“Say it, Em. I want to hear the words.”

“You and me,” I whispered.

Derrick pressed his lips to my temple. “No more hiding. If something’s wrong, you come to me. We’ll work through it together.”

I nodded again, once, and he pulled me down to the bed with him, cuddling my back against his front. His fresh scent surrounded me, and the last of my resistance melted away. I didn’t want to fight my feelings. I wanted to give in and enjoy the rush as I fell.

I relaxed all the way against him, and a satisfied noise rumbled in his chest. Tomorrow was soon enough to deal with the fallout of surrender.

* * *

DERRICK

Nadia was not a morning person. I was supposed to meet Soren for an early workout, but her warm body curled next to me made me consider skipping for the first time since I’ve known him. After all the lectures I’d given him and the other guys about their priorities, he’d make my life hell if I didn’t show.

She grumbled and pulled the covers over her head when I had to get up. I didn’t blame her. We’d woken up around three with her rubbing her ass against my hard-on. My girl needed her sleep.

I couldn’t stop the wide grin at the thought. My girl. Nadia had finally let me past her walls, and I had no intention of going back. She was the first woman in a long time who’d wanted me—just me. Unlike the rest of the world, she didn’t care about my arm or my prospects, but that didn’t stop her from supporting me.

There was so much warmth and compassion in her that she kept hidden from the world because of the way she’d grown up. Always waiting for the next house, the next family, with no safe place to depend on.

I knew my family, especially my sister, would freak out a little at how quickly we’d gotten together, but I didn’t have a single doubt about my feelings toward Nadia. She owned my heart.

Playing professional football had always been my goal, from the first time my mom put a ball in my hand, and I’d worked toward that goal with singular devotion. Until her. Now, I had a goal to add to that—prove to Nadia she’s safe with me.

My clothes were scattered all over the apartment, so I hoped her roommate hadn’t returned yet or she was going to get a show. I cleaned up as quietly as I could, then peeked under the blanket to find Nadia curled around the pillow I’d used. My heart flopped over and dropped at her feet.