Page 94 of Trade It All

She laughs. Actually laughs. And the tight knot that has been sitting in the center of me since this afternoon loosens a little. I lean down and press my forehead to hers.

“There she is.”

“Who?”

“My girl.”

Her breath catches softly. I feel it against my mouth.

I swear I could live in moments like this—her standing in front of me looking at me like I hung the damn moon, the hotel room quiet around us, the world finally narrowed down to just her breathing and my hands on her.

My fingers drift higher along her side, brushing over the plush fabric.

“So…” I murmur.

She immediately knows where this is going. “Dean.”

I smile against her lips. “Yes?”

Her hands flatten on my chest like she needs them there for support. “You are not changing the subject.”

“I absolutely am.” I let my gaze drop deliberately to the knot of her robe. Then back up. “What’s under this?”

Her cheeks turn pink. “You know what’s under this.”

“I’d like visual confirmation.”

She smacks my chest lightly. I catch her hand and kiss her knuckles.

“Come on, Baby,” I coax, voice lower now, but still threaded with amusement. “I orchestrated an entire adjoining-room operation. I deserve a reward.”

She bites her lip to hide her smile. I am so gone for this woman it’s embarrassing.

I pull her all the way into me, wrapping both arms around her until she’s tucked flush against my chest, robe and all. For a second I just hold her. Because wanting what’s under the robe and wanting her close are two very different hungers and the second one is winning right now.

I bury my face in her hair and inhale. Mine. Safe. With me.

My lips brush her temple. “You scared the hell out of me yesterday.”

Her arms tighten around my waist. “I know.”

“I don’t ever want to feel that again.”

“You won’t.”

The certainty in her voice makes me pull back enough to look at her. She smiles softly. “Because apparently you can break down doors.”

A reluctant laugh leaves me. “Baby, I’ll tear down a hotel if I have to.”

She reaches up, smoothing her fingers along my jaw. And I swear there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do if she keeps looking at me like that.

My eyes dip once more to the robe. My hand settles over the tie.

“So,” I murmur, voice roughening just a little. I reach behind me and shove the adjoining door closed with my foot.

“About my reward…”

Vegas wins hit differently. Maybe it’s because the city itself feels like one giant bad decision wrapped in lights. Maybe it’s because we played one hell of a game this afternoon and every guy on this roster is still riding the high of it. Or maybe it’s because Maddie is six rows ahead of me on the bus and I cannot stop looking at the back of her head.