Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1)

by Becka Mack

“Can I show you something, Ollie girl?” I whisper against her lips. Of course, Carter. What do you want to show me?” Leaning my forehead against hers, I lay her wet hair over her shoulder before kissing her lips once more. My next breath rocks me to my core, and yet not as much as my next words do. “I want to show you how much I love you.”

“You love me?” I whisper, cupping Carter’s face. “For real?” “Fu-u-uck.” His voice cracks with a hint of a chuckle as he sinks to his butt. “I love you so fucking much, Ol, I don’t know what the hell to do with myself. Been screaming it at you inside my brain every time I look at you for the last two weeks.”

“I love you, Carter.” Throwing my arms around his neck and my body in his lap, I tackle him to the ground—all two-hundred-and-twenty-five pounds of him—and assault him with an onslaught of kisses that I cannot foresee ever ending. He pushes my hair back, letting my tears drop to his cheeks. “So these tears—” “Happy tears.” I sniffle, licking the saltiness from my lips.

“I love you.” He growls, , fingertips digging into my hips as he pushes off the ground, nipping at my lip. “One more time.” I drop my lips to his, a slow kiss coasting across his mouth. “I love you so much, Carter.” “If I had to choose between you and Oreos for the rest of my life, I’d choose you every day, always.” “Such a loaded statement.” His nose trails my jaw. “You know how much I love Oreos.”

“One kiss, Olivia. One kiss and I was done. My world obliterated the second my lips touched yours.”

Carter’s lips meet mine in a tender kiss that brews a fire in my belly. “Stay with me forever. Please. I’ll be everything you need.” I look into the eyes of the man I love and my heart swells with pride at who he’s grown to be, the way he’s supported the people he loves, and how he’s moved past his own hurt. “I want you to be you, Carter. And you already are everything I could possibly ever need and more.” He turns out the light, curling his body around mine, holding me tight as he makes me a promise. “I’m gonna love you the way you deserve to be loved every single day for the rest of your life and my life. I promise.”

Ollie Girl, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, lived my life a little too carelessly, in ways that people didn’t approve of. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Because I was waiting for you. Waiting for a love that would walk into my life and blow my whole world up. I want to celebrate every Valentine’s Day & birthday with you. Love, Carter

Carter skates by me with an irritatingly smug smirk and an even smugger wink. “You look like you wanna have my babies.” “Psssh.” I scoff, waving him off. “Is that a hell-yes scoff?” “It’s a your-baby-would-absolutely-destroy-my-vagina scoff.” “Hm. Sounds like a hell-fucking-yes to me.” Hell. Fucking. Yes.

He crooks a finger at me. “Come here.” He brackets my chin in his hand. “Thank you.” “For what?” “For making me feel like everything is within my reach if I work hard enough. This is amazing. Everything I dreamed of as a kid. But it’s you who makes my world complete.” He touches his lips to mine. “I love you.”