Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1)

by Becka Mack

“Hey,” he whispers. “What’s wrong? You wanna stop, we’ll stop. I’ll snuggle the shit outta you and we can watch a movie. I’m cool with that.” “I’ve only had sex with two people,” I blurt out. “I only sleep with people I care about.” If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he cups my cheek, kisses me softly, and says, “I’m sorry I can’t say the same. But I can tell you honestly if I only had sex with people I cared about, I’d be losing my virginity tonight at the age of twenty-seven.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Never, Ollie. I just want you to consider … consider giving me a shot. Consider me. That’s all I want, Ol. A chance with you.” A gentle kiss sweeps across my knuckles. “We can talk more about it in the morning.” He lifts me off him, pulling me against his chest as he settles us beneath the blankets, stuffing his face in the crook of my neck as he murmurs, “Banana bread.”

“Hey.” Hooking a finger under her chin, I force her gaze to mine. “Your tears are not a weakness, so stop trying to hide them. Don’t be sorry for showing me how you feel. Being vulnerable with each other is how we learn to be the best versions of ourselves as partners. When you show me the type of love you need, I learn how to give it to you.”

She shifts my hands off her face, making to move by me. My hand shoots out, wrapping around her arm, bringing her back to me. Mocha eyes widen as they peer up at me, and when I push her against the wall, her breath catches in her throat. I’m as gentle as I can be with her right now but something inside me flips like a switch at her words. “You have always been enough. Always. You’re so fucking enough, it’s ridiculous.”

“You didn’t answer your phone,” I cry. “And the code. I tried the code, and it’s not working. You locked me out.” “Oh, baby.” His palm skates over my back, his touch rough as I cling to him. “I would never try to keep you out. I changed it to keep everyone else out.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but you called me your best friend and your girlfriend,” I sob, folding toward his chest as I grip the loosened collar of his shirt. His soft chuckle is warm against my lips as he tips my chin up to kiss me. He takes a step back, dipping his hand in his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, and he sinks to one knee. “I’m hoping to call you something else when I’m done doing what I need to do here.”