The imagery emerged fast and severe. I could feel him towering over me, sinking deep inside me, taking charge, making me lose all control as he consumed me.
Desire singed over my cheeks, a tingle sliding between my legs, throbbing through my core. Sucking in, I flushed again at the fact I was extremely turned on for the first time in years.
By a fantasy man who was not my husband.
“Aunt Emery?” Addison’s voice called through the house, the sound of her bags dropping onto the floor.
“Out back!” I yelled, enjoying the last days of summer. A crispness was already hinting in the air, the leaves changing colors. My favorite time of year.
“Hey!” She slid open the screen, popping out to where I lounged on the deck with a glass of wine and a book.
“Have a good day at school?” I lifted my head to see her dressed in her cheerleading uniform, her face full of smiles. In school, Addison had done a 180. She was finishing her homework, getting good enough grades, and seemed ten times lighter and happier than she had even a month ago. She had new friends, loved cheering, and would not shut up about this kid, Mason. Every day she got gigglier and more crazed over him, though I think they had barely spoken a handful of times.
“I did.” She plopped down in the chair across from me. “We have a game tonight. So just getting something to eat before I meet up with my squad.”
“Don’t forget to call your mother.”
Addy flicked her eyes. They talked on the phone every few days, but Addison’s mood toward her parents was the one thing that hadn’t changed much. Though she couldn’t hide her happiness when telling her mom about her friends here. I knew it hurt Harper, knowing her daughter was happier here than with her, but I also knew she was relieved Addy was doing so much better.
“Are you coming to the game tonight?” She stole a cracker from the bowl I had next to me, munching on it. “You have to come. I’m going up in the pyramid. Elena sprained her ankle, so I’m taking her spot tonight.”
“Well, then I guess I have to come.” I took a sip of wine.
“You will finally see Mason.” She wiggled in her seat. “He said hi in the hallway to me today.”
“Wow, it must be love.”
“Shut up.” She laughed, hitting my arm. “Seriously, I’m crushing so hard on this guy.” She tucked her legs up on the chair, her eyes lowering, giving me her puppy-eyes expression.
“What?” I knew that look. It was only when she really wanted something. The last time I got it was when she wanted her ears pierced.
“You know you are the best, most amazing, beautiful aunt in the whole world.”
“Oh Jesus, someone is laying it on thick. What do you want?”
“Let me first say, it would only be a handful or so…”
“Addison.”
“I was wondering if I could have a few people over after the game?” She put up her hands, not letting me respond. “It will be totally chill. A few of us hanging out in the hot tub.”
“You want to have a party?”
“No. No alcohol or anything. Just a few friends over.”
“You mean Mason.” I tilted a brow.
“Hopefully.” She nipped at the end of her nails. “Please, please, please, please.”
I had a hard time saying no to my niece. “You follow every rule, no alcohol, no drugs, and everyone is gone by midnight.”
Her head nodded, knowing she had already won.
“I must be insane.”
“Ahhhh!” She leaped up, hugging me. “Thank you, thank you. You are the best!”
“I know. I already have the World’s Best Aunt mug to prove it.”
Chapter 7
Emery
Addison spotted me when I settled down on the bleachers, holding her hand up and pointing me out to her friend, Sophie, then darting over to me.
“You made it!”
“Told you I would.” Though I did drink another glass of wine before walking over here. Football was never my thing. This was Harper’s scene in high school while I was occupied with making business plans for my future animal adoption center. It was still one of those dreams I had tucked away when life dashed those aspirations… when the need for food, rent, and stability came first.
“So, some football players and the cheer squad are coming over after.” She talked like a speeding train. “I haven’t seen Mason yet to ask, but I will after the game.” She peered over her shoulder. “He’s not out yet. But I will let you know when he does.”
“Okay.” Did they serve alcohol at these things? Probably not.
She re-joined her squad as they pepped up the crowd. The announcer came on as the football players from both teams came out onto the field.
“Aunt Emery.” Addy mouthed at me, her hand trying to slyly point across the field behind her pom-poms. “There he is.”
My gaze lifted to where she pointed, sliding over the older coach to the man beside him.
I sucked in sharply, a strange feeling trickling down my chest as my gaze locked on him. She had told me he was tall and built, but my head still imagined a young teenager, the same as all the other ones around here. A cocky high school boy who young girls would swoon over.
There was nothing high school-like about him. His frame towered over almost all the boys, including the coach.
Wearing dark jeans, a black t-shirt—which his broad shoulders filled out way too well—a baseball hat, and black boots, he looked nothing like an assistant coach or a student here. Under his cap, I could make out his dark hair and eyes, his scruff lining his chiseled jaw. And fuck, even I wasn’t dead enough inside. He was the kind of gorgeous who turned smart people stupid.
No way was this guy around Addison’s age. He screamed danger. Trouble. Sexual confidence. Years older than any other kid here. And that’s what he made them all look like—kids.
Forcing my gaze back to Addy, she patted her heart, sighing before turning around to face the field, starting their cheer routine.
Hell, no. He was not touching my niece. He was far too old, even if it wasn’t in years. He was way too “advanced” for Addison.
Unable to fight the pull, my attention darted right back to him. Watching his mouth move talking to the coach, the way his body shifted. He spoke with complete confidence, the coach nodding in agreement to his instruction as if Mason was the one making the calls.
Dominant. Self-assured.
Heat coated my skin under my jacket, and I frowned as I pulled it off. The night was abnormally warm, and I did drink two glasses of wine before I left. That had to be it.
Purposely looking everywhere else, I still found my attention landing right back on him, like a magnet.
His eyes lifted, and I swear they found mine across the field, air halting in my lungs. I could feel them on me, peeling at my layers.
Right below me, I saw Addison wave at him, her smile growing wider.
Oh my god, you idiot. He was looking at Addison. I shook my head, anger and disgust rising in my throat. My skin still itched as if his eyes were on me, but I refused to look back and check. What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re a thirty-year-old woman, I chastised, repulsed at myself.
Putting all my attention on Addison and the game, I still had no clue who was winning. I tried to ignore the fact I was fighting to keep my attention off him, going overboard to cheer Addy on and act as if I was so into the game, only wishing for it to be over.