Page 73 of The Game We Played

She shrugs. “They weren’t customers. They didn’t want a drink.”

“None of my family drinks except for special occasions.”

“None of your family is any fun.” Her eyes widen and she slaps a hand over her mouth.

I peel her hand away. “You don’t have to worry about what you say about my family to me. I won’t be offended.”

“But you will be mad? You looked ready to spit nails outside. Trust me, I know mad. I was there when the history teacher came outside and discovered my sisters had thrown sheep shit all over his house for giving them Bs on their essays.”

My lips quiver with the need to smile. Only Alaia could make me smile after the shit show of my parents showing up where they’re not wanted. “I’m mad because my dad was being an asshole and pulling his high and mighty act with you.”

Her shoulders drop. “You’re seriously not mad with me?”

“Not mad with you, gorgeous.”

“Then, why did you drag me into my office? I thought you were going to give me a lecture on how to act with your family.”

“I’m going to give you something else.” I step closer until my hard cock hits her belly. She gasps and her eyes flare.

“We shouldn’t. We agreed. We…”

I place a finger over her lips to quiet her. “Wearen’t doing anything.”

“But…” She waves her arm toward my dick and it pulses in my jeans. It wants to sink deep inside of her. Feel her walls convulse around it.

I inhale a deep breath and get myself under control. This isn’t about me. This is about Alaia. About rewarding her for being on my side. Trying to show her our relationship isn’t some game I’m playing.

“This is about you.”

“Tanner.”

“No one’s ever defended me before. No one’s ever kicked my parents out of a bar and then followed them outside to make certain they left the island. But you did.”

Her eyes soften. “You deserve to be defended. And your parents definitely deserve to get an earful. They have no clue how special you are. How talented you are. How hard it is to have the career in the NFL you’ve had.”

Warmth spreads through my body at her words. She’s not making shit up to impress me or get something. She sincerely believes what she’s saying.

Fuck. I love her.

My breath catches in my throat. I love Alaia? No. It can’t be. I don’t believe in romantic love. I’ve seen how my parents act together. The way they act can’t be love. But I’ve also seen how Alaia’s parents act together. How supportive they are of each other and their children.

Maybe love does exist after all.

I swallow. I love Alaia, but she thinks this is fake.

Challenge accepted. I’ll show her this relationship is anything but fake. My feelings are real. And the deadline on this relationship has officially been cancelled.

“Take your pants off.”

Her eyes flare, and her mouth drops open. “What?”

“And your panties.”

She clears her throat. “Tanner. I’m at work.”

“Don’t care.”

“Someone could catch us.”