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Off the Sidelines (QuirkyQuill and MrPositive)

"But what a way to go."

An exhausted chuckle escaped her at his words, her hands resting on either side of his face as they both worked to catch their breath.

“You’ve been tackled by 290 pound football players. I’m highly convinced you can handle me.” Opening her eyes, she grinned at him, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she brushed his nose back and forth with hers a couple of times in a playful gesture. Inhaling deeply, she let out a slow breath, the smell of their lovemaking filling her senses. Her fingers ran gently across his cheeks, her eyes searching his as her expression became more tender.

“Adrian, I hope you know how cherished you are.” Lifting her head, she pressed her lips against his cheek before sliding her arm around him and pulling him in. Burrowing her face into his neck, she found she wasn’t quite ready to let him go just yet. Cassie knew that she had to return to her room tonight. There would be no curling up beside him leisurely. Leaving his room in the morning unseen would be an impossible task. For now, she just wanted him close, a couple stolen hours here and there not enough to quench a decade old drought. She planted another small kiss on the side of his neck.

Time was a thief. Eventually she pulled back, and they slowly untangled from each other. "I should start getting dressed and get back to my room."

She looked like it was the last thing we wanted to do. They were moving into Thanksgiving week with the biggest rivalry in a week. Cassie knew that the team would hit practice hard, and most of the players would be unable to go home for the holiday.

“What does your week look like with the holiday?” Slowly, she began to get dressed, her eyes looking around for the rest of her clothing.
 
Adrian leaned back against the headboard, his breath still uneven as he watched her with a mix of tenderness and reluctant acceptance. The warmth of her words lingered, softening the sharp edges of the reality they were navigating. Her absence, he already knew, would weigh on him the moment the door closed behind her.

At her question, he ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low sigh. "It's going to be a busy one," he said, his voice still rough from the intensity they'd just shared. "We've got practice Monday through Wednesday, no practice on Thursday—Thanksgiving, of course—and then back to work Friday and Saturday to prep for the rivalry game." His eyes followed her movements as she dressed, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "That's the plan, anyway. We'll see if the guys stay focused or if their minds wander to turkey and pie."

He shifted slightly, letting his back rest more fully against the headboard. "As for Thanksgiving itself, I'll be hosting some of the players at my place. A lot of them can't make it home, and I didn't want them sitting in the dorms alone. Figured I'd throw something together—a mix of home-cooked stuff and whatever I can get catered to fill in the gaps. Nothing fancy, but enough to make sure they're taken care of."

Adrian paused, his expression softening as he added, "It's the least I can do for them. They've put in the work, and some of them haven't had a real holiday in years." He glanced at her, his voice quieter now, almost contemplative. "Being away from home on a day like that… it's tough. I know that feeling too well."

He sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he watched her gather her things. "I'll make it through the week," he said, a faint grin reappearing. "But it's going to be a hell of a lot harder knowing you're sneaking off like this every night." The teasing in his voice was genuine, though there was a deeper truth beneath it—a longing he didn't bother to hide.

Adrian stood, crossing the room to retrieve her sweater from where it had been tossed earlier. Holding it out to her, he met her gaze, his tone more serious now. "You know you don't have to be the one to leave. My door's open for you anytime, Cassie. Whatever we have to navigate, we'll figure it out together."
 
It took every ounce of rational self control Cassie possessed not to crawl back onto that bed with him. Frequently she found herself distracted from her task by the sight of him leaning against the headboard, his bare chest beckoning her to curl up beside it. She did stop when he answered her question, a smile spreading across her face as she looked at him with pure adoration.

“I love that you’re doing that for your players. That’s so thoughtful.” As if she couldn’t love him any more, Cassie found another drop of tenderness finding its way to her heart. She stood there just staring at him for a moment, her thoughts rendering her still as she considered how he’d managed to endure so much public humiliation and negativity, yet he was still nothing but pure thoughtfulness. Shaking her head, she turned around and located a flip flop.

“Meg and I do an annual Friendsgiving the Wednesday before, so you are more than welcome to come. I think Marcus will be there. We usually have about fifteen to twenty people show up. Everyone brings a side dish, and we’ll have turkey and ham.” Tilting her head, she looked under the edge of the bed and found her other flip flop, sliding it out with her foot before she put it on. As he leaned forward on the, her stomach flip flopped at the sight of him, his demeanor so casual, the look on his face coiling her own yearning twisting its way into her chest.

As he handed her the missing sweater, she slid it on, and pulled her hair free. Taking a deep breath, she looked at him steadily, resolve shining in her hazel eyes. Reaching up, she rested her hands on each side of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss, her lips moving slowly but deliberately against his, needing to get every last taste and feel of him that she could. When she pulled back, she smiled at him, her head tilting as she looked up at him.

“We are going to figure this out. We’ll be okay.” Her eyes slid down from his eyes to his mouth, then down to where her fingers grazed his skin, before moving back up to him. “I only have to sneak out tonight, because we’re in a hotel room. This week is light for me. I only cover football this week every year. So, if you tell me you want me at your house when you get home after practice, then that is exactly where I’ll be. Even though you might not be feeling it right now, this week is going to be stressful for you. The closer we get to that game, everything will get more intense.” Leaning forward, she planted a soft kiss on his jaw, shivering slightly at the way his stubble scraped against her lips. “Tell me what I can do to support you through this week. And I do not mean that professionally.”
 
Adrian watched her, his heart pounding with a mix of longing and affection as she moved around the room. Her words were simple, but they hit him with a weight he wasn't sure he was ready to carry alone. As she found her flip-flops and turned back to him, the tenderness in her voice—the certainty—broke through the wall he'd been trying to hold up for weeks.

When she cupped his face and pulled him into that kiss, Adrian leaned into her, his hands instinctively finding her waist. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and filled with everything unspoken between them. As their lips moved together, he felt the world around them fade away, leaving just her—the warmth of her touch, the quiet confidence in her presence, and the way she seemed to see straight through his defences.

When she pulled back, her smile lit a spark in him, something he couldn't quite name but wasn't ready to let go of. Her words echoed in his mind as she spoke again, her hazel eyes steady on his. He wanted to believe her—wanted to trust in the idea that they could figure this out, that it didn't have to fall apart under the weight of everything pressing against them.

"I'll tell you what I want," Adrian said, his voice low but firm, his hands still resting on her hips. "I want you there when I get home this week. No sneaking around, no hotel rooms, no looking over our shoulders. Just us. If you're offering, Cass, then that's what I need. You."

He let out a breath, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But you're right. This week's going to be a lot. Every minute closer to that game feels like the clock's speeding up. The team's young, and this rivalry? It's big. It's the kind of thing they'll carry with them long after they graduate. My job is to keep them steady, make sure they don't burn out before the big moment." He paused, searching her eyes. "But you being there? Knowing I've got you in my corner—that's more than I could ask for."

Adrian reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face as his tone softened. "You want to support me? Be you. That's enough. Just… don't let me get in my own head too much, all right? Keep me grounded."

He chuckled softly, though his gaze held hers with unmistakable sincerity. "And maybe save me a spot at Friendsgiving. I'll bring something."

She smiled again, and he felt the ache of knowing she was about to leave. Adrian leaned in, pressing a final kiss to her forehead before stepping back. "Go," he said gently, though it took all the willpower he had to say it. "Before I change my mind and keep you here."

He stayed by the door as she slipped out, his chest tight as the lock clicked behind her. Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. She was right—they would figure this out. They had to.
 
His hands belonged on her. That was a universal truth to which Cassandra Nichols now subscribed. Her body instinctively moved closer to him, the warmth of his hands on her waist drawing her in like a moth to flame. Her head tilted as she looked at him, watching him think through his answer.

"I want you there when I get home this week.”
“...that's what I need. You.”

Cassie hadn’t anticipated the profound effect those words would have on her. That emphatic you sent her stomach spinning, the weight of it reaching her on a deeper level than she could comprehend. There was something in this moment that really made it home to Cassie that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Logically, she had to have known that, at least on a physiological level, but there was something in his eyes that resonated with her. A small smile etched its way onto her face, and she nodded. As he continued to speak, she reached one hand up, brushing her fingers through his hair as she spoke.

“Then it’s my job to help steady you.” Leaning forward, she snuck in a quick kiss between his talking. She made a mental note to let Meg know that he would be joining them, a lightness settling over her. They were making plans, and that felt like a promise in its own way.

"Before I change my mind and keep you here."

Giggling, Cassie leaned in, stealing several more quick kisses before she stepped away from him.

“Believe me, Stafford,” she said, reaching up to tweak his nose, “there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Reaching down, she squeezed his hand one last time before stepping away, knowing that if she didn’t create physical separation from him she wouldn’t have been capable of leaving. Opening the door, she stuck her head out carefully to make sure the way was clear before stepping out, her ice bucket back in her hand.

*

Her phone alarm went off bright and early, pulling her from the most magnificent dream. When she rolled over in the hotel bed, she reached blindly for her phone until her hand landed on it and turned the alarm off. Opening her eyes, she smiled to herself, realizing with a little more clarity that it hadn’t been a dream at all. Adrian had made love to her so slowly and thoroughly the night before that she could still feel the slight strain of her muscles.

Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and yawned before unlocking her phone and going through her normal round of checks. No messages from Meg, which probably meant she and Marcus had enjoyed their evening together and she had yet to wake up. Her social media feed was fairly normal, with all of her feeds up to date.

“It’s going to be a good day.” She announced to the room, and tossing her phone on the bed, she got up and began getting ready to catch her plane. By the time she checked out, the team had been long gone. Cassie took a ride share to the airport, and one she was checked in and waiting, sent off a text to Adrian.

C: Man, it must be nice to just hop on a private plane first thing in the morning while we mere mortals have to wait for regular people transportation. ;)
C: If you want me at your place this week, I need a legal way to enter. I have zero interest in being the subject of a news headline: Police Arrest Sports Report for Breaking Into Sexy Coach’s House. I do not look good in orange. I mean, nobody looks good in orange, but…

Her flight was uneventful, and she pulled into her driveway during the early evening. Meg had already made it home and was in the shower when Cassie came in. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pulled out her phone and sent another text to Adrian.

C: Finally home. Hope your trip was uneventful. When do my official duties start? Going to hop in the shower…although given that I can’t stop thinking about last night, it might be a long one.
 
Adrian was sitting in his home office, staring at the stack of game film on his desk, when his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk when he saw Cassie's name pop up. Sliding his finger across the screen, he opened her messages, leaning back in his chair to read them.

Her teasing tone was unmistakable, and he could practically hear the laugh in her voice as he scanned the words. "Breaking Into Sexy Coach's House." He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. Leave it to Cassie to find a way to make him smile in the middle of a chaotic week.

Without hesitation, he fired off a reply.

A: If you get arrested, I'll personally bail you out. But let's avoid the headline—I'll leave a key for you under the flowerpot by the door. Try not to laugh too hard at my total lack of landscaping skills when you get here.
A: And hey, for the record? Some people can pull off orange. You might surprise yourself. But yeah, no breaking and entering. My neighbours are nosy.

Setting the phone down, Adrian leaned forward, rubbing a hand over his face. Thanksgiving week was always a whirlwind, but this year felt especially intense. The game against their biggest rival was only days away, and the energy at practice was electric. The players were pushing hard, and he was doing everything he could to keep them focused while managing his own stress.

The phone buzzed again later that evening, and when he saw her next message, Adrian let out a quiet laugh. Her honesty about last night hit him in the chest, a mix of warmth and desire stirring at the memory. He could still feel the ghost of her touch, the weight of her words lingering in his mind.

A: Uneventful trip, thank God. Yours sounds smooth too. Official duties start whenever you're ready. No rush. House is quiet now, but by Thursday, it'll be chaos—players, food, the works. You're welcome to jump in or hide upstairs, whatever you need.
A: And as for the shower… don't tempt me. I'm trying to be a responsible adult over here. Not easy when you say things like that.

Adrian set the phone down again, though this time, his thoughts lingered on her. The memory of her body pressed against his, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him, and the way her words steadied him in ways he hadn't realized he needed—it all stayed with him.

He knew this week was about more than just the game. It was about balance, about letting someone in when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control. And for the first time in a long time, Adrian felt like he wasn't carrying it all alone.
----------
Adrian stood outside Cassie's house, a large bowl of his signature garlic mashed potatoes cradled in his arms. The scent of roasted turkey, spiced ham, and various side dishes wafted through the air even before he reached the front door. Laughter and music spilled out, underscoring the hum of an evening in full swing. Taking a deep breath, he balanced the dish in one hand and knocked twice. A second later, someone opened the door, and the warm, bustling energy of the house hit him full force.

"You made it!" Marcus greeted him with a wide grin, pulling him into a quick handshake and clap on the back. "Come on in, man. You brought food? You're already a legend."

Adrian chuckled, holding up the bowl. "I figured a side dish was the price of admission."

"Damn right it is. You know where the kitchen is, but fair warning—it's a madhouse in there."

Marcus waved him inside, disappearing into the throng of people that filled the house. Adrian weaved his way through, offering polite nods and smiles as he passed groups of chatting guests. The house had a warm, lived-in feel, the kind of place that made it easy to feel comfortable. String lights were draped across the ceiling, and a playlist of upbeat classics provided a lively backdrop to the conversations.

The kitchen was exactly as Marcus had warned—chaotic. People crowded around the counters, passing dishes back and forth, laughing as they moved around each other. Adrian spotted an empty corner of the counter and carefully set his bowl down, removing the foil and revealing the golden butter-slicked top of the mashed potatoes. A woman nearby noticed and let out a low whistle.

"Whoever made these came to play. They look amazing."

Adrian gave a modest shrug. "Garlic mashed potatoes. Simple, but they do the job."

She smiled. "Well, you're about to make a lot of friends tonight. Better grab a plate before the vultures descend."

He thanked her and stepped back, taking a moment to scan the room. Meg's laugh caught his attention, and he turned to see her chatting with a small group, her glass of wine held loosely in one hand. She caught his eye and gave him a quick wave. Adrian returned it with a nod, then moved to grab a plate.

The dining area was packed, but the energy was infectious. People were swapping stories, clinking glasses, and sneaking seconds of food when they thought no one was looking. Adrian found himself in a corner with a plate piled high, enjoying the rare opportunity to relax in a crowd without the pressure of coaching.

At one point, Marcus joined him, a drink in hand. "Crazy, right? Apparently Meg and Cassie have been doing this for years. It's the best excuse to eat like it's Thanksgiving twice in one week."

Adrian grinned. "I can see why. This is great. A lot of familiar faces?"

Marcus nodded. "Yeah, mostly locals, but a few out-of-towners too. It's like a reunion every year. Cassie pulls it together like clockwork."

Adrian nodded, taking a sip from his glass. The warmth of the evening, combined with the easy camaraderie of the people around him, was a welcome change of pace. It felt good to be part of something so relaxed, so normal, even if just for a night.

The evening wore on, and Adrian found himself laughing more than he had in weeks. Stories were exchanged, the food was praised, and by the time dessert rolled around, he was comfortably settled into the rhythm of the night. As he leaned back in his chair, a piece of pumpkin pie in front of him, he realized how much he'd needed this.

Even with the weight of the rivalry game looming, for a few hours, Adrian let himself simply be.
 
C: I’m less worried about your landscaping and more concerned about your lack of photos in your house. Do you really live here?

The week had been a little easier than Cassie had anticipated. Adrian's nights had been late, but true to her word, she’d stayed at his house the last two nights. It struck her how domesticated it felt. She'd gotten off work and driven straight there, letting herself in and cooking dinner, keeping it warm until he came home. Exhaustion kept them both clothed and rather tame, but there was something so comforting about sleeping next to him. Curling up to him, Cassie felt sleep find her quicker than she was accustomed to. It made those two days of interviews and press conferences more bearable, knowing that while they maintained professional boundaries during the day, she would be waiting for him when he walked through the door at the end of the day. They’d spent both nights just snuggled up on the couch watching television for a little bit, finding that same comfortable quiet companionship they’d shared a decade ago.

Friendsgiving arrived in a flurry of activity, and Cassie and Meg had taken the day off work to get everything ready. Once everyone began arriving, the little bungalow quickly became crowded, with many people spilling into the back yard. Meg and Cassie sat up about ten chairs in a circle around a firepit in the backyard, and while Meg spent the majority of the early evening inside, Cassie was outside, making sure the fire pit stayed lit and talking with their guests.

“Hey, Cas?” Selena Harkness, one of their editors, popped out to the fire, where Cassie and David were in an enthusiastic debate about the current race for the Heisman trophy.

“Hey! What’s up?”

“Do you have any more ice?”

“We do! I’ll run to the garage and grab some. And since you,” she said, her tone pointing in David’s direction, “have lost your mind, you can come help me.”

“I’ve lost my mind?” Throwing his hands up, David followed Cassie around the side of the house as the two went to the chest freezer in the garage. Grabbing a bag of ice, she practically shoved into his chest as they continued to bicker before she grabbed a second bag.

“Yes! Do not sleep on Akers.” The two walked into the kitchen through the door that connected the garage and kitchen, and made their way to the ice chests that had been sat out.

“Akers is miles behind Keaton on completed passes. In what world does he take the trophy?” David’s voice carried as they made quick work of refilling the coolers, but before she could effectively respond, Scott, one of the other journalists present, joined the conversation from the archway leading to the dining room.

“My money’s on Newton.”

“Newton?!” Cassie and David both responded in tandem, looking at him as though he’d sprouted a different head. They joined Scott, the three of them bickering as several people looked on laughing.

“Heaven help us,” Meg’s voice barely registered to Cassie, as the three started spouting off statistics to each other.

Despite their riled up conversation, all three of them were laughing, enjoying the debate, and clearly not taking each other too seriously.

“Again, Akers is leading the board in completed passes, Cassie. There’s no way your guy is walking away with that trophy.”

“Look here, Hall,” she spouted back, her finger pointing at him, inches from his face, “that is literally the only stat he’s leading in. Akers is ahead in rushing yards, touchdowns, completion rates, and total yards. Not to mention, they are going to kill it in the postseason.”

Laughing, David shook his head and reached up, grabbing her hand and pulling it down. Cassie subtly pulled it away, but she was still laughing.

“All right, team,” he said, looking between her and Scott, “let’s stake our bets. Whoever called it correctly, owes the other two drinks.”

“I’ll take that bet.” Scott bawled up his fist and put it between them.

“I’m in.” Cassie agreed, doing the same, setting her fist on top of Scott’s.

“It’s settled then.” David placed his fist on top of Cassie’s. Without a word, they all raised their hands together, looking like a sports team that had just broken from a huddle.

“That’s enough. I’m staging an intervention.” Meg interjected, walking between the three of them, her words slurring just enough in a tell tale sign that she was buzzed. “No more sports. This is why we make y’all lock your phones away. It’s supposed to be a party. Not work.”

Grinning, Cassie shook her head, and looked around the room. That’s when she spotted him, sitting in the corner, talking to a couple of people. Tilting her head, she couldn’t help but smile, her heart lifting at the very sight of him.

“Cas,” David’s voice next to her ear caused her to jump, and she looked at him, realizing that he was incredibly close to her. His hand came to rest on her lower back, something he’d done countless times before, but an act that felt different now. “Are you up for a different kind of bet? Winner takes the other out to dinner?”

Oh. Right. David had been trying to get her back out on a date for months, and she hadn’t just been up front about not wanting to be with him in that capacity. Smiling gently, she shook her head.

“No, David. I’m sorry. I just want to keep things in a group setting.” She was relieved to see him smile and nod, understanding washing over his face.

“I get it. You and Scott are both going to owe me drinks next month.” Winking, he lowered his hand off her back and went off in search of a beer. Cassie took that opportunity to steal over to where Adrian sat, joining their group.

“Nobody told me you were here. Have you been hiding in a corner all night?”
 
Adrian sat back in his chair, a bottle of sparkling water in his hand as he listened to the lively conversation swirling around him. The room buzzed with a warm, festive energy. He wasn't used to this kind of crowd—it wasn't the formal, buttoned-up chaos of team events, nor was it the reserved solitude of his quiet nights at home. This was something entirely different: personal, chaotic in the best way, and alive with laughter.

He'd been cornered by a couple of Cassie's co-workers earlier, their rapid-fire jokes and easy banter putting him more at ease. They'd wanted to talk football, of course, but Adrian had steered the conversation to the lighter side—game-day traditions, embarrassing locker room stories, anything that didn't involve dissecting his coaching choices. The stories were a hit, earning him laughs and a few pats on the back.

Now, he found himself watching the ebb and flow of the party from his seat, taking in the little moments—the way Marcus animatedly gestured while telling a story, Meg's unmistakable buzzed laughter echoing from the kitchen, and Cassie, effortlessly moving through the crowd with a smile on her face.

Adrian chuckled softly to himself. This is her world, he thought, admiring the way she seemed to anchor the entire room. She was in her element, juggling debates about football stats one moment and refilling drinks the next. It struck him how easy it was to be here, to fit into a life so full of movement and connection.

One of the guys he'd been talking to leaned closer. "You've got the look of a man who's found his favorite spot at the party."

Adrian smirked, glancing over at the kitchen where another wave of laughter erupted. "Can't argue with that. It's a good spot."

"Smart man." The guy raised his drink in a mock toast before getting up to join a group near the fire pit outside.

Adrian's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a text from Marcus:
Marcus: You surviving this madhouse?

Adrian typed back quickly:
Adrian: Just barely. I thought football crowds were intense. This might be worse.

Marcus's reply came almost immediately:
Marcus: Careful. You're talking about Cassie's people now. These are her ride-or-die types. They'll adopt you if you're not careful.

Adrian chuckled, tucking the phone away as the conversation in his group shifted to Thanksgiving traditions. Someone asked him how he usually spent the holiday, and Adrian leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

"I usually do a team dinner for the guys who can't make it home. Thursday's about giving them a little normalcy, you know? Good food, good company. After that, it's back to work—big game's always right around the corner."

"You're cooking for a team of football players?" someone asked, incredulous.

Adrian shook his head, laughing. "Not a chance. I'm a one-dish wonder. Anything beyond breakfast or mashed potatoes is a gamble."

The group laughed, and Adrian leaned back again, content to let the conversation flow around him. As the evening wore on, he felt the low hum of anticipation building in his chest. It wasn't just the party—though it was better than he'd expected—it was knowing that at the end of the night, he'd leave here with Cassie.

He sipped his drink, letting his gaze drift across the room until it landed on her. She'd spotted him, her smile warm and familiar as she made her way over. Adrian straightened slightly in his seat, the quiet comfort of her presence settling over him even before she spoke.

"Nobody told me you were here," she said, tilting her head at him with a teasing grin. "Have you been hiding in a corner all night?"

Adrian smirked. "Maybe. Corners are safer when you're the least interesting guy in the room."

He gestured to the empty seat next to him. "Come on, sit down. You've been running around like it's game day. You're allowed to take a break."

As she sat, Adrian felt himself relax even more. Here, in this packed house full of strangers who were quickly becoming acquaintances, he felt oddly at home. Maybe Marcus was right, he thought. They'd adopt me if I let them.
 
“Least interesting guy?” Rolling her eyes, Cassie shook her head, smirking. “You, sir, are like the science experiment that everyone is trying to figure out.”

Reaching up, Cassie ran her fingers through her hair, flipping it to the other side as she offered him a wink.

“You should be relatively safe here, despite the high percentage of journalists. We are all required to lock our cell phones in a box, and we have taken drastic measures to ensure that we leave our reporter tendencies at the door.” She clasped her hands in her lap, a necessary precaution to keep herself from reaching out to touch him. It was easier to keep herself in check at the university, but being in her own home was different. This felt like a space where she should be able to walk up to him, plop down in his lap, wrap her arms around him and kiss him until neither of them could see straight.

It didn't help that she was wearing the same sweater she’d worn that first night at his house, so all she could think about now was the memory of his hand sliding over her bare shoulder.

Cassie had to physically shake her head to pull herself back into the moment. What was happening to her? She was a perfectly intelligent woman, capable of not completely losing her mind at the mere thought of a man. She could do this.

“How are your parents?” There. Simple question. Not sexual or sports related at all.
 
Adrian chuckled at her question, taking a moment to appreciate the light heartedness of the moment. It was a sharp contrast to the tightly controlled world they shared at the university. Here, in this warm, noisy house, things felt easier—more human, even if they were surrounded by Cassie's friends and co-workers. But that ease didn't take away the quiet tension thrumming beneath his skin, the part of him that wanted nothing more than to reach out, draw her closer, and let the room fade away.

"Parents are good," Adrian replied, leaning back slightly in his chair. "They're already talking about Christmas plans, which, knowing my mom, means a two-week itinerary that involves at least one ugly sweater contest and way too much eggnog."

He gave a half-smile, letting the warmth of the memory settle over him. His parents were relentless when it came to traditions, and while he used to roll his eyes at their over-the-top celebrations, he found himself looking forward to them more as he got older. He glanced at Cassie, who nodded along, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The gesture caught his attention—not because it was unusual, but because he recognized it for what it was. She was restraining herself, just as he was.

Adrian shifted slightly in his seat, fighting the impulse to close the distance between them. He could see the same thoughts flicker across her expression—the desire to lean in, to bridge the gap, and to pretend, even for a moment, that no one else in the room mattered. But they couldn't. Not here.

"And yours?" he asked, tilting his head toward her. "Do they still try to convince you to come back home for every holiday, or have they finally accepted that you've got your own traditions?"

As she responded, Adrian let his focus linger on her voice, her laugh, the way she seemed to light up when she talked about her family. He loved that about her—the way she could move so effortlessly between teasing banter and heartfelt sincerity. It wasn't hard to see why people were drawn to her, why this house was filled with so much warmth and laughter.

A burst of laughter from the kitchen broke his thoughts, and Adrian glanced toward the noise, using the distraction to recalibrate. He couldn't let himself get lost in this—not here, not now.

Still, he couldn't resist leaning in slightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You know, you make it pretty hard to stay the 'least interesting guy in the room.' Might have to rethink my strategy."

The look she gave him in response was enough to stir something deep in his chest. For a moment, he let himself linger in the space between them, where every glance and every word felt like its own quiet promise. This is real, he thought, the truth of it settling over him like the warmth of the fire outside. Even if no one else knows, it's real.

Straightening in his chair, Adrian let the conversation around them pull him back into the moment. He was playing it safe, sticking to the rules they'd silently agreed upon. But even as he laughed and talked with the others, his focus never strayed far from her. She was the constant, the quiet thread that anchored him in this whirlwind of a life he was still learning to navigate.

And no matter how hard he tried to hide it, Adrian knew the truth. Cassie wasn't just part of his life now—she was the best part.​
 
Cassie had met Adrian’s parents several times during their college years when they'd traveled in for games. Laughing at his mention of an itinerary, she nodded, empathy twinkling in her eye.

“Meg and I started making our own ugly sweaters a few years ago. It's become a competition to see who can do their worst.” Shaking her head, she grinned at him. “So, if you need to properly prepare, I am happy to invite you to a crafting party.” She held her hands out in front of him as if she were offering him a platter as she spoke.

“Two weeks, huh?” Resting her hands back in her lap, she crossed one leg over the other. “You’ll be gone for that long?”

She tried to keep her voice nonchalant as she spoke, but the idea of not seeing him for two weeks made her feel selfishly at a loss. Quickly pushing it down, she nodded at his question.

“Mom and Dad are doing great. They are both retiring next year and have already booked three cruises,” she said, chuckling at the thought of it. “We spend most holidays together unless I’m on the road. It's a little different for me, though. I just have to drive to the other side of town to go home, so it's not quite as arduous. That's where I will be tomorrow. We will eat way too much food while Dad and I yell at the television while we effectively root against opposite teams.” Neither her nor her father had any particular loyalty to the NFL teams, so during her teen years, they started drawing team names from a hat and debating their way through several games, much to her mother's chagrin. Her mother had been thrilled when Meg started joining them for Thanksgiving, along with some of the neighbors so she was occupied.

When he leaned in, she followed suit, the action partly a habit from their time during interviews in a noisy stadium, and partly because she was constantly drawn to him. It was like her body had this instinctive need to meet him in the middle.

“Might have to rethink my strategy.”

“Oh yeah?” Laughing through her words, Cassie's nose wrinkled slightly as mischief sparked in her hazel eyes. “Is that your way of asking me to leave you alone so you can attempt to blend in to the wall?” Offering him a wink, she leaned back in slightly.

“I am actually going to go grab my hat from my bedroom because it has gotten colder outside. It might take me a moment to find it. By the way, there is a restroom down that same hallway should you need it.” She gave him a pointed look before getting up and making her way to the back of the house, weaving her way through the crowd. Since her phone was locked away, she couldn't exactly text him to sneak away and meet her in her room. Most of the guests had wandered outside after eating and were now sitting and standing around the fire pit.
 
Adrian smiled at her playful words, feeling that familiar pull in his chest. It was the same tension, the same need to bridge the distance between them that had grown stronger over the past few days. As she made her way toward the back of the house, Adrian allowed the conversation to flow around him for a few more seconds before excusing himself with the excuse of needing to use the restroom.

The house was bustling with people, the noise of laughter and chatter filling the air, but Adrian's focus had already shifted. He excused himself from the group, moving toward the hallway Cassie had mentioned. Each step he took felt deliberate, like a quiet promise to himself that he wouldn't let this feeling—this connection—slip away. They didn't need to say much. Words had long since become secondary between them, but the brief moments of quiet they shared were everything.

His hand brushed the doorframe as he walked down the hallway, but it wasn't the restroom he was headed for. His eyes caught the subtle glint of light under the door to Cassie's room, and something deep inside him pushed him forward.

There was something magnetic about her space—her room. Maybe it was the intimacy of it, how it represented a piece of her life that wasn't shared with anyone else. Or maybe it was the simple fact that this was where she felt most herself. Whatever the reason, Adrian felt a kind of anticipation settle over him as he reached the door. He knocked softly before opening it, not wanting to intrude but knowing that the few seconds of privacy they could steal away from the party would be worth it.

Cassie stood by her bed, her back to the door. When she heard him, she turned, her smile lighting up her face before she immediately lowered her gaze, trying to mask the longing that both of them knew was there.

"I missed you." The words slipped out before he could stop them, and when he saw her smile widen in response, he knew that she felt it too—the pull, the bond that had only deepened over the past few days.

She didn't have to say anything in return. Her smile, her presence, and the way she stepped closer was all the confirmation he needed.

The weight of everything outside the room, the party, the people, it all seemed to vanish. Here, it was just them. Adrian reached out, his hand brushing hers, the familiar contact grounding him as they stood together in the quiet of her room. It was enough. It was everything.​
 
In those few minutes she was alone, she opened a drawer and pulled out her knit hat, tossing it on the bed for later. She did actually want her hat, so that much had been true. When the door knob turned, Cassie smiled to herself as he entered the room. Turning around she let out a sigh of relief, and then felt foolish for letting her emotions get to her.

“I missed you too.” Moving closer to him, her hazel eyes searched his face. “Which I realize seems absurd because I just saw you this morning and we’ve been together every night this week.” A soft chuckle punctuated the end of her sentence.

Her eyes moved down to their hands, the feeling of closeness becoming instantly tangible as her fingers entwined with his. Squeezing gently, she released it and wrapped her arms around his middle as she buried her face in his neck. She breathed in deeply, the scent of his soap filled her, mixed with the natural scent of his skin, encapsulating her senses. Planting small kisses on his neck, Cassie's arms remained locked around him, content to just be for the moment.

“You have quite effectively embedded yourself in my heart,” she spoke quietly, one of her hands moving from around his waist to rest on the side of his face as she looked up from him. “So much so that when you're not around, I feel this emptiness in my chest.”

Her head still resting against him, she rubbed her thumb against his cheek, relishing the closeness.

“I just needed a few minutes of not having to pretend like we're just colleagues. It's really hard to keep my distance.” She grinned up at him, an impish twitch on her face. “Which is wholeheartedly your fault. You have no business being as sexy as you are when we're in a hands-off environment.”
 
Adrian closed the door softly behind him, the noise of the party outside muffled into a faint hum. The sight of her standing there—her knit hat tossed casually on the bed and that small, relieved smile on her lips—was like a balm to the chaos of the evening. He didn't say anything at first, just taking in the way she seemed to relax in his presence. It mirrored the way he felt every time they stole a moment like this.

When she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his neck, Adrian let out a quiet breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His hands found their place on her back, pulling her closer as though it were the most natural thing in the world. The feel of her against him, the warmth of her skin, the way she breathed him in—it all felt like home.

"I missed you, too," he murmured, his voice low and steady, as if the words themselves could anchor them both. He tilted his head slightly, resting his cheek against her hair. "Doesn't sound absurd at all. If anything, I think you're underselling it."

Her soft laugh against his chest made him smile. Adrian leaned back just enough to look down at her, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair away from her face. "You've been in my head all day," he admitted, his voice tinged with both warmth and vulnerability. "Every meeting, every conversation—half of me was trying to focus, and the other half was counting down the hours until I could see you again."

Her fingers intertwined with his, and he squeezed them gently before she moved to cup his face. The tenderness in her touch, the way her hazel eyes searched his, made something inside him tighten and then loosen in the same breath. Her words—her quiet, heartfelt confession—hit him square in the chest.

He let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You don't make this easy, you know," he said, his tone both affectionate and teasing. "I tell myself to keep it together, to act like a professional out there. But then I see you, and it's like...forget it. Everything else fades."

Adrian's hand moved to cover hers where it rested against his cheek, his thumb tracing slow circles along the back of her hand. "This thing we're doing, keeping it quiet...it's harder than I thought it'd be," he admitted, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "But then we get moments like this, and I know it's worth it. Every damn second."

Her grin, mischievous and full of life, made him chuckle. He dropped his forehead to hers, his eyes closing for a brief moment. "So it's my fault now?" he asked, his lips quirking into a smirk. "Because if we're pointing fingers, I'm pretty sure the real problem is you. Showing up to the office looking like that, talking football stats like you own the place—what chance do I have?"

He stepped back just slightly, still keeping her close but giving her enough room to breathe. "You're dangerous, Cass," he said with a crooked smile. "And I don't mean just in a newsroom. But for the record," his voice dropped lower, a playful edge creeping in, "I'll take all the blame if it means I get to keep moments like this."

His hand slid to her waist, his fingers lingering there as he met her gaze. "We should probably head back before someone starts looking for us," he said reluctantly, though the reluctance was clear in his voice. "But...a couple more minutes won't hurt."​
 
There he is. The thought entered her mind as soon as his arms came around her, her body relaxing against him immediately. No matter how many times she’d been hugged by this man, she still felt awed by how easily she fit inside his arms. Her hand that still remained on his back began trailing up and down, following the line of his vertebrae as she rubbed his back. As his hand covered hers and began teasing her skin, her eyelids closed partially, the contentment she felt evident in the ease on her face. The left side of her mouth quirked upwards in a lazy smile as he spoke.

“It is hard. But it’s easier than if we were dealing with the fallout of going public.” She attempted to be the voice of reason, more for herself than for him. “Maybe in the off season we can go somewhere together. Somewhere they won’t know who you are, and we can walk down the street holding hands or go out to eat just the two of us. Let our guard down just a little.”

“...talking football stats like you own the place—what chance do I have?"

His words made her laugh, and she rolled her eyes, lifting her head completely off his shoulder, pretending to look affronted. “Ah, man, not you too. Men only ever want me for my sports knowledge. I thought you were different, Stafford.” She sighed dramatically, moving her hand from his cheek and placing it against her forehead as she pretended to faint. Grinning, she winked at him before she rested her hand against his hip, resisting the urge to pull him against her.

“You know, you keep telling me I’m dangerous, and I’m not sure I know how,” she said, chuckling and looking genuinely curious. “I’m a habitual rule follower. I rarely take uncalculated risks. I won’t even cross the street until the crosswalk changes. Unless you’re challenging me to a round in the batting ring again, I think you’re safe.”

Cassie tilted her head as she watched his face, his voice as familiar to her as her own. A small jolt of electricity shot through her as his hand came to rest on her waist, her body’s way of saying ‘Yes, please’ to the simplest of touches. Even the most innocuous of intimate gestures sent her spiraling. She nodded as he became the rational voice, and she knew they did need to return soon. It wouldn’t go unnoticed for too long that they were both unaccounted for.

“I know,” she said, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout. “If you want to leave in about thirty minutes, I could probably sneak out in about an hour. I know you have a lot to do tomorrow before the team comes over. I can come up with some legitimate sounding excuse to leave.” Tilting her head up, she closed the distance between them, running the tip of her tongue over his bottom lip before kissing him, both of her hands sliding to his chest.
 
Adrian lingered in the kiss, savoring the way her hands rested on his chest, the softness of her lips, and the quiet energy that passed between them. It was a moment that felt entirely too brief, though he knew better than to let it linger much longer. Breaking the kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers, exhaling softly.

"You're impossible, you know that?" he murmured, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Impossible and completely worth it."

Adrian straightened slightly, reluctantly letting his hands drop from her waist. He brushed a thumb along her jawline, his gaze meeting hers. "I'll head out first," he said, his tone low but firm. "Give everyone the usual 'busy coach' excuse. You can handle sneaking out later, right?"

He stepped back, the absence of her warmth already making him want to reconsider, but discipline had been drilled into him for too long to ignore. He glanced toward the door, then back at her. "And for the record," he added with a lopsided grin, "you're dangerous because you make me want to throw all those rules out the window. That's a hell of a power to have."

With that, Adrian gave her one last lingering look, then opened the door and stepped into the hallway. The noise of the party greeted him immediately, and he slid seamlessly back into the crowd. A few people noticed his return, calling out greetings or trying to pull him into conversations, but he kept it brief, offering polite smiles and a few light jokes.

Eventually, Adrian found Meg near the kitchen and caught her attention. "Hey, thanks for having me tonight," he said with a genuine smile. "I've got to head out, though. Big day tomorrow—got the team coming over for Thanksgiving. Need to get everything ready before they arrive."

Meg nodded, giving him a warm send-off, and Adrian used the opportunity to make his way to the front door. A few goodbyes later, he was out in the cool night air, the relative quiet a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere inside.

As he walked to his car, Adrian couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. He knew Cassie would follow soon enough, and the thought of her slipping through his front door later made the weight of the secrecy feel a little lighter. For now, he had the drive home to anticipate the hours ahead, a welcome distraction from the grind of the season and the constant need to keep their relationship under wraps.​
 
“Sneaking out of my own home makes me feel like an unruly teenager,” she grinned as she spoke. Nodding her head, she planted one more kiss on his cheek. “Yes, I can slide out in a little bit. We’re all getting old, anyway. This dinner used to last until two or three in the morning, but most people are gone by ten these days.” Reaching up, she blew him a playful kiss before he slid out of her room. Cassie waited a full five minutes before grabbing her hat and plopping it on her head and going outside.

She found Meg, Marcus, and David, among many others, sitting around the fire pit in the backyard. Grabbing the one remaining chair, she exhaled slowly, her eyes falling to the dancing flames in the middle.

“Oh, man,” David was saying, shaking his head, “I just want a little insider information on Griggs. We all saw him this week.”

“Hey,” Cassie's voice cut across the conversation as she shook her head. “No, sir. Don't make me get the box.”

Several of them burst out laughing as David held his hands up in immediate defeat.

“What box?” Marcus looked around in confusion, noticing that everyone else seemed in on whatever the joke was.

“Oh, it's delicious.” Meg grinned wickedly as she leaned forward, looking at Marcus. “When we started this years ago, we had to make sure that none of these big shots with cameras and microphones took any secrets or information, so they were all forced to write down something incriminating, and so we’ve locked their secrets in a box. If any of them violate the sanctity of Friendsgiving, everyone else gets to post that secret on their socials.”

“How do you know everyone wrote down a real secret?” Marcus looked around the group, his own smile brightening his face.

“It's a trust system.” Cassie responded, her arms crossing over chest as she tried to stave off the chilly night air.

“And,” David added, lifting his beer towards Marcus, “We all agreed that if anyone was found out cheating the system, the rest of the journalists get to devise a suitable, public punishment.”

The conversation carried on, and Cassie sat back, content to listen in silence. After a little while, she excused herself and went inside to start cleaning up from dinner so as to not leave Meg with the entirety of the mess. She'd managed to take care of all the food and got a load of dishes running in the dishwasher when Meg came into the kitchen.

“Hey,” she said, bumping her hip into Cassie's, ”Marcus and I will take care of the rest. Why don't I grab your phone and you can head on out.” Smiling, she winked at Cassie.

“Are you sure?” Cassie lifted her eyebrows as she looked at the remaining mess.

“Yeah. Go spend time with your man.” Meg walked out and returned shortly with Cassie's phone extended out. Taking it, Cassie looked down and grimaced at the hundreds of notifications from Instagram. Right before she’d locked it up, she'd taken a photo of her and Meg and posted it.

“See you at my parent's house tomorrow.”

“Yes! I am ready for Momma Nichols’ cooking.”

Cassie left quickly, having already packed her bag and placed it in her car before their guests had arrived, so all she had to do was grab her keys. The drive to Adrian's took little time with the roads so empty. Singing along to the radio, Cassie bopped her head along to the music. By the time she pulled into his driveway, she felt her excitement and exhaustion warring with each other.

Letting herself in, she walked into the living room and set her bag down next to the couch. The sight of him filled her heart with the warmth and coziness she’d been craving. As much as she loved being around people and the buzz of energy, Cassie had an epiphany this week about how much she loved just being around Adrian doing mundane things. Sliding her jacket off, she tossed it in a nearby chair before plopping down in his lap.

“Hi,” she said simply, leaning in to kiss him as her arms looped around his neck. “I'm sorry that took a little longer than I planned. I didn't want to leave all of the cleaning to Meg.”

She buried her nose in his neck, seeking the heat to warm her skin from the cold night air. “You are so warm.” Her hands, freezing from the brief trek from the car to the house, moved quickly down to his shirt, and she pushed them under the hem, laying them against his warm stomach.
 
Adrian had spent the evening prepping for the Thanksgiving gathering at his house, making sure everything was just right. His dining room was already set, the chairs positioned neatly around the table. The kitchen counters gleamed from a fresh wipe-down, though he suspected the players wouldn't care much about aesthetics when their focus was the food. A turkey brined in the fridge, and the pies he'd ordered earlier in the week sat on the counter, untouched. It was a far cry from the chaos of a football locker room, but Adrian found comfort in the simplicity of the routine.

By the time he heard the familiar sound of a car pulling into his driveway, he'd settled onto the couch with a book, though his mind wasn't really on the words. He looked up as the door creaked open, and the moment Cassie walked in, her energy and warmth filled the room like the glow of a fireplace.

Adrian chuckled as she tossed her jacket aside and dropped into his lap, her body fitting against him like a puzzle piece. "Hey," he greeted, his voice low and relaxed as her lips brushed his. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you got caught by your interrogation crew back there."

As her arms looped around his neck, he rested his hands on her hips, his thumbs instinctively drawing small circles over the fabric of her sweater. Her presence, so effortless yet so magnetic, always managed to settle him. He smirked when she mentioned cleaning. "Sounds like you're angling for a medal of honor. I'd have told Meg to deal with it herself," he teased, brushing his nose lightly against hers before she burrowed into his neck.

The coldness of her hands against his stomach made him jolt slightly, a sharp intake of breath escaping him. "Jesus, Cass," he groaned, though his tone carried no real protest. His own hands slid under her sweater in retaliation, his palms warm against the curve of her back. "If you're gonna pull a stunt like that, don't be surprised if I fight fire with fire."

He grinned, letting his fingers splay across her skin, enjoying the way her chilled body slowly began to soak up his warmth. "I should've known you were just using me as a human space heater," he added, his voice light but with that familiar undercurrent of desire. "Can't blame you, though. I am exceptionally good at it."

His hands roamed slowly, deliberately, trailing up her spine and then back down, as if savoring every inch of contact. "You know," he said softly, leaning back slightly to look at her face, "I've got a perfectly good fireplace over there. But if this is your idea of keeping warm, I'm not complaining."

Adrian's playful smirk softened as his gaze lingered on her. Moments like these—stolen, quiet, and unburdened by the outside world—were becoming his favorite. "You're lucky I like you," he said, his hands sliding back to her waist to tug her a little closer. "Otherwise, I might've made you work for this spot."​
 
Cassie loved the way her body nestled effortlessly against his, every curve of hers folding neatly into him as if they were created to fit together. Grinning, she shook her head, a teasing glint in her eye. “What kind of friend would I be if I just left her to clean up after that many people? Remind me never to go halfsies with you on a party.”

Her fingers continued to seek out his warmth, a giggle erupting from her as he jumped at the contact. Goosebumps ran up her skin as his hands warmed her lower back, and her body curled into his further, desperate for his heat.

“I think this counts as fighting ice with fire,” she said, a cheeky grin on her face as her hands continued to slide across his abdomen. Leaning in, she pressed her lips against his throat, rubbing her cold nose against his neck.

"Can't blame you, though. I am exceptionally good at it.”

Looking at him, she dramatically rolled her eyes, “Yes, yes, the whole world knows how hot Adrian Stafford is.” Laughing, she wrinkled her nose at him as she teased him. Pulling one hand out from under his shirt, she fanned herself as she rolled her eyes back and closed them. She leaned back so far, she nearly fell, and had to reach back up quickly to grab hold of him. Snuggling back into him, she rested her head on his shoulder as her hand wiggled its way to join her other one, her fingers shifting from teasing to resting against him.

As his hands moved up her spine, Cassie’s back elongated against the sensation, arching ever so slightly in an almost catlike fashion. Closing her eyes, a contented sigh melted her against him as the playfulness packed itself away in favor of coziness.

"Otherwise, I might've made you work for this spot.”

A small smile crossed her face as she wiggled her body against his, but her eyes remained closed. “You would have been worth the effort. Besides, your fireplace can't touch me the way you do.”

Her fingers had lost that chill induced tingle, and she removed her too hand from underneath his shirt for the second time. This time she rested it on his shoulder, gently kneading his muscles as she slid her hand towards his neck. Opening her eyelids halfway, her eyes climbed to his face, her fingers splaying against his jaw. Pulling him down, her mouth captured his, her kiss unhurried as she found solace in the familiar softness of his lips. Separating by barely an inch, her head still on his shoulder, an inquisitive expression filled her eyes as she looked at him.

“Adrian, tell me something you want that you’ve never told anyone.” Her voice was quiet, a testament to the effect his hands had on sedating her. Running her lips over his skin, she used the tip of her tongue to draw tiny half cir
cles on his neck.
 
Adrian felt his pulse quicken as her lips moved over his neck, the warmth of her breath sending shivers through him. His hands had stilled for a moment at her question, but the tension in his body wasn't hesitation—it was deliberation. Cassie had a way of cutting through his defenses with the simplest of gestures or words, and this was no different. He let out a quiet breath, his fingers resuming their slow exploration along her spine, the pads of his thumbs pressing gently against her shoulder blades.

Something I've never told anyone.

Adrian's lips curved into a faint smile as his hands slid from her back to her waist, taking hold of the hem of her sweater. His movements were deliberate, almost reverent, as he began to pull it up over her head, pausing only briefly to let her help him free her arms. The sight of her bare skin beneath made his throat tighten, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he draped the sweater across the arm of the couch, his eyes finding hers in the soft light of the room.

"I want you," he said, his voice low and steady, though his expression softened as he continued. "Not just here, not just like this. I mean all of you. Every part of your life, Cass." His hands returned to her, tracing the line of her collarbone before sliding down to her hips. His touch was firm but tender, as if he was grounding himself in the reality of her presence. "I want to wake up with you, argue with you over what to make for dinner, celebrate with you, grieve with you—whatever life throws at us. I want all of it."

His fingers toyed with the waistband of her jeans, his lips brushing against her temple as he spoke again, softer this time. "I've never said that out loud before. Never wanted it with anyone the way I want it with you."

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes filled with a rare vulnerability that he didn't often allow to surface. His hands moved again, this time more confidently, unbuttoning her jeans and sliding them down her legs, his gaze never leaving hers. "I love you," he said simply, the words falling from his lips with the weight of absolute truth. "That's what I want, Cass. You. Just you."

Adrian's smile returned, a little playful this time, as his hands returned to her hips, his fingers brushing the soft curve of her skin. "So," he added, his tone teasing but still laced with desire, "does that count as a good enough answer, or are you planning to make me spill all my secrets tonight?"​
 
His pause did not go unnoticed, but Cassie continued to taste her way across his throat. For a moment, she wondered if she'd pried in the wrong direction, but quickly pushed that thought from her. This was Adrian, after all. The two of them had wasted very little time as college students moving from acquaintances to confidants. Despite the years between them, she had no reason to believe walls had been erected where there had previously been open air, especially since they had knocked down that one hive of secrecy.

As his hands began their exploration once more, she realized quickly that his path had a destination in mind. Pulling back as he lifted her sweater over her head, she shivered against the chilly air as it slinked across her back. The way his voice dropped between them instantly stoked an intimacy that surpassed physical touch alone. Cassie remained still as her hazel eyes remained transfixed on his green orbs, his voice washing over her as his touches ignited her body.

Reaching up, she brushed her fingers through his hair, her hand settling on the back of his neck.

“We would never fight over what's for dinner,” she said, a small smile playing on the corners of her lips. “Just don't cook me anything I'm not in the mood for, even if I don't actually know what that might be.” The brief flight of teasing quickly landed in a field dotted with the colors of want and need as his touch dipped to her waist near her pants. Her stomach pulled in from the sensitivity of his fingers, her eyes closing as he kissed her head. That small gesture made her smile. For all the passion she's felt with their kisses, there was something particularly touching about the way his lips pressed against her temple. Sometimes it was the simplest of touches that drew her in, small acts of affection that served to create a masterpiece between them, one small paint stroke at a time.

Her lower body arched slightly, doing her part to help him remove her jeans. Lifting her bottom, she felt completely bare in front of him. Cassie shifted her body, sitting up and straddling his lap, her thighs resting on either side of his. Her hands rested on his shoulders, her thumbs running back and forth across his shirt as she looked at him.

“Just me is all I can offer,” she said, her voice quiet as she spoke. Leaning forward, she kissed him gently, her lips soft and delicate before she pulled back. “You are the only man to whom I could ever fully give myself.”

Her hands slid down to his chest, a cheeky grin spreading across her face at his last question. Working nimbly, she began to unbutton his shirt, needing to feel him against her. Bringing her head down, she followed the trail of her fingers with her lips, kissing a path behind his shirt until he was out of reach without her willingness to leave his lap. Looking back up at him, she pushed the fabric down, her stomach tightening at the merest sight of his bare shoulders.

“One secret is acceptable tonight. I have plenty more time to coax more from you.” Running her hands down his chest, she kissed his Adam's apple, working her way down to his upper chest as she gently pushed her dampening center into him.
 
Adrian felt his breath hitch as her weight settled against him, her thighs framing him in a way that left little space for thought outside of her. His hands instinctively found their way to her hips, his fingers pressing into the smooth skin there as if he needed the contact to anchor himself. Her words, quiet but certain, reached into a part of him he'd long kept hidden. The weight of her admission lingered between them, potent and undeniable.

"Just you?" he repeated, a playful lilt in his tone that softened the intensity of the moment. His lips quirked into a half-smile as he tilted his head to look at her. "Cass, you say that like it's not enough. You're more than enough. Hell, you're everything."

The sight of her above him, her hands working deftly at his shirt buttons, made his heart thrum unevenly in his chest. As she leaned down to kiss the path her fingers had cleared, her lips grazing his skin, Adrian couldn't stop the low sound that escaped his throat. It was a mix of desire and something deeper, something that made his grip on her hips tighten.

"You've got me at a disadvantage here," he murmured, his voice rough around the edges as he leaned back slightly to let her pull the shirt from his shoulders. "But I don't mind losing to you. Not like this."

Her cheeky grin and teasing touches sparked his own mischief, and his hands slid from her hips to her lower back, tracing the delicate curve of her spine. He let his thumbs linger along the soft dip there, savoring the way her body moved under his touch. When her center pressed against him, his breath stuttered again, his hands gripping her tighter as if he were afraid she might pull away.

"Plenty of time to coax secrets, huh?" he said, his tone half-teasing, though the hunger in his eyes betrayed his calm. "I think you've got that backward, Cass. I've got my own ways of coaxing things out of you."

Without waiting for a response, Adrian leaned forward, his lips finding the sensitive spot just beneath her jaw. He kissed her there, slow and deliberate, before trailing lower to her collarbone. His hands moved again, one slipping up her back to cradle her between her shoulder blades while the other slid lower, teasing at the edge of her remaining clothing.

As his lips hovered just above her skin, he whispered against her, his voice low and filled with heat. "You say you could only give yourself to me, and I believe you. But what you don't know is that I've already given myself to you, Cass. Every last piece." He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his green eyes blazing with sincerity. "You own me, whether you realize it or not."

Adrian let the moment hang for a beat before his expression shifted, the corner of his mouth lifting in a crooked smile. "Now, are you going to let me even the score here, or are you just going to keep tormenting me?" His fingers teased lightly at her back, his voice dipping lower. "Because I'm warning you, Cassie Nichols, I don't play fair."​
 
Cassie grinned as he repeated her two words back to her, his inflection turning them into a question. She shrugged her shoulders, her eyes crinkling in a smile.

“Just me.” Her voice came out in a playful bop as she tilted her head, her fingers playing with the back of his hair. As he continued to speak, his words tempered her playfulness once again.

Everything was a big word to live up to, but the sentiment he shared with her warmed her heart. The taste of his skin against her tongue and the sound that vibrated through his chest warmed other parts of her body.

"But I don't mind losing to you. Not like this.”

“Disadvantage?” Looking at him with a furrowed brow, her hazel eyes looked confused. “Losing?” Nuzzling his neck, she nipped at his skin before tilting her back and running the tip of her tongue along the bottom of his ear lobe.

“What exactly are we competing for here, Coach?” Smiling through the kiss she dropped on his sternum, Cassie's hands moved down to his pants, her fingers running beneath his waistband. “Whatever it is, I definitely feel like I’m winning.” She shifted her head to his left peck, sucking on him briefly before continuing her walk around his upper torso.

“I've got my own ways of coaxing things out of you.”

A small, musical laugh escaped her as she sat up straight, her eyes meeting his.

“Oh, my love, I think we can both appreciate just how effective you are at coaxing things into me.” Her eyelids drunkenly lowered as his mouth sent shivers down her body. Would she ever grow accustomed to the depth of feeling his kisses drove her to? She couldn't imagine a world where such a thing was possible. It was unfathomable to her that Rebecca had this man in her bed every day for the last decade and took him for granted. No man could ever stack up to Adrian, and after his words settled in her chest, Cassie knew she would gladly spend the rest of her days making sure he knew that.

"Because I'm warning you, Cassie Nichols, I don't play fair."

The lazy teasing that had tugged at her features was quickly extinguished at his words, her eyes ablaze with the challenge. Dropping her lips to his ear, her voice came out a whisper when she spoke.

“Prove it.”
 
Adrian's breath caught as her whispered challenge hung in the air, a spark igniting something deep and primal within him. His green eyes locked onto her, the smirk on his lips growing into something sharper, more intent. She knew exactly how to push him, how to tease the competitive edge that had defined him for so much of his life. But this wasn't a game he intended to lose—not when the stakes were her.

"Careful what you wish for, Cass," he murmured, his voice low and rough, carrying the weight of a promise. "You might find out just how unfair I can be."

Adrian's hands moved with purpose now, sliding down her sides with a deliberate slowness that left no room for doubt about his intentions. The warmth of her skin under his fingertips fueled him, his grip tightening just enough to draw a sharp intake of breath from himself. He guided her closer, his lips brushing against the hollow of her throat as he kissed his way down, each press of his mouth a declaration she could feel as much as hear.

"I wasn't kidding about you being everything," he said against her skin, his voice softening, but no less resolute. His hands found the curve of her waist, holding her steady as he leaned back to look at her fully. His gaze was unguarded now, raw and intense, every barrier he'd built over the years crumbling in the face of her. "And I'm done pretending I can play it cool when it comes to you."

He let his fingers trail back up her sides, his palms spreading out over her ribs as though trying to memorize the shape of her. His lips quirked in a small smile, his eyes still holding hers. "You think you're winning? I hate to break it to you, Cass, but you've already won. A long time ago."

Adrian shifted his hold on her, pulling her impossibly closer until every point of contact between them burned. His hands worked their way lower, easing away the last barrier between them, his movements slow but insistent, as though savoring every second. The intimacy of the moment was almost overwhelming, but Adrian welcomed it, letting it drown out every thought that wasn't her.

"Prove it," she had said, and he intended to. But it wasn't just about the physicality, as much as that set his blood roaring. No, it was about showing her, in every touch, every kiss, every whispered word, just how deeply she'd burrowed into his heart.

When she was bare before him, Adrian paused for a moment, his hands resting on her hips as his eyes roamed over her with a reverence that bordered on awe. "God, Cass," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "Do you have any idea what you do to me? How impossible it is not to love you?"

The confession spilled out unbidden, but Adrian didn't try to take it back. Instead, he leaned forward, his forehead pressing gently against hers as he whispered, "I love you, Cassie Nichols. And I'm going to spend every day proving it to you."

Adrian wrapped his arms around her, lifting her effortlessly as though she weighed nothing. Her legs instinctively curled around his waist, and he held her firmly, his strength a steady contrast to the rising tension between them. He carried her with purpose, the quiet creak of the wooden floor beneath his feet the only sound apart from their shallow breaths. The bedroom door swung open, and the soft light filtering through the curtains cast a warm glow over the space, turning it into their private sanctuary.

He laid her down gently on the bed, his hands lingering on her thighs as he leaned over her, his gaze locked on hers. Adrian's expression was a mixture of heat and tenderness, an unspoken promise in the way his hands began to explore her once more. He slid them slowly along the curve of her legs, savoring the softness of her skin beneath his touch. His fingers found the waistband of her panties, and he hooked them deftly, drawing them down with an almost torturous patience. He never broke eye contact, his deliberate movements making it clear that every second was about her.

When she was fully exposed before him, Adrian leaned back for a moment, his breath hitching as his eyes traveled over her. "You're beautiful," he murmured, the words filled with reverence, as though he couldn't quite believe she was his to behold. His hands slid up her thighs again, spreading her gently as he lowered himself, his kisses trailing down her inner thigh. Each press of his lips was slow, deliberate, as if savoring every inch of her.

When his mouth finally found her, he didn't rush, instead taking his time to learn every reaction, every sigh, every shift of her body beneath him. His hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he worked, his tongue moving with an unrelenting precision that left no doubt about his intent. Adrian's focus was singular, his only goal to unravel her completely, to show her with every touch of his lips just how deeply he cared for her.​
 
Cassie saw that fire edge into his eyes, the look of a competitor who had a very large carrot dangled within his reach. It was that intensity she’d witnessed every time he stepped on the field, both as a player and a coach. That same studious, singular focus that she’d observed darken his green eyes when he watched tape with meticulous interest was now aimed entirely at her.

And Callie felt her insides turn into a puddle.

The way his voice lowered as he teased her sent sparks shooting down her stomach and between her legs. Adrian's ability to render her nearly senseless with so little effort should have irritated her. After all, she was a strong, independent woman capable of holding herself in a world dominated by men. Many of those men who had attempted to get beneath her skirt more times than she could count. But Adrian? The man who’d won her heart as a naive, overly optimistic coed and then managed to sweep back into her life and reignite the love and affection in her heart in what felt like both record time and an entire lifetime? He had the power to lift her into a cloud of wanton desire she lacked control over with a simple glance or a few choice words. The danger, Callie realized, was that he knew it.

It was evident in the way he touched her, his movements unhurried as he expertly traced her curves. Those hands that had earned him a legacy at the university they both loved so emphatically were now unraveling her resolve to stay in control. Cassie had started this with every intention of remaining on top, wanting to tease him with every stroke of her tongue and every massage of her hand against his body. Now, with his lips caressing some of her most sensitive areas, she was struggling to remember what day of the week it was.

She did manage to rally some of her faculties as he pulled her even closer, her pelvis pushing against his hardness. There was an intense thrill that reached her in her most feminine of places every time his hands skimmed or held her in the middle of her torso. Cassie hadn't realized that she was prone to reacting when being touched there in a way that went beyond the physical. It was a specific kind of physical touch that made her feel wanted and protected at the same time. Sliding her hand down between him, she stroked him through his pants, squeezing every so often as she felt herself grow wetter. Touching him was a vivid reminder of what he felt like buried inside her, filling her so perfectly it hardly seemed possible he wasn't just a fantasy.

“And I'm going to spend every day proving it to you.”

That sentiment again. She pulled her hand back up, taking his face firmly as a serious look momentarily crossed her features. “Adrian, I said it before, and I will say it again. You do not, nor will you ever, have to prove your love. That insinuates that there is doubt, and I do not doubt your feelings at all.” Leaning in, she kissed him deeply, as if punctuating her statement with action from her mouth. Pulling back, she nuzzled his ear with her lips, the mischievous smirk evident before she even spoke, “I still definitely want you to prove you don't play fairly. You were doing a good job convincing me.”

Gently nipping his ear lobe between her teeth, a small squeak emitted from her when he stood. Her arms and legs clung to him, her mouth immediately claiming his jaw line as he moved them through the house. Every nerve had awoken to him, and the more skin she tasted as they drew nearer to his bed, the hungrier she became for him to take her completely.

The bedspread was cold against her back, a tingling bursting across her skin at the contrast from his warmth. Lifting her hips as he removed the last remnant of clothing from her, Cassie's eyes were a stormy reflection of how aroused she was for him. There was a time in her life where she would have felt unnerved being so exposed and vulnerable, where she would have felt like she was a let down to the, but the way he stared at her made those thoughts impossible. He was staring at her like she was the most precious thing in his world, and Cassie had never been on the receiving end of feelings that intensely.

The muscles in her thighs released all control to him, her eyes closing as her head tilted back against the bed. Her body was pliant to whatever he wanted to do to her, and as he spread her legs, her chest rose with an intake of breath.

“I have a confession.” Her voice came out husky, yearning, and Cassie had no idea why she suddenly felt the need to turn this into a church service. It took her a moment to recapture the ability to speak as his lips trailed their way down her sensitive skin, getting closer to where her need pulsed with every thunderous clap her heart made against her chest. “In college, I fantasized about you. In the shower. In my bed when I was alone in my room. Over break when I would go home.”

“I- ahh,” Her words were cut off as the wet warmth of his mouth against her clit teased a sharp gasp from her. With one deft movement of his tongue, Callie's ability to translate thought into speech was rendered inoperable, and she felt her back arch of its own accord as her body tried to push closer to the source of its pleasure. The moment his hands tightened on her hips, Callie knew he was about to win the very short-lived rivalry from moments before. Crying out, her fingers tangled in her hair as her head arched back.

“Oh God, Adrian…” Her words came out a whimper, his mouth quickly building up a powder keg inside her core that was going to explode, and quickly. “I can't…” Her words were cut off again by a cry as her muscles tensed as he found a particularly reactive area. She'd already been so ready for him before she had ever walked through the door, and their playful banter had turned her on just as much as their sensual moments.

“Please…” The plea fell from her lips as she pushed against him, and in one glorious burst of energy, her entire body exploded against his mouth. Shudder after shudder, Callie's hips strained against his hands, her breath shaking as she tried to fill her lungs.
 
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