Chapter Twenty-Five

Savannah had just stepped out of the shower when she heard the knock on the door. Steady. Insistent. She grabbed a towel and quickly dried off, wrapped it around her hair, then grabbed another one to wrap around her body. A glance at the clock on the nightstand told her it was too early for Tessa to be here. Her friend wasn't due for another forty minutes. Of course, Tessa was always early so maybe it was her.

God, she hoped not. Savannah still had to pack. She was running behind, had lost all track of time as she put the finishing touches on the new presentation she was giving to her client tomorrow morning in Philly. Packing wouldn't take long—just a change of clothes and toiletries—but Tessa would still tease her about being distracted.

Savannah didn't need the teasing, not when she knew Tessa was right—she had been distracted.

Worrying about Aaron as he recovered, trying not to go overboard and smother him when all she wanted to do was never let him out of her sight. Helping around the house, listening as his mother shared stories of his childhood and early career. Helping the girls with their homework. Listening as Brooke shyly confessed to her crush on some boy she had met, the brother of some girl in her class.

Analyzing her feelings, trying to convince herself she wasn't in over her head when she already knew she was.

Just like she knew it wasn't Tessa at the door.

She hurried down the steps, tugging the towel tighter around her. Tessa wouldn't be knocking because she had a key. She'd just rap her knuckles against the door then walk in, like she always did. And the knocking was coming from the back door, not the front.

Savannah almost slipped on the bottom step, had to brace her hand against the wall to catch herself at the last minute. She readjusted the towel, trying to push away the anxiety pummeling her. If the knocking was coming from the back door, that meant it had to be either Aaron or one of the girls. Today had been Aaron's first day back at practice. Had something happened? Was he okay?

She slid the curtain across the patio door and unlocked it, stepping back as Aaron walked in.

"Is everything okay? Did something happen?" The words fell from her in a breathless rush.

Aaron opened his mouth then snapped it shut, frowning as his gaze traveled from the top of her towel-wrapped head down to her bare feet then back up again. "Why are you answering the door wearing nothing but a towel?"

"I thought it was Tessa. Then I thought something might have happened and I—" Savannah stepped back, finally noticing the flare of heat in Aaron's eyes. She looked away, her skin burning, and saw the bag in his hand. "What's that?"

"You left it at the game the other night." He pulled the jersey from the bag and held it up, his eyes smoldering as he moved toward her. "I was going to ask you to model it for me. Wanted to see how you looked wearing nothing but my name and number but I think I like the towel better."

He tossed the jersey to the side then quickly closed the distance between them. One arm snaked out and closed around her waist, pulling her toward him as he reached up with the other and eased the towel from her head. Savannah swallowed back a groan, heat pooling between her legs when she felt the hard length of his cock pressing against her.

He tilted his head, his mouth claiming hers in a hot kiss that robbed her of breath. He dragged his mouth from hers, kissed her neck, her shoulder. She dug her hands into his arms, to keep herself from collapsing, and swallowed back another groan.

"Tessa will be here soon. She's—" She gasped as Aaron nibbled her ear, sending a tidal wave of sensation crashing over her. His breath was warm against her skin, his voice a soft whisper of need.

"She's what?"

"She's, uh—" And God, she couldn't think, not when his mouth and tongue and hands caused flames to dance across her skin. "Um…train station. Taking me…meeting tomorrow."

"When?"

"Hm?"

"When will she be here?"

"An hour. No, less than that. I—I can't think when you're doing that."

Aaron chuckled, the sound throaty and hoarse and strained. He pulled back, need simmering in his eyes. Not just need, something more, something that made her heart leap and soar.

"I think I can remember how to manage a quickie." The brown of his eyes deepened, pulling her in. "Or do you want me to stop?"

Savannah reached between them, palmed the hard length of his cock under the nylon of his track pants, and shook her head. "No."

Aaron hesitated, but only for a second. Then his mouth crashed against hers. Hungry, demanding. He yanked the towel away and cool air washed over her, replaced by the heat of his hands as he touched every inch of her. He broke the kiss, his breathing harsh and raspy. Instead of picking her up and carrying her upstairs as she expected, he reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head, tossed it to the side. Leaned down, shed shoes and socks and pants, his hungry gaze never leaving hers. Then he grabbed her again, flesh-to-flesh, his mouth devouring hers.

She moved against him, their feet tangling as he turned and dropped onto the sofa. He shifted her body so she was straddling him, his fingers digging into her hips as he rocked her slick heat against the rigid length of his cock.

He bent his head, pulled one tight nipple into his mouth, and drove into her.

Her head fell back, his name falling from her lips in a breathless scream as the climax swept her away. He held her through it, whispering her name, kissing her, still driving into her. Hard, deep. So deep. Then slower, until her senses gradually returned, until her breathing evened out.

He hooked his hands under her knees, pushed up with his powerful legs and turned, reversing their positions so he was on top of her, pressing her into the sofa cushions. He braced one knee on the sofa and thrust into her, faster, harder, driving her to the edge once more.

She grabbed his shoulders, nails biting into flesh, searching for an anchor against the desperate need battering her. Close, so close, ready to fly apart, to lose herself.

Her eyes fluttered open as he rocked into her, driving her deeper and deeper into the maelstrom. She looked up, her gaze meeting his. Tried to look away but couldn't.

"I love you, Savannah."

The words sent her flying, her body shattering into so many pieces, she was afraid she'd never find herself again. But she wasn't lost. Could never be lost as long as Aaron held her. Safe. Secure. Protected.

Loved.

She opened her mouth to say the words, heard only her sharp gasps and shallow screams. Aaron's mouth closed over hers, swallowing each little sigh and moan. Then his body tensed, his arms tightening around her as his own release crashed over him, filling her.

Consciousness slowly returned as her breathing slowed, as she became aware of her surroundings.

The hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen ten feet away.

The play of the afternoon sun on the carpet and the arm of the sofa near her head.

The tangle of her legs, wrapped tight around Aaron's waist.

The rise and fall of Aaron's chest as his body pressed against hers. Hard, strong. Solid.

The look in his eyes as he stared down at her, so open and honest, hiding nothing.

She reached up and cupped his cheek with one hand, felt the scratch of stubble against her palm. A smile curved her mouth. She pulled in a deep breath, needing to say the words. To give him the same honesty he had given her.

But the sound of keys jangling in a lock distracted her. She heard the door open, heard a quick rap of knuckles against wood.

Savannah stiffened, looked at Aaron in desperation as she heard the first footsteps in the front hallway.

"Hey, Van. You almost ready? I know I'm early—"

"Tessa, no! Don't—" She pushed against Aaron, frowning when she noticed his shoulders shaking in silent laughter. She pushed again, but it was like trying to budge a concrete wall. "Tessa, wait. Just give me a—"

"Whoa. OhmyGod. Van! Really? Really!" Tessa's shriek filled the room. Savannah couldn't see her, she couldn't see anything past Aaron's broad shoulders, but she didn't need to. She could picture her friend's reaction perfectly, imagined her standing in the middle of the room, her eyes rounded in shock, her mouth hanging open.

"Tessa, go! Now!"

"Holy shit. Okay. I'll be outside. Just—Jesus."

"Tessa!"

"I'm going." She heard the sound of footsteps heading back to the door and breathed a sigh of relief. The relief was short-lived when she heard the footsteps return, heard Tessa's voice, dripping with feminine appreciation.

"Okay, I just need to say, for the record. Aaron, that is one amazingly fine ass."

Savannah waved her hand, blindly pointing her finger in the direction of the door. "Out!"

The door closed and she dropped her head back on the cushion, her face flaming. Aaron's head fell forward, his shoulders shaking as warm, rich laughter filled the room.

Savannah did the only thing she could think of: she reached behind him and smacked his amazingly fine ass.