No way could Charlie Monroe ignore that.
After the game, they waited for the stadium to empty, Sheridan craning her neck to see if she could spot Jared somewhere out on the field. Like she could tell him apart from all the rest of the players at such a distance. Besides, most of them had left the field.
But the sound of Jared’s familiar, deep voice made her turn around on a gasp.
“Up there.” Willow pointed to the Jumbotron, where Jared’s face appeared, dirty and smudged, a big smile on his face, his hair damp with sweat and sticking to his head. He was standing with a reporter, still on the field, she could tell, and her gaze flicked downward but she couldn’t see him.
“…we just had a perfect rhythm today, Nick and I. We’ve always worked well together,” Jared said with a modest smile and a shrug, his attention focused on the reporter. “We were definitely in sync this game.”
“I’ll say. Jared, you moved like we haven’t seen you play in years. Have any explanation for it?”
“Definitely, definitely. I saw my wife just before the game started. She gave me a good luck kiss.” He grinned at the camera.
Sheridan’s breath lodged in her chest.
“Ah, your wife. So you’re saying that all the recent scandal in the tabloids is—”
“Completely false.” He said it with the sort of confidence that not a soul would challenge. “Sheridan is my inspiration. I played today’s game for the fans, of course, and for my team. But really? This game, this win was all for Sheridan.” Again, he stared into the camera, those beautiful blue eyes seeming as if they looked at her and no one else. “I don’t even think she realizes how much she motivates me. Inspires me. Knowing she’s here watching me play pushes me to do better. She’s my everything.” He paused, as if he realized the importance of what he just said. “Love you, baby.” He winked.
And her heart fluttered.
“Oh, my word, he just said he loved you for all the world to see,” Willow murmured.
Sheridan was in shock. He loved her? Really? “I’m sure not that many people saw it. He’s down on the field and half the people have left the stadium.”
“Sheridan. He was interviewed on the national network that carries the game while down on that field. Plenty of people were watching.” Willow literally squealed. “He just said he
loves
you.”
“I know, I know. What do I do?” Gripping Willow’s arm, she gave it a little shake. “I need to see him. Right now.”
“Aren’t you two meeting after the game?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to wait. Help me get on the field? Please?”
“Of course. Let’s do it.” They stood and Willow hauled her into her arms, gave her a quick squeeze. “This is what you want, isn’t it? To be with Jared? For real?”
“Yes.” Sheridan nodded, numb. She couldn’t believe it was happening.
“Then quit looking like your world is going to come to an end and go get him.” Hooking an arm through Sheridan’s, Willow led her down the still-busy walkway that led straight onto the field. The stadium was fuller than Sheridan realized and she swallowed hard over what she was about to do. Hopefully she wasn’t too late.
A team of security stood watch, four big muscular guys dressed all in black. Willow approached them, her expression friendly, flirtatious. “Hey boys, I have Jared Quinn’s wife here with me and she’s dying to get on the field so she can see her husband.”
They scowled simultaneously. “No one’s allowed on the field,” the scariest looking one said, glaring at Willow. “Even the wife of the quarterback.”
“Oh, come on. Did you hear what he just said?” Willow shook her head as she fearlessly approached the men. “He declared his love for her on national television.”
“Big deal,” one of them muttered.
“Willow, come on,” Sheridan whispered, glancing around. She didn’t want to cause any trouble but she was dying to see Jared. And her friend was distracting them by thrusting her chest out and acting more than a little flirtatious…
Seeing her chance, Sheridan dodged to the side and slipped passed the men, earning a loud ‘hey’ shouted in her direction, followed by Willow yelling her encouragement.
Sheridan didn’t look back and ran out onto the field, looking everywhere for Jared. Holy crap, the field was huge. And it felt like everyone was watching her. She couldn’t imagine coming out here every week like Jared did. All of the crowd’s attention on him, all of the pressure of having to perform better than the last time.
Panic washed over her. She didn’t see Jared anywhere. Had he already left?
“Sheridan!”
Relief flooding her at the sound of his voice, she turned to see him standing a few feet away, reporters and photographers still following him. Dirty and sweaty and so freaking gorgeous she wanted to throw herself at him and never let him go.
She ran toward him, stopping just before where he stood, trying to catch her breath, wincing when the photographers aimed their cameras at her and started snapping. “I saw your interview,” she said, swallowing hard.
He turned to glare at his unwanted entourage. “Can I have a private moment with my wife, please? As in, back the fuck off?”
They all did as he asked, but no one moved too far. Considering thousands of people were still in the stands, it wasn’t like they would get a real private moment.
But she didn’t care. She just needed to be with Jared.
He came to her and took her hands in his, big and imposing. His light brown hair tumbled over his forehead, the black lines under his eyes were smeared, and he had a giant grass stain across the front of his jersey. He looked larger than life.
But when she saw the soft glow in his gaze as he watched her, warmth filled her. That was her man beneath all the equipment, and he simply took her breath away. “What are you doing out here?”
“Looking for you. I had to, after I heard what you said.”
He smiled, squeezed her hands in his. “I meant every word.”
Her heart rate increased triple time. She knew he had but it meant even more that he reaffirmed it. “Will you kiss me, Jared? Please?”
“Whatever you want, wife.” He hauled her into his arms, meshing his mouth with hers. The kiss was hot, deep, wet and when she finally pulled away, she was a little dizzy, a lot turned on. “I love you,” he whispered.
She laughed. The joy within her couldn’t be contained, and she squealed when he took her hat off and tossed it onto the ground. Her hair spilled past her shoulders, a wavy, wild mess that she brushed out of her face with her hands. “I must look terrible.”
“Nah. I’ve missed that look on your face. All turned on and so pretty with it.” His voice softened. “I can’t wait to get you home and into our bed.”
It was so unbelievable. Standing on the field, surrounded by the media, more than a few fans stopping to watch them as well. And this man. This beautiful, famous, generous man who was her husband had just told her he loved her. And she loved him.
So much she could hardly stand it.
“I can’t wait to go home either.” She reached up, cupping his warm, stubble-covered face. She stroked her thumb across his chin, unable to get enough of him now that she had him in front of her. “I love you, Jared.”
He smiled, the sight of it almost stealing her breath, he looked so happy. “Baby, let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Gladly.”
Chapter Nineteen
Her eager husband had them home and naked in his bed in less than two hours, which was some sort of miracle. He’d defied laws of gravity—and laws in general—to get them to his house in such a quick amount of time. All the while she’d squirmed in her seat, her skin on fire for him, her panties so damp it was almost embarrassing.
But the torturous wait was so worth it. Being in his strong arms again, feeling his hot, hard body move against hers as he kissed her all over. Her breasts, her stomach, her legs—no spot went untouched as he teased her until she was begging for it. Until finally he pressed his lips to her very center, his tongue darting out for a lick, his thick fingers sliding inside her, making her tremble and moan and fall apart in quick minutes.
“God, you are so responsive,” he murmured as he kissed her, the taste of her still lingering on his lips. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“I’ve missed you, Jared.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer, needing to feel him, all of him against her. “I hated being away from you.”
“I did too.” He slipped inside her. She was so wet, so ready for him. A sigh escaped her at how perfectly he fit inside her, his forehead pressed to hers.
Brushing the hair out of her eyes, he studied her, his touch tender, his body starting to move within hers. Slowly. Deliciously. “I can’t believe you’re here. With me,” he whispered. A thrill coursed through her at the sincerity in his voice, in his gaze. “I love you so much, Sheridan. The day everything blew up, I knew. That morning when I was inside you, looking at you just like this. I knew I didn’t ever want to lose you.”
“Oh, Jared.” She sighed, closing her eyes, lost to the sensation of his body moving so effortlessly within hers. She felt full, connected to him like never before and he kissed her, his mouth warm, gentle, delicious. “You said you loved me on national television, you know.”
He chuckled. “I know, baby. Trust me, I know. Nick thought it was risky.”
“It wasn’t.” She opened her eyes, smiling up at him. “It was the perfect thing to do. Though I’m sure your little speech is already on YouTube.”
“Maybe it’ll have a million hits by tomorrow,” he added, smiling. “That’ll make Harvey happy as fuck.”
She laughed. “And our pictures will be everywhere. I know photographers were snapping photos of me and Willow in the stands. Let alone what happened between us out on the field.” She would probably look like a lovesick fool in every one of those photos. Not that she minded.
“We’ll be the talk of the town.” He frowned, his movements stilled. “I don’t care what they say, though, whatever stories they make up. I hope you know that. I only care what you think. I believe in us. Not in anyone else.”
“I feel the same way.” She ran her fingers through the silky hair at his nape, his lids lowering at her touch, the pleasure washing over his expression absolutely breathtaking. She would touch him forever just to see that look on his face again.
He kissed her, deep and wet and with plenty of tongue, until she was moaning from the way he rocked inside her, his thrusts fast, his hips grinding against hers. Pushing her into her second orgasm with an effortless ease that shocked and thrilled her. She clutched him tight when he fell apart in her arms moments later, filling her as he shuddered within her again and again.
“I have a question to ask you,” he said minutes later, when she was snuggled up flush against his body, their sweaty skin sticking, their legs entwined.
“What is it?” She drew lazy circles on his chest, playing with the hair that grew there.
“Will you marry me?”
Withdrawing from him, she lifted up on one arm so she could meet his gaze. “Jared, we’re already married.”
“I know. In some bogus ceremony at the county courthouse that lasted all of ten minutes.” He shrugged. “I want more. You deserve more.”
Her mouth went dry. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” He grinned, leaned over to his bedside table, and withdrew something from within. “This is for you.”
He dropped a small, black, velvet drawstring bag into her hand. Slowly, she pulled it open and turned it upside down, holding her palm out as she shook the bag. A band fell into her hand, simple and shiny. Diamonds dotted the entire circle, the stones twinkling in the dim light from the single lamp that was on. “Jared…it’s beautiful. But I already have a ring.”
“A giant-ass ring that I didn’t even pick out for you. It’s still yours but…I thought this would fit you better. You can wear it when you paint and it won’t get in the way.”
She looked at him, loving the smile on his face, the way his eyes glowed as he watched her. Oh God, if she didn’t love him so much already, his gift, his words would’ve sent her straight over the edge. This thoughtful, gorgeous, sexy man was all hers. How did she get so lucky?
“I love it.” She handed it to him. “I want you to put it on my finger, though.”
He took it from her, his fingers trembling, and she smiled at that little display of nerves.
Grabbing her left hand, he held the ring poised at the tip of her finger, his gaze meeting hers, his expression solemn. “I promise to love and honor and cherish you forever, Sheridan Quinn. Having you in my life has made it brighter, better. Complete. I’d be lost without you, baby. You gotta know that.”
Tears filled the corners of her eyes and she blinked them away, shivering when he slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “I promise to love and honor and cherish you forever, Jared Quinn. Though I can’t promise to obey, I vow to love you and take care of your every need.” She kissed him, her lips lingering. “I don’t need a fancy wedding ceremony or a big reception to prove to everyone that we’re married for real this time. This is enough for me.”
“Mmm, I agree. As long as you’re happy.” He kissed her again, his tongue delving, teasing. “So. You meant what you said about taking care of my every need?”
She smiled. “Uh huh. Do you need something right now?”
“Yeah, I do.” Moving quickly, displaying those fast reflexes he was famous for, he rolled her over. Held her pinned beneath his hard, hot body. “Right now, more than anything, I need you.”
“Hmm, well, let me accommodate you,” she murmured, pulling him in for another kiss. She would dedicate the rest of her life to attending Jared’s every need.
Especially since she knew he would generously return the favor.
Acknowledgments
To my editor Stacy Abrams for making her get out her smelling salts so she could work on this book. Jared and Sheridan’s story is that much stronger because of you and I thank you for it. Plus, I’ve brought you to the dark side (insert evil laugh). To Red Garnier for reading this book in its early stages and loving it, and being so encouraging when I feel like a failure. To Heather for letting me use Rooster—and to Christine and Shelli for the laughter and the stories that night despite it ending on a bad note (sorry, Shell!). To my husband for his patience as I asked him football question after football question, and still probably screwed something up. All mistakes are my own. Thanks to Lisa Renee Jones for the cover quote. I’ve learned so much from you, and you’re such a great friend! To Heather Howland for giving me a chance with the Brazen line—I am so excited to be a part of it. And to my readers, who are the best in the world—I really, really hope you love Jared and Sheridan as much as I do.