Suddenly, we move again. Tate flips us around so I’m flat on my back and he’s positioned between my legs. “There’s nothing better than watching you come, Ashtyn. It’s all I thought of all those nights we were apart.” I feel him nudge at my entrance, reaching to fill me once more. “Ash?” he whispers, pinning me with a deep gaze. “I love you. I know you’re not supposed to make a declaration like this in the throes of passion, but it feels like I can’t go a single second longer without saying it. I love you, so fucking much. I’ve been in love with you since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
I feel the wetness sliding down my cheek as my hand goes up to cup his scruffy jaw. “I love you too, Tate.”
He smiles so big, it’s like he won a prize. Then, his lips descend to mine as he presses forward, filling me. His thrusts are gentle but with purpose. My ankles hitch on his hips, changing the angle a bit, and suddenly, desire starts to swirl low in my belly again. I spread my legs farther and gasp when he grinds against my clit.
“Oh God,” I pant, feeling the second orgasm on the brink.
“Let go, Sweetness.”
My second one slams into me like a Mack truck, and Tate is quick to follow me over the edge. He grunts my name before claiming me with a kiss that leaves me breathless. When I’m finally able to catch my breath, he disposes of the condom then gets back in bed and draws me into his chest.
“Best night ever,” he whispers, the smile on his lips evident in his voice.
“I don’t know, I think the first time was pretty damn good too.”
He turns and catches my eye. “The first time gave us our son. That’ll forever be the greatest night of my life,” he says, kissing my forehead. “But tonight was the night I finally told you what I’ve wanted to say for a few weeks now. I unofficially made you mine, Ash.”
“Unofficially?”
He gives me that cocky, playboy grin that makes panties wet all over the world. “Someday, I’ll make it official. Until then, we’ll just have to settle for living together, raising our son, and more great sex.”
I smile back. “I can handle that,” I tell him, my eyelids starting to droop.
“Sleep tight, Sweetness. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us.”
As I drift off to sleep in his arms, I try to picture what our future might look like. I’m not sure what’s in store, but I do know one thing: Tate Steele is on his game—on and off the field.
Epilogue
Tate
Deep breath.
“Hike,” I holler, the ball snapped back into my awaiting hands. I step back and twist on my feet, running in the opposite direction than is expected. My line holds the defense, creating that perfect opening for me to slip through, but it’s a battle. Both teams want this. Need it.
Time stands still.
My feet carry me as fast as they can toward the end zone.
Crossing the fifteen…
The ten…
The five…
Touchdown.
The stadium erupts around me, the noise at a deafening level, but all I can do is take it all in as I throw my hands in the air.
We did it.
Champions.
Cannons of confetti rain on the field as the final score is flashed on the big screen. Down by three, we were out of time to make a move. It all came down to this final play. My team surrounds me, wrapping me in hugs, and slapping me on the pads. Their screams of excitement are drowned out, but I can read it on their faces, see it in their tear-filled eyes.
Holy shit.
We make our way toward the fifty, cameras shoved in our faces the entire way. I spot Cole Danner, the QB for the Lightning. His face is solemn, his heartbreak visible in those dark blue eyes. “Great job, Tate.”
I hug the man who was one play away from being a champion himself. “Hold your head up, Cole. You played a hell of a game, man. I’m proud of you,” I tell the young, eager quarterback. He’s good. His time is coming.
He gives me a sad smile before turning away.
I’m engulfed in more hugs from my teammates and coaches. Head coach Juaquin Carter pulls me into a hug that’s tighter than any I’ve received thus far. The words he whispers in my ear are both in excitement and pride, as he taps me on the pads and hands me a T-shirt sporting our new title. My helmet is replaced with a championship ballcap featuring the Fire logo.
As we’re shuffled to the stage suddenly erected in the middle of the field, I spy the two faces I’ve been most eager to see.
Ashtyn and Rowan.
She’s wearing a number four jersey with my name on the back, with Rowan wearing a custom made one that says “My daddy’s the QB” on the front. I reach them in a matter of seconds, pulling her into my arms, and spinning them around. My lips settle on hers next, our son eagerly pulling on my jersey for attention.
“Oh my God!” she bellows, her eyes sparkling with excitement and confetti in her hair.
“Can you believe this?” I ask, taking Rowan in my arms, who tries to eat the new T-shirt thrown over my shoulder. He’s wearing small headphones to protect his ears from the noise, but they’re still big on his little head.
“I knew you’d do it,” she states matter-of-factly. And she did. She’s been my biggest cheerleader throughout the entire season, not missing a single game, including the away ones.
Even when we went through the purchase of a new house last fall, she’s been by my side every step of the way. We sold her house and my penthouse apartment and settled together in a large Tudor home in a gated community. My favorite part? The huge backyard with plenty of room to play catch.
“Where’s everyone at?” I ask, looking around for my parents and Alex.
“Your parents stayed up in the suite until it clears out a little bit down here, and Alex is floating around here somewhere.”
I gaze down at my son, whose eyes are wide with excitement and just taking it all in. “You ready to go up and get our trophy, Row?”
My son smiles in return.
Security helps move us to the stage, where the coaches and owners are waiting. It’s a moment I always wanted, yet somehow always felt was just outside of my grasp. Today was my day, the day my teammates and I played our hardest, best football, and won. This is our moment.
I listen as they present the owners of our team with the championship trophy, who make speeches about bringing the hardware home to the great city of St. Louis. Then, they have me step forward.
“Tate Steele, congratulations to you and the Fire on a successful season. You’ve made the year exciting to watch, and I’m sure your fans couldn’t be happier to win their third championship in the history of the franchise.”
“This is a dream come true for everyone, Stan,” I reply, earning a round of applause and cheers.
“Well, I’d like to make your night even better by presenting you with the league MVP trophy, as voted by the fans throughout tonight’s game,” Stan says, as another huge trophy is moved to the front of the podium. “Tate Steele, your MVP,” he announces to the crowd.
My eyes instantly go to Ashtyn, who’s crying off to the side, her bare hands held up to cover her mouth. That’s also when I spot Alex moving through the crowd, making his way to the stairs.