Sidelined

“What do you say we take a walk around the lake before we drive out of here?” I suggested.

“Sounds good.” She stood and folded the blanket. It was starting to warm up now that the sun was off the horizon. “I’ll get this when we come back.”

We left our coffee cups with the blanket.

I felt her hand slide into mine as we started on the small boardwalk that lined the property. It only wrapped part way around the lake before it turned into a state park area that was all natural.

The sun glistened on Natalia’s hair. I pulled my phone from my back pocket.

“I have to get a picture of this.” I held the camera toward her and she smiled. The lake was bright blue behind her. “You look sexy as hell right now.”

I looked at the picture I had taken. She’d never looked more gorgeous than she did like this.

“What about one of us together?” she suggested. “We’ve never taken one. Is it okay, you think?

“Of course.” I didn’t have any pictures of us together. I held my phone out and took a few snaps. She kissed me on the cheek in one and we were laughing in another.

She pointed at my phone. “Guard those with your life,” she instructed.

“Worried I’m going to post them somewhere?” I teased.

“No. I trust you. But really, don’t email them to your parents.” Her arched eyebrows rose in perfect symmetry.

“Yeah, I’m not bringing them into this yet. My mom would want to take you shopping and show you my baby book along with every damn football trophy I have. Besides, they’re in east Texas at a very safe distance.”

“I like shopping and I like baby books.” She laughed.

“Come on.” I tugged on her hand. “We have to get going.”

Her lips pinched together in a pouty frown. “We do?”

“I’m afraid so, baby.” I pulled her to my chest. I felt her curves align against my body. I leaned to brush my lips against her mouth.

Her delicate fingers circled my neck, drawing me closer. “Let’s stay,” she whispered.

“God, you’re killing me. I want to. You’re a fucking temptress. You know that?”

She moaned, nipping at my lips. If we weren’t outside in the bright sunlight, I’d show her exactly how tempted she made me. But there were boaters on the lake and the owners were somewhere on the property.

“Your temptress,” she purred.

I closed my eyes. “Let’s get out of here, or this entire lake is going to see what we do best together.”

She swallowed hard and blushed. “Sam, I don’t know whether to stop you or let you do it.”

I laughed. “We still have the cabin for thirty minutes. Come on.”

I would have rented the damn cabin for the entire week, but we both had work waiting for us. I’d take a beating in practice tomorrow and Natalia was preparing for a road game. We couldn’t shack up all week and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.

I drove back to the city with the taste of her still on my lips.

I had every intention of asking her to move in with me again, but I wanted last night to be about her. I wanted to show her another side of me. A side a beautiful French ballerina would want. Romance and attentiveness. I wanted to listen to her talk, and hold her while she came. I wanted to give her a perfect night, so she’d want more.

I slammed my hand on the wheel. It was perfect. All my moments with her were.

I pulled into the parking garage and took the elevator to my floor. I locked the door behind me. There had to be a way to get her here. She didn’t need Austin or the Warriors. I’d hire the best trainer. She would have her position back as prima ballerina. I could guarantee it.

I walked into the spare bedroom in my apartment. I didn’t know if I could transform it into the same type of studio she had, but there was nothing stopping me from moving. We could have a bigger place. Somewhere that was ours that she could deck out with whatever equipment dancers needed.