“And I’m a player on this team.”
“Cam.” She sighs.
“You said we’re friends, right?” I’m desperate for this time, for this connection with her. “Friends take naps.”
“Holding hands?” she whispers, her eyes wide.
“We do.” I give her a slow smile that has her shaking her head and fighting one of her own.
“Come here, Paisley.” I motion with my head for her to come closer. She does as I ask and rests her head against my shoulder. “There’s my girl,” I say, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. “Rest.”
It takes her a few minutes, but eventually, her body relaxes into mine as she drifts back to sleep. I close my eyes and try like hell to do the same, but I can’t. My mind won’t shut off. There’s so much happening all at once, I don’t know what to give my attention to first. I know I need to be in the right headspace for the game tomorrow night, and I’m certain I’m there. Then there’s Paisley. Sure, getting involved with a trainer isn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had, but in our defense, there was a connection before either of us knew who the other was. That’s what I need to remember. She’s more than just the sexy trainer. She’s Paisley, a woman who loves the game as much as I do. She’s the woman who charmed me one Sunday afternoon at a Blaze game.
She’s the only woman who could ever make me think about her over the game. Unable to help myself, I press a kiss to her temple.
“What are people going to say about that?” she asks softly, her eyes still closed. She doesn’t need to clarify that she’s referring to this kiss.
“I don’t care what they say, Paisley.”
She tilts her head back to look at me. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“With everything I am.” I can’t explain it. But when she looks at me with those big brown eyes, something happens to me. My chest feels tight yet lighter at the same time.
“I barely know you.”
“Then get to know me.”
“This has complicated written all over it.”
“Only if we let it become complicated.”
“I thought you wanted to be friends.”
“I do want to be your friend. But, Paisley, it’s more than that. I want to be your everything.”
She sucks in a breath. “That’s a bold statement, Taylor.”
“I’m well aware.”
“It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell you not to play me, but I can see the look in your eyes. You’re being real, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“It’s so soon.”
“When you know, you know.”
She rolls those bright brown eyes. “Come on now.” She grins.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that. I mean, I’ve heard stories of knowing when you know, but it’s never been in association with me.”
“We’ll take our time and get to know each other. You can say we’re friends if that makes you feel better, but we’re more than friends. I’m not going to be seeing anyone else, and I’d prefer that you didn’t either. I’ve never been much on sharing.”
“You’re saying you won’t share me.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”