Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“Oh, stop. You’re living the dream and you know it.”
“I’m not sure if it’s the dream, but my dream, yes. I love the life Jeremy and I are building.”
“Hence the jealousy.”
“You’ll find your happily ever after,” she assures me, putting her arm around my shoulders. “He’s everything I never knew I wanted.”
“He’s so good with him.” I motion toward the field where Jeremy has JJ on his shoulders while he’s talking to one of the players, and JJ, well, he’s all smiles. At two, he has no idea the depth of where he is. Most kids never get to experience a professional football game, let alone be on the field with the players and coaching staff.
The whistle blows, and the players start motioning for the families to join them on the field. Autumn and I head toward Jeremy and JJ.
“Thomas Bourgeois, this is my wife, Autumn, and her best friend, Tessa. Princess, Tessa, Thomas is our starting kicker.” Jeremy makes introductions.
“Ladies,” Thomas says, giving us a charming smile. He glances at my chest, and I can’t help but smirk. “Looks like we need to get you some Cougars gear.” He winks.
“Nah, I’m good.” I give Thomas, or number two, a smug smile.
He throws his hands to his chest over his heart as if he’s wounded. “Come on now, don’t be like that,” he tosses out with a grin. I give him a look that tells him I’m not buying what he’s selling. He throws his head back in laughter and stumbles back a step, bumping into a teammate.
“What’s up, Bourgeois?” the very tall, very sexy number eighteen asks.
“This one.” He points at me.
I feel my body heat as number eighteen rakes his eyes over me. Slowly, they catalog every inch of me. Finally, his eyes scan back to my chest and freeze there. “We need to do something about that.” He nods to my chest.
It’s a good thing I’m a solid C cup or I’d be offended they were talking about my actual chest size. However, I know it’s the Miami Mavericks logo that sprawls across my chest that’s offending them. “Eyes up here.”
He smirks. “You’d look good in a number eighteen Cougars jersey. I can help you out of that one.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said I can help you out with that. A Cougars jersey.” He points to my chest.
“Bless your heart,” I say, making my voice sugary sweet. “I’m sorry, but I’m a Mavs girl.” I shrug, not taking my eyes off his. His eyes are the deepest sky blue. You know those tropical vacation videos you see on social media, the ones that promise relaxation and free drinks? His eyes look like the water in those videos. Vibrant blue.
“Oh, no, no, no, this won’t do,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest, planting his feet on the turf.
His arms are thick and toned with muscle, and he has those veins… You know, the sexy veins in a man’s arms? The ones that tell you that he works hard at what he does, whether it’s his job or in the gym? In this case, I’m sure it’s both. I mean, he plays for the professional football league. He didn’t get here by pure luck. I allow myself to indulge and take in this beautiful man before me.
“Like what you see?” he asks.
Thomas mutters, “Lucky bastard,” at the same time.
“Actually, I was just sizing you up. Comparing you to number eight on the Mavs. You do know who A.J. Holland is, right?”
“Pfft,” he scoffs. “I know A.J., but I promise you, sweetheart, I can make you feel better than him.”
“What?” I stand a little taller. I should be offended, but if I'm honest with myself, I’m a little turned on.
“I said, I’m better than him.” He grins.
I don’t know if my mind and body are playing tricks on me, but damn, if this isn’t the second time in a matter of minutes I’ve taken his words as a sexual innuendo. I need to squash this shit.
“Oh, that’s cute. I’m sure one day you might get to his level,” I fire back. There, back on a level playing field. However, the grin that tilts his lips and the dimple that peeks out from under his beard tell me my words don’t affect him. Damn it.
He turns to look at Thomas. “She yours, Bourgeois?”
“Mine, actually,” Jeremy speaks up. “Landon, this is my son JJ, my wife, Autumn, and her best friend, Tessa. They’re mine,” Jeremy announces with no room for discussion.
Once again, I’m reminded how lucky my best friend is—to have a man like Jeremy to navigate life with. He loves her and their son unconditionally. And because Autumn is my best friend, I get grouped with them. He’s a good man, regardless of his cockiness at times.
Landon Barker raises his hands in the air, his number eighteen practice jersey rising to show the V where his gym shorts hang low. He might be a cocky player, but if he kept his mouth shut, he’d definitely be one to keep around to look at. Damn, I can’t imagine the countless hours he has to spend in the gym and on the field to be ripped like that.