the rest. She may seem all right, but she’s more fragile than you think.”

  Something I definitely knew. If there was one thing Roxie Peterson was good at it was shutting down, boxing herself in and keeping her emotions to herself. She kept a lot of things on her mind in check. I believed mostly for my benefit, which was precisely why I’d been so worried about the way we ended things last night. I couldn’t read her one way or another how finding out about the prenup made her feel. Upon calling me, she sounded one way, but upon ending our conversation, she sounded nothing but calm, rational in her thoughts for us to discuss it later.

  I pounded the fist of one of my teammates upon exiting the departure gate. “What should I do?” I asked, going back to Gram in my ear.

  “Just make sure she’s all right. You hit her hard with something no matter how well intended. Just be patient with that.”

  This woman was both my momma and grandma, and damn, did I love her. “Will do, Gram. Will do.”

  “Well now,” she said, letting out a breath. “You got me all worked up talking to you I forgot the reason I called you originally. You can’t do that boy. An old woman’s memory is delicate.”

  My lips lifted into a smile. “Sorry. What’s up? Everybody okay?” I hadn’t heard from anyone else but her in a solid month, my brothers or my pop.

  “Oh, yes. Everything is fine. Karen is pregnant again. Hayden’s thrilled.”

  Hayden was my older brother. “Wow. Tell him congrats. That would make her due around next summer. A couple months after the wedding. Roxie and I will have to come up for a little while and visit with everyone.”

  “They’d love that, Griffin. Me too, of course. Speaking of your wedding, that’s why I called. I know you’re getting busy with your ball playing, so I wanted to call and find out your schedule for the next few weeks.”

  My Gram really was adorable. She didn’t know basketball from baseball. I laughed. “Oh, yeah? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. Your poppa wants to get you guys your wedding gift early. He’s gonna make a wedding arch for yawl’s wedding. He just needs to know when you’re around so he can come down and take some measurements. Also, visit ya for a bit.”

  I had started walking toward the signs of baggage claim when I skidded to a stop. My pop? On a… plane. That would be the day. The man didn’t do heights—at all. He’d made that known the moment I told him I had season tickets for him and my brothers.

  “I don’t do no heights, boy,” he’d said gruffly, his personality to the fullest. He could be a little rough around the edges, but he was a kind man I aspired nothing but to be.

  “Seriously?” I asked Gram, shrugging my bag up my shoulder. I continued walking. “Pop? Flying?”

  My Gram’s aged laugh rang though the line. “He’s braving it for y’all. Anyway, you got any time off coming up?”

  I pushed a hand behind my neck, knowing I didn’t. Not soon anyway. “Ah, that’s really nice of him, Gram. Unfortunately, I won’t be around for anything but a day or two here or there. I’m home today, but only for a little while. But hey, Roxie will be around. She doesn’t usually travel with me.”

  “Oh, great. I’ll have your poppa call her then. Set it up.”

  I could imagine how that conversation would go. I knew for a fact my pop really liked Roxie, but he was also kind of socially awkward. Really with Roxie being as shy as she was, they might actually get along okay without me as a buffer. I had confidence in them both. I let my Gram go after a few more shared words, her reminding me of some things before we ended the call. Things like keeping my head on straight and remembering what I was doing all this for. Yeah, I loved playing ball, but I couldn’t forget the people I loved just the same.

  I got right on communicating with the one who held my heart like no one else as I continued on to baggage claim.

  “Hey,” I texted Roxie. “I’m at the airport. Going to get my bag, then hire a service to get me home. Can’t wait to see you.” If words could only express that, but that’s all I had for now until I could get to her, hold her and show her that longing.

  Her returned text came within only seconds.

  “Look up.” And why did my heart race like the first time my feet had ever touched a court? Like the first time I ever made a basket?

  I did look up. I did find her, standing there waiting for me, unable to wait for me anymore than I was unable to wait and see her. The material of a short, baby blue dress covered hips that should never be hidden, exposed arms that should always be touched and squeezed. She had her phone in her hand, her hair up in a bun and her large eyes there for me to see. Her full lips twitched to the right from afar, a dimple piercing her round face before smoothing out. Like it was hard for her not to smile at me. She shouldn’t fight that smile.

  I wasn’t.

  Upon getting in front of her, I couldn’t confirm she’d been fighting her joy. I couldn’t because I had my arms around her, curled around her waist, and my body bent to her short stature. I didn’t want to be in a position more as long as it brought me to her.

  I pressed my face into the space between her neck and shoulder, her brown skin holding the sweet familiar smell of sugar crystals.

  “I missed you,” I told her, aching for her. This woman had me turned inside and out, the reality of which I knew every time I had her close like this; in my arms, her rightful place.

  I brought her even closer to me, her sandals stepping up onto my sneakers as I did, and her hands slid from between us, moving up my back instead. She pressed her face into my chest, and I swear to God I felt that shit in my toes.

  Her little legs wrapped around me, I cleaned her, bringing the square washcloth down her shoulder of creamy, dark skin. Roxie and I got in the bath shortly upon getting back to the condo, and getting in was kind of unsaid. That’s just where we headed. I was tired from all the traveling, all the working, but even still, I think we both just inherently entered the bathroom. Together, we filled up the large tub that had been so appealing when we signed for the place, Roxie pouring in bubble bath right after. I undressed her, she undressed me, and then we were in, her legs wrapped around me while I washed her.

  I made sure not to miss an inch.

  Once done, I rinsed every patch of clean skin, ending with her shoulder. I pressed a kiss there and her hands on my back curled inward, her nose brushing my own shoulder. Her kisses on my chest, my neck, sent me into some kind of oblivion, and once there, I wasn’t trying to go anywhere else. Soft sighs came with her heavy breaths on my skin, and I think she was in her own peaceful oblivion as well.

  Her thighs warm, the soft pillows gripped around me, and with the way she felt in my lap, I never wanted to leave. I never wanted to work. I just wanted to be. Be here with her.

  Holding her became too much and I pulled back, watching her eyes for a moment. Her face so close to mine, I could take her mouth right then and there, but I waited. I just wanted to see her for a moment. And a sight she was, full pouty lips and a soft cheek to meet my finger when I drew down it.

  She placed her hands to my neck as I lowered the towel into the bath, watching me as well, and what I wouldn’t give to be in her head, those green eyes flickering on me.

  I pressed my fingers into her back, the current of the bath bringing her to me. Her warm lips felt like everything worthwhile just at a single touch. And she was everything worth while, everything. I mouthed my way down to her jaw, then the sensitive skin just underneath. A breath left her lips and she didn’t have to tell me anything she was feeling. I felt it myself.

  With strong hands, I raised her, bringing more of her body to me and my mouth. I found her breasts, clasping onto dark nipples, and her fingers pushed into my hair.

  I laved and then bit, suckling with every pull and tug. Greedy, I couldn’t get enough and her hands pushed me on, pulling at the root. Each soft whimper told me not to stop and each sweet taste of her told me I couldn’t even if I wanted.

  Not fighting the urge, I elongated pert nipples, pulling with my teeth before smoothing my tongue soothingly over each one.

  Roxie’s eyes went tight, her perfect lips drawing in a breath. “Griffin…”

  The way my name sounded coming out of her mouth…

  I nibbled more, making my way down to the underside of her breasts, and all the while, my grip on her thighs got her higher until she was standing over me in the tub. Soapsuds covered her stomach, tiny droplets rolling down her thighs.

  I pressed a kiss to one, easing both apart while I pushed a hand up between her thighs. With a steady rhythm, I fingered her until she stood up on her toes.

  Her hands went to my shoulders for support, then my head when I pulled her closer, my fingers arching inside her, my mouth wanting to replace them.

  A startled whimper left her on my pursuit, my lips taking me in a line down her body and stopping on a perfect mound. My mouth hungry, I couldn’t stop there.

  My tongue found its way to her glorious center easily, pushing between her pussy lips to get a taste. I needed entry and she needed relief.

  Her whimpers became soft cries, until her cries became screams. Every flick of my tongue to her bud created a new one, as well as every new depth my two fingers managed to make to her core. And then I added another, three now, and I groaned over the taste of fresh juices. I didn’t know what I enjoyed more. Her taste or the sweet sounds of her pleasure.

  “Please…” she begged, her fingers curling into my hair. “Please.”

  Placing a hand to her bottom, I pushed her forward, sliding my fingers out of her. A fire brewing inside me I latched onto her, holding her in place so her legs wouldn’t give out.

  I sucked as the wave crashed upon her, drinking her all in, not wasting a drop. She couldn’t stand anymore. She was done, pushing me back by my shoulders, but I held on, taking her through every second of the wave. When I felt she had nothing left to give, that’s when I finally released my grip on her, the water lowering her down slowly with guidance from my hands.

  I brought her into my lap, holding her close as I kissed her cheeks. Her eyes closed, her face was exhausted in pleasure. After a while, she reached for me below, my throbbing dick, but I told her it was cool.

  I intended to have more of her later, so much more.

  Many moments later, we finally made it out of the bath and we made dinner together that night—her in my arms as I ordered pizza. It arrived and we ate in front of the fireplace, Roxie belly down in a silk robe while I lain propped up on my arm beside her in boxers. She sipped casually on a glass of red wine while I played with her hair. I’d scarfed down my six of the twelve slices already. She ate just part of the one, saying she’d had a big lunch earlier that day.

  “I want to talk about the other day…” she said suddenly, bringing me out of my euphoria of her. “The prenup,” she finished, and I couldn’t help tilting my head a bit at that. We hadn’t done much talking at all since we came in, so this direction she chose to go into surprised me a little. Once dinner came, I’d told her about my pop wanting to come down and make the wedding arch for us. Roxie had been more than delighted, but other than that we hadn’t said much. I didn’t mind discussing this topic of course, so I nodded, remaining quiet. Of course we could talk about that. We needed to.

  Placing her glass down on the carpet, she looked up at me. “But just not now,” she said surprising me more. “If that’s cool. I want to talk about it. I do, but for now, I just want to think about it a little. If that’s cool that is.”

  Dipping my head, I pressed a kiss to the mouth I bruised so much already tonight. “That’s completely fine. I’ve got no problem with that.”

  When I pulled back, I brought her into my arms, letting her use my bicep as a pillow while I rested my other arm across her waist.

  I played with her belt. “But you’re okay, though? Right?” I thought about what my Gram said earlier today. About Roxie’s well-being and making sure she’s all right.

  Her lashes flashed up at me, her eyes narrowing. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  I looped her belt around my finger now. “You didn’t seem to be at first on the phone when you called.” In fact…

  I could have sworn she’d been crying.

  But then she shrugged casually, making me feel silly for even thinking that. “No. I’m cool. It was just shocking, but I’m all right.”

  “You’re sure?” I didn’t know why I asked. She already told me she was. I guess I just needed to hear it again. I suppose that was me being all protective caveman again.

  She nodded this time, a small smile lifting her lips. “I’m sure.”

  Letting out a breath, I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that. I scooped her up close, lying with her on my side. “I just worry about you sometimes.”

  All the time really. Though I didn’t want to admit that. Gram was right. Roxie did spend a lot of time alone, and though I knew she was busy with the wedding, I couldn’t help letting her linger on my mind. Especially with how busy I’d been lately since Kendrick’s injury.

  She stayed quiet after my words, no response at all, and I wondered if that worry had been warranted. I poked to see if it was.

  “Did you see my schedule?” I asked her. Mickey had always emailed it to her weekly, my entire list of working events from games, practices, and appearances. But those weekly emails turned into daily ones now, so jam-packed with often last minute entries.

  She sighed and my gut turned. “It is what it is,” was all she said. She didn’t have to say more. I’d be gone longer this time. In fact, the longest I think I ever had from her since we started dating. Two, maybe three weeks tops, had been the longest before. It was a little longer than that now.

  I held her tighter as if that would help her deal with that, help me deal with that. “I wish I could change it,” I told her, kissing the hair she had up in a ponytail.

  Her fingers made their way to my own hair, pushing through it. “But you can’t. I wouldn’t want you to.”

  The thing was I knew she genuinely meant that. She meant that because she loved me and wanted the best for me. I pressed another kiss, moving to her ear. “You could come with me. Fly out to any place I’m at? I’ll tell Mickey to make it happen. Whenever you want to come.”

  Her fingers continued to play. “I’d like that,” she said, lowering her hand. “I’ll try to fly out. See if I can break away from everything here.”

  I smiled. “Have I told you how awesome you are? Tackling all this wedding stuff? You’re having fun with it right?”

  Please tell me you are. I need that to be okay.

  So much reassurance came with her subtle smile. “I am. I’m actually thinking about getting in shape for the wedding. Some of the other wives work out at this place that do a bridal bootcamp. They said they’d do it with me.”

  I frowned, happy she was making friends, but not so much the former. I played with a piece of her hair that moved across her cheek. “You’re sure? I mean, I’m happy you want to get healthy, but a bootcamp? That seems intense.”

  My statement made her laugh. “It’s just called that, baby. It sounds like it will be cool. Lots of brides get in shape for their weddings. These pictures are forever, Griffin.”

  Her lashes fanned away from me after she said that, her lips closing full stop. Any smile from her laugher left and a tremor hit my chest that I may have put it there, that I didn’t sound like I supported her. I gave a smile wide enough for both of us to get it back. “I’m sure it will be fun, and you’re making friends with the other wives. That’s great. I saw you with Kerry and them at my game. I like that.”

  Her eyes went to me again, but still she didn’t smile. And so, I tried desperately again.

  “You’re allowed to do this bootcamp as long as you don’t lose any of this,” I paused, getting a handful of her ass. “If I don’t have enough back there to do this, that’s a problem for me. Just sayin.’”

  She did smile that time, a light laugh falling from her lips before she pressed a kiss to my mouth. But even still, I noticed something about the expression. It didn’t feel like it quite met her eyes.

  Griffin’s finger smoothed lazily over my back the day he left me, his other arm gripped around me and playing with my nightgown. His finger kept moving the same way, ever so lightly in the same pattern and I knew I wasn’t supposed to be awake for what he was doing. I wasn’t supposed to be coherent enough to understand it. But as I was awake, I felt it all, read it all the words he drew into my back with his brushing finger. He drew the words at least a dozen times and in the same way every time.