Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Luke

A fter cleaning ourselves up, Amelia yawns, so I jokingly carry her to bed, tucking her in like a child. She tries to resist, but to no one’s surprise, the second her head hits the pillow, her eyes drift shut.

“I just need a minute,” she whispers groggily, and I bite back a grin, waiting until her breathing slows before I sneak away, pausing at the door to glance back at her. She rolls to get comfortable, and I finally smile until her hand wraps protectively around her stomach and my body tenses.

While I could never regret what just happened, a heaviness settles in my chest, the truth of her reasoning weighing me down. Jelly Bean is my number one priority, but I can’t hide away from the fact that I’m falling for Amelia. Being with her again, having that connection, that pull, made my feelings stronger, and it’s too late to go back.

But where do we go from here?

I walk quietly into the living room and fall onto the couch, covering my face with my hands. This is more emotion than I’ve ever allowed myself to feel and there's a reason for that. I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle it. For years I’ve played the role of the easy going playboy, the comedian, the guy without a care in the world. And I played it well because I truly believed I was him.

It was easier to be that guy.

It is easier to be that guy.

But I was kidding myself to think I could stay that way forever.

Now I’m a husband and soon to be a dad. And as terrifying as that is, it’s the most real version of me that’s ever existed.

How do I stop myself from fucking it up?

I’m saying all the right things, but what if I’m wrong? What if I hurt her again?

I’m mid-spiral when the sound of my name cuts into my thoughts.

“Luke?” Amelia’s soft voice echoes through the silence, and at first I wonder if she’s talking to herself until she calls out again, her tone a little more frantic. “Luke?”

“I’m here. I’m here.” I jump up from the couch and jog into her room, pausing at the threshold. Amelia’s gaze drops to my naked chest before meeting my eyes, but there’s no lust in her expression. Instead she seems confused.

“I thought you’d gone.”

I smile at her sleepy state and shake my head. “Not yet.” I laugh until her face drops. “Wait. I didn’t mean that. I wasn’t planning on leaving.”

“Good.” She nods, a smile finally gracing her lips before she stretches through a yawn. “Is it tomorrow yet?”

“It’s not.” I smile. “You’ve barely been asleep.” Amelia pouts and it’s so goddamn beautiful it takes me a second to continue. “And you need to sleep. You’ve got filming tomorrow and I have practice. We may not be playing this week, but I still need to keep up my A game.”

“I know. I know. But…if we’re not talking until tomorrow, will you stay?”

My eyes flash to the couch, thinking about how much I hated it last night, and despite loving it a little more now, I’m still not sure I can sleep there. “Ah…”

“With me.” Amelia giggles. “Here.” She pulls the sheet away from her body and pats the bed beside her. And this is it. Other than when I snuck into her bed at five a.m. this morning, I have never slept with another woman. Ever. And yet, with Amelia, it’s not as big a deal.

“That sounds a lot more appealing.” I slide in beside her and she curls into me but moves her hand awkwardly across my abs as though she doesn't know what to do with it. I grab her palm and settle it over my heart before pressing a kiss to her hair.

She moans happily, and that little sound breaks my resolve and I can’t wait anymore.

“I changed my mind. I want to talk now.” Amelia raises her brows as she glances up at me but doesn’t argue. “I may not know what the fuck I am doing, but I want us to spend a day together. On a date. I want to go back to the beginning. To do all the things we skipped. What do you say?”

Amelia stares at me with wide eyes before blinking a few times, and just when I think I’ve broken her, the most breathtaking smile lights up her face. “For the infamous Luke Bennett, that means more than a proposal, so… yes, I’d love to.”

Thank fuck.

W hen I wake up the next morning, I’m snuggled against Amelia, my hand curled around her, secured under her belly, as if I instinctively knew not to hold any higher, in case my arm was a dead weight.

As my senses come back to life, Amelia’s soft breaths filter through the air while the heat of her body radiates against me. And I like it.

It doesn’t freak me out like I always thought it would.

As gently as possible, to not disturb her, I slide away and sit up, checking the time on my phone, disappointment filling me when I have three minutes before my alarm is set to go off. Barely enough time to kiss her good morning.

I stretch my arms as I glance back over my shoulder, smiling as she sleeps peacefully. Seeing her like this, so innocent and quiet, you’d never know she had so much sass, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I like that she challenges me and stands her ground. I just wish I wasn’t part of the reason she’s closed herself off, or that she hadn’t been hurt in the first place.

Visions of a young Amelia play in my mind, and the more I picture it, the more I understand. She’s never had a man in her life that treated her properly. Never had an equal. Someone she could blindly trust without thought. And I can’t imagine what that’s like.

Despite my faults, and I have many, I’ve always had support if I needed it, always had someone I could turn to. I may not have wanted someone in my life, but no one’s ever made me hurt like that. Except maybe Amelia. I’m starting to think Easton was right. I hated her so much because I cared too much.

I stand up to get ready just as Amelia’s alarm goes off at the same time mine does. She groans before blindly reaching out and grabbing her phone, silencing the noise as she rolls over.

“Hi.” She smiles when she catches me watching her. “Are you going to turn that off?”

I snap out of my daze and silence my alarm before diving back onto the bed and wrapping myself around her.

“What are you doing?” She giggles as she tries to wriggle free.

“I’m embracing this life. Doing what couples do. Right?”

“Some do, sure. But we are not a couple.”

“Not yet.” I bite my lip as I bounce my eyebrows before smothering her again.

“Okay, okay. I have to get up. I can’t be late today.”

“Want me to drive you?” A thought hits me as I sit up and I frown. “Actually, can you drive me? I caught an Uber here.”

“What? You’re supposed to be off-limits to me. I can’t drive you to the stadium. I may as well have a sign on my head that says, “I slept with number 42.”

“I know where you can get that sign,” I joke and cringe until Amelia bursts out laughing.

“Believe it or not, I know your reputation. I’m aware this isn’t a first.”

“Actually it is.”

“What is?”

“You. You were my first.”

Amelia’s expression morphs into one of skepticism before she rolls her eyes. “Are we playing pretend or do you think I’m stupid?”

“Neither. You are the first person I’ve ever spent the night with.” Amelia’s jaw pops open, making me chuckle as I lift a finger to close it for her. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“It’s not, but it is…if that makes sense.”

“Nope. But you’re tired, and pregnant, so I forgive you.”

Amelia smacks me in the face with her pillow and I catch it before bursting out laughing. “Was it the pregnancy reference?” I ask, settling the pillow protectively against my chest.

“It was both. You don’t tell a woman she’s tired either.”

“Noted. I have a lot to learn.”

“You’re off to a good start. I wouldn’t be too worried.”

“Thank you. So, how about you get ready and drop me off at my place on your way? I start later than you. I’ll make breakfast while I wait.”

“Um…” She hesitates, making me roll my eyes.

“It’s just breakfast, Amelia. I’m not moving in.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I press a kiss to her brow before jumping up in search of my clothes, and I’ve just found my sweater when I come across a bowl of melted ice cream mixed with popcorn. What in the—

“Ah, Amelia. What did you eat for dinner last night?”

She groans, and I can’t stop the smile on my face as she asks, “Any chance we can pretend you never saw that?”

“Yep.” I chuckle. “That works for me.”

A fter spending the night at Amelia’s, I somehow manage to get my ass to practice on time only to find the parking lot empty. I rack my brain trying to remember if I missed something, and Easton’s parting words come to mind. “Don’t forget practice is an hour later tomorrow.”

Dammit . I was so caught up in getting to Amelia that I did exactly what he told me not to do. I forgot. But thank God it was an hour later and not earlier, so that’s a win.

After dumping my bag into my locker, I consider a quick workout until Amelia’s beautiful face enters my mind. If our practice is an hour later then maybe she has some free time.

Decision made, I make my way through the halls until I find Amelia’s office, and I’m just about to knock when someone calls out my name, making me cringe like I’m in trouble.

“Luke Bennett?”

“Yep.” I turn slowly to find Keeley’s replacement, and I have to hold back from raising my hands in the air like I’ve done something wrong. Yes, I was about to sneak into Amelia’s office, but since I haven’t yet, I’m innocent.

“Hi…” Dammit . What was her name?

“Emery." Yes, Emery.

“Hi Emery. How are you?”

“Good. Are you looking for someone?”

“The director asked if I could pop my head in before practice. She had some notes for me.”

“Oh.” Emery’s face lights up. “I can’t wait to view some of the footage. I was actually on my way to visit Amelia now.”

“Huh. Well, there you go. I can come back.”

“No, that’s okay. I won’t be long. We can go together.”

“Perfect.” I smile on the outside but internally grimace. Amelia is going to kill me. But also… this could be fun.

I wait for Emery to catch up and knock on the door as she reaches me, smiling once more.

“Come in,” Amelia calls out and I take a breath, praying she goes along with my ruse.

Emery opens the door and signals for me to go in ahead of her, but I shake my head and insist she goes first. You know, because I’m a gentleman and not because I want Amelia to see her first.

She thanks me before Amelia glances up from her desk.

“Emery?”

“Hi, Amelia. I know you asked Luke to see you, but I hope you don’t mind, I just had a quick question.”

Amelia’s eyes briefly widen when she spots me, but she recovers quickly. “Yes, of course. But if you need me for longer, I can chat with Luke later. It’s not time critical.”

Emery’s gaze flits toward the images on the office wall, giving Amelia the chance to shoot me a what-the-fuck look, which I of course smile at. “Actually, I don’t have time later,” I lie because I’m here now. “This works better for me. If that’s okay with you both.”

Am I being an ass? Yes . But now that I’m here, I need to kiss her so fucking badly that I can’t leave without it.

Emery nods as she walks closer, handing Amelia a document while I pretend to be distracted. She mentions something about Coach Pierce not being available for their meeting today before setting up another time and heading on her way. My brows furrow after she smiles, but I school my features before turning to face Amelia.

“Is your coach usually so elusive?” she asks when Emery’s gone, her puzzled expression similar to mine.

“No. He’s not. But he’s not a fan of the filming when it’s such a big year for us. So maybe it’s that?”

“Most likely. I’ve seen something similar with a few of the players. Anyway, apparently I wanted to see you?”

“You did,” I deadpan. “But God knows why when you’re not supposed to be spending time with the players. Must be important.”

She bites back her smirk, but when I tug my lip into my mouth and shrug, she bursts out laughing. “What do you want, Luke?”

“Just this.” I stalk toward her, spinning her chair to face me before sinking my hands into her hair. She releases a soft gasp, but I don’t let her argue before pressing my lips to hers, molding our mouths in a bruising kiss. She doesn’t move at first, but when I suck her bottom lip into my mouth, she lets out a moan before kissing me back, her hands wrapping around my neck to pull me closer.

A fire ignites inside me, and it takes everything in my power not to lift her into my arms and take her on her desk. I want to devour her. And only her. Always. But it’s more than that. I want it all.

We continue to consume each other until voices filter in from the hallway and Amelia pushes me away. I move in for one last kiss, but she turns her head, just as Tom enters her office.

“Amelia. Luke. Hi.”

“Tom. Good to see you. I’ll leave you two alone. Thank you for showing me that footage again, Amelia. It will really help my game.”

I nod to Tom as I walk past and he holds the door open for me, smiling at my perfectly appropriate explanation for being here. At the last second, I glance back to see Amelia fix her hair, while Tom is none the wiser.

That was fun. I get why Thomas and Lainey snuck around for so long.

As soon as I’m back in the locker room, I shoot Amelia a text, just to be on the safe side. The last thing I want is for her to be pissed off at me again.

Luke: I couldn’t help myself. You’re in my head. Forgive me? (Smiley face emoji)

Amelia: You could have gotten me fired! But that kiss… you’re forgiven. Just don’t make a habit of it. (wink)

I don’t respond because I can’t agree to those terms. Now that I know what I want, it’s hard to stay away. But more to the point—I don’t want to.

She has me hooked. I’m hers. I just need to convince her that she’s mine.