Chapter 23: Luna

Corban got up first. He handed me my dress, then tugged on his pants. He didn’t bother with his shirt, and I admired the indentation of his chiseled abs from under my eyelashes. Even though I still felt shy around him, another part of me thought I could conquer the world with him by my side.

“That was unbelievable,” he said, lacing his fingers with mine and bringing them to his lips. “Really.”

“For me too.” I tugged my dress over my head with my free hand. I shimmied into it the same way I’d gotten out of it. I didn’t know how to express myself to him. I’d never felt this way about a man. Just like I fumbled with my physical body, I now seemed to be fumbling over my words.

I’d been in love with Thorn, sure, but had I actually loved him? No, I really hadn’t. Now that I had Corban here in my house – my house – and in my heart, I doubted everything I’d felt before. Nothing had been real before him.

He’d taken all the pain and wiped it away over the course of a few weeks. It was too fast – Larissa would probably tell me I was crazy. No, that was a lie, she’d wholeheartedly support this because it was Corban. Ross and Larissa loved Corban. He already had a coveted label, the bestie stamp of approval.

I’d have their full support. I didn’t have parents to worry about. And I’d long ago given up on the approval of anyone else thanks to the constant slew of insults and taunts from the general populace. I’d refused to be driven from my hometown, and dammit, I refuse to be driven away from my feelings on this one.

Which meant it was time to man – no, woman – the hell up and tell him how I felt. Take a risk. My palms grew sweaty, and I wiped them on my silky dress. Ugh, that would have to go to the cleaners right away.

“Are you okay? You’ve gone pale,” he said and brushed a few moist strands of hair from my forehead. He tucked them behind my ear.

“Yeah, uh, yeah. I’m fine.” I puffed out my cheeks and exhaled. “I guess.”

“Tell me what’s wrong,” he said, voice deepening. “Whatever it is. We can deal with it together. I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you again, Luna.”

This incredible man had a way of making a girl’s heart grow three times in size. But not just any girl.

This girl.

I stepped up to him. “Corban, I feel like I should tell you something, but I’m kind of hesitating. I – uh – darn it,” I said and laughed. How the hell was I supposed to say this without sounding like a desperate–

“I love you,” he said and smiled at me. “Does that pretty much cover it?”

“Yeah,” I replied and grinned back. “I love you. It feels right to say it to you. It feels better than anything I’ve said before.”

“Man, I’m glad you feel that way,” he said and scratched the back of his neck. “I was starting to think I was crazy for feeling this way after such a short period of time. But you’re addictive, Luna. The way you smell.” He bent his head and inhaled the scent of my hair. “The way you feel.” He ran his fingers down the sides of my neck, over my shoulders, down my arms. “The way you taste.”

I held up a hand. “You’re not going to bite me again, are you?”

The grin grew wider. “Only if you want me to.”

“I was kidding.”

He nibbled on my ear lobe, and my knees went weak all over again. I pressed my palms against his chest and held myself upright. “You’re too good at that.”

“One of my rare talents,” he replied. “So that settles it. We love each other. We’re together. That’s never going to change.”

“Never say never,” I said, then rammed my teeth together. I winced. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’ve been scared, Luna, I know what you’ve been through now. I can’t believe what that scumbag did to you,” Corban replied, and he actually trembled. “It makes me crazy just thinking about it. Everything he did and that I wasn’t there to protect you from it.”

“Then don’t think about it,” I said and slung my arms around his neck. I drew him into a quick, light kiss. “We don’t have to think about him anymore. You took care of that.” I’d already been at that desperate point where I’d have done anything to get out of the situation.

I’d been on the verge of giving up everything I had. I’d have taken a damn job at the bottom if needed just to escape the hatred and control of Thorn. But the trouble was, if I’d done a tell-all would anyone have believed me? Probably not. No, then I’d have been the bitch who ruined their favorite player’s dreams and ratted him out in the process, spoiling their image of him.

“You’ve done everything for me,” I said. “You realize that, right? If you hadn’t pulled that trick, I’d be totally adrift on an endless sea of pain and regret.”

He kissed my forehead. “I wish you could’ve told me.”

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off with a wave.

“I know you couldn’t,” he said. “I spoke to the Twins lawyer about the nondisclosure agreement you signed because of Thorn’s people.” He spat the words out as if they tasted like battery acid on his tongue. “I’m just saying if I’d known sooner we would’ve been together sooner. Or you’d have been free of that asshole sooner. Even if I hadn’t loved you, shit, just on principle. That guy is a total douche. I’m glad he can’t play anymore.”

“I don’t care what he does. Just as long as he stays away from me,” I said. “Away from us?”

“Why is that even a question?” He lifted me and planted another kiss on my lips. He swung me in a circle, then placed me on my bare feet once again. “How about you and I spend the evening indoors. We’ll eat, get a movie, all that jazz.”

“That sounds like heaven,” I said and stretched my neck. “But first, a shower.” I couldn’t wait to wash this day out of my hair.

“Mind if I get in on that action?”

“What action are you referring to exactly?” I asked and wiggled my ass on the way through the living room door.

“Don’t tempt me, woman.”

“Oh please, you couldn’t go again if you tried,” I teased and headed for the stairs at a swaying trot.

Corban growled. “It’s on now.” He started after me.

I squealed and darted up the stairs, giggling hysterically, surprised that I didn’t topple on my face.

But it was okay if I did, I realized. Because Corban would just laugh and pick me up, dust me off. He loved me just the way I was.

I felt like I’d finally come home to myself and my future.