A hot shiver goes through me. “You won’t d-do it again unless I promise?”
After a hesitation, he shakes his head. Once.
“That’s too bad,” I murmur against his lips, moaning lightly. “It felt so good.”
His breath releases in a mighty shudder. “You calling my bluff, honey?” He tickles my ribs and I yelp, squirming on his lap. “You know how much I loved having my tongue in that pretty little thing, don’t you?” He laughs, deep and pained. “You’re already using your pussy against me and I haven’t even fucked you yet.” He massages me through my panties, visibly trying to get a hold of himself and failing. “Iris?”
“Uh-huh?” I whimper.
“You’re going to be making a lot of promises before the night is over. To me.” His middle fingers push through the cotton against my entrance and I jolt, thighs clamping together around his wrist. “Enjoy your last few precious minutes as a virgin. I’m ready to sell my soul to get my cock in here.”
I search for my resolve, my willpower, and remember my plan. “You don’t have to sell your soul to have me.” I work my butt slowly in his lap until his teeth are clenched. “You just have to pass Western Civilization.”
He lurches upright, eyes scrambling over my face. “You’re not saying…” His breaths are starting to come faster. “Honey, no. Don’t do this to me. The test isn’t for two days.”
Guilt tries to weaken my resolve, but I don’t let it. This has been my plan since this afternoon and I’m doing the best thing for Teddy. “I saw you play today,” I say, unable to keep the emotion out of my voice. “You’re incredible. Even though I know next to nothing about football, I know greatness when I see it. If I didn’t do everything in my power to make sure you play, make sure everyone gets to witness your talent, I would never forgive myself.”
He looks past me, nostrils flaring. He hesitates. “What if the championship doesn’t mean anything without him there? What if he’s the reason I’ve done so well?” Silence passes. I hold my breath, waiting for him to say more. “We built this supposed career together. He was there every step of the way, coaching me, running drills with me and making decisions. And now he’s just gone in a flash and I’m supposed to keep going? I don’t know how to do this without him.”
“Yes, you do.” My heart demands that I cradle his head to my shoulder and tell him everything is going to be okay, but my mind won’t let me. Not for this man. He’s a god and he needs something stronger. I won’t fail him. Not when he’s looking down at me with such naked vulnerability. “He might have given you the tools to be great, but you’ve become an expert at using them. It’s a horrible, horrible tragedy that he won’t be there to witness your success, Teddy. But you earned it. You. And you’ll honor him every time you step on the field. You’ll be the warrior he knew you were.” I push my fingers through his thick hair. “And who’s to say he’s not somewhere watching?”
A brief, raw sound leaves him and he closes his eyes.
“How does football make you feel?” I ask him.
It takes him a moment to answer. “Capable. Competitive. Strong. Powerful.”
“That’s how you make it look. Those qualities are not in your head—they’re real. He didn’t hold them for you, he helped you cultivate them. Now, you have them for life.” I turn a little in his lap, stretching up to press our forehead together. “So you’re going to go out and do amazing things with that power and drive, Teddy. As soon as you pass this test.”
“See, this is going to be a problem,” he murmurs, eyes still closed.
“What?”
“This. You keep getting more and more amazing, honey, and I’m…I’m not sure how much more I can handle.” The breath he lets out is choked and shaky. “Feels like my chest is going to burst when I’m around you.”
My heart beats in a blur. “Sounds like you’re trying to get out of studying.”
His laughter booms in the truck’s interior, his eyes opening finally to study me with such warmth, I go slightly limp. Slowly, his smile fades and he turns serious. “I knew the second I saw you that I’d been given a gift. You’re what I need to carry on, Iris. You make everything matter again.” He renews his grip between my legs. “Two more days until you give this up, huh?”
I nod sympathetically.
“Can we negotiate?” he asks, raising a brow.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Your experience gives you the upper hand.”
He winces at my mention of his past. “I’m ready for that punch in the face, honey. Any time you want to give it. I welcome it.”