AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s good. I'm glad you have some prospects already.” He nods his head as his fingers move back and forth on my lower back.
“It would be weird for me to work here though, wouldn’t it?” I peek up at him, worried I might have to walk away from this opportunity.
Cord tugs me to a stop and spins me to face him. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his embrace. My hands unconsciously go to his chest as I stare into his gorgeous gray eyes.
“Babe, I want what’s best for you. If that’s working for the Pit Bulls, then I'm fine with it. We’ll just have to learn to be civil to each other.”
Kiss him and make sure he’s still an ex. Charlie’s words float through my brain as my gaze drops to his lips. But that’s crazy! I can't kiss him. That’s an awful idea.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Cord tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and lets his fingers trail down my jaw.
I squeeze my eyes shut as a chill spreads through my body. Every time this man touches me, he lights me on fire. He’s always affected me more than anyone else, it’s good to know that hasn’t changed.
“It’s nothing. Just something Charlie said.” I shake my head, trying to forget all about her comment.
“Nah, c’mon. Tell me.” His voice is soft and sweet, just like it used to be when we were alone.
“She’s all lovey dovey because of Wyatt and her getting back together. She’s on cloud nine and she wants everyone else to be too, so she told me to make sure you were still an ex. But that’s stupid, of course you’re still an ex.”
“Only because I don’t think I have the power to change that myself. Only you can change that.”
“I thought you didn’t want to get back together.” I arch a brow at him, calling him out for what he said yesterday.
“Yeah, I lied,” he whispers, making my heart beat a little harder against my sternum. “C’mon, let’s get in there before Dad comes looking for you and I get in trouble for being late to work.”
Cord leads me down the hallway and over to a door clearly labeled locker room. I freeze and shake my head.
“I'm not going in there.”
“Why?”
“Because there will probably be naked men in there!” I hiss.
“Oh, I guarantee there will be. If you get lucky, maybe you can confirm your suspicions about Schmidt.” He smirks.
I pinch my lips into a thin line as tears begin welling in my eyes. I don’t get embarrassed about what I say often, but being called out at the bar by Schmidt, that was a night I’d rather forget. That night started all of this between Cord and me. I no longer know how to behave around him or even where things are going.
He went from being pissed and cold towards me, to soft and sweet. I'm not sure how to handle it and I truly don’t know how I’m hoping things will work out.
“I’m sorry, babe. I was just teasing you. Don’t go crying on me.” He tugs me back into his arms and hugs me tightly. He cradles my head against his chest and I suck in a deep breath, letting his scent surround me.
This time I wrap my arms around his waist and pretend just for a few moments he’s mine again. That I didn’t ruin everything we had because I walked away from this amazing man. I didn’t let my insecurities takeover and make me believe I couldn’t have him.
“I'm so used to us fighting and pushing each other’s buttons, but I don’t want to do it anymore, Mace. I want to see you smile and know it’s because of something I did. I never want to find your beautiful eyes filled with tears again over something I did or said, ok?”
I nod my head against his chest and take a few more moments to enjoy feeling loved and cherished. I know when I step away, it could be a long time before I'm hugged like this again.
“Are we good?” Cord watches me carefully.
“Yeah, Cord, we’re good.”
“Ok. Let’s go.” He holds out his hand to me and I take hold of it without thinking. It was natural to do this for so long, a gut instinct for me. My chest aches knowing I don’t get to do this anymore and it’s completely my fault.
Cord pushes open the locker room door and calls out, “hide your dicks! My girl doesn’t want to see them!” He winks at me, flashing me a devilish grin.
He knows exactly what he just did. He claimed me before any of his teammates could even lay an eye on me. That sneaky, sneaky man.
Chapter 12
