Lovestruck

7. Allie

CHAPTER 7

Allie

No. We are brave together . My heart skipped a beat, and so many butterflies took flight in my stomach that I thought for sure I could float away with them. Our conversation was so ... perfect.

Everything about this man seemed too good to be true. So was he? My cynicism and past hurt said yes, but my romantic nature told me to shut up. He got it. He really did. I thought of the horrible story with his ex, Beth, and thanked all the stars above that at least no one posted a video of me all over the internet while Josiah broke my heart. I’d had enough videos shared of me over the years. Teddy really seemed nothing like anyone else I had ever met before. Maybe it was the professional athlete part. Most of the guys I had been around were either from my industry or Josiah’s.

“Brave,” I echoed, and he nodded. I looked at the nuances of his face, so handsome on the small screen of my phone. His bright-blue eyes had laugh lines in the corners from all the jokes he told and the laughter he enjoyed. His full lips made me squirm thinking about them pressed against mine, and his neatly trimmed beard made me think about the sinful things he could do to me. And let’s not get into the voice that made me shiver every single time he spoke. I wished I remembered more of the day he helped me, but my mind wasn’t in the right place then.

I wanted to see him again. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I bit my lip, wondering if I had the nerve to say it.

“What is it?” He smirked, and I had to force myself not to groan at the dimple that popped out. It was unfair how delicious he was. And nice. Had I ever seen both in one person?

“How do you do that?”

“How do I read you?”

I nodded, and I felt his gaze from the top of my head to my lips. “I pay attention. You bit your lip. You’re trying to decide whether you have the guts to say what you want to say. Now say it. You don’t have to be afraid of whatever it is. If you promise to be brave, I will be brave, too.”

“Okay. I promise.” He smiled, and desire bloomed in my chest. Okay, here goes nothing. I knew my schedule like the back of my hand, so I didn’t have to look to know what was coming up. “I have a break in shows in one month. I’ll be at my place in New York so I can do some recording while I’m off. Would you—do you want to ...” I lost my nerve.

“Mallorie.” The three syllables of my name had me looking up at him. I had never loved my name more. “Go ahead. Say what you want. Think about all of those talk shows and interviews where you’ve stood up for what you knew needed to be said.” He knew my shows and interviews. The man did homework, it seemed. I love that he cared enough to know about me.

“Would you meet me for a date?” Once the words were out, I couldn’t stop the blush from crawling up my neck. “In New York there are places we can be low-key. That way, it isn’t a spectacle in the press yet. I have a place with a private entrance, and there are several restaurants where no phones are allowed and you have to be a member to enter.” What I didn’t say, but I figured he got, was no one had to know if we didn’t hit it off in person. I wasn’t sure if that was possible, but I had to be sure before blowing up our lives in the press.

A grin the size of Texas split Teddy’s face. “Wait one second.” He propped the phone up and took his hand and pinched his other arm. When he grimaced, he picked the phone back up and grinned at the screen. “Sorry. I had to pinch myself to make sure this was really happening. It seems I am not dreaming and Mallorie Witt just asked me on a date. Me , lowly football player and resident teddy bear.”

I laughed, and he joined in. “Stop.”

Teddy’s face changed and I immediately stopped laughing as well. “I thought the night you asked to contact me was the best night of my life. I jumped around and screamed, and, yes, I’m admitting that to you right now so you will know just how much I would absolutely love to go on a date with you. I need to see our schedule for that time, but let’s make it happen for sure.”

His schedule. I looked at the time and realized it was the middle of the night and he had a game to play today. “Oh my gosh, I just realized what time it is. I’m so sorry. I’ll let you go.” I had an unusual schedule and being up this late was typical for me, especially after a show.

“Do not be sorry. Talking to you is more important than any sleep I could get.”

“So it’s a tentative date,” I said, my heart pounding so hard I wondered whether he could hear it.

“It’s a ‘hell yes’ date,” he answered. “We’re making this happen.”

“If it helps, I have a plane.”

He laughed. “I know you do, and thank you for offering. We will figure it out when I see when I can come.”

He reached a finger out to the screen, and I held my breath. “I wish I could take that curl right there and tuck it behind your ear. I didn’t appreciate it enough the first time I got to touch it.”

I squirmed, remembering him tucking my hair behind my ear while I cried.

“Then I’d run my finger along your beautiful skin to your lips. I’d pull it out of your teeth and tell you not to abuse those gorgeous lips, that you have nothing to be nervous about with me. I’m ecstatic as hell to be allowed in your world. Then I’d kiss you to show you just how fucking giddy with excitement I am to be given the chance to know you.”

My face flamed, and I put my hand on my cheek. It felt like he did what he just described. I had no idea what universe I was in anymore because I was rather sure I floated above the earth. “I-I’d like that,” was all I could manage to answer.

“You would,” he said, those damn dimples making me weak in the knees when he smirked at me. “But I wouldn’t just like it. I’d love nothing more than to taste those fucking lips and to hold that face as I looked into your beautiful eyes.”

I blew out a breath, and I knew my face was red. “Too much?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “I’m just not used to it.”

“Used to what? Honesty?”

I laughed. “I guess so, yeah.”

“Expect more of that. And when we see each other? Expect it to happen. Unless you tell me no.”

“I don’t think I’ll be telling you no.” Who could? It sure as hell wasn’t me.

He groaned now and scrubbed his hand over his face. “You expect me to go to sleep after this conversation?”

Speaking of, I looked at the clock again.

“Good night, Teddy.” I not only needed to let him go to sleep but also needed to process what had happened tonight.

“Good night, my Mallie. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Today?”

“Yes. Today. Every day from now until we can see each other in person.”

“I cannot remember ever being this nervous in my entire life.” I watched as the cars and buildings whizzed past as my blacked-out SUV crossed the city. My leg bounced up and down with nerves as I held the phone to my ear, Bailey on the other end. I’ve performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people. Done performances and speeches at awards shows. Done intrusive interviews on television and radio. And nothing compared to the amount of nerves in my stomach at this moment.

I hadn’t eaten all day. After a month of spending every moment possible talking, texting, and video chatting, I honestly could say I already knew Teddy and I were extremely compatible. We never had a lull in conversation, and the chemistry between us crackled over the screen. It was the pressure of the rest that had me panicking.

He said my life didn’t freak him out, but he had no idea what would happen. He was football famous and wasn’t immune to the press, but no matter how much he reassured me, I knew he didn’t have a clue what he would get into because of me. And behind the nerves was sadness. Sometimes I just wanted to be a normal girl getting to know a normal boy, and that was just not possible. It could be that we both liked each other a lot and it still failed. Hello, track record. Nice to see you again.

Bailey laughed. “Girl, you guys have talked every single day for the last month straight. Don’t you think you would know at this point if you don’t like him?”

“I think that’s part of the problem. I like him too much, and I’m terrified.”

“Terrified of what exactly? Him rocking your world with multiple orgasms tonight? God, that man is fine as hell. I can’t believe you’ve waited a month. I would’ve climbed him like a tree a long time ago, especially given the things he has said and done for you since you met.”

I may or may not have used Bailey as my human diary to process the quickly developing feelings I had for this man. That was nothing to the actual diary I wrote it all in, but she knew most about our conversations, the gifts he sent me, and the anticipation of seeing each other in person.

“Bai.” I laughed. “First of all, I’ve been on tour. Kinda hard to do that while traveling the country. And he’s been busy traveling the country for work, too. It’s a miracle that he had a week off and was able to travel to me this weekend. We are meeting for dinner at Prism and spending some time together, not over a phone screen.”

“You are meeting for dinner to start your night. Are you really not inviting him back to your place? After all this? It’s going to be dinner and then ‘nice to see you, we will meet up again in a few months’? You are not that stupid.”

“I didn’t say that I wouldn’t invite him back to my place. There are very few places I can go and not have everyone find out I’m with him, and we just aren’t ready for that. I’m definitely not. You know what it is like. I can’t be seen with a man. And one with his status? Instant trending all over socials and news outlets. Paparazzi camped out outside his house and field. Speculation about us. Digging up all the info on him. Until I know this is going somewhere, I just can’t deal with it. It’s the best way to make someone I care about run for the hills. So I don’t think there will be any orgasms happening tonight.”

“If you don’t let that man give you the D , you’re dumb as hell.”

“ETA two minutes,” Juan called from the front.

I sighed. “Bai, you know how I feel about all this, and adding sex to the mix just complicates things.”

“I do,” she said, all joking gone. “You have to give him a chance to handle it, though. Out of anyone, he at least has some idea of what he’s getting into. And even if he doesn’t get it completely, you have to have some faith that what he says is true. And sex with him will definitely complicate some things, like ruining you for any man ever again. Have you seen the size of his hands and feet?”

I laughed and shook my head at her. “Stop it. You’re killing me. You and I both know that he won’t really know what it’ll be like until he’s thrown straight into the lion’s den.” The SUV came to a stop, and Juan and Rico, my security detail, stepped out. “I have to go,” I said. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck,” she said. “That man is head over heels for you, and so are you. What you need is to be properly fucked. I expect a report in the morning.” With that, the phone went dead.

I mean, she wasn’t wrong. It had been a long time, and I was no prude. I loved sex just as much—if not more—than the average woman. But I couldn’t add that pressure to this date. I would let whatever happened happen. The door to the restaurant immediately opened, the establishment having been alerted of my arrival. My bodyguard Juan opened my door and I slid out, walking with purpose to the entrance to avoid being photographed.

Thankfully no one was out here. The door shut behind me and Juan led me through the dark hallway into the main part of the restaurant. I knew Rico walked behind me—the two of them were always with me. Oftentimes I had upward of ten; it just depended on where I was. With the security level of this restaurant and the clientele restrictions, I knew the two of them had it. I had been here many times over the years, and nothing was ever leaked. I hoped today was not the day that an employee went rogue and took pictures. It was a chance I took, but I also knew my team didn’t play around with my protection. They, for sure, had already warned them.

“Nice to see you again, Miss Witt.” The manager appeared next to me. “Thank you for choosing Prism tonight. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. My name is Nick.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Your discretion is appreciated.”

He nodded. “Certainly. We pride ourselves on it.”

My phone buzzed in my hand, and I looked down at it immediately. I’m here , Theo’s text read, and my stomach clenched again. They put me in the private room . Can’t wait to see you .

Juan opened the door of said room and instead of answering Theo, I stepped into the doorway. My eyes immediately found him, and he stood as I entered. My knees wobbled as I took in his appearance. I knew what the man looked like—but I had never seen him like this other than photos online, and they definitely did not do him justice. He wore a dark suit, obviously made for him by the way it fit perfectly against his large, built frame. His short beard was neat and tidy on his chiseled face, and his full lips smiled at me. His blue eyes sparkled in the dim light of the room, and I felt him appraising me the same way. He stepped toward me, our gazes locked.

Juan must’ve said something to me, but I didn’t notice until he touched my arm. I tilted my head, listening, but didn’t break eye contact with Teddy. “We will be outside the room if you need us.” I nodded, my gaze not wavering from Teddy’s. The door closed behind me and we were alone. Finally. Not behind a screen, not thousands of miles away from each other. Together. In the same city. In the same room. Just us.

“Mallie,” Teddy said, his long legs closing the distance between us in a few strides. I had never loved a variation of my name more than hearing it from his lips. He reached for me and I stepped into his arms, my eyes closing immediately at the feel and smell of him around me. I wore heels as I loved to do, and still, the top of my head fit perfectly under his chin. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tighter into his chest. My senses were overwhelmed by the way he smelled, the feel of him against me, and my nerves.

“You look so fucking beautiful,” he murmured into my hair. I’d chosen a short black dress from my favorite designer. It showed just enough to be sexy but not too much for a first date. My hair was styled in waves down my back, and my makeup was edgy, with dark eyes and red lipstick. Playing up the blue in my eyes and my full lips was my favorite part of wearing makeup and what I was known for. I loved jewelry, and I paired my simple dress with many statement pieces. In other words, I dressed to knock him clear on his ass tonight, and it seemed to be working.

“Let me see you again.” He stepped back, his gaze scanning my dress. “The most gorgeous woman on the face of the planet. How did I get so lucky to be here with you right now? I think someone may need to pinch me and make sure I’m not dreaming.”

I made an exaggerated motion of checking him out as well. “Teddy, you look handsome as hell, too. You sure know how to wear a suit. Damn. I think I’m the lucky one.” I reached over and pinched his arm and then pinched my own. “Seems that neither of us are dreaming.”

He grinned and laced his fingers with mine. I couldn’t help but notice how large his hand was compared to my own, and that made me think back to Bailey’s comment. I forced a giggle back down where it came from. He pulled me into him, and I tipped my head back so I could look into his face. His dark hair was just enough to run my fingers through, and I forced myself not to do it yet. The nerves I had moments ago were replaced with butterflies, anticipation making my heart pound.

“There will never, not ever, be a time when I’m not the lucky one.” Our entwined hands dropped down between us. He rubbed my hand with his thumb and lifted his other hand to my hair. He tucked a strand behind my ear and winked at me. “I’ve been waiting to do that again.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry because I knew right where this was going based on the many conversations we’d had about this right here. “W-what else have you been waiting for?”

Theo’s gaze darkened and his eyes dropped to my lips. “So many things, Mallie. So many fucking things.” He let go of my hand and cupped the sides of my face. “But first, this. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for so long. I cannot believe you’re here in front of me. Right now, I’m going to kiss you unless you tell me not to. And please don’t tell me not to because I may cry like a little boy getting candy taken from him if you do.”

His thumbs traced my cheeks, and I struggled to regulate my breathing. With my chest pressed against his and our gazes locked on each other, I couldn’t formulate words if I wanted to. So, instead of responding, I stood on my toes and pressed my mouth to his first. Immediately he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. Our mouths moved urgently on each other’s, and within seconds, his tongue traced my lips. I made a sound and gripped the lapels on his jacket, wanting to be closer. When our tongues touched, I knew I whimpered. Our heads tilted and our kiss deepened. He leaned down, and I placed my hands on his cheeks as our mouths and tongues moved together like we had done this a million times before.

There was no awkwardness trying to figure each other out. Our mouths just knew what to do. The sensations of his short beard, his soft lips, and his silky tongue made me want to come undone. He tasted like something I couldn’t quite place, mint mixed with something else, but I knew I could never get enough. I could feel one of his hands on my lower back, the heat of him searing me as he pulled me into him even closer. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I had never, not ever, been kissed like this and that I never, ever wanted it to stop.

When Teddy pulled back slightly, he rested his forehead on mine and closed his eyes as we breathed together. “Wow,” he said finally.

“ Wow is right,” I echoed.

“I knew it was going to be magnetic between us,” he whispered, “but that exceeded all expectations. I can’t wait to do that again. And again. And again.”

“Agree. But right now, I’m not sure I can even walk to the table after that,” I said, and he grinned.

“I guess it’s a good thing I’m strong,” Teddy said and winked. He held out his arm, and I took it. We walked to the table, and he pulled out my chair for me. He leaned down once I was seated and pressed another quick kiss to my lips. “I have a taste of those now. I can’t make myself stop.”

I grabbed his arm as he went to step away and pulled him back to me. He leaned down and our lips touched again. He gripped my chin as our tongues met. I felt his gaze on me, and I opened my eyes, staring into his. My stomach flipped and I gripped his hand that wasn’t holding my chin. His thumb caressed my palm as his tongue twined with mine. I knew he held back—I could feel it in his slow movements. Lord knew he was strong enough to pick me up and hold me while we kissed. I closed my eyes again, and a groan escaped as I thought about him pushing me against the wall.

Teddy pulled back and put his lips against my ear. I shivered at the sensation of his beard on my ear and his warm breath against me. “If you make that sound again, I’m going to lose it. I’m barely hanging on to my restraint right now, and I don’t want you to think this is just physical for me because it isn’t. At all. But I am so turned on right now I want to carry you out of here and to your house so I can show you what I will do to make you make that sound over and over again.”

He stepped back and kissed my hand before settling across from me. He immediately reached for my hand again, and our fingers twined. Identical smiles played on both of our faces as we took each other in across the table. I noticed a slight tint of my red lipstick on his mouth, and I loved it.

“We’re finally here,” he said, breaking the silence.

“We’re finally here,” I echoed.

“No one saw you come in?” he asked.

“No. This place is great. Did anyone see you?”

Teddy smiled. “No one here is looking for me. I did have a few people ask me for autographs at the airport before I left, but once I got into the city, I was just a regular guy.”

I looked him up and down, my meaning clear. “Not dressed like that you aren’t.”

He laughed. “Well, I arrived in sweats and a ball cap, so yeah. Just a regular guy arriving on a plane to New York.”

As if this hulk of man would ever fly under any radar. I could guarantee every woman within eyesight noticed him, and I’d guess most of the men, too. He was formidable at first sight and mouthwatering immediately after. I definitely broke my own self-imposed no-internet rule to look up pictures of this man in his element over the last many weeks. Before right now, my favorites were him in his football uniform, his muscles on clear display.

My eyes widened. “Sweats? Like, what kind?”

Teddy smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest, the jacket pulling across his muscles. “What if I told you they were gray?”

I closed my eyes and put my hand over my heart. “I’d tell you that it was unfair you wore those without me.”

“Oh, Mal,” he said, “you can see me in whatever you want, whenever you want. This is just the beginning.”

The beginning. I took a deep breath. Yes. A beginning. I loved how up front he was with me—he’d been that way since our first conversation. Even before that, if I was honest. He was refreshing and didn’t seem to hide anything. Too bad that to be part of my life, he had to be exploited just like me.

“Hey,” he said. “What’s that serious face for all of a sudden?” I bit my lip, and he brought his hand up to force it out of the death grip of my teeth. “Honesty, remember?”

“I’m afraid,” I said. “Not of us. But of everything else.” I indicated outside. “I know what you’ve said, and it’s not that I don’t believe you. But I don’t think you get it. No one can really get it until they live it. The second they see us together, it’s all over for you. And what I mean by that is you’re going to get the scrutiny of every news outlet, social media post, and person who thinks they know me or wants to know me. It’s going to be a circus. They’ll look up everything about you, including things you said or people you were around years ago. They’ll stalk you and take pictures of you with long lenses everywhere you go. They’ll post untrue things all over social media. They’ll make up lies about us. Lies so good you’ll start to wonder if they’re actually true. And I just wish I didn’t have to expose you to this just to be around me. Right now, we are in this little bubble where no one knows about us except the people closest to us, so we don’t have to deal with it.”

Teddy nodded. “I know this is hard for you because it’s something that you cannot control and yet is such a huge part of your life. You’ve explained all of it, and I’m still here right now.”

“It is hard for me, and I appreciate that you are here and seem unaffected. In a way, I asked for this. I have been on display since I was a teenager. It’s not that I love the attention, but I don’t know any other way. I love my career and I wouldn’t trade it, but this part? The part where every single person in my life is scrutinized and analyzed for their affiliation with me? I wish I could change that, but I can’t.”