Lemon Cake (Naughty Desserts)

Rider

Finally, after weeks of feeling like a fucking failure, he walked off the field with a win in his pocket. The only thing that made it sting was the fact that they were in Jacksonville, and it would be hours before he could celebrate with Gemma. He didn’t know how he deserved that woman. She’d been so sweet and loving over the past few weeks, consistently checking on him while making sure he didn’t feel smothered.

With a new pep in his step, he showered, changed, and stuffed himself full of the provided dinner. Once on the bus he pulled out his phone, seeing congratulations messages from her and his mom. He made sure to answer his mom before he called Gemma.

“Hi there, handsome.”

“Hi, gorgeous.”

Jake sat next to him and leaned closer to his phone. “Hi, ’s wifey!”

“Shut up, Jake.”

“Oh, shit—you haven’t shown her the ring yet? My bad. ”

“There’s no fucking ring,” hissed.

Gemma giggled as Jake continued. “Such a jerk! I thought you’d drop to your knee the second she agreed to date your ugly self.”

“Don’t listen to him, . You and I both know you’re sexy as sin.”

“Fuck, what did she tell you? You’re blushing like a little schoolgirl.”

“Can you just fuck off?” mumbled.

“Nah, you’re far too cute.”

Now the whole team was listening to the fuss that Jake had kicked up.

“Let me talk to him,” Gemma demanded.

“Fine,” he muttered, handing the phone over to Jake.

“Hi there, pretty lady… But that’s the point! You should see his face right now… When will we see you again?”

“We’re having a barbecue next week,” Braiden chimed in. “But she needs to bring her twin.”

“Shit, you have a twin? Why was that kept from me?” Jake frowned at Gemma’s answer. “What is that supposed to mean? I’m a catch!”

rolled his eyes, earning himself a punch to the biceps.

“What? She was? I didn’t see her!”

“You were probably too busy flirting with reporters,” mumbled, piecing their conversation together.

Another punch—a harder one. “Try me—she won’t be able to take her eyes off me.” Then with a cocky grin, Jake handed the phone back.

“Sorry,” apologised .

“So no ring, huh?” she laughed. “I’m glad everyone’s morale is up.”

“They are.”

“Will you text me once you’re safe and sound at home?”

“Of course, I will.”

“I might be sleeping already, kind of tired today.”

“Sweet dreams!”

Once he hung up, he was faced with Jake’s intense stare. “So, what’s her sister like?”

“If you mess with her, I won’t be the one to fuck you up. I’ll be more than happy to watch my woman pound your ass into the concrete.”

“So fucking possessive.” Jake’s expression turned serious. “You guys really think I’m that much of a jerk?”

sighed. “You’re not a jerk. I’m just giving you a fair warning that Gina is not a toy. You can’t just drop her when you get bored.”

“Noted.”

Saturday came far too slowly. He hadn’t seen Gemma all week. Bye Week was no time to take a vacation, and she knew that far too well. By the time pulled up to her apartment, his mouth was watering—and it had nothing to do with the cake in Gemma’s hands and everything to do with the sundress she was wearing. He parked and jumped out to hold the door for her .

“What a gentleman,” she swooned, pulling herself into the seat. She placed the cake in her lap and stamped a kiss to his cheek.

“Only the best treatment for my woman.”

“Say that again please.”

“Only the best for my woman .”

Gemma blushed and beamed at him the whole time he walked around to the driver’s side. “Gina said she’s on her way too.”

“Good. I told Jake to be on his best behaviour.”

“I didn’t tell Gina anything because I didn’t want to spook her. She hasn’t had the best experiences since having Dan and wants to protect him from getting attached. She’d rather spend the rest of her life alone than watch his heart get broken.”

“I told him I’ll happily watch you beat his ass if he screws things up.”

“You won’t hold him down for me?”

“I thought you might want to have some fun, but I’m more than happy to get my hands dirty too.”

She laughed and took his hand, holding on to the cake with the other. “I think it’s sweet of you to be so protective over her.”

“I’ve never had a sister of my own, so I guess I’m trying to catch up on all the big brother work I missed.”

“Well, I love this side of you.”

They pulled up at the same time as Gina, who was grabbing a cheese platter from the trunk. grinned. He should’ve known that Gina wouldn’t listen when Sarah said not to bring anything. She was Gemma’s twin after all .

The second Dan saw him, he ran over and jumped into ’s waiting arms. “Hi troublemaker. Have you been a good boy for your mom?”

“Yes! Have you seen us at the stadium?”

“Yes! I did!” He lied, knowing he couldn’t have picked those two out of the massive crowd if he tried. set Dan back on his feet, then hugged Gina. “It’s nice to see you again.”

took the cake out of Gemma’s hands and led the twins inside with Dan trailing along. Sarah was overjoyed to see them. She pulled each of them into a hug before ushering Dan towards the trampoline where the girls were jumping under the shade of a tree. Once Sarah set them free, she introduced Gina to everyone while Gemma was pulled into hugs from left and right.

“I’m glad you two didn’t wear the same outfit,” Braiden laughed. “What a mind fuck that would be.”

“Watch your language, mister!” Sarah warned.

“The kids are all the way over there!”

“You know they have super hearing when it comes to things they shouldn’t hear! Besides, we have guests.”

“Fine.” Braiden turned to Gina and muttered, “Sorry.”

She only laughed it off. “Oh, he hears far worse out of me. But I think it’s kind for you to be so considerate.”

Jake offered to grab cold drinks and snuck into the seat next to Gina. “So, did you play football like Gemma?”

“Nah, I wasn’t violent enough.”

“Ooh, secrets are being spilled!” Jake teased. stiffened, but Jake stayed sweet and respectful as he talked with Gina .

It didn’t take long for the three monsters to return, demanding drinks before they stormed Gemma.

“Can you jump with us?” Clara asked. “Or does that not work?”

Gemma stood up and lifted Ina onto her hip. “I have never tried it, so you might need to catch me.”

“Can you take it off?” Ina asked, wrapping her arms around Gemma’s neck.

“I can.”

“Does it hurt when you do?” Clara pressed further.

With a permanent smile on his lips, watched Gemma climb into the net. Clara and Dan insisted on holding her hand to start while Ina watched from the padding.

“She’s a teacher, right?” Devon asked and took Gemma’s empty spot on the couch.

“Yeah, toddlers.”

“She’s a natural.”

“Always has been,” Gina chimed in. “She knew all the secrets when I had Dan.”

“So… You and Gemma,” Jake started. By the look on his face, wasn’t going to like what was coming.

“Jake, let them be!” Sarah scolded. “If you keep going you’ll be the last to know.”

“Know what?” Gina asked.

Sarah didn’t take her stern gaze off Jake, and he thankfully stayed quiet.

With his teammate silenced, sighed and looked back to Gemma, unable to meet her sister’s gaze as he explained, “Jake likes to bug me about proposing to Gemma.”

“Whenever that is let me know, I know her ring size and her taste,” Gina winked.

“Perfect! The sister approves!” Jake cheered.

Devon laughed and rose to his feet. “One more word and the press will be asking why you showed up to practise with a black eye. Let’s see how much that trampoline can hold. I’m not about to let Gemma have all the fun.”

Seeing Gemma with his friends was the most fun he’d had in weeks. ’s heart was filled with nothing but love and appreciation. It was a mental break he didn’t know he’d needed. During a typical season, he stayed focused solely on football, but this was soul-soothing.

On the way home, kept Gemma’s hand in his, brushing her knuckles with his thumb. “You looked like you had fun.”

“I did,” she said with a smile, and though her eyes were glowing she looked exhausted. “Gina and Jake seemed to get along.”

“I think he got her number when we were leaving.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it.”

He parked and walked her to her door, her head resting on his bicep. “I know it’s still a few weeks away, but my mom is visiting for Thanksgiving and would love to meet you.”

“As long as you cook the turkey,” she said, unlocking the door. “Gina and I have never dared to cook one. We usually keep it small—just us and my mom.”

“My mom goes all out. Maybe all of you can come over?”

“That sounds dangerous—but also very trusting of you. My mom and your mom, that’s a big step.” His heart skipped a beat, terrified that he’d taken it too far. “I love it.”

He let out an audible sigh, and Gemma pulled him through the door behind her.

“Wait here. I’ve got something for you.” She disappeared, then came back with a package in her hand. “I haven’t opened it yet, so this might not end well,” she giggled.

He crooked his eyebrow, taking the bundle from her hands. “But you know what is inside?”

“Yes.”

He stepped over to the table and laid it flat, slicing through the tape with his key. Once he saw what was inside, he couldn’t help but grin. There laid the pictures they’d taken in Bayou Park. The day he told her he loved her. It was a collage of three pictures.

fingered the letters on the frame, reading the words out loud. “Sometimes you just know.”

Gemma slid under his free arm while he lifted the frame and admired the pictures. And goddamn they were hot. She looked perfect in his arms, pressed up against a tree with his fingers under her skirt like they were the only two people in the world.

“I love it.” Then he turned and kissed her head. “I love you .”

Gemma tipped back, capturing his lips in a soft kiss. “I love you too.”