The Jock and the Wallflower (4 page)

“You’re pretty damn amazing yourself, Mr. Lennox. I’ve met my match.” The way he said it told me exactly what he meant.

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah. I have a good feeling about us, baby. A real good feeling.”

“Me too,” I whispered. “A real good feeling.” He eased away from me then, and I felt the loss of his weight and the pressure of him buried deep inside me. It felt oddly like he was a part of me now, and I didn’t want to be away from him. Certainly, it was strange how quickly our connection developed, but I decided not to question it as Avery went into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. When he returned, he had a washrag in hand. I happily watched each move he made as he perched himself on the edge of the bed, and using the warm rag, Avery quietly cleaned each of us. It was another remarkably gentle, caring gesture. Avery was so much more than even I had imagined; yes, he was beautiful and sinfully sexy, but he was also kind and gentle and thoughtful, and I was damn grateful we had somehow found one another. We were a truly unexpected match,
the jock and the wallflower
. Who would ever have imagined? Maybe it was possible for secret dreams to come true. I figured I might have to reevaluate some of my more cynical views in light of this new found happiness; being chronically cynical would be an unwelcome challenge when everything in my life felt so perfect, as Avery tossed the rag to the floor and crawled back into the bed.

Resting on his back, Avery pulled me to him so my head rested comfortably on his chest and he cradled me close, his hand stroking over my hip lazily. “So, I know we’ve put the cart before the horse, so to speak, but I really would like to take you out on that date.”

“Avery—”

“I mean it. I want to show you how much I like you. I want to do the things couples are supposed to do together.”

“Is that a good idea?” I asked softly.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re in a unique position, being on the baseball team and all. If we’re seen out, chances are, people will talk.”

“So?”

“So, I’m pretty much openly gay and you—”

“Don’t worry about that.” Avery pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Coach Harris knows I’m gay, and so does Brent. Neither have a problem with it, and if someone does, they can kiss my ass because I don’t care.”

“I just don’t want to cause problems for you.”

“You won’t. Unless you don’t want to see me again. If that’s the case, I have to tell you, you’ll be breaking my heart.”

Laughing, I snuggled closer to him. “Believe me, I won’t be saying I don’t want to see you again, and I would love to go on that date with you, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart
. I had never used such an endearment before, but somehow, it suited Avery, and the way he hugged me tight told me he liked it.

What we had, whatever it was, it was new, precious, but I honestly did believe it could turn into something lasting.

Content, I closed my eyes and enjoyed just being close to Avery when he again kissed my forehead. “Any chance I’ve changed your mind about not liking jocks?” He was teasing me, and I knew it, which made me feel warm and safe; I was right where I was meant to be, and I was damn happy about it.

“Well, I don’t know about all jocks, but I do like you.” I lifted my head to look at him with a delighted smile.

“Just me, huh?”

“Just you.”

“You know what? That’s good enough for me, baby.” He pulled me to him, kissing me with tenderness and passion, and I melted into him because he was right—it was good enough, and it was only going to get better.

About the Author

Born and raised in Florida,
L
ISA
M
ARIE
D
AVIS
spends her time writing and babysitting her nearly three-year-old nephew, Zach. A night owl, most of her writing gets done well after one in the morning when the rest of the world is happily sleeping.

Visit her blog at http://lisamariedavis.livejournal.com/.

Copyright

The Jock and the Wallflower ©Copyright Lisa Marie Davis, 2011

Published by

Dreamspinner Press

4760 Preston Road

Suite 244-149

Frisco, TX 75034

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Art by Anne Cain   [email protected]

Cover Design by Mara McKennen

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Released in the United States of America

May 2011

eBook Edition

eBook ISBN:
978-1-61581-920-1