Caught on Camera (Love Through a Lens, #1)

by Chelsea Curto

“Take all the time in the world,” he calls out. “You’re worth the wait.” “Do you use that line on every girl?” “You know there aren’t any girls.”

Lacey tilts her head back and laughs, and it’s such a bright sound. It might be below freezing outside, but her laugh is warm. Inviting. Sunshine in human form, and one of my favorite noises.

I find her in the crowd. She’s not hard to spot; it’s like she’s a magnet and I’m metal.

Shawn spins his finger and I roll my eyes, turning to show him his name on the back of the jersey I’m wearing.

When the huddle breaks and the defense takes the field, he’s still looking at me, and I don’t see an ounce of strain on his face.

When she doesn’t pull away, I smile big and wide. She gives me a shy grin in return and I press my lips against hers, kissing my best friend in front of seventy thousand people without a damn in the world, just as snowflakes start to fall from the sky.

I can’t think. I can’t speak. I’ve never had someone take their time when they kiss me, exploring, relishing, indulging in me like I’m a prize they won and want to show off to the world.

There are two sides to Shawn Holmes, and I like that I get to see both of them.

“Doesn’t matter. Fake. Real. I don’t give a shit. I take care of what’s mine, and right now, you are mine.”

She’s not getting rid of me that easily. I’m never letting Lacey Daniels out of my sight again.

And that fucking jersey. I want to rip it from her body. Tear it to shreds and leave it in a dozen pieces at her feet. I want to pull it off her with my teeth and make sure it’s my last name stretched across her back.

Looking at her like this is suspiciously close to what I imagine heaven is going to be like.

“I’ll tell you a secret: once is never going to be enough. I’m going to think about you every goddamn night until the day I die.”

My mouth pops open, and I gape at Lacey. I’ve never heard her say a single football statistic in my life, and the fact that she knows my numbers makes me brim with pride. She’s been learning the game.

Seventy thousand people in a stadium or four hundred people in a museum. It doesn’t matter. I always find her, and I’m happier because of it.

This woman saved me tonight, and I’m starting to wonder if she wasn’t put in my life by accident but for a very specific reason. To be mine until the end of time.

When she lifts her hips and pins them against mine, I want to ask her to marry me. When she kisses me with fire behind her mouth, I want to tell her I’ll give her anything she asks. When she rubs the back of my neck and holds me close, whispering I’m so glad you’re here with me into my ear, I realize that I was wrong.

“You win every time. It’s not even close. Even with a billion choices, it would still be you.”