Lemon Cake (Naughty Desserts)

Rider

After what felt like eternity, it was finally Thursday. Of course, camp kept him busy but as soon as he was alone, the only thing on his mind was Gemma. They’d talked in some form every day, but he couldn’t help but feel the ghost of her lips across his and her hand in his palm.

The morning was spent grocery shopping for their lasagna-making date. Then spent the afternoon in his home gym trying to keep his mind on anything else but Gemma.

After their talk in the car, he had the feeling they’d bonded quite a bit and hoped she would be more open towards him. She hadn’t exactly been closed off, but he hoped he could make her more comfortable. It still upset him to know that she’d thought that she had to hide herself for him. She was fucking gorgeous, and he hoped that he hadn’t played a part in that insecurity.

only slowed and stopped his bench presses when his phone rang. It was Braiden. “Hi.”

“You sound out of breath. Thought she wouldn’t be over until later. ”

“An hour and forty-three minutes, but who’s counting?”

“Clearly you,” Braiden laughed. “Just thought I’d call and make sure you weren’t losing your mind.”

“I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous.”

“Because you fell for that girl faster than Jack and Jill down the hill. It’s fucking adorable to watch.”

“I just wish I would’ve met her sooner. Season starts soon.”

“She seems like someone who understands how important that is to you. Just keep your head straight on the field. What you do outside of that, is up to you.”

“Up until now I only had my football mindset and now…”

“She’s messing with your mojo.”

“Yes, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I guess I just have to figure this out.”

“You’ll be fine. I think she gets it; just talk to her.”

“Yeah…”

“I won’t keep you any longer. You call if you need anything?”

“Thanks.”

“I want to hear all about it tomorrow!”

“You will.”

spent the next forty minutes working out before it was finally time for him to shower. His mind ran wild. After getting dressed, he paced the length of the kitchen, double checking that he hadn’t forgotten anything.

Two minutes before four, the doorbell finally rang. His heart threatened to beat right out of his body and his knees didn’t want to hold him up, but he managed to open the door. It took every bit of willpower he had to keep his jaw from hitting the damn floor. Gemma had on a knee-length sundress, her hair loosely tied up, and a bright smile on her face. His eyes travelled over her gorgeous shape. The dress exposed her chest and shoulders, giving him a peek into what he hoped would be his view one day. The dress had a fluffy skirt that flared at the waist—and exposed her prosthesis. Not wanting to stare like a starstruck idiot, he quickly pulled his gaze back to hers.

“You look amazing.”

Her smile widened, an adorable dimple puckering her cheek. “Thank you. You look handsome yourself.”

“I kind of feel underdressed.”

“Gina said I should go all out.”

“Well, that you definitely did.” He stepped aside and held the door open for her. “Come in.”

She stepped in and took a curious glance around. Although loved his house, he suddenly felt insecure about it. He’d always wanted a ranch style home with a big backyard and a pool, so that’s what he’d bought. The living area was open with a spacious kitchen and large living and dining room.

“I brought ice cream,” she announced excitedly, holding the carton out to him.

led her to the kitchen and opened the freezer. “I hope I got everything for the lasagna.”

“I don’t think we’ll starve,” she said lightly, placing the gallon of Blue Bell into the freezer.

then grabbed everything from the fridge and set it out on the counter, searching for something to break the ice. “Braiden gave me your cake dish.”

“Hopefully I don’t forget it here.”

“Just means you’ll have a reason to come back.” Deep down he hoped she would come back anyway. He stepped up next to her as she sorted through all their ingredients. “How was your day?”

“Good, just trying to get everything ready. I’ll have to go this weekend and rearrange the classroom. A few others will be there on Sunday too so I’m hoping I’ll be able to get most of it done.”

“I can help you.”

Gemma looked up at him, brows nearly hitting her hairline. “You would do that?”

“Of course. It’s my day off.”

“It might be boring and you might have to do some arts and crafts too.”

“It’s time with you.”

“I would love for you to come. I can use the muscles, you know?” Gemma teased, squeezing his bicep.

feigned offence. “Oh, and I thought you wanted me for my artistic talent.”

They laughed, and basked in the feeling that sound gave him. It felt good with her and he loved the fact that she was wearing a dress. Not only was she pure eye candy, but because it felt as if she finally trusted him. He’d suspected her to be a below knee amputee, but he hadn’t known for sure.

“We have our first preseason game next Saturday. I was hoping you’d like to come. Maybe you could bring Dan and Gina along. ”

“You’re really trying to push me off my throne, huh?”

“Damn, you caught me.”

Gemma laughed that beautiful laugh and laid her head against his bicep as she stirred the meat in the pan. “I would love to, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be too late for Dan. Let me text Gina and see what she thinks.”

She pulled out her phone and typed a message to her sister. The phone vibrated almost immediately, and Gemma snickered. “Gina is scolding me for texting while on a date.”

“I guess I’m too boring.”

She elbowed him in the ribs. “She says it’s fine.”

“I’ll get you three tickets then.”

“Are you nervous?”

“For you to critique me? Always.”

It was time to layer the lasagna, and was happy to figure out that he wasn’t the only person who loved extra cheese. After placing the lasagna in the oven, they sat on the couch while they waited for it to cook.

“So you were the spoiled only child, huh?” she asked.

“Yeah, just my mom and me.”

“What about your dad?”

“He died before I was old enough to remember him, so my only memories are pictures of us together—and my mom’s stories.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugged it off. “I never really missed him. I’m sad, yes, but since I don’t really know any different it’s not hard for me to talk about it.”

“My dad left us when we were ten. We never knew why until we grew up, but he cheated a lot and after a while he left for another woman.”

“Do you still talk to him?”

“No. I know he has other kids, but he never seemed to have any interest in merging the two families. I don’t even know if he’s still with the other woman.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Not anymore. When we were younger, Gina and I didn’t really understand what was happening. But looking back, mom was happier without him and that’s what counts.” Then, Gemma reached over and took his hand. It was a small gesture that melted him down to his toes.

“I like where this is going,” he admitted.

She grinned up at him. “Me too.”

“I know I’ve said this before but I’m an awful mess on game days. You won’t want to be around me.”

“You should’ve seen me—and I only played at a high school level. I was a total bitch. The moment I entered the zone, no one was allowed to mess with me.”

“What was your routine?”

“It wasn’t a whole ritual, but I usually got changed before the boys which meant I found a quiet spot somewhere with my headphones on and waited for them to finish. I was always super nervous, because I always had the feeling like I had to give twice as much as everyone else.”

“Because you were a girl and felt you had to prove yourself.”

“Yeah. I guess I always had the feeling I had to work harder than everyone else to earn my spot. I hated sitting on the sidelines and I think I was terrified of not seeing any real action, you know?”

“A woman after my own heart.”

“But you’re a good player. I liked watching you during practice.”

“I actually thought I was horrible. You made me nervous.”

“I didn’t mean to, but you do have a nice ass.”

Heat washed over ’s cheeks. “I might have to erase you from my memory on game days. How am I supposed to get into the right mindset knowing you’re staring at my ass?”

“Whatever helps you. I won’t be mad,” she giggled.

picked his hand up, twirling a loose strand of chestnut hair around his finger. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Did you wear a dress tonight because you no longer feel you have to hide your cyborg side from me?”

That made her laugh, which warmed ’s heart. “Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Trusting me.”

“You make it easy.”

Emboldened, leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. This time, the kiss intensified right away. He loved how she grabbed his neck and held him in place, as if she never wanted him to move. He cupped her jaw with his hand again, his thumb brushing her cheek .

His heart raced and when Gemma scraped her nails along his skin, tingles travelled through his entire body and straight to his dick. desperately tried to pull his mind away from all the hot and naughty things he wanted to do to her, thankfully being saved by the bell. Well—the oven timer.

They pulled away, both breathless and the sight of Gemma’s chest heaving made swell with pride. He kissed her forehead, loving how her eyes lit up every time he did, then walked over to grab their dinner.

Gemma followed, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind as he placed the food on their plates. He tried to soak in the moment, loving each minute with her.

“Will we see each other at all during the season?” she asked.

“My days off are all yours.”

“Are you one of those players that gets upset when they lose?”

“Yes. Especially when I know I could’ve done better.”

“How long does that last?”

“Depending on the season. If it was one bad game, not as long.”

“But if you have a losing streak it takes its toll?”

“Definitely.” He turned in her arms and kissed her hair. “What do you want to drink?”

“Coke is fine.”

Gemma loosened her arms enough to let him move to the fridge. “Where should we eat? Are you one of those people who can’t stand anyone eating on their couch.”

“Go for it. You can even pick a movie if you like. ”

“Oh, don’t let me choose. I’m notoriously bad.”

“Well, I was going to re-watch Game of Thrones …”

“Good, then there’s no reason for you to wait for me to watch.”

“You’ve watched it already?”

“Yes. So, you can watch whenever you want and I’ll jump in later.”

“Sounds like I’m the winner on this one.”

Gemma laughed and snuggled as close as she could while they ate and the show played quietly on the TV. After they cleared their plates, prepared two bowls of ice cream. The evening was spent with Gemma under his arm, and that was something that could get used to. He stole a few kisses here and there, but didn’t go any further than that, afraid he would push his luck too much.

After a while and many yawns, Gemma pulled away and stretched. “I think I should get going.”

Although he wasn’t ready to let her go, he did before asking, “So, I’ll see you Sunday?”

“Definitely.”

“Message me the time and address and I’ll meet you there.”

He followed her as she grabbed her belongings from the kitchen counter and walked her to the front door.

“Can I steal one more kiss before you leave me?” Truthfully, wanted to do so much more, but something told him that he needed to take things slow with her.

In place of an answer, she grabbed him by the hair at his nape and yanked him down into a kiss, pulling a surprised grunt from his chest. He wasn’t sure if she was just warming up to him or teasing him on purpose, but she licked across the seam of his mouth—and didn’t hesitate to open for her. She didn’t pull back either which made it hard to keep his dick from taking control. This time she was the one pulling back, her face flushed and her lips swollen.

“Be safe, okay?”

She nodded.

“If you don’t text me the moment you get home, I’m coming after you to make sure you’re okay.”

She bit her lip, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll keep that in mind for another day.”

watched as she walked out and got into her car, his heart racing wild with each step she took.