Page 91 of The Game We Played

“Not yet. I need to go back over the seaweed I skipped the first time.”

I don’t know who’s more surprised – me or Sophia? Because this isn’t the Tanner Long the world knows. This is the sweet man he keeps buried away from the rest of the world.

I expected goofball Tanner to show up today. And he initially did. But once he realized how important the beach is to me, the joking disappeared, and he focused on the task.

For me. His fake girlfriend. Except nothing about today feels fake. Not the gentle touches he gives me. Not the smiles he makes. It feels real. It feels as if Tanner cares for me as much as I care for him.

“Come on, gorgeous. Let’s get back to work.”

I notice he’s sweating. I bite my bottom lip. “Should you be out here sweating after the hit you got in training the other day?”

His hit has caused me way too many sleepless nights worrying about him. He got checked out by the team’s medical unit and they cleared him to continue playing. But what if they were wrong? What if they missed something?

Tanner palms my cheek. “I’m okay.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. If I feel faint or nauseous, I’ll let you know.”

“Okay, but you need to hydrate.”

We make our way to the refreshments table laden with bottles of water and cookies. I grab a cookie and a bottle of water. Tanner sticks to water.

He drops his arm over my shoulders as we return to our area of the beach. “We make a good team.”

“At picking up trash?”

He shrugs. “Picking up trash, bowling, whatever. We’re a good team.”

Yes, we are. The question is – how long will this team operate? I’m fairly certain Tanner cares for me. But is it enough for him to abandon his playboy ways and try a real relationship? Or is he going to break my heart?

And what happens when training camp is over and he leaves the island to start the regular football season?

Chapter 28

BREAKING: DENIAL ERA COMES TO A VERY SATISFYING END Mutual feelings confirmed under steamy conditions

Tanner

“I just need to take a shower and then I’ll be ready to go,” I say as I enter my hotel suite with Alaia.

“I’ll watch TV while you get ready. Assuming you don’t need an hour to get showered.”

“I don’t need an hour unless you want to join me.”

I’m joking but her eyes heat as she rakes her gaze over my body. I look like hell. I’m covered in sand and dirt from cleaning the beach all day.

She glances down at her body. “I could use a shower.”

I don’t hesitate. It’s been entirely too long since I explored her curves. Since I sank into her body. My cock twitches at the memories.

I wrap my arms around her and draw her near. “Are you sure?”

“No. Not in the least.”

I drop my arms and step back. I kiss her nose. “I’ll be out in ten minutes.”

“You’re not going to push me?”