I’ve never broken my training routine for a woman. Yet here I am in the middle of the night, contemplating how I can talk Maddie into having sex one more time before I leave for my game.

My eyes trail down her bare back as I listen to her soft breaths.

I’ve always gotten eight hours of sleep, always trained with the sole focus of the game, always pushed myself to live between the goal posts. But something’s changed. As much as I love the game, I love her more. So I sleep less, I daydream about her when I should be studying, and I plot out ways we can spend more time together. Yeah, I love Maddie.

Christ. That’s scary. You think you love someone—I thought I loved Clementine and I certainly cared for Veronica—but this, Maddie, she fucking makes my world go round.

Maybe I’m being a pussy. But I’ve lived in the spotlight for the last four years. Most women want that spotlight. But Maddie? She could give two shits about that kind of stuff. Her mind whirls with passion for the underdog, for injustice, for righting wrongs.

She shot a feature last week at the St. Martin’s Homeless Shelter, and it damn near brought tears to my eyes. Her boss wanted quick shit for promos, and she managed to shoot enough footage for a whole segment and got the go-ahead to do in-depth features for all of the charities.

Her soft sigh next to me makes my heart quicken.

It’s the third night in a row she’s slept over. For the last few weeks, I’ve only gotten her to stay two nights a week, so this feels momentous. I’m tempted to give her a key and tell her it’s so she doesn’t have to lug dinner over from her place. I can’t say it’s because I want her here all the time. That might freak her out.

She calls my name in the dark, and I pull her back to my chest and plant my thigh between her legs.

“What time is it?” she asks, her voice a sexy rasp.

“Too early. Go back to sleep, sweet thing.” Even though my cock wants to get up close and personal with her, the girl needs to sleep. She’s always running at high speed. I don’t want her to wear herself out.

Maddie lets out a sleepy moan. “Did you remember to pack your gray suit?”

“Yes, sweet thing. I packed it. And that awesome t-shirt someone just got me.”

She giggles. She got me a t-shirt that says, Not just a pretty face. I told her I’d take it to every away game as my good luck charm.

I kiss her neck. “Babe, I left my new number on the coffee table.”

“I can’t believe you had to change it again,” she grumbles into her pillow.

It’s the second time in two weeks. If I find the asshole who’s been signing me up for every porn and sexting site on the East Coast, I’m going to break his nut sack.

Maddie’s breathing evens out, and I’m starting to think she fell asleep when she says, “I’m sorry I can’t drop you off at the airport. Will you text me when you land?”

My chest tightens, and I inhale deeply, trying to memorize the scent of her hair. “Of course.”

Her arm reaches up and snakes around my neck. “How are you feeling about the game? Do you think you’re going to play?”

“Hmm. Not sure. Probably not, but I have to be ready in case.”

She massages my scalp, and I groan. “Wish I could be there,” she whispers. “Look out for Wilkinson. You know he’s a sneaky bastard. He sacked the Bears’ QB twice last weekend. I realize that was preseason, but still.”

I smile, knowing she’s been paying attention to the film I’ve been studying this week. This is what sets her apart from every other girl I’ve gone out with. She knows the game and is taking the time to learn it even better.

“Yes, ma’am.” My arm tightens around her waist. “Are you still planning to watch with Jax and Clem?”

“Yeah.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Is that okay? That I’m hanging out with your friends?”

“Fuck, yes, it’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be okay?”

She lets out a sleepy laugh, and it lightens the pressure I’m feeling about Sunday’s game. “I don’t know. I… I just didn’t know if it was too much.”

“Too much?”

“Yes, too much. As in too big a step for what we’re doing.”

My eyebrows raise, and I turn her onto her back and slide over her, fitting myself between her thighs. “And that would be? What are we doing?” I kiss along her jaw before I lean back and make her answer.

“Seeing each other? Sleeping together?” She threads her fingers through my hair. “I don’t know what you want to call this.”

“You mean dating?”

She blinks, staring back with those big blue eyes before a smile forms on her lips. “Is that what we’re doing, Daren?” Her arms tighten around my neck before she leans up to kiss me.

“I should hope so,” I mumble against her mouth. “Because if not, I sure as hell want to be dating the beautiful naked girl in my bed.” I kiss her again until her fingers tangle in my hair. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"I'm not. I'll miss you."

My heart beats faster. "Get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you."

She sighs and nods reluctantly. I kiss her forehead before I get out of bed, relishing how much I love seeing her first thing in the morning. Which makes me realize how much I'd love to wake up to her every day.