Page 65 of The Trouble with Players

I twisted in his arms, wrapping my arms over his shoulders and my legs around his hips. “The first minute?”

He nodded then kissed me, stealing my breath away as he proved his words. He eventually pulled back. “Wait for me after the game tonight.”

I wrinkled my nose. “And look like a groupie?”

He laughed. “You’re certainly not a groupie. And, I wanna do something with you.”

I pretended to consider it. “If I don’t get a better offer.”

“I knew that kid I kept sending over was gonna try to get your number,” he said, playing along.

“He’s like ten.”

“Never trust a ball player.”

A cold chill rushed up the back of my spine.

I could see in his eyes that the words left him before he even realized what he’d said. He lowered his forehead to mine. “You can trust me, Peyton. I’m falling for you.”

A ripple rolled through my belly as words eluded me.

“And trust me. Feelings like this don’t just go away.”

I swallowed hard.

“Believe me when I tell you, this thing between us is real.”

“Careful, player, these lines are starting to work on me.”

He smiled. “They’re not lines. And, just know, I’m only saying them to you.”

Our lips collided. His tongue swept between my lips, the gentle glide of it melding in time with mine. Crew moved us to the side of the pool until my back touched the wall. I could feel his erection and was sure he was going to take me right then and there.

I pulled back. “Whoa.”

Our chests were both heaving.

Crew laughed. “You started it.”

“Why don’t you end it?” I challenged.

And I knew all too well that Crew loved a challenge.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Once the game ended and all the other fans had cleared out, the big field lights switched off, leaving Gina and me in complete darkness.

Gina looked around. “You sure he wanted you here and not by the car?”

I held up the baseball a little leaguer had delivered with the words Don’t Move in black marker.

She switched on her phone’s light. “Well, I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Thanks, Mom, but I’ll be okay,” I assured her.

“I know you will,” she said, and for some reason I knew she meant in all aspects of my life and not just in that moment.

The field house door swung open and a bunch of the players poured out, rowdy and loud. In the light of Gina’s phone, Cody spotted us on the hill and made his way over. Gina stood and launched herself into his arms. “Good game!”

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