The apartment fell silent when the radio clicked off. The high from the team’s win faded away as I turned and glanced at Amelia. I so wanted to attend the game. Be supportive. But with my brother playing and my parents sitting in the stands, no way would I have been able to hold back any expressions toward Gabe. What if he’d gotten hurt? I knew myself and my limitations. I chose well by staying home. The congratulatory text I sent would have to be enough.

“What are you going to do about your Gabe situation?” Amelia asked.

“I don’t know.” I plopped beside her and leaned my head on her shoulder.

“He only has a few months before graduating. It wouldn’t be a problem after then, right?”

I moaned. “Yeah, except he’s planning on attending grad school here. Even though I wouldn’t technically be his professor, it’d still be frowned upon.”

“Why don’t you try looking for another job?”

“I did. I came up empty.”

“No, you sent a few resumes out, and your stepdad found you a job before you even gave yourself a chance.”

“You’re right. But I’m stuck now.” I tossed my head back against the couch and blew out a breath.

After a beat of silence, Amelia turned to me and grinned. “Let’s go out tonight. We haven’t had a girls’ night out in a long time.”

I agreed, even though the last thing I wanted to do was party. A couple hours later, we were applying the last of our make-up. I grabbed the mascara and peeked at my cell. The blank screen brought a frown. Odd. As much as we texted, I should’ve heard something from Gabe by now.

The loud knock echoed through the apartment and cut through my thoughts. Amelia threw me a glance.

“Expecting someone?” she asked.

“Uh, no.” I dropped the container and raced to the door, my heart pounding.

“Gee, I wonder who it could be?” Amelia yelled after me with a laugh.

There was only one person I hoped to see, and the tall, lean muscular framed body in front of me was him, Gabe. The corners of my lips drew into a small smile as I took in his appearance: toned, tanned legs, black basketball shorts hanging loosely off his slender hips, Dry-fit tee stretched across his broad shoulders. Although his physical appearance was enough to make any panties melt, it was the look in his eye when he stared back that made me squeeze my thighs together.

Without a word, Gabe stepped forward and pulled me into a kiss; my congratulations muffled by the light pressure of his lips. Unlike last time, this kiss was slower, more intimate as if he was trying to sear my mouth into memory. Memorize every crevice. The moment was perfect until I heard an intentional throat clearing.

“Guess our plans are canceled.” Amelia’s teasing tone broke our lust-enhanced haze.

I pulled my head back, but maintained focus on Gabe. “Sorry, Amelia. Raincheck?”

“Sure.” She chuckled. “I’ll, uh … I’ll just leave for a few hours.”

“I owe you one,” Gabe said, still eyeing me, holding me. “But tonight, I needed to be with my girl.”

My girl? Oh, how those two words played havoc with my emotions.

As soon as the door closed, I asked, “How did you know where I live?”

“Small school.” He shrugged. “I have my ways.”

“Okay then, second question: why aren’t you out with your teammates?”

“Mmm, celebrating wasn’t right without you. I slipped away the first chance I got.” His hold tightened around my waist. “I needed to be with you.”

“I wanted to be there.”

“I know. But here is much better.” I yelped when he swept me into his arms and started down the hall. “Which room?”

I pointed to the first door on the right, and the next thing I knew, he flopped me on the bed and whipped off his shirt. My mouth dried at the sight of his perfectly ripped abs. Soaking up the masterpiece, I followed the trace of hair that disappeared beneath his shorts and licked my lips. Fuck, how did I get so lucky?

“Are you sure you’d rather be with me than the team?” I teased, propping myself up on my elbows, and enjoying my personal male review.

“You’re the only one I want to be with.” Gabe removed his shorts, and it became real clear just how he planned on monumentalizing his achievement. He crawled into bed and straddled me. “You have way too many clothes on.”

“I’m only wearing a dress.”

“Like I said, too much.” His mouth joined mine as his fingers grabbed the hem of the dress. I lifted my hips so he could work the material past my curves and over my head. His fingertips grazed my sensitized skin and landed on the back of my bra. As he unhooked the clip, the small, tender kisses he planted along the nape of my neck sent chills down my spine.

“As soon as we won, I wanted to be with you.” He slid my bra off and groaned. “What are you doing to me, Madison?”

The question was rhetorical, so I didn’t answer. Instead, I ran my palms along the contours of his chest and swept across every hard ridge shaping his abs. This guy was smokin’ hot, but my connection to him seemed driven by more than lust. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but there was something between us.

His fingertips traced the outline of my jaw then lifted my chin to his. My heart pounded in my chest as his dark, sultry gaze met mine. The want behind his stare captivated me, and I couldn’t move.

In the next moment, his lips crashed upon mine with an all-consuming determination. I felt as if this kiss was his last desperate attempt to stay alive. But I gave just as much effort back because right then, he was my lifeline.

When he broke for air, he shifted and sucked along my neck, inching lower with each kiss. He slid his hand to my breast and squeezed. He worked his mouth to my puckered nipple and bit gently down. I almost came as a sharp shudder raced through.

“You drive me fucking crazy.” Gabe didn’t wait for my response. His mouth brushed across my abdomen, and each small peck continued downward until his face hovered above my clit.

Oh my God, I didn’t think I could wait another second. I needed relief.

“Gabe, I need you.”

“Patience, Ms. Young.” He teased as he hooked the strings of my underwear around his fingers and tugged them down. He backed away and inhaled a sharp breath; his stare landing on my most intimate parts.

“Jesus, I have to taste you.” His mouth reached my core, and a whimper may have escaped as his tongue pushed inside then ran along the slit from my sex to my clit. “Damn, you taste good.”

His words vibrated against my skin and caused me to buck from the pleasure searing through my veins. My fingers weaved through his still damp hair and pulled him closer to me.

“Greedy tonight?” He chuckled.

“No talking. Back to work,” I said through a moan.

“Yes, ma’am.” He flicked his tongue and then worked in circles, lapping, sucking as two fingers pressed inside. His free hand palmed my breast then squeezed my nipple. The sensations were everywhere. Almost too much and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.

His fingers wiggled inside me right as his tongue pressed hard on my clit. That was the final drive to push me over. I cried out his name and writhed underneath him as pulses of pleasure ripped through me.

He raised up on his elbows, a slow half-smile forming on his glistening lips. Sexy, too damn sexy. His tongue traced along his lips, and his eyes flitted closed as if he was savoring every drop. Another shudder coursed through my body.

“You like that?” His deep sexy voice crawled over my skin.

My incoherent mumble brought a chuckle. I ran my hands along the curvature of my body, over my breast and tweaked my nipple. His stormy blue eyes turned a dark gray.

“I need you inside me,” I panted. My legs spread further apart, and the heat passing through his eyes alighted me, He never broke eye contact as he positioned his tip at my entrance.

“Madison, I—”

My moan as Gabe pushed inside echoed in the room and drowned out his words. He buried his cock to the hilt and stilled. The emotions swirling through my veins as he held my gaze overwhelmed me This guy. This beautiful guy who I wasn’t supposed to fall for burrowed his way into my heart. A single tear escaped and ran down my cheek, and I didn’t bother blinking it away. With a soft stroke, he wiped away the wetness, then brushed his lips upon mine as he moved his hips in a slow back and forth motion.

I’d never felt so wanted, so connected with anyone in my life.

“More. I need more.” I wrapped my legs around his waist and dug my fingernails into his back. He obliged and increased his pace, our slapping bodies and heavy breathing the only sounds between us. He wove our fingers together and pressed my knuckles into the mattress, his tempo matching the beat of my heart—rapid and rhythmic.

I never wanted this to end. It was pure nirvana.

Our mouths collided, and with a few more thrusts, we both found our release. He collapsed beside me, panting, then wrapped his arm around my waist. Relaxed, I drew small circles on his forearm with my fingertips. Complete bliss.

He planted a small kiss on my shoulder and squeezed my waist tighter. He mumbled a half-pleasurable sound, and I felt myself drifting to sleep.

A jostling sound of the locks filtered through the door. Gabe raised his head, but I waved him off.

“That’s just Amelie returning…” My words trailed off as her and another person’s voice grew louder. Gabe’s panicked expression mirrored mine as we both recognized the voice.

“Nooo,” I whispered.