The Relationship Pact (Kings of Football, #3)

by Adriana Locke

“You’re going to eat him up and spit him out,” I tell her. “I always spit them out.” She tosses me a wink. “Swallowing is gross and reserved for the men who deserve it. That has yet to be proven.”

“You are a handful,” she tells me. “You could find out …”

If you’re not available, people can’t invade your shit. It’s preventative protection at its best. A life condom, if you will.

“You don’t think you’ll fall in love with me?” I grin. “That’s very bold of you, Larissa.” She levels her gaze on me. The sparkle is still there but also a heavy dose of confidence I wasn’t expecting. “On the contrary, I think it’s very bold of you to think I will, Hollis.” “Your naivete is adorable.” “And your confidence is admirable.”

Better to overdress and impress than underdress and obsess,

“The gentleman in me wants to say that you look beautiful.” He smirks. “But the man in me wants to tell you that you look fucking hot.”

“Adjectives?” I sigh. “Okay. I’m a man. Handsome. Charming. Studly. Humble,” I add for good measure.

there might be snow on the roof, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a fire in the furnace if you know what I mean.”

Intercourse is a pleasure transaction. Kissing is a communication, an intentional decision to face someone and form a personal connection.

if you don't stop,” I say, lowering my voice, “I will find a place, and I will fuck you. Hard.”

“Nothing in this world matters unless you have someone around to share it with.

We kiss more than we fuck. We touch more than we come. We laugh and tickle and take our time. I’m not sure what to call this, but it isn’t fucking. It isn’t sex. But it is the best. Because it’s with her.

“I wanted someone to look at me like I was the most important thing in the world to him. That would tell the whole universe that I was his girl,” I say, wiping my cheeks. “That’s all. I didn’t want money or cars or fame. I just wanted to find my best friend and to create a beautiful corner of the world just for us.”

“Eventually, you’ll realize there are people in the world who love you,” I whisper. “And you pushed them all away. Just remember that I was one of them.”

that’s his truth. But it’s not the truth.

he doesn’t know that it’s okay to be happy. He doesn’t know how to trust people.”

“What’s your next step?” Mom asks. “I don’t know. Tacos?”

You have to fight for love. If your heart is hurting, and I know it is, that means something is worth your time to fix it.”

“Have you ever thought about pushing something the size of a watermelon out of a hole the size of a pea?”

“The best things in life require work. Sometimes that means pain.

“We’re going to need another pact.” “Oohh, you’re right.” She grins against my side. “What should this one include?” “Me and you forever.”