toes, I stretch up to close the last of the inches the helmet couldn’t give me and seal my mouth over his.
All other thoughts cease to exist. I don’t think about the thousands of people who can see us, or how many of them might be taking pictures of this, or how this is why we are “media darlings”.
All my focus is on how Mase’s large hands spread out on my body, covering most of my torso with one braced on my back, the other flexing along my side. The stroke of his tongue dueling with mine, the salty taste of sweat already beading on his skin…
I clutch him, my fingers kneading the muscles at the nape of his neck, wishing to be closer.
“You do know E is in the stands, right?” T’s shout is like a Gatorade bath to the senses.
We end the kiss, but Mase doesn’t pull away from me fully, instead resting his forehead against mine, a feat made easier by my standing on the helmet. The hard plastic of his chest protector pushes into me with each heavy breath working its way into his lungs. Peeking out between the fringe of his inky lashes, his typically light green eyes are the color of pine, and I bet if he wasn’t wearing a cup, I’d be able to feel how much he is affected by our pregame ritual.
“Guess it’s a good thing he’s on the other side of the stadium, huh?” he asks T, but his eyes never leave mine.
“Um…” The uneasiness in T’s voice has us both looking her way. Her arm is stretched out toward something to my left, Mase’s right. As we swivel around to see what she’s pointing out, there we are, on the jumbotron. The image of me cradled in Mase’s arms is a few stories tall.
I bury my face into Mase’s chest. “Shit.”
“Guess we’ll be trending two times today,” Mase says with an air of pride.
“Two times?” I furrow my brow. Was UofJ411 already at it and T forgot to tell me?
“Yeah.” Mase kisses my nose, and I almost lose my footing from swooning so hard. It’s such a gentle gesture when he’s all dressed for battle. “Don’t pretend today’s celebration kiss won’t go viral like the others.”
“That confident you guys will win?” I can’t help but tease.
“Now that I got my kiss”—he goes in for one more drugging kiss on my lips—“you bet your sweet ass we will.” He reaches down and gives said ass a squeeze.
“Mason.” I squeal, giving him a backhand to the chest.
“Sorry.” He sounds anything but. “I couldn’t resist.”
“Oooooo.” T’s voice cuts in again. “E is going to kill you,” she singsongs, bouncing a finger at the jumbotron again.
“Totally worth it.” Mase’s grin is pure cocky Casanova. “Gotta go, babe. I’ll see you back here after the game.”
“Only if you win,” I taunt, stepping down from my perch.
Bending over, he scoops his helmet from the ground. “You’re gonna pay for that later,” he whispers in my ear before straightening all the way, the dark promise making me wish it were later now.
He’s halfway across the field before my wits return enough for me to call out, “Promises, promises.”
His wink tells me he plans on delivering.
Oh man. What did I just get myself into?
#Chapter46
UofJ411: Not even a road game can keep our king from getting his pregame good luck kiss from his queen #Kaysonova #FootballRoyalty #CoupleGoals
*picture of Kay standing on Mason’s helmet as they kiss*
@Annielaurel: They are like a human kiss cam #KissCam #Kaysonova
UofJ411: I don’t think @CasaNova87 is bothered by this at all #CoachIsGonnaBenchYou #Kaysonova
*TikTok of Mason and Kay kissing followed by Coach Knight hitting Mason upside the head with his laminated play sheets*
@AshWonderWoman: Oooo…someone is in trouble #NotHowYouWarmUp #CasanovaWatch
UofJ411: It’s a good thing you’re such a big guy @CasaNova87 because @EricDennings87 does NOT look impressed #IAmEntertained
*picture of E, B, Bette, and CK in the stands, E and B with their arms crossed, Bette giving two thumbs-up, and CK shaking his head*
@Beccalynn1010: Oh to be a fly on that wall #OverprotectiveBrother
#Chapter47
The attention from wearing U of J gear in Alabama territory was like the warm-up compared to the eyes I feel locked on me after the whole jumbotron incident. Not wanting to risk being swarmed, T and I beat feet back to our seats with our family.
Thanks to the six inches she has on me, I practically have to skip to keep up, and by the time we collapse into the empty chairs saved for us,