Chapter Twenty-Seven Taryn
The Christmas parade, with all of its lighted floats and LED-decorated horses and wagons and the little kids squealing for Santa, always delighted me. This year was extra fun with a group of unicyclists, their wheel spokes flickering colored lights, doing daredevil tricks the length of the parade route.
Well, except for that one part when Derek Watson decided to make an appearance.
Tally, Tina, and I were standing in line for hot chocolate from one of the street vendors when a bad feeling shivered over me—one that had nothing to do with the cool evening.
“You decided to leave your cave, Taryn?” Derek sneered.
Refusing to engage, I resolutely maintained my gaze on the chocolatier’s show as he made hot chocolate for the people in front of us.
“Here’s an idea,” Tina said from beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw she’d trained her gaze on my nemesis. “Troll someone else. Maybe someone whose boyfriend isn’t a starter for the Wildcats.”
Catching my sister’s feral grin, I had an idea she’d landed her jab.
“The fuck are you talking about, Tina?” The anger in Derek’s tone caused an involuntary lowering of my shoulders.
“Oh, you know.” Her breezy tone was pure mischief. “Danny Chambers. He’s starting in the ’Cats’ playoff game tomorrow.” She planted her hand on her hip. “Did you ever start a game when you played in college?” Her voice was deliberately flirtatious, which of course was a taunt.
I couldn’t elbow her or clamp my hand over her mouth without being obvious. Nor could I shoot her a glare without turning enough to catch Derek’s eye, and I was determined not to do that.
“I still play football,” Derek growled, the sound coming a little too close for my comfort.
“Sure is taking you girls a long time to get hot chocolate. The parade is about to reach us,” Dad said as he joined us. Then his jovial tone changed. “Mr.Watson, you’re standing a little too close to my daughter.”
Derek didn’t say anything, but with the reinforcements of my family, I finally turned and faced him. “Way too close.”
He huffed out a nervous-sounding laugh. “You’re not really dating Danny Chambers.”
“Who I date is none of your business, but one thing you should get through your thick head after all these years: I. Am. Never. Going. Out. With. You.” I enunciated each word. “Not even once.”
Dad stepped up beside me. “I’m tired of hearing your truck on my street whenever Taryn comes home. She’s made herself clear.” He moved directly into Derek’s space.
Though Derek had Dad by a few inches in height, Dad’s years as a college wrestler still showed in his shoulders and chest. A smart man wouldn’t tangle with him. From the way Derek flexed his fists at his sides, I guessed he wasn’t smart.
Before I could say something, Dad added, “Now I’m going to be crystal clear .” His stance gave the impression he was twice his size. “You will leave my daughters—all of them—alone. You will stop harassing Taryn every time she comes home. You will not approach any of the three of them if you see them out and about in town.” His voice dropped a menacing octave. “Do you understand?”
“Are you threatening me?” Though Derek went for tough, his voice cracked a bit on the question.
“No. I’m telling you. Now walk away.”
More than anything, I didn’t want a scene, especially not one involving my dad in a fistfight. But I couldn’t tear my eyes from the drama silently playing out between the two men. After a long beat that took years off my life, Derek turned on his heel and pushed the person behind him out of his way as he stalked off down the street.
As I let out a relieved sigh, Tally materialized beside me. “I got one for each of us and for Mom,” she said, holding out a cardboard carrier with four cups of hot chocolate in one hand and sipping from a fifth cup in her other hand. “Show’s over, right? Too bad you missed the fun way the guy at the booth makes these.” With a shrug and a grin, she said, “Maybe next year.”
My big sis was good at defusing tension.
We each tugged a cup from the holder and returned it to the vendor, then we made our way through the crowd to where Mom was holding our spot on the sidewalk. Linking my arm through Tina’s, I squeezed her, letting her know I appreciated her standing up for me. Other than that, we let the matter of Derek Watson drop—at least for now.
“You’ll be home for more than a minute at Christmas, won’t you, Taryn?” Mom asked as she hugged me at the front door.
The parade had only lasted an hour, and I’d had my bags packed before we’d left the house to watch it. While I hated driving at night, with the game starting at noon and the team playing in front of a sold-out stadium of fans, I didn’t want to risk arriving late and not hearing Danny’s name called as a starter. Sheila had texted she’d be taking her shift after all, so I didn’t have to worry about missing the kickoff because of work.
“I’ll have a few days off from the coffee shop.” I hugged Mom back. Hard. “And yes, I’ll text you as soon as I get back to my place,” I said before she could.
“Cheer extra for us at the game tomorrow,” Dad said as he wrapped me up in his arms.
“The Wildcats will probably hear you cheering across time and space.” I laughed. Then I sobered to whisper in his ear, “Thanks for taking care of Derek tonight.”
“I’m your dad. It’s my job.”
I hugged him tight and turned to Tina.
“See you in a few weeks, loser,” Tina said as she hugged me last. I’d said my goodbyes to Tally at the parade since she was joining friends downtown after it finished.
“When I come home for Christmas, we’re playing Scrabble.” I may or may not have pinched her hip. “So don’t fry your brain during the next three weeks.”
Grinning, I sidestepped her swipe at me and grabbed my bags. “Love you guys!” I called as I stepped out the front door into the crisp November night.
As I pulled out of my parents’ driveway, I smiled at the thought of maybe beating Tina at something when I came home for a few days over Christmas. Reflexively, I listened for the telltale loud engine of Derek’s truck rumbling down the street behind me. As I eased past the stop sign at the top of our street and into the light traffic passing on the four-lane avenue running perpendicular to it, I heard no obnoxious trucks in the mix. With a relieved sigh, I relaxed into my seat, cranked up Taylor Swift’s Speak Now on my Bluetooth, and settled in for a noneventful drive back to school.
When I arrived at my apartment, I saw I’d only be sending one “I’m home” text this evening. Beside my designated parking space sat Danny’s Mustang. I climbed out of my car and walked around to the trunk to retrieve my overnight bag and backpack. Danny was waiting for me there.
“Hey,” he said. “You’re back.”
Giving him a tired smile, I said, “Yeah, I’m back.” I closed the trunk, and he snagged my overnight bag from my hand.
“Shouldn’t you be at your place sleeping in your monster bed so you’re all rested for tomorrow?”
He gestured for me to lead the way. Clearly, he wasn’t going to listen to his girlfriend about rest before the biggest game of his life so far.
“Shouldn’t you have been home about fifteen minutes ago?” he asked as he followed me up the stairs.
As I walked along the landing to my place, I tried to decide if and how much I wanted to tell him about Derek’s antics while I was home. I resettled my backpack on my shoulder and keyed open the door to my studio. Dropping my pack on the floor by the table beside the door, I flipped on the lamp and kicked off my shoes. Danny closed the door and shot the deadbolt before toeing off his boots and walking straight to my bedroom. Before I could ask him exactly what he thought he was doing, he returned without my bag, stepped right into my space, cupped my face in his big palms, and dropped a kiss on my mouth.
That one move simultaneously comforted and disarmed me.
“I missed you a bunch,” he said against my lips before kissing me again.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, letting him know with my touch that I’d missed him too. With a groan he pulled away and rested his forehead on mine.
“Why are you so late getting back?”
“I’m not late. I stopped in Park City to grab a snack.” I shot him a tiny grin. “It was either that or eat the leftovers Mom sent for the two of us to share.”
His gaze slid over to the counter where I’d left the large treat-filled paper sack Mom had slipped into my hand on my way out of the house.
“Your mom sent leftovers? Can we eat them for breakfast?” The monster grin on his face cracked me up before I fully registered what he’d said.
“Breakfast? What are you talking about?”
Tightening his arms around me, he said, “I sleep better when I’m next to you.”
“Danny.”
“And I’m whipped. Morning lift, a full shift at the tire shop, and afternoon practice. Then I waited up for you.”
“Which I told you not to do.”
He went on as though I hadn’t said anything. “So I needed to be in bed at least fifteen minutes ago.” In one quick move, he bent and slid his arm beneath my knees to lift me up to his chest. I squeaked and he laughed. “Time for bed, T.”
“Danny, I don’t think tonight is a good time to try—”
“We are sleeping.” Beside my bed he set me gently back on my feet. “I know a few of the guys are having shenanigans the night before a game—and I might be one of them at some point.” Grinning wolfishly at me, he said, “But tonight is not that night.” After he tossed his favorite camouflage jacket over the chair in the corner, he headed toward the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a minute. Be quick if you don’t want me to see anything I’d love to look at.” Another naughty smile accompanied his words before he closed the door.
For several seconds, I blinked at the space where he’d been, then I stripped my clothes off in a rush, rummaged in my overnight bag—which he’d dropped in front of my closet—and found my pajamas. I’d barely tugged my camisole down my torso when he opened the door of the bathroom. As though it were a nightly occurrence, he set his neatly folded jeans and Henley on the chair with his jacket.
“Your turn,” he said with a thinly concealed grin as he caught me staring at his muscled body in nothing but a pair of blue-and-gold plaid boxers.
Spinning on my heel, I hustled into the bathroom. As I brushed my teeth, I noticed a second, recently used toothbrush in my toothbrush cup. I shook my head. That explained the naughty grins. Honestly, I’d sort of liked the intimacy of the two of us sharing my toothbrush. Then again seeing this tiny foray into something lasting made my heart flutter in my chest.
When I stepped back into the bedroom, I discovered Danny already snuggled under the blankets on my bed. Lifting a corner, he patted the mattress beside him.
“Hurry up, T. I have an early morning tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing even as I slipped into bed beside him. Once I was under the covers with him, he arranged me the way he wanted me: my head pillowed on his shoulder, my arm across his taut belly. Then he wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his side. Lifting his head to catch my eye, he said, “Sweet dreams, T.” Then he lowered his mouth to mine, brushing a soft kiss over my lips.
It wasn’t enough.
When he pulled back, I chased him, pushing up on my elbow to kiss him again. I had no idea what had gotten into me, but I needed more than a chaste good-night smooch. Seconds later, I was sprawled across his chest as my tongue demanded entrance into his mouth, my hands plowed through his hair, and my breasts discovered their happy place rubbing over his hard chest. I tasted minty toothpaste and Danny’s special masculine flavor—an essence that left me wet and wanting every time we kissed.
He wasn’t idle as I kissed him wild. His hands roamed up and down my spine, cupped my ass, and squeezed as he rubbed his length along my center. With my limited experience, I didn’t actually know what I was chasing. I only knew he was the man who could give it to me.
As my moans and whimpers crescendoed to fill my tiny bedroom, he clamped my body to his, effectively stopping all the delicious rubbing against each other.
“Taryn,” he panted after he tore his mouth from mine. “We are not doing this tonight.”
I dropped my head into the side of his neck as I worked to catch my breath.
“When we make love for the first time, it’s not going to be a hurried moment the night before a game. I have plans for our first time—plans that include loving you all night long.” With a groan, he gently pushed me back down to the bed. “Stop trying to preempt me.”
“You expect us to sleep now?” I whined. The idea of kissing and touching him all night set fire to my senses, heating my center red-hot. “Do you honestly think that’s going to happen?”
He chuckled. “We’re both going to think about how tomorrow is my first start and how much we want that to be a success.”
“Do not talk football to me and expect me to quiet down.” I tried to sound put out, but I couldn’t help laughing.
“One thing the captain taught me—and the military and football fine-tuned—was discipline. If I can practice it, you can practice it.” He smoothed his hand down my back to cup my bottom. “Even if it kills us.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he centered a kiss in my palm and planted my hand on his chest, covering it with his own. “Go to sleep.”
I huffed out a breath and wiggled closer to him. But I was warm and tired from a long day of shopping, eating, parade-watching, and driving. I brushed a kiss over Danny’s skin and settled my cheek over it.
The next thing I knew, weak light was filtering through the window at the side of my bed, haloing the man beside me, his even breathing telling me he was still asleep. Carefully raising my head, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. He’d mentioned he needed to be at the field early, but he didn’t say how early, so I didn’t know if 7:30 a.m. was early, late, or on time. When I gazed back at him, though his eyes remained closed, a devilish smile was playing over his lips.
A second later, I was on my back staring up into a pair of silver-gray eyes that had heated to molten steel.
“Good morning, T. Sleep well?”
“Surprisingly well. You?”
“Like I told you. I sleep best when I’m next to you. But something needs to be done about all this squirming when you wake up.”
“Excuse me?” But I lost my indignation on a moan when he lowered his head and kissed my breast through the thin satin knit of my camisole.
“Mmm, I could stay right here all day,” he mumbled. “But that’s not going to impress my coach.” He pressed a kiss to my lips and rolled to the edge of the bed.
Pushing up on my elbows, I asked, “Are you going to be late?”
“Nah. I need to be at the field in an hour, but I have to stop by the house to change into dress clothes.” He stood and stretched.
My eyes rounded at the sight of his morning erection tenting his boxers impressively.
“As I pointed out last night, we don’t have time for that, T. Not yet. So you can stop looking at me like I’m dessert.” His grin was positively naughty.
As he strutted into the bathroom, I called after him, “Why do you have to wear dress clothes? It’s a home game.”
I heard the toilet flush and then he poked his head out the door. “It’s about discipline. And respect for the game. Though I imagine Bax is still going to try to sneak in wearing one of his signature T-shirts.” The spray of the shower drowned out his laughter.
Throwing off the covers, I shivered in the cool of my room. Usually, the first thing I did when I returned to my apartment after a few days away was turn up the heat. Last night someone had distracted me from the routine. I grinned as I threw on a set of sweats and padded out into the great room. First, I adjusted the thermostat, then I checked my fridge for eggs.
When Danny joined me in my thumbnail of a kitchen, I had a fried-egg sandwich with cheese and greens wrapped in a napkin for him. His face lit up when he spied it.
“Aw, babe. You are the best.” Wrapping an arm around my waist, he pulled me close and kissed me.
Seriously, a girl could get used to all the kissing he liked to do.
“Hold that thought.”
Wait . Did I say that aloud?
He slid his feet into his shoes and let himself out of my studio. About a minute later I heard his car door slam and then the pounding of his feet on the wooden stairs leading up to my place.
Handing me a shopping bag, he said, “You’re going to need this today.”
Gingerly, I peeked inside. “What is it?”
Shooting me a look from beneath his brows, he said, “Nothing that’s going to bite.”
I reached in and pulled out a hoodie with a Wildcats logo on the front. The number eighty-two took up most of the back, with “Chambers” in block letters above it.
“Ooh!” I squealed. “I can’t believe you’re letting me wear this.”
“I’m giving it to you, Taryn.” His tone was so serious, my eyes flew to his. “You’re my cheering section, so you need this.”
What he left out was how he had no one from his family to be there for him at the biggest game of his life so far. He’d downplayed it when he told me before Thanksgiving, but his behavior said he was equal parts nervous and excited about his opportunity to start. The part he didn’t say was that having neither of his parents attend the game to support him hurt.
I hugged the hoodie to my chest. “When you score your first touchdown today, I’m going to mug so hard the camera will have to pan to me. Then I’m going to turn around and show off.”
A chuckle escaped him, and the mood in my kitchen lightened. Sliding his arm around my shoulders, he tugged me in and kissed my forehead.
“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m crazy about you. It means everything that you’re going to be in the stands watching me.”
Closing my eyes, I pushed in closer. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”