The Way We Touch: or Wrangling the Wide Receiver (The Bradford Boys)

By the night of the Christmas show, everyone in town knows what happened in the parking lot of the restaurant, and everyone in town seems to have taken a vow of silence.

A few videos have popped up on social media, but they’re shot from behind the guys. All we can see is Logan’s prize-winning uppercut and Davis crawling to his car like the shitty coward he is. He won’t be back, and I’m quietly pleased by how the boys closed the book on that situation.

When I peek through the curtain at the side of the stage, I see my brothers, Allie, Rachel, and Miss Gina all sitting together in the seats I reserved for them in the middle section. Garrett had to fly back for Christmas Day games and to get ready for the playoffs.

It’s time to begin, and I step away, clasping my hands together as Mrs. Laverne is wheeled out in her giant “dress” with all the little mice beneath her skirt. It’s a modification of the Mother Ginger role because none of them are dancers.

The kindergarteners all run out, grab hands, and skip around in a circle while the high school principal waves and blows kisses at everyone. Then the little mice line up in front of her and drop onto all fours, stick up their booties and happily wag their tails.

Everyone laughs, and they jump up and circle again before going back under her skirt and rolling her off the stage again. I can hear their giggles and squealing from the opposite side of the stage, and the audience claps and cheers.

Up next is “The Waltz of the Flowers.” My entire first-year ballet class does a beautiful, modified version of the classic waltz, and to my relief, no one falls and no costumes malfunction.

Josh and Sally go next, doing their Mirlitons dance. It’s not as intricate as Mia and Austin’s piece, but it’s impressive enough to get a hearty applause and whistles.

My heart squeezes as the curtain sweeps closed, and Mia and Austin take their place for the final dance of the evening. She looks at me, and I nod, swallowing my nerves.

The curtain rises, and the violins begin. They move across the stage with confidence, executing every step with perfect timing. Mia is graceful and controlled, and Austin watches her, reading her movements and anticipating her steps.

“They’re as good as we were.” Craig’s whisper in my ear makes me jump.

“I think I was holding my breath.” I laugh, putting my hand on my chest. “He’s nowhere near as good as you were, but he’s good enough.”

“At four months in?” Craig cocks his head at me. “I’d say he’s very good.”

We watch as they reach the final steps—the three little hops, arabesque, and the lift. They turn, and Austin lowers her for the final plié and the bow.

The auditorium bursts into cheers, with everyone rising to their feet. I jump up and down clapping.

Tears are in my eyes as I grab Craig’s arm. “Tell me we got that on video!”

“Of course.” He wraps an arm around me in a hug.

The dancers all return to the stage for their bows, then Mia and Austin motion for me to join them. I almost feel guilty walking out there, like I’m taking away from their spotlight.

As soon as I emerge from behind the curtain, a low voice breaks into a yell, and I duck. Covering my face with my hands, I laugh as I see Logan on his feet, clapping as hard as he can like my biggest cheerleader.

Holding up my hand, I cross my thumb and index finger, giving him our signal, and he does it right back to me.

Mia’s mother is in the wings, crying and mouthing Thank you, and I put my arms around my young dancers as we all bow together. Mrs. Laverne pats my back, and Kimmie Joy runs to jump into my arms.

The curtains fall, and Logan was right. I took the first, trembling step. I was brave enough to face my fears, and love has healed the loss.

The Christmas tree glows with white twinkle lights, and candles are on the hearth above the fireplace. Cinnamon and pine scent the air, and I’m sitting on the floor facing Logan like we did that night on the beach so long ago.

I remember him holding my hands and saying he wanted me to be his girl. He wanted me to be on the sidelines cheering for him. It’s a treasured memory I replayed in my heart so many times when we were apart.

“I was so proud of you tonight.” Logan takes my hands in both of his, and I gaze deeply into his blue eyes. “Those kids were really good, and they looked like they were having fun, too.”

My heart squeezes, and I reach for his cheek, leaning forward to kiss his soft lips. “Thank you. I’m not sure I’d have done it without your encouragement.”

“I have two gifts for you this year.”

“What?” My eyebrows shoot up. “I only got you one.”

“You shouldn’t have gotten me any.”

“But I did.” Pulling the small bag from my pocket, I take his hand. “I was walking by the bay and this girl was selling handmade leather jewelry.”

He exhales a soft laugh. “Hey, I know that girl.”

Taking the chunky, dark leather band from the pouch, I slide it onto the third finger of his left hand. “I got her to stamp it with a ghost pepper here.” Then I turn it. “And here it says, Mine.”

Lifting his hand, he turns it, inspecting the ring. “I like this a lot.”

He cups my face in his hands and pulls me closer for a kiss, parting my lips and sweeping his tongue inside to find mine. The touch sends heat burning to my core, and I exhale a whimper.

When he lifts his head, his eyes hold mine with so much intensity. “I was going to wait and do this second, but I can’t.”

My brow furrows. “Okay?”

“I love you, Dylan. I’ve said it before, but every time I say it, with every day that passes, it grows stronger.” Lowering his hands, he shakes his head. “I didn’t even think that was possible the first time I said it, but it’s true. You’re the best thing that’s ever come into my life, and I never want to spend another day without you in it.”

A knot rises into my throat. “What are you saying?”

His large hand slips into his pocket, and I can’t breathe as he takes out a small, robin’s-egg blue pouch with the words Tiffany & Co. stamped on it. My fingers tremble as I watch him pull it open and slide out a sparkling, princess-cut diamond with a brilliant pavé diamond band.

Tears are in my eyes as he lifts my finger so gently. “Will you marry me, Dylan Bradford? I talked to Jack, and he said it was a good idea. Garrett wanted to know why I waited so long. Zane said we make a good match⁠—”

“You asked all my brothers?” I exhale a laugh.

My heart is beating so fast, I can’t breathe right, and a tear falls onto my cheek.

His brow furrows. “I know they’re important to you. I didn’t have a chance to talk to Hendrix, but I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

Leaning forward, I place my hands on the sides of his neck. “You don’t have to talk to anybody—my answer is yes!”

A straight white smile breaks across his gorgeous face, and that dimple I love appears. “That’s my girl.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, and I hold it to my chest, looking into his eyes. “I love you, Logan.”

Strong arms go around my waist, and he drags me onto his lap. He kisses the side of my neck, moving his lips higher to my ear and leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“My wife.” It’s a low rumble.

My eyes slide closed, and I lift my chin as I exhale a delighted sigh. “How can two words fill my entire body with so much joy?”

“It only takes one word for me.”

Looking down, I hold his cheeks in my hands. “What’s that?”

“Mine.”

Our mouths seal together, then they open and our tongues curl. His cock hardens beneath me, and I’m ready to lose these clothes and do more than kiss. “Let’s take this party to our bedroom.”

“Shit, I wanted to take you right here in front of the fireplace and the Christmas tree.”

Dropping my forehead to his, I close my eyes, wrinkling my nose. “Zane would kill us.”

“I have one last gift to give you.”

“I can’t imagine anything that could top what you’ve already given me.”

He takes out his phone, taps the screen several times, and he hands it to me. “How about this?”

Scooting back, I sit on my butt in front of him, studying the bold-type headline. Her Feet are Bare, but Her Heart is GOLD!!!

Frowning, I look up at him confused. “What…?”

“Read it.” He nods at the device.

Scanning the story quickly, I see it’s a follow-up to the original article about me by Callum Cross.

New information from model-turned-influencer Natalia van Norse sheds light on Logan Murphy’s mystery lady, and she’s a country girl with a Heart of Gold…

It goes on to describe how my background as a “rising star” in the ballet world was cut short by a career-ending injury. It details how I took care of my brothers after our parents died within months of each other. It even talks about my current work with the high school kids, and how I’m…

“Helping the daughter of a poor single mother achieve her dreams?” I read it out loud, lifting my eyes to Logan’s. “How would Natalia know about Mia?”

His eyebrows rise, and he twists his lips with a shrug. “She’s an influencer. I guess she realized she hadn’t done her research before she ran her big mouth the first time.”

I hiccup a breath, placing my hand over my lips. “You told her.” Energy burns in my stomach, and I read the final quote. “She’s the one person who understands best what he’s facing. They have a lot more in common than we knew.”

“That’s more like it.” His tone is protective and satisfied, and possibly a bit smug.

I don’t even know what to say.

“You made it right.” My chest surges, and when I blink, a tear hits my cheek. “No one’s ever done something like this for me.”

He reaches up to cup my face again, sliding the moisture off my cheek. “Well, get ready. I’m going to do more than that for you, Dylan. You’ll never suffer for being mine again.”

I dive forward, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you, Logan. You’ve only ever made me happy.”

“That’s all I want. Forever.”

Cupping my cheek in his hand, he leans down to kiss me again. It’s strong and possessive, and the start of something real. Then he lifts me off my feet, carrying me to the bedroom.

As we kiss and touch and slowly shed our clothes, I’m lost in the sensations of his body against mine. I’m flooded with all the memories of our first days, fearfully sharing our dreams and fears.

He kisses his way down my chest to my stomach, and as desire floods my veins, I moan and sigh and think of the first time he covered my pussy with his mouth. My entire body came alive.

“Oh, God!” I cry out as my body tightens with orgasm and my thighs start to shake.

“That’s right, baby, come for me.” He gently bites the side of my stomach, and I yelp. “I love this body.”

He kisses his way up to my breasts, cupping them in his hands and kissing, sucking, circling my hardened nipples with his tongue. Rising all the way, he covers my mouth with his, curling his tongue with mine.

My knees rise, and we both groan with relief as he thrusts deep into my slippery core. His hips rock fast, and I’m moving with him. It’s cold outside, but it’s hot as Pepper X in this bed.

Orgasm surges again and again like the waves on the sea, and I cry out as he goes deeper, hitting that sweet spot in my body.

He’s thrusting fast. Our bodies are slippery with sweat, and I bite his shoulder when the pleasure grows too intense. Salt is on my tongue and he groans, stiffening and shuddering as he finishes between my thighs.

His body trembles, and my legs wrap around him as he holds me firmly, filling me, making us one.

I tried to build a wall against him before I ever knew who he was, but he broke through my guard rails. He helped me face my fears and showed me how not to be afraid. He taught me to be strong, and when I couldn’t, when the hits were too much, he stood up and fought for me.

He’s my dream come true, my strong defender, and the way we touch fits all the puzzle pieces into place.