Page 32 of The Player

“Ouch.” I look back at him, and he holds his hands to his heart. “You aren’t wasting any punches, are you?”

“Nope.” I mix the dry ingredients with the wet ones until the batter is smooth. Chopping up the strawberries, I ignore him. I refuse to let him make me feel inferior like he did when we were younger.

This time, when he moves, I hear his limp. His right foot slides along the floor, and when he gets right behind me, his heat encloses me. “Ju-Ju, I’m sorry. I’m an asshole. I know this. It… I mean… Hell, your body is beautiful. You’re gorgeous, and when I think about you, all I can think about is how perfect you are.”

“Oh please. Flattery will not get you anywhere. I’m not an easy lay, and I’m most definitely not going to fall for the ‘good ole boy’ routine. You’ve been up and down the coast of models and actresses. The world knows you have an image to keep up.”

Okay, even I know I sound bitter. Yet, here I am, facing the one person who I’ve always wanted to love me. The only man to make my heart beat like a drum. His hands touch my arms, and he runs them up and down my skin. My eyes close to the pleasure of being touched by him.

Aaron’s nose touches my neck again, and his lips graze my pulse. “Ju-Ju,” he whispers, and I whimper. Dang it. That’s not what I wanted to do, but he’s pulling it out of me. Trembling, I move my head to the side so his mouth has more of my neck to touch.

“A-bear.” My hands shake as I hold on to the counter and get lost in the feeling of his mouth and hands on me.

The soft chuckle that leaves his throat confuses me. He steps back, and I blink, trying to clear that fog he always seems to create. “You talk a big game, Julie, but we both know you want me.”

He winks at me and shuffles off. Dang him! Embarrassment floods me as I dump the strawberries into the batter. Folding them in, I try not to cry.

Dousing my face with cold water, I try to think about anything other than the need Aaron produces in me. As I look into the window at my reflection, I think about the first time I saw him without a shirt.

“Hey, Ju-Ju.” Aaron runs toward me as I step onto the football field. “What are you doing here?”

My mind short circuits as I look at his muscular chest. He’s sculpted like a Greek god. For the first time in my life, I understand what it is like to be turned on. Of course, I don’t tell him that. It would be too embarrassing, but I secretly dream of us getting married and having babies together.

“Hello? You alright?”

My skin turns bright red, and I look down. “Sorry, um, Kaylee had to go home early and asked me to drive you home after practice.”

He looks around, for what, I’m not sure, and then he touches my cheek. “I’d be happy to have you drive me home. Go wait in the Bronco so you don’t catch a chill.”

Coming out of the thought, I remember how I was on cloud nine, thinking he truly cared for me. What it was, heck, what it has always been, was about his reputation. Aaron didn’t want to be seen with me. What’s worse now is that I want him to be happy here with me and Lennox.

For Lennox, of course. Not for me.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The smell of her sweet skin surrounds me. The taste of her is still on my lips, and I want more. God, if I wasn’t such a prick, maybe I could have her. What the fuck do I care about my reputation now? Hell, I have a job interview with the local high school next week. It’s not like I’m going to be in the limelight, right?

Besides, Julie is famous for her cooking. She’s won every competition, from local fair events and food critic journals to the famous North Texas Upcoming Food Festival, for six years running. How do I know that? I’ve stalked her like a damn psycho would. Instead of confronting my fears, I hide behind stalking her social media and watching the news like a hawk. Every time she posts something new, I grab my phone like a lovesick puppy waiting for his love to give him something—anything.

Why wasn’t her child on her social media? And why does he look like me? Eight years old…

The more I think about it, the more I feel as if he’s mine. Fuck me. Did I get her pregnant that night? Nah, it couldn’t have been me. Besides, I lost touch with almost everyone when I hurt my arm and straightened my shit out.

A growl leaves me as images of another man touching my girl assault my brain. I swear to God, the man better not be in her life now.

B

You home?

Leave it to Bryson to know exactly when I need to talk to someone so I don’t go down a rabbit hole.

Me

Yeah, bro, I made it in a few hours ago.

B

Be nice to Julie.

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