Warrick’s chest shook with laughter. The hair on his skin tickled her nose. “Are you kidding me? I want a copy of this tape. It’s great!”
“I sound horrible!”
“I know!”
“Thanks a lot.” Marilyn swatted him. Her hand probably stung more than his shoulder.
Still chuckling, Warrick tucked her closer to him. “Seriously, what possessed you to do that? You must have known the cameras would eat it up.”
Marilyn drew back to meet his gaze. “I didn’t care that the media was watching or that I can’t carry a tune to save my life. I had a point to make.”
His smile faded. With a gentle touch he brushed her curls away from her face. “What was your point?”
Marilyn swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat. This was so important. “You’re the one I’ve been waiting for all of my life. If being with you—being Dr. Marilyn Devry-Evans—means living in the media’s spotlight, then so be it.” She would never again be foolish enough to let him go.
Warrick wrapped her in his arms, burying his face in the curve of her neck. “I think I can learn to love Grease.”
Marilyn laughed in his embrace. “No, you can’t. Be real.”
Warrick pulled away. “I love you, Mary.”
Marilyn closed her eyes briefly to count her blessings, then met his gaze. “I love you, too. You were right when you said our marriage is between us. I never should have listened to my parents, Em, or anyone else.”
Warrick stroked a hand across her left arm. “But you didn’t. You believed in me despite all the media scandals, even though I’m sure they were telling you to leave.”
Marilyn shook her head. “It was the tattoo that almost did us in. I still can’t believe the trouble those photos caused.”
Warrick broke the brief silence. “Jordan Hyatt’s statement didn’t explain why she made up that story about an affair between us.”
“Her mother told me.”
“What?” Warrick pulled back again.
“We met for drinks.” Marilyn nodded, studying Warrick’s stunned expression. “Apparently, Jordan has had a crush on you since you played at Rutgers. She had a couple of classes with you. Those photos of you on the Internet must have sent her over the edge.”
Warrick frowned. “That’s disturbing.”
Marilyn gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll protect you.”
“Is that why you did the press conference? To protect me?”
Marilyn was shaking her head before his last question. “I did the press conference to put the media on notice that they weren’t going to break us apart, and also to prove that I can handle them.... I can handle anything as long as we’re together.”
Warrick traced a finger across her cheek. “I’m glad, because I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Marilyn cupped the side of his face and loved him with her eyes. “You never needed the NBA Championship ring. From the day we first met, you’ve always been my champion.”
Warrick closed what little distance separated them. He lowered his mouth to hers and Marilyn tasted victory.
If you enjoyed Keeping Score,
don’t miss Regina Hart’s
Smooth Play
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