Page 117 of The Game We Played

“Yep. Because whether you give me another chance or not, I still love you.”

The words are barely out of his mouth before I’m rushing to him. I jump and he catches me.

“Does this mean you forgive me?”

I grasp his shoulders and lean back to meet his gaze. “I do but if you ever say you can’t trust me again, you’ll be losing your balls.”

“We can help, sis!” The twins shout.

Tanner shudders. “Duly noted.”

“Good. Now kiss me.”

He melds his lips to mine and I sigh. His tongue swoops into my mouth and there it is – the taste I’ve been missing. The man I’ve been missing.

Tanner Long is all mine.

Chapter 36

BREAKING: MAN DEMANDS CONFESSION, IMMEDIATELY REGRETS TONE Outcome: still gets the girl

Tanner

I pull Alaia into my arms. “Did you have a good time today?”

Her blue eyes twinkle as she smiles up at me. “It was the best.”

“What was your favorite part?”

“Hmm… probably when the twins gave a demonstration on how they’d remove your balls if you hurt me again.”

I shiver. “Beth and Anne scare me.”

“Oh, please. You love them.”

“I do. I love your entire family.” I kiss her nose. “And I love you.”

She grins. “I am pretty lovable.”

I wait for her to say she loves me. She said she cared for me before. I’ve told her I love her several times today, but she hasn’t reciprocated.

Doubt starts to creep in. I don’t want a one-sided relationship. I want a loving relationship. The kind her parents have.

I push the doubts away. She’s here in my arms. She forgave me for being an idiot. She cares for me.

It’s enough. For now.

She yawns. “Sorry. I’m tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Why not?”

“I was worried about today. It was supposed to be my first day as PR manager for the Seals.”

“I understand being nervous about a new job, but you don’t need to be. You’re going to be an awesome PR manager.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I don’t have any experience. What if my team resents me for being their boss?”

“The team you drank shots of moonshine with before insisting you sing karaoke together? You’re worried they resent you?”