Chapter 10: That Love: Chapter 9

I wake up in the most wonderful way—with Jennifer in my arms. Last night …

I remember telling Jadyn after I met Jennifer all those years ago that, if I’d slept with her, I would have never left the bed. That it would have been the most amazing sexual experience of my life. Fun combined with friendship mixed with passion and sex.

I kiss the top of her head and hug her tight, not wanting to let go. Not wanting to let this end. But I have to go. I have to get the kids up for school. I have to go to the attorney’s office and face Lori.

Being a grownup sucks sometimes.

“That was something,” she murmurs, her lips moving against my chest and her hand sliding down lower, causing me to harden again for about the thousandth time in the last twelve hours.

“You know, when I’m playing a game, I get to rest when the defense is on the field. I get time-outs. Halftime. I’m not sure I can do it again,” I tease, because I so can.

The corners of her ruby lips curl into a smile as she naughtily dives her head under the covers. “Not in my game you don’t.”

An hour later, we’re collapsed in a heap and both breathing hard.

“So, do I get a ring for this?” she asks.

“Like an engagement ring?” I sputter out. Not that I don’t want to marry her, but … “Um, I’m not divorced yet. I wouldn’t want the kids—”

“I’m talking about the Championship of Sex Ring,” she says with a smirk. “I was wondering if I’d won it yet.”

I can’t help but smile. I am so crazy about this girl. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

I hightail it out of bed, track down my clothes from where they are strewed across the floor, and get dressed.

When I get to my house, I’m happy to discover that my children are still asleep. I feel a pang of guilt about not being home last night. I know that I was next door. That I could literally see the house from where I was, but it feels incredibly irresponsible.

But so incredibly worth it.

I grab something from my closet and sneak back over to her room.

She’s still lying in bed. The comforter is hanging off the side. The blanket that usually lies neatly across the foot of the bed is tossed over the chaise. And Jennifer looks beautiful, lying there. She has total sex hair. The soft pale skin of her shoulder is peeking out from under the covers. Part of me wonders if I am dreaming.

“Where did you go, Danny Diamond?” she purrs.

“I want to give you something.” I perch on the edge of the bed.

When she sits up, the covers slide down her chest, revealing her beautiful breasts, which have a few love marks as a reminder of our night.

She grabs my shirt and pulls me close. “I’d say you gave me plenty last night, but I’m up for more.”

I pull a box from behind my back and open the lid, revealing my first Championship ring. I take it out and slide it onto her thumb. “You definitely won the title.”

Tears slide down her cheeks as she wraps her arms around my neck. “You are adorable, but I can’t take this.”

“I’m serious. I want you to have it. I’m going to win another one anyway.”

“You are so cocky.”

“If I recall, last night, you loved my iness.”

“Yes, I did.”

We kiss. Another perfect kiss.

“I need to get home and get the kids up and ready for school, but I was wondering if you’d like to go out tonight to celebrate the official announcement of my divorce.”

“Uh-oh,” she says, suddenly looking nervous. “I forgot to tell you. I’m going back home this morning.”

“What?” I ask, my heart nearly stopping. “When were you going to tell me? After you left? So, that’s all this was? You finally getting what you wanted? Me. For one night. Well, glad I could oblige.”

“Wait, Danny. At the game Monday night, Tripp asked if I would come to LA with Jadyn,” she says, talking fast, trying to explain, “and talk to his board about the hotel. So, that’s today. And I felt like I had to say yes. I owe her that, I think. I mean, I have other things I have to do when I’m there, but—”

“Like what?” I ask flatly, even though I already know what she’s going to say.

“Uh, I need to meet my agent and my assistant, find a place to live, and, well, I need to deal with Troy—”

“I see.” I quickly force myself to my feet and burst out of her room. What more is there to say?

She’s going home and not coming back. We’re over again, before we ever got started.

It’s not until later that I realize she left with my ring.