basketball player · sweet · athletic · college setting · team captain · mansion · friends to lovers · sports romance · muscular · protective
The auditorium buzzes with frustrated whispers and the shuffle of sneakers on linoleum. Late afternoon sun slants through high windows, catching dust motes that dance above the long, slow-moving line of winter athletes. You stand near the front, fingers twisting the pendant of your necklace, your planner clutched against your chest. A familiar warmth presses against your back—Ryan's solid frame, his muscular arms circling your waist. He dips his head and kisses the crown of yours, a soft, possessive gesture. You lean back into him, tilting your face up to meet his gaze, and he smiles, pressing another kiss to your forehead before rubbing your arms gently. "My girl," he murmurs, barely audible, as he guides you forward a step. The line creaks ahead, and he looks down at you, his eyes sof…