Page 54 of Offsides Attraction

“Horrid, but was it good for you?” His hand flexed on her hip and his color returned. Crisis averted.

Penny smiled as her hand splayed across his chest, feeling the solid muscles beneath the crisp cotton. She shrugged, saying, “Eh, not bad for your first time.” They stared at each other, and amusement danced in his eyes. Bash was many things, but boring wasn’t one of them.

“Stay.”

“On the couch?” she asked, playing dumb.

“In my bed. Cal’s at the ranch, and if Lucas’s groveling goes well, he won’t be home tonight.”

“And if it doesn’t?” she asked, praying for Maggie’s sake it did.

“He’s discreet.” Bash had cooked dinner for her, ordered her favorite dessert, called her beautiful, and apologized. He’d planned and executed a seduction trap for her. What he lacked in words he more than made up for in action.

“I’m worried.” She bit her lower lip and felt him tense under her hand.

“About?”

“If apologizing isn’t the only V-card, you’ll lose tonight.” He laughed and pulled her against him as his hand slid under her blouse. His fingers were warm and calloused, and Penny wanted to feel them everywhere.

“Maybe you should find out?” he said, nuzzling her neck.

“Maybe I should.” Penny screeched as Bash threw her over his shoulder, complaining as he limped down the hallway and tossing her unceremoniously on the bed. For the rest of the night, Bash made sure that was her only complaint.

Bash stopped mid-whistle to yawn, but the exhaustion was worth breaking his rules. He had no problems breaking other people’s rules—they were usually stupid—but his were purposeful: only one alcoholic beverage a week when he was training, at least eight hours of sleep a night, lots of water, and no sex or dating during the season. At least I stayed hydrated, he thought, returning to his whistle as he carefully turned the bacon, wishing he’d thrown a shirt on for protection against the grease splatters. Penny had looked perfect sprawled across his bed, and he hadn’t wanted to wake her. He’d take a nap after she left, unless she called in sick, which he doubted. Penny was loyal and responsible, and exactly what he needed.

She kept him on his toes. Penny never held back from calling him on his BS, and he respected her for it. Penny made him a better man, and Bash felt like a sap for thinking it.

“Hey.” Bash turned mid-whistle, and the tune died on his lips. Penny wore a contented smile and one of his t-shirts, exposing lots of skin. “I could get used to a half-naked man cooking me breakfast,” she said, stealing a piece of crispy bacon from the plate next to him and nibbling on it. Bash remembered the way she’d nibbled on him last night, and heat shot to his groin.

“Really?” he asked, turning off the burner and pulling her closer. The last thing he needed was to set off the smoke detector. Penny melted into him, and he relaxed, like he always did. When she was near, his mind settled, and he could sort his thoughts.

“Really.” She kissed him, tasting of bacon and his toothpaste. He lifted her up, and Penny wrapped her legs around him as Bash turned and set her on the counter. It was bad enough he’d carried her to his bedroom last night. He didn’t need to further injure his leg by holding her up as they feasted on each other. She sighed when he kissed his way to her temple before resting his forehead on hers as he caught his breath.

“Marry me,” he said. Penny startled and leaned back. Bash was sure his expression matched hers. He’d thought about marriage. Eventually, if he found the right woman.

“Did you just propose?”

“I think so.”

“You think so?” Her voice raised to the annoyed agitated tone she used right before an argument. He didn’t want to argue with her.

“Sure. Yes. Marry me,” Bash said, pacing between the island and her. And she says I can’t think on my feet. “We can go to Vegas today.” He clasped her hands. “Marry me and we can start every morning like this.” He smiled, liking the idea of starting each day with her looking satisfied and rumpled.

“Why?” She looked wary, but she sounded interested.

“Because we suit.”

“We suit?”

“Are you planning to parrot me all morning? Because if you are, I’ll toss in dirty words and sexy promises to make it more interesting.”

“No, I’m hoping by hearing it in my voice it might make sense,” she said.

“And does it?” Her hands felt like ice in his and he hoped next time he’d remember to turn up the furnace. Their three-large-men heat setting didn’t work for a barely dressed woman.

“No, it doesn’t.”

“It does,” he argued. “We have common interests and goals, and we enjoy each other’s company. Marriage makes perfect sense.” Penny hopped off the counter and stood behind one of the kitchen chairs. Bash didn’t know why she needed the space, but if it helped her think, he’d give it to her.

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