The Wildcat (Playing to Win, #2)

by Bella Matthews

I suck in an audible breath as if an invisible fist just sucker punched me, while my daughter walks through the door to an open dance studio, holding Everly Sinclair’s hand. Everly Sinclair. My Cinderella. Holding Kerrigan’s hand. Kerrigan, who doesn’t like strangers. Who hates new people and places. Who I had to bribe to take ballet lessons with promises of a pink leotard and a stop at the bakery next door for cookies and whipped-cream-covered hot cocoa.

Sometimes, self-care is reading a book by candlelight in a warm bubble bath. Other times, it’s telling someone to fuck all the way off. Depends on the day.

“No, Cinderella. We rushed this once. Now, we’re going to take it slow. You’re going to let me take you out again. You’re going to let me pick you up at your door, without arguing, and walk you back at the end of the night. Because that’s what you deserve, and that’s what a man does. We’re going to slow this down, so maybe the next time you’re acting skittish, you’ll stay still instead of pulling away . . . until you’re ready to push forward. I’m a patient man, Everly, and something tells me you’re worth every second of the wait.”

“You’re going to destroy me, Cross Wilder.” “I’m pretty sure you’re going to save me, baby.”

You don’t have to marry the prettiest girl at the game. Marry the girl screaming the loudest because her team is losing. That girl is going to raise winners, and you want your kids to be winners.

“It’s okay. Daddy says Uncle Ares gets hit in the head too many times, and ice is hard. We have to be nice to him.”

“I need you so fucking much, Everly. You’re mine, baby. Mine to take care of. To protect. And I’ll tell you as many times as you need to hear it.”

“You’re fucking right, I’m yours. And I don’t share, Everly. Not with anyone. Not even a past that haunts you. You’re gonna let me in one day, so I can destroy those demons for you.”

“I’m going to spread you out and eat you out before I make you scream for me, Everly. Then I’m going to fuck you until I’m the only god you pray to.”

Never say you can’t do something. Say you haven’t done it yet. That yet is important.