Love In the Red Zone (Connecticut Kings Book 1) (60 page)

“What, baby?” she coos innocently.

“No one ever tells you no.”

“You don’t?”

“Hell no, I don’t!” I chuckle at that truth the same time she busts out laughing.

“Then, that’s your problem, Trent.”

“I just wanna see you happy. You haven’t been like that in a while.”

“I’ve been safe and protected,” I can barely hear her whisper. “You make me feel safe and loved every day, Trent. I know I don’t deserve this day.” She sits up to look me dead in the face. “But I want it. I need it. I want the world to know I’m your wife. I just didn’t want them to think this was the way I got here today.” She looks down at her belly and rubs it.

It’s a girl
…

I join her. For the first time, I feel free to adore the life inside without guilt. I learned two months ago, when Jade found out she was four months pregnant, that I love rubbing on her belly. Jade hasn’t been happy about it. It’s been a rough two months with her feeling like she disappointed herself by getting pregnant prematurely. I didn’t see it that way—still don’t. Jade and I have never used birth control. She tried to warn me about it back in January. I downplayed it, having gotten over that recklessness in our behavior after the fourth or fifth time we’d had sex without any protection.

As an athlete, going raw with
anybody
is a big fat no-no. With Jade, it had always been an afterthought. After my come was running out of her, like now. We went so fast and combusted without warning, it felt natural to not press her about protection. The reality of our decision came tumbling like a bag of bricks on my head when she told me she was pregnant back in March. After the initial shock, I got over it and got excited. Jade turned dark and blue. The guilt choked her and angered me. Like…a lot.

These past two months have been hard on the both of us. Our only light of distraction has been Kyree. Dude is growing so fast and nicely. I really missed him when I’d gotten back on the field. When the season finally ended for me, the first surprise we were hit with, no one saw coming: Ryshon came home unannounced. There’s been drama with that. Drama that doubled when Jade pulled away from me about this pregnancy. Drama that’s still playing in the backdrops of our minds while we’re sitting here now, enjoying the sensations from our orgasms, waiting out the time when we’ll become Mr. and Mrs. Trenton Bailey for the second time.

But no matter what, I’m ready. I’m ready for my next play in the red zone of my walk of faith. I’m ready because I’m not alone and my life is orchestrated. I’m ready because I’ve been given a partner to team with for the big score...and I’m not talking about sex. In life we all face those missed passes, impossible plays, hard falls, and tumbles. Having a partner on your team can help you rebound easier and faster. I never realized how alone I was until I intercepted her.

“You sure you’re ready?” she whispers against my shirt with her hand lodged between.

“I’m sure,” I breathe.

“Make sure you’re sure.” I can hear the emotional crackling in her voice.

The soft volume of music flowing around us. I pull her closer to me, squeezing at the hips; my cheek presses into the top of her head. I swallow hard and lick my lips. My heart is beating the wall of my chest and eyes are blissfully closed.

“My security is in my arms. I’m good.”      

The
End…

#
#
#
#

Before you g
o
…

Dear Readers,

This isn’t the end to the
Connecticut Kings
series. Yaaaaaaaay! Book two is
Love on the Highlight Reel
by my author bestie, the incomparable, Christina. C. Jones. It will be available in a matter of weeks from this release. We’re so excited to bring you into our crazy world of love and football!

To complete the series, continue the journey with
Love on the Highlight Reel
. If you could be so kind to leave an Amazon and Goodreads review for both books, it’ll help us decide if we want to continue with these characters. We love Trent, Jade, Jordan, and Cole and hope you do, too. They have more storyline and we wouldn’t mind exploring it. Your feedback will help us greatly.

#PenningWithoutParameters

#ImGonnaMakeYouLoveMe

~LB

Researcher:
Shumethia S.
—
Thanks for coming through again. You’re one of the most resourceful people I know. I appreciate all you do. Too bad we disagree on what’s khaki (Trent). #NoInternationalKhakiHere (insider) LOL! Christine and Christina (mother-daughter duo), thanks for helping me with the title for this book! CDW, your football 101 lessons adjusted well to my learning curve. There’s no way I could pull this off without your patient coaching and teachings. The laughs from those football education sessions didn’t hurt either. You made it sooooo much fun! Mike and Byron, thanks for your contribution and feedback for the plays.

Love’s Betas
— I didn’t call on most of you because this was supposed to be a short project. But the way my long-winded story-telling mind is set up, Sabrina S. Scott and Yorubia came through with the clutch on this one. I appreciate you guys for real! Whew!

Love Belvin Therapy Room
— Regina, Linda W., Deidre, Dee, LaLa, Michelle M., Heidi, Artemysia, Tabatha, Roslyn, Diva Dee, Linda R., Rose, Michelle T., Monique H., Pamela, Sola, Teresa, Terri G., Gail (
what’s your name again? LOL!
), Courtney, Doris, Kita, Tanya, Wendi, Tonya, Stina, Marshall, Andrea, Stacey, Angela B., Nikki, Deborah, Rakia, Ashleigh, Yvette S., Bonita, Kerry, Kim, Erica, Crystal S., Chameka, Vivian, Richell, Heather, Tesha, Tineka, Yolanda, Jessica, Sherri, Nicole, Deena, Ayo, Ayanna, Stacy M., Keyma, April, LaKisha, Katina, Sharon W., Ja’Nice, Brittany, Monique N., Natoya, Angela J.J., Crystal H., Shaun, Denise, Sharon L., Tara, Jalissa, Kamashia, Yvette H., Tiffany, Fennia, Katrina, LaKaya, Tanisha, Karmen, A. McClure, Ella, Teresa, and Robyn. You have no idea how great it feels to be back
and entertained
! I love you ladies. Thank you!
Jemeka
&
Rita
, you guys are true riders. Your support couldn’t be paid for, but you go so hard, one would think you are. Run me
BLANK
hawt!

Christina C. Jones aka CCJ
— #AuthorBae Please don’t let this be our last collaboration! You made me eat my words on taking on the voice of a man so young and it was so FUN! I’m not through with Trent and Jordan yet! ***tears*** How can I be? Plus, only having to do half the work is ridiculously-awesone!

Proof Reader:
Tina V. Young — I couldn’t wait for you to dig into this one. I knew you were a football geek as well as an academic one. LOL!! Thanks so much for coming through as expeditious as you did. So blessed to have you on our team. xoxoxoxo

In-house editor:
Zakiya Walden of
I’ve Got Something to Say Incorporated
— Thanks for rocking with me this long. I’ve gotten more demanding and less conventional with my scheduling, but you’ve been determined to stick on in here with us. You’re very appreciated!

Editor:
Karen Rogers-McCollum of
Critique Editing Services
— For real, for real! You spoil me. You make me no good. You’re the reason I know it’ll get done even when I don’t meet the deadline. You’re the REAL MVP! Thank YOU!!

MDT:
Book eleven and I’m still not progressing (insider). I promise I’m gonna do better. I wanna be like you when I grow up! #TaskMaster. 

Master
, my
Jireh
, my
Rohi
, Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
” Thank You for Your presence and favor I experience with each book published. Thanks for setting me aside for Your purpose and glory. Thank You for the dimensions of grace, provision, and blessings. I will forever worship You!  

Love’s Improbable Possibility
series:

Love Lost
,
Love UnExpected
,
Love UnCharted
&
Love Redeemed
.

Waiting to Breathe
series:

Love Delayed & Love Delivered

Love’s Inconvenient Truth
(Standalone)

Love Unaccounted
series:

In Covenant with Ezra