Beyond Home

Lauren

I step back under the spray and away from her. I know this job is her livelihood. I almost told her to quit and let me take care of them, but I know better than to do that. I want her to reach her dreams, her goals in life. I know working at Frank's is not hers, but it's what puts food on the table for her and Emily. So instead, I give in and let the hot a water pour over me as I keep my eyes glued to her. Her eyes are closed as she lathers her hair and tilts her head back to rinse away the shampoo. Water and soap slides down over her breasts, and I want nothing more than to touch her there, everywhere. She's my addiction.

"Do you have conditioner?" she asks.

"No," I choke out the word. I'm so consumed with lust for her that speaking when she's naked, wet, and just a few feet away is almost impossible.

"Okay." She grabs by bodywash, pours some in the palm of her hand, rubs them together and then lathers them all over her body.

I ball my hands into fists at my sides, fighting the urge to take over. My cock is hard as steel as I watch her. I'm half tempted to take care of it here and now. I imagine her wet body sliding against mine as she grips my cock, root to tip, slowly driving me mad. If it were not for the fact that I know that the real thing, her heat, is better than any self-induced orgasm I could bring for myself, I would. There is also the small factor of both of us being late. I can see the hunger in her eyes, though; it's not just me who's turned on, but I respect her and the fact she refuses to be late to work. Besides, this thing between us is a marathon, not a sprint.

"You good, Jauregui?" she asks me. Her smile is infectious.

"You done?"

She throws her head back and laughs. "Yeah, I'm done." She saunters out of the shower.

I have to close my eyes to keep from following her. My cock is steel, so I reach for the nozzle and turn the water to cold. I cringe as it hits my heated skin, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. I don't need to be rolling up into practice with a bat between my legs. I'm all for kidding around, but the guys would never let me live that one down. I've got things under control, I rush through the rest of my shower in the ice-cold water, not taking any chances.

I take my time drying off, hoping Camila has had time to get dressed. Giving her time to cover her gorgeous body, not that it makes a difference. Clothed or naked I crave her.

"How long's practice?" she asks when I enter the bedroom. She's fully clothed in her black pants and black button-down, her uniform for Frank's.

"All day. We hit the weights, then the field, then watch film."

"Wow. All day. I just assumed a few hours or something."

"I mean, yeah, I'm that good. The others, they need all the help they can get." I smirk.

"Uh-huh," she responds with a laugh. "I think the next time I see Carl, I'll get his opinion on the matter," she teases.

I stalk towards her and lift her in my arms, her feet dangling from the floor. "You trying to make me jealous?"

"No, but are you?"

"You're damn right I am." I press my lips to hers quickly, then set her back on her feet. "I can't get caught up in you right now," I confess. "Any longer and neither one of us will be leaving this room today."

She smiles up at me. Her eyes are sparkling, and my chest swells knowing I put that sparkle there. It's as she's finally opening up to me, and even though I never thought it would be possible, she's even more beautiful. Maybe it's because I know she's mine.

"So, you sure you want us to come back here tonight, you don't want a break?"

"I leave tomorrow and won't be back until Thursday."

"I know, I understand if you want a break before you leave."

I snake an arm around her waist and pull her close. "The only thing I want are my girls here with me, so I can soak up as much of the two of you as I can before I go on the road."

"Yeah?" I can hear the hope in her voice.

"Yes. Pick up Princess Em and get your asses here as soon as you can. I'll grab dinner on my way home."

"I thought we would just throw something on the grill?"

"I'm thinking Em would like some cheese pizza more."

"You can't be spoiling her," she says with a stern voice. One that doesn't faze me.

"Sure I can. She's my princess." I kiss her nose and release her from my hold. "I gotta go I'll see you tonight." A quick kiss to her lips and I'm walking away from her towards the bedroom door.

"Wait!" she calls out. "I'm almost done. I'll come with you." She rushes to grab her clothes and stuff them back in her bag.

"It's fine. You have some time yet. I'll check the patio and front doors. Just make sure you shut the garage door with the opener I gave you and it's all good." I stalk back to her, because I can, and kiss her one more time. "Have a good day, Camz." With that, I hustle out of the room, grab my keys and wallet, and rush out the door.

Twenty minutes later, I'm walking into the locker room still wearing a shit-eating grin.

"What's got you looking like you just hit a grand slam in the bottom of ninth?" Carl asks, taking a seat on the bench next to me.

"What? Can a girl not have a good day?"

"Sure, she can, but that" —he points to the grin I can't seem to control— "is more than just a good day."

I nod. "Life is good, my man. Just living the dream."

He studies me, and a slow grin tilts his lips. "Camila."

"A lady never tells," I chide, placing my phone, keys, and wallet in my locker.

"Since when?" he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Since Camila," I confess.

"No shit." He smacks his hand on my shoulder. "You finally wore her down?"

"Finally," I agree. For a while there. I wasn't sure she was ever going to give me a chance.

"You ready for all that? She's a mom, Laur."

"I'm ready," I assure him. I have zero fears about the fact that Camila is a single mom. Hell, if anything, it endears her to me even more. I know what single moms go through, the fight to make ends meet, the struggle to be both parents. She's one of the strongest women I know.

He nods, and that ends our conversation. He knows me. I'm a woman of my word. If I'm in, I'm in, and when it comes to Camila and Emily, there is no other way to be.