Page 23 (2/2)

"Kind of sounds like you don’t like little tiny panties"

His eyes darkened "Depends who’s wearing the the session isn’t exactly classy" He tilted up his bottle again "Did it bother you?"

She shrugged "I played volleyball in high school Our uniforms were kind of skiain, we didn’t want ear was fairly brief"

That made him smile "You do like sports"

"What’s not to like? Soether a little better, et back into it"

"No athletics the past few years, I take it?"

She laughed "I lived on a small farm Trust me, my muscles orked plenty But I’d rather play soccer or softball or run to getrooh "I’ll take her to bed and tuck her in"

When she returned to the living roo flat on his back on the floor "Spencer!" she said, leaning over hi of my knees, calves, shoulders?"

"Did you hurt yourself?"

He rose up on his elbows "Yes It’s the sa to keep up with boys halfto make them feel inadequate and competitive so they’ll push it a little harder Quite frankly? I’iveshed at hi"

"That’s just it, I keep up I work out They still haot down on her knees "Roll over And remember I don’t do this for everyone"

He lifted one brow in question, but he rolled over

She started to e his shoulders, first softly, then withbetter than roaned appreciatively and she laughed "One of these years you’re going to have to stop showing off in front of the high school boys"

"I have this fantasy--that each one of theive o," she said, drilling her fists into his back

"Hmm Don’t stop Don’t ever stop Lower" He stretched his arms out above his head And she worked his back harder, deeper, half te on it

She went after the sht as a dru for this?"

"Two Advil, one beer I’ about another beer" Then he yawned

"Don’t fall asleep on me," she said

And then in a swoop that she didn’t see co into those deep brown eyes as he leaned over her

Those dark eyes seelow a little bit Her hands rested on his biceps and she was frozen, gazing

"I didn’t knoe’d end up like this," he said

"Kind of seemed like your intention"

"The first ti braid, I didn’t know I’d kiss you I didn’t expect to be holding you I wasn’t looking for anything"

"I know," she said softly "You’re a pretty neer I understand"

"I don’t want to pry for personal details, but is he out of your life now? The man? Mercy’s father? Are you free from him?"

"I hope so"

He tapped her chest above her left breast "In here?"

That startled her; she didn’t realize just how much of a mystery her life was to him "Oh, Spencer, that was over almost as soon as it started I was afraid and confused andI was vulnerable and he was very protective and loving I didn’t realize he was a liar, that he didn’t care aboutme a part of his vision, his family, his ‘Fellowship’ I haven’t been with anyone since Mercy was conceived"