Playing Dirty (Leighton U, #4)

by C.E. Ricci

There’s so much of himself he’s giving away, allowing me to learn during these small, seemingly meaningless moments together; ones crafted in a pocket of space where the outside world fades away, and he’s not a Timberwolf or my stepbrother anymore. He’s just Theo. Just…mine.

I can be loyal and dedicated to my team, my school, the rivalry we’ve built for over a century, but still remove myself from it enough to want you.”

It’s just a group of guys having a game night, albeit a pretty cut-throat one for it being the first time meeting my— Theo.

“Just remember me when you end up hitting a walk-off homer as a lefty in the World Series one day, okay?” As if I could even try to forget him.

Every time you’re near, I can’t think about anything else except touching you, tasting you. Marking every inch of your body as mine. You’ve ruined me.”

“Christ, Madden. I want you to the end of my sanity. I want you for every reason I shouldn’t.

I see it in his eyes every time he looks at me; feel it in his touch and hear it in his voice whenever we’re together. It’s not something that can be faked or imitated, and it’s why I know this is real. But it’s also why it hurts so damn bad.

Because the thing is, he did have another option: the truth. He just doesn’t see it as one. And part of me wonders if he ever will.

Sometimes I wonder if I’d even be satiated by crawling inside his chest, tucking myself behind his ribs, and truly becoming part of him. At this point, I doubt it.

“When it’s your forever on the line, all the codes and rules go right out the damn window.”

I’d hand my soul over to Hades himself if it made you smile.” He licks his lips and releases a resounding sigh. “You’re the one I’d turn around for, Theo. Over and over again.”