Thank God for horseshoebooths.
“I just still can’t with you and your nerdy side. But I do have to agree—Myla does stick her nose into everyone’s business. Sometimes, like in this case, I am glad she is like thatthough.”
“Whyisthat?”
“Because I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now if it wasn’t for her pushing me to talk to you after the game the othernight.”
“I am so glad you listenedtoher.”
“AsamI.”
His lips landed on my cheek. “I’ve wanted this for so long.” His confession soaked into myheart.
“I’m so glad these feelings aren’t just one-sided.”
I let myself take in his features. I could tell he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and he had the beginnings of a gorgeousbeard.
“I feel like I know you so well, but not at all.” His fingers laced into mine as he shifted to look directly at me. “Tell me something I don’t knowaboutyou.”
“Ummmm, let’s see.” I hated being put on the spot like that. “I don’t remember the last time I was on a date, as embarrassing as thatsounds.”
Crosby chuckled. “That makes two of us. It’s been fucking yearsforme.”
“Now you tell me something,” I playfullydemanded.
He took a deep breath. “I feel like this is something that should be out in the open right away, but I don’t know how tosayit.”
I could tell he was trying to choose his words very carefully. “Just say it. I am the last person you should ever worry about beingjudgedby.”
He sighed. “Okay, here it is: I am a very aggressive lover…like, I am into a lot of kind of extremestuff.”
Excitement shot through me. “Wait, hold on.” My hand flew tohisarm.
“I knew it would scare you off.Fuck.” He ran his hand overhisface.
“That is actually the opposite of what I was goingtosay.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Isthatso?”
I nodded. “I think we might be compatible in thatregard,sir.”
His voice was low and rough as he said, “Sir—I could get usedtothat.”
I kissed his cheek. “That’s exhilarating.” I bit my lip. “Can I confesssomething?”
“Pleasedo.”
I pulled my purse closer to me and grabbed the black silk bag from within it. “This may or may not be avibrator.”
He growled a little. “You’re quite intriguing, little girl.” A sly smile peeked through Crosby’s shortbeard.
“Oh yeah? Why is that,sir?” I played with the red straw in the rocks glass in front of me, trying to calm my shaking hands. Just the sound of his voice did something to me that I could not control, and frankly, I didn’twantto.
Crosby’s eyes narrowed, pulling me even closer to him in the booth. “Because I never knew this side of you existed. You always came across as sweet and wholesome to me. It’s almost like walking into the nerdy girl’s closet and finding a cavalcade of whips, chains, and handcuffs. It’s fucking hot asallhell.”
I bit my lip, letting my mind play with the image of Crosby handcuffing me to his bed. “People are always shocked when they figure out how much of a freak I really am, but it is also a side of me that I rarely reveal toanyone.”
“I am glad you’ve opened up this is side to me, sweetheart.” His voice was gravel soaked in honey as his green eyes flamed withpassion.