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“Or maybe we would’ve found our way here eventually.” He paused, his gaze holding mine. “Some things just feel inevitable, you know?”

Sitting against this tree, wrapped in his arms, the certainty resonated deep within me.

“I’ve been thinking.” My pulse hammered against my ribs. “These days we’ve been together have been some of the best ever for me.”

Tyler’s eyes softened, mirroring the emotion swelling inside me. “For me too.”

“And I know it’s fast. Ridiculously fast. But...” I took a deliberate breath, and adjusted so I could face him.

His hand found mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

The truth, sharp and clear, broke through. “I love you, Tyler.”

His eyes widened, surprise flashing before melting into something warm. His smile was the widest I’d ever seen it.

“I’m in love with you.” I said it again. “And I know it’s probably too soon to say it, but⁠—”

“I love you, too,” he interrupted, his voice thick with emotion. His hands came up, framing my face, thumbs stroking my cheekbones.

He leaned in, his mouth finding mine. The kiss was soft at first, tender, then deepened, his lips moving against mine with a certainty.

A wolf whistle pierced the air. We broke apart, laughing, breath catching in our throats. Petrov was near the dessert table and raised his beer bottle in our direction.

Tyler’s eyes sparkled. “We should probably rejoin the party and save the rest for when we’re alone.”

I nodded, stood, and offered him a hand up. I didn’t know this barbecue would do so much to help cement our future.

SEVEN

TYLER

We stayed at the party until after dark, enjoying the easy going vibe of hanging out with our team family. Our ride home was relaxed, and had a peaceful silence, no doubt because we’d talked ourselves out earlier.

“You know,” Kevin eventually said, “I can’t believe I said ‘I love you’ under Henderson’s oak.”

The memory still buzzed through my brain, something I’d never forget. “Definitely wasn’t on my bingo card for the team barbecue.” I pulled into my designated spot in the garage of my building.

We got out of the SUV and met behind the car. His hand came up and cupped my jaw. Then his mouth found mine. What started gentle ignited fast, heat flaring through me.

“Upstairs.” he breathed against my lips, the word a ragged command. “Now.”

I nodded.

The elevator ride was an exercise in excruciating restraint as we shared it with a quiet older couple. Kevin’s eyes met mine over their heads, dark pools of promise that sent a shiver tracing down my spine.

The lock of my door clicked behind us when we were finally inside.

My back hit the entryway wall as Kevin threw his body against me, hard and urgent. This was what it was like to get checked against the boards by him. Except he didn’t run his hands over our opponents, or give them fiery kisses like he was with me.

“God, all day I’ve wanted this.” I gasped as he nibbled at the sensitive skin of my neck. “Watching you. Touching you, but not enough. Not like this.”

Kevin's eyes blazed as he looked at me. “You have me now.”

Four words. Pure combustion. I pushed off the wall and guided us toward the bedroom, shedding clothes—his shirt landing on the couch, my button-down dropped near the kitchen. Pants shed just inside the bedroom, somehow without us tripping over them.

We tumbled onto the mattress, down to our boxers. His skin, smooth and warm beneath my palms. He rolled us, pinning my wrists lightly above my head, taking the control. Fuck. This was beyond any fantasy I’d had about him.

His mouth trailed down my chest, over my abs. My breath hitched. A low groan rumbled in my core when his lips brushed the waistband of my boxer briefs.