Only One Kiss (Only One 1)

“Everything,” I answer her. “In the locker room, either country or hip hop is playing. When it’s my turn, I just hand it to the rookie, and he puts on whatever. What about you?”

“Same,” she says, grabbing another slice. “But I got to love me some Drake.”

I laugh now. “Favorite snack?”

“I’m a potato whore,” she says. “Chips, fries, baked, scalloped, you name it, I’ll eat it.” She closes her eyes. “You?”

“When I’m training, I stick to no sugar and a clean diet,” I say, and she nods. “I guess with Evan, you are used to it.”

“Yeah, I remember he would come over to my house just so he can have Pop-Tarts and pretend that I didn’t see it.”

I laugh, thinking about my next question. “Beach or pool?”

“I’m a beach bum.” She lights up. “I love the beach; the sand between my toes is heaven.”

“Yet you live in Dallas.” I shake my head.

“What about you?” she asks. I look at her to see her face when I say the next words.

“I’ve never been on a beach,” I say, and her eyes widen. “I mean, I’ve seen the beach when we’ve played in LA and Florida, but I’ve never ever been on the beach.”

“What about summer vacation or winter break?” she asks, and I shrug.

“It was never a must,” I say. “Favorite drink?”

“Hmm, I mean, I will never say no to wine.” She smiles and looks down. “But I’m a huge vodka cranberry girl.”

“Beer?” I ask her.

“Allergic,” she says, and now it’s my turn to stare wide-eyed.

“But you have a whole fridge full,” I say.

“Well, I can’t drink it, but Evan was here, and there was a party,” she says and then tosses down the crust of her second piece. “You?”

“I don’t drink,” I say. “I got drunk once and then figured it wasn’t worth the four days of hell after.”

“Wow,” she says. “I say that every single time, but I still drink the wine that is poured into my glass.”

“What type of drunk are you?” I ask and then look at Ari, who calls my name.

“What do you mean?” Getting up, she walks over to get the bottle Ari didn’t finish, then comes back and holds it to Ari’s mouth. “I mean, do you get angry, or are you a giggle laughing kind?”

“Oh, that.” She laughs. “I’m the giggle type. Unless I’m angry, then I think I’m Mike Tyson. But mostly, I think I can dance like JLo, but then I see the videos, and I look like Tina Fey.” She sets the empty bottle on the table and looks at me, and I see the glitter in her eyes. I bring the bottle of water to my lips and take a sip right when she says the last part, and I spit out all over the place. “But mostly it makes me horny.”Chapter 25Candace“The photographer is going to be here at one,” I say as he nibbles on my neck, and I have to close my eyes and ignore the tingling going on through my body. It’s the second day that I am over to watch Ariella while he goes to the rink. “And I have someone coming today to apply for the nanny job.”

“You.” He kisses my neck and sucks in a bit. “Are.” He moves up to nip at my jaw. “All that,” he says. He slowly kisses his way toward my mouth, and then he claims my mouth, not giving me a chance to say another word. His tongue slips into my mouth, and my hands drop the pad I was holding to trail up his chest. Bringing him closer to me, I get on my tippy toes, turning my head to the side so I can get the kiss deeper. He groans into my mouth and picks me up. My hands wrap around his neck, and my legs wrap around his waist. I feel us moving, but I’m so into the kiss that I only notice when my ass is placed on a hard surface.

“Baby,” he says, and I swear my toes curl and my whole body goes on alert. I always thought it was a stupid nickname, but now when he says it, his voice low and breathless, it’s the hottest nickname I’ve ever heard.

“You need to go,” I say as he pushes the hair away from my face. “Or else you’ll get back late and then.” I smile when he smiles at me.

“Fine,” he says. “But tonight, we have to seriously make out.” I shake my head.

“We did that last night,” I remind him.

“Fine, we need to do it a lot then.” He kisses me one more time.

“We did it a lot yesterday, bud,” I say as he walks away from me, and I get off the counter. “That’s the second time my ass has been on this counter.” His laughter fills the room.