33. Nessa
33
NESSA
F our days. That’s all I had and I made every second of it count—on the soccer field, that is. Jensen had been particularly diligent in helping me work out my tired and sore muscles, running me baths, massaging every inch of me, and fixing protein shakes.
He was spoiling the hell out of me.
The thought has my lips twitching as fifteen sets of tired eyes stare back at me, their smiles bright, and my heart feels like it’s going to burst in my chest. We’d been strangers on Monday afternoon but I’d seen so much passion pouring out onto the field, I felt right at home.
But it’s been a long time since I felt like that, since I’ve been able to feel my love of the game radiating from the inside out. Playing on a professional level had always been my dream, but these girls were just excited to be here. They love the game and put in the work well beyond that of an college club team.
Soccer wasn’t their end goal but a love they kept just for themselves. It was a luxury I’d never known. My love for the game was always tangled up in getting to the next level. The next practice, camp, and training—all of it had dominated so much of my life.
They’re looking at me like some kind of hero, but I’m the one in awe of them.
Alana is studying to be a physical therapist and Mallory wants to be a social worker and Rayne has always lived in Blackstone Falls and commutes to school. Her mama is hosting the team dinner after the game tomorrow and that has me missing Kinsley again.
“Would y’all be okay if we took a selfie so I can send it to Kins?”
“Kinsley Dane?” Rayne squeals as she sits up straighter, “Oh my gosh, I love her! The goal she scored against Florida was so good! ”
“I know, right?” Alana says, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her as she nods. “I watched the replay like twenty times.”
“So that’s a yes?” I laugh as they all crowd together behind me. Raising my phone, I take the picture and a couple more for good measure. I want to remember this moment, this feeling of excitement and hope—the kind that happens when you have your whole life ahead of you.
Tapping out a text, I hit send and laugh when her reply comes a minute later.
KINSLEY: Gah! Check out that group of fierce, gorgeous women!
KINSLEY: The big game is tomorrow, right? Wish them luck for me!
KINSLEY: (selfie of Kinsley blowing a kiss)
I show the girls the picture and read her messages which leads to another round of giggles and squeals.
NESSA: You made their whole day
KINSLEY: I think that’s YOU babe.
KINSLEY: You look happy girl. Coach Hart—that’s got a nice ring to it
I snort but I like it more than I’m willing to admit. It’s something that’s always been in the back of my mind, but it always came later, well after retirement.
KINSLEY: Maybe I’ll come for the night
NESSA: WHAT?!
KINSLEY: Would that be okay? I miss you and I could use some baby snuggles
NESSA: You’re always welcome, you know that
KINSLEY: I don’t want to take attention away from the girls
NESSA: Pretty sure they’ll lose their minds. After I ran them through some preseason drills I’m definitely not their favorite
KINSLEY: I have shin splints just thinking about it
NESSA: Let me finish up here and I’ll call you on my way home
KINSLEY: Okay, but we’re going to circle back to the fact you just called Blackstone Falls home…
I feel my cheeks heat as I tuck my phone into the thigh pocket of my spandex pants and push the thought away. Jensen had said it before and I hadn’t corrected him—it hadn’t felt necessary. Kinsley calling me out made it something I couldn’t ignore.
Turning back to the team, I plaster a bright smile on my face. It’s not my celebrity smile, but it’s not my real one either.
“All right, ladies, go home and hydrate and come back ready to work tomorrow.” Pausing, I add, “And thank you for letting me do this with you. You’ve all impressed me so much and I’m honored to be here.”
A chorus of awws erupts before they’re wrapping me in a massive group hug and I like it.
I like this.
Laughing, I hug them all back and they keep me entertained with all the goings-on at the university, classes, drama, and who’s hooking up with who as we put everything away and head for the door.
Ushering them all outside, I’m hit with the strangest sense that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Again.
“I’m off tomorrow so you can focus on your game,” Jensen says as I push the stir-fry around my plate. I don’t want to look up because I can already feel the intensity of his gaze on me. “Is everything all right?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” He stares at me, his slow blink my undoing. “I’ve just had a lot of fun working with the team. It’s just club right now, but they’re really talented and they work hard.”
“Doesn’t hurt that they wanted to impress you,” he says with that southern drawl I like so much.
They impressed me all right.
I don’t say the words, but his smile is soft like he guessed them anyway.
“Kinsley might come down and stay if that’s all right, or I can take her and we can get a hotel.”
“Kicking me out of your bed already, Trouble?”
My body ignites at his words, my core clenching at the memory of how he’d ravaged me this morning and how I’d been reminded with every stride I took up and down the field today. And how I couldn’t wait to do it again.
I’d forgotten the benefits of regular sex, not that there was anything regular about the things Jensen was doing to me. There wasn’t a surface in the house that he hadn’t had me up, on, or bent over.
And I loved it—loved the way he made me feel—like he always knew exactly what I needed. There was no fumbling, no awkward a little to the left or wishing I could speed things up to get it over with. I’d given myself over to him far more already than I ever have before.
It’s intoxicating.
He chuckles and my attention shifts back to the conversation. “I’m sorry, what was the question? I was distracted,” I say innocently as I lean my elbow on the table and rest my chin on my hand.
“I was askin’ if you’re already kicking me outta your bed, Miss Hart.”
“It’s only one night, Sheriff.”
“Yes, but starting the last few days with my head between your legs is better than the perfect cup of coffee.”
“Well, if that isn’t the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me…” It’s an offhanded comment but still totally serious. I’ve seen the way Jensen mainlines caffeine with enthusiasm, especially when he’s working a double shift.
“Romantic, huh?” he muses but it’s purely for dramatic effect. “How about you go soak in the bath while I put Remi down,”—his voice drops to a deliciously raspy octave that has me leaning forward like a moth to a flame—“and then I’ll spend the rest of the night massaging and worshipping every inch of your gorgeous body.”
“I’d say you got yourself a deal, Sheriff.”