Hail Mary (Red Zone Rivals, #4)

by Kandi Steiner

My dad gave her a look over his Sunday morning paper, which said without words that her telling me a game was expensive was comical considering what she spent on a pair of shoes weekly.

This is the most relatable sentence ever

“As long as it’s okay with you, Daddy.” Kyle and Braden exchanged looks, and Leo grinned. “I’ll allow it, since you’ve been such a good girl.”

“I’m nothing if not a gentleman.”

“You can either wear this sweater or I’ll use it to tie you down and warm you up with my body heat, instead.”

I turned just in time for him to open a huge jacket and wrap it around me from behind. Not just a jacket. His letterman. I froze when the weighted fabric cloaked me, my heart pounding in my ears. “What are you doing?” I thought I heard myself ask. I glanced up at Leo, who only shrugged and tucked the jacket tighter around me. “Making dreams come true.”

But with Mary, I didn’t have the control to play the game any longer, to act unaffected by her. I was completely fucking feral.

“I’m mad about you!” Leo gripped his hair again before his hands stretched out toward me. “Can’t you see that?”

“I never would have hurt you on purpose,” I swore, and I prayed she felt it, that she believed me. “But I’m sorry I did. I’m sorry, Mary. I’m so, so fucking sorry.”

And when I took her hand in mine, the piece of me I’d been missing for years quietly snapped into place.

I threw the rest of the covers off me and scrambled out of bed, all but tripping over my bare feet as I lunged for the door. I yanked it open so fast the air blew my hair back. And then I froze, because Leo stood waiting on the other side.

“You have consumed me for months,” Leo breathed against my neck, maneuvering my head so he could kiss along the column of my throat before working his way back to my mouth. “Por años.” A bruising kiss punctuated that anguished confession before he pressed his forehead to mine, our breaths hot and frantic between us. “I couldn’t sleep one more night without making you mine.”

“I’ve played by your rules all summer,” he growled. “Tonight — you play by mine.”

And I will spend every second of every day on my knees to make it up to you.” Mary waggled her brows. “On your knees, hmm?”

“I’ve never felt anything for anyone else but you — even when I didn’t know it was you all along. You’re fucking it for me.”

“Maybe I didn’t deserve you yet and the universe knew it. But then, when the timing was right… it delivered you right across the street.”

“If fate is what brought you to me, I’m not only a believer — I’m a worshiper.”

“I don’t think my story will be as light as yours.” “So, let me sit in the darkness with you.”

It was a kiss I felt all the way down to my toes. It stirred my desire as much as it soothed my aching heart. It was the feeling of coming home after a long trip. It was Christmas morning and a sunset on the beach. It was a night spent between the sheets and a day of perfect sunshine.