After we left my mom’s house, it felt like Lacey truly relaxed. I saw a side of her I knew existed, but one she rarely shows the world. Her bitchy attitude was nowhere to be seen, and when she smiled, I felt it in my chest.

But everything changed during the game. She acted nice, but every smile she gave me felt forced. I couldn’t help but think about her ex. If she was picturing a time in her life when she attended football games to watch him. I tried my best to shake off the thought. I kept talking to Kruse, doing my part to make Harvey happy, but my mind wouldn’t stop coming up with reasons as to why Lacey suddenly checked out on me.

On the way home, Lacey didn’t say a word the whole time Bridgett was in the truck with us. After we dropped my sister off, Lacey smiled and gave me one-word answers to anything I asked.

However, the second the hotel door clicked shut, I was officially done tiptoeing around whatever the hell was bothering her.

“You want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play games with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. You completely shut down when the game started.”

She stares at me, not saying a word, which only confirms something isn’t right.

“Is this about your ex? Did tonight remind you of him? Of the connection you’ll always have?” I sneer jealously.

“Are you kidding me right now, Girard?”

Girard…she’s definitely upset.

“No, Davis, I’m completely serious.”

“What exactly do you want from me? I’ve told you from the start this wasn’t going to work, but you just kept pushing and pushing. I was hoping when I leave in the morning we would remain friends or something close to that, but even that doesn’t look possible at the moment.”

“Friends?” I could never be only friends with this woman. It’s all or nothing, and the idea of nothing isn’t something I want to think about.

“Why did you ask me here?” Her voice cracks, almost like she’s trying not to act upset.

“I wanted to show you a piece of my world. You don’t hate football or people who play it, you hate a person in your past who you associate with the same sport I play. I had hoped with time you’d see I’m nothing like him.”

Her eyes soften. “I already know you’re nothing like Bryan, but that doesn’t change the fact we come from two different worlds. I live in New York and you live in Arizona. How often do you think we’ll see each other? Do you really want a girlfriend you won’t see at least six months out of the year? This will eventually end, and I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle that after I let myself completely fall for you.”

Her confession stuns me. I was ready to listen to one excuse after the other, but instead, she hit me with the one thing that’s truly a road block for us.

“I’ve thought about looking into other teams. The Redskins have already made an offer, and I’m sure there are other East Coast teams that will consider one once they know I’m looking outside of signing with Arizona.”

“But staying with the Cardinals is what you want, correct?”

I played my rookie year with the Ram’s when they were still in St. Louis. After one year, I was traded to the Cardinals. The Cards have always felt like home to me. The friends I’ve made feel like a second family, but staying without Chase already feels different. If I left now, especially if it meant I was offered a contract that will ensure my future and also allowed me to live closer to Lacey, it would be a huge win in my book.

“Everything has changed since I met you.”

She shakes her head. “No, it hasn’t. I’m going to leave in the morning, and you’re going to stay here and focus on you. That’s the way it should be.”

“I get it. You’re scared. I think there’s more to your past than you’ve told me, and that’s fine. I’ll wait. I’ll wait until you’re ready, but I’m begging you with all my heart to trust me.” I take a step closer as her eyes start to water. “Just trust me.”

I bring my hand up to her face and slowly brush my thumb over her cheek. “If you’d give me the chance, I’d spend every moment I had proving why we’re amazing together.

Her breathing picks up as panic settles into her eyes.

“Shh.” I place my finger over her lips, trying to act unaffected by her reaction. “I want tonight to be perfect.”

I remove my finger, staring into her eyes. This woman is so damn stubborn. Every time I think we take a step forward, Lacey takes a step back. But not tonight.

Tonight, I plan to make love to her. She doesn’t want to accept my words, but she’s never been one to turn down my body.

I pull her shirt over her head and toss it onto the floor. I reach around and unclasp her bra, never once taking my eyes off hers. My hands slide down her sides until I reach the button on her jeans.

I take my time removing her jeans and panties, but once I finally glance at her naked body, the atmosphere changes. The need to take her consumes me. The desire to mark her as mine causes my movements to become almost frantic.

“I want you more than you could possibly know,” I murmur as I stroke my finger down her stomach. Her eyes remain locked with mine, and I can’t quite read her expression. My hand dips lower, my finger brushing against her clit. My dick throbs when her tongue glides across her lips as a strangled moan rattles from the back of her throat.

Unable to wait any longer, I pick her up and carry her over to the bed and softly lie her down.

“I thought I could fuck you out of my system, but you’re not the type of woman I can make myself forget.” I remove my clothing and place a condom next to the bed. I’d love nothing more than to slip inside her without one, but I can already tell how that conversation would go, especially if I asked tonight.

“Jake…” She trails off with a sad expression.

“Don’t say it. Not tonight.” I grab the condom and crawl up the bed, positioning myself between her legs, “You’re the only woman I want.”

Before she has the chance to say anything, I sink into her. She blinks several times before her eyes finally lock on mine.

My hips move at a slow, punishing rhythm. I want this to last for as long as possible. She continues to hold my gaze as she moans my name. Her fingers start to dig into my arms.

“Yes, Jake,” she cries as she tightens around me.

My movements increase and my need for her takes over. I can see the passion she feels for me and maybe even love, love she’s hell bent on denying, but watching her causes me to come undone. I collapse next to her, pulling her body against mine.

“I can’t change your past, but I can help you build your future.”

She tenses next to me, but she doesn’t say anything. I lean forward and kiss her temple.

“Go to sleep. You have an early flight to catch.”

After I go to the bathroom and take care of the condom, I quickly walk back to the bed where I pull Lacey tight against me. I nuzzle my face into her neck as we lie together. Neither of us say a word, and after almost an hour, her breathing evens out as she finally drifts to sleep.