Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Fine,” she huffs with an eye roll. “At least agree to not saying it where other people can hear.”
“Where other players can hear.”
“I said people.”
“And I said what you really meant because calling you Ducky in a crowded restaurant of strangers wouldn’t bother you.”
“It might.”
“It won’t.”
“It could.”
“Still won’t.”
Another small sigh of exasperation precedes her continuing, “Rules for not, not dating include…not telling anyone on or related to the team-”
“Agreed.”
“Maintaining our professional relationship around them and in the building.”
“Is that really what we should call your dick drawing behavior?”
“And while we’re not, not dating-”
“You truly cannot just say dating, can you?”
The teasing grin I absolutely adore touches her lips. “Contract exclusivity rules apply, especially to our sex sitch.”
“We only wheel each other.” Her overly eager nodding pushes me to proclaim, “Which isn’t a problem considering I haven’t been with anyone since this summer.”
“Rule amendment.” Arden promptly lifts a finger. “No lying.”
“Unnecessary amendment as I already don’t lie to you.”
“You literally just lied.”
“I did not.”
“Did.”
“Not.”
“Did!” She stomps her bare foot on the cold floor. “You said you haven’t banged anyone else since this summer when you totally just slutted it up with that Elizabeth de Burgh aspire to be we met on the commercial set!”
“First,” a finger point is flung in her direction, “stick taps for the Outlaw King reference-”
“You know it feeds my runaway to Scotland obsession.”
“I could probably lead the league there like I do here.”
“Wait, I thought your homeland was Britian.”
“Doctenn,” I hiss, delivering her the victory of getting under my skin that she was seeking. “And second,” the glare she’s given is an amalgamation of silly and serious, “I didn’t sleep with her.”
“What?”
“We were supposed to meet in the hotel bar for a drink, but I ghosted her instead.”
“Why?”
“Because I never really wanted to go out with her. I just didn’t wanna spend all night moping around, thinking about you being with that prancing pylon instead of me.”
“Again,” she snickers on a small slide forward, “your chirp game needs work.”
“I honestly haven’t been with anyone else since nor wanted to be, so statement stands. Your amendment is unnecessary, which also means we can continue to wheel without covering since you’re on the shot.”
“How do you know that?”
“How do I not know that?” More mirth meanders through my expression. “Getting that shot and getting a periodic blowout and – evidently getting your pussy waxed – are the only three ‘girly’ things you openly engage in.”
“Ugh,” Arden good naturedly grumbles, “why do you know me so fucking well?”
“Because I worked at it.” Both palms land on her hips to tug her in front of me. “And will continue to work at it.” She lovingly tangles her arms around my neck, an action that inspires me to lift her up once again by the ass. “However, I do have a few rules of my own, for this negotiation sesh, babe.”
Her ankles cross along the small of my back the instant there’s enough space to. “I’m listening.”
“With both ears?”
She snickers at the teasing prior to sassing, “I am now.”
“Rule one? We resume me cooking for us immediately. Becks does not at all appreciate my impressive cauldron boil, boil toil and trouble skills.”
“Stick taps on the silky mitted Shakespeare wordplay.”
“Macbeth was seven down on my crossword yesterday.”
To my surprise, one set of Arden’s fingers run through the hair along the back of my neck on a quiet confession, “I missed doing those with you, Hamster Boy.”
“I missed them being done with you, Ducky.”
Our mouths steal a minor moment to brush against one another’s locking in a much sweeter, softer nature than they did last night.
This time it isn’t about setting the tone for what’s to come so much as appreciating the one that’s already here.
Gently gliding my tongue once against her receives a whimper and tighter gripping while twice is rewarded with an eager moan and a bit of tugging.
Epositogivemefuckingstrength.
We don’t really have time for a quickie.
Not even if we could somehow pack and fuck at the same time.
Pulling back to finish our convo effortlessly bumps its way up the list of difficult plays I’ve had to execute. “Rule two? We can occasionally go on real dates in public where the media is unlikely to see us together. I understand we have to be cautious – dare I say extremely cautious given how buying a tie next to the wrong broadskie earns me a wheeling style headline; however, I wanna show you off whenever I’m able to.”
Arden reluctantly nods. “Fine.”
“Rule Three?”
“Add a fourth and this is over before we even board the plane.”
“You only wear my number.”
The quirked brow encourages me to continue.
“I don’t give a shite what the event is…if you’re wearing a number it will be mine.”
“Whistle on the play.”
“For?”
“An unnecessary rule.”
It’s my turn to lift my brows in curiosity.
“I already only wear your number.” Her hands flirtatiously slide down the front of my bare chest as she wiggles herself back to the ground. “And sometimes…just your number.”