The Love Game (The Game #1)(30)
Author: Emma Hart

Translation: if you can end it.

Sometimes, it’s really annoying how observant she can be.

“He will,” I say with more confidence than I feel, my eyes watching him as he runs and jokes with his frat brothers. “He won’t hang around, Megs.”

“Okay,” she acquiesces. Reluctantly. Ugh – I’m so fed up of hearing about this.

I turn my attention back to the yard and watch as they throw the ball to and fro. Braden catches it and makes a run for the end zone – which is marked by two t-shirts. Sweat drips from his toned upper body, and his back muscles ripple as he runs. It’s enough to make me want to chain my legs together, because he is hot. Especially when he’s sweaty and shirtless.

He dives, scoring a touchdown. The guys on his team congratulate him, and he winks, motioning me over to him. I tilt my head to the side questioningly. He jogs over to me, looking too much like perfection for my liking, and bends down to grab my hands. He pulls me up from the ground, wraps an arm around my waist, and tilts me back.

He kisses me hard, his lips a searing flame on mine. I grab his hair and hold on, one of my feet leaving the ground. He slips his tongue between my lips quickly, and I meet his every movement.

Slowly, he pulls back. I smile, and he looks at me with heated eyes.

“Now I feel like I’ve celebrated.” He chuckles, righting me.

“You just wanted to show off.” I trail my finger down his chest. His fingertips dig into my back slightly.

“When I have a beautiful girl like you to show off, who can blame me?” He smirks and puts his mouth by my ear. “And stop your finger where it is, or we’ll go and continue our celebration inside.”

I swallow. Right now, that sounds kinda good.

I ping the waistband of his shorts. “You have a game to play,” I remind him. And me. “Go and play it.”

He smirks again and kisses me once more. For luck, I guess. Not that he needs any. I drop back to the floor as he runs back and take my candy back from Kay.

“Wowee, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a real foot-poppin’ kiss!” Megan grins.

“A foot what?” Kay raises her eyebrows.

“A foot-poppin’ kiss,” Megan repeats. “From the Princess Diaries? With Anne Hathaway?”

“Do I look like I’ve watched the f**king Princess Diaries, Meg?”

“I never know with you.”

“I’ll make sure to put it on my Christmas list. I’m sure it’s fascinating.”

Megan leans over and punches her in the arm. “No need for sarcasm, Kayleigh.”

“With you, Megan, there’s always a need for sarcasm.”

“Shut up.”

I shake my head, smiling, and chuck a piece of candy at them both. Lila giggles and copies me. Megan shrieks, Kay yells. Before I know it, we’re in the middle of a junk food fight, and I’m lying on my back on the grass, holding my stomach as I laugh.

I sigh and wipe tears from my eyes. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

Chapter Twenty-Six – Braden

I hate Sundays. There’s something so f**king dull about them.

So maybe that’s why I’m at the beach. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not the biggest fan of sun, sea, and sand. Nor am I the next champion surfer.

But Maddie wanted to come, and the rules of the game state that what Maddie wants, Maddie gets. So, here I am. Getting sand up my shorts and, if I’m not careful, a crab pincer around my balls.

“You didn’t have to come with me. I’m capable of sunbathing by myself,” Maddie says, lying on her back on the sand.

I roll onto my side and prop myself up on my arm. “And why would I not come? I like spending time with you.” I drag my finger across her flat stomach, and she squirms.

“Because.” She shrugs a shoulder.

“Because?”

“Yep. Because.”

I flip over and straddle her. She squeals and pulls her sunglasses off, flinging them to the side. She looks up at me, and I grin wolfishly.

“What?”

“Why are you sitting on me?”

“I felt like it.”

“You felt like it.”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Yep. Because.” I grab her hands and thread my fingers through hers. Her lips quirk up at one side, and her eyes show the amusement she feels. I stare at her, just watching her, and taking her in.

The light tan on her skin sets off her auburn hair, making her green eyes stand out even more. Her curled lips are plump and shiny, begging me to kiss them.

I do.

I drop my head and brush my lips across hers. Her fingers tighten around mine, and her lips pucker, softly massaging my bottom lip. I pull back, opening my eyes and watching as hers open slowly.

“What was that for?” she asks softly.

“Because I can.”

“Fair enough.” She smiles. “But you can get off me now. You’re in my sun.”

I laugh and roll off her, flopping next to her again. She places her sunglasses back over her eyes. My eyes rake down her body, every curve available for my viewing pleasure. And boy, it’s a f**king pleasure all right.

“Stop undressing me with your eyes.”

“Hate to tell you, Angel.” I run my hand down her side. “But there isn’t much to undress. Not that I’m complaining.” My fingers gently probe the soft, bared skin under her bikini top.

“Braden,” she warns.

“What?” I move my hand across her ribs.

“Braden!”

“What?”

“There are other people around!” she hisses.

“And?” I kiss her cheek, close to her ear. “I’m allowed to touch my girlfriend.”

“Mmm.” I’ll take that as an agreement.

I find her lips again and run my tongue along her bottom lip. She squeaks and opens her mouth in surprise. I take the chance, sweeping my tongue into her mouth. Her hand claps down onto my neck as she kisses me back, her tongue swirling in a way that makes all the blood in my body rush straight down to my dick.

I shift a little, putting my fingers in her hair and running them through to the ends.

“I think you need a cold shower,” she mutters against my lips, running her nails down my arms. All my hairs stand on end at that innocent, yet damn sexy move.

“There’s a sea over there. Care to join me?”

“I’m unsure if it’s a smart or stupid move, but I will anyway.”

I move and get up, holding my hands out for her. She takes her glasses off, slips her hands into mine and jumps up, grinning at me. I raise an eyebrow and she runs off down the beach, giggling to herself.