Page 75 of Hitting the Gap

She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “Gonzo, I’m not stupid. I’m very well aware of your reputation.”

His reputation. Right. Because how could he possibly be more than that? “Bay, sometimes a reputation’s just a glimpse of a man’s past. It doesn’t determine his future.”

Bailey smiled sadly. “Gonzo, when’s the last time you dated a woman for longer than a year? Hell longer than a couple of months?”

“Just because I haven’t been in a relationship for longer than a year doesn’t mean I don’t want one. I do. I see what my friends have. Who wouldn’t want that?” He pushed his hand through his hair. “But I also look at some of the other guys on the team and how wrecked they’ve been when their relationships fall apart, and yeah, maybe I’ve steered clear. The idea of anything fucking up my game, no thanks.”

He put his hands on her waist and hoisted her up on the kitchen counter, so they were eye level. “I’ve never had a woman in my life who made me want to take the risk.” He picked up her hand and rubbed his thumb absently against her finger. “But you’re different…” He took a deep breath. “Not being with you is fucking up my game already, so what’s the difference?”

“How am I fucking up your game?”

“Jesus, Bay, you’re all I think about. You’re in my head whether I want you there or not. When I’m out with the guys, I want to be at home with you. Someone tells a joke and I immediately want to tell it to you just so I can see that little smile you get when you think something is ridiculous, but you can’t help but laugh.”

She dipped her head.

“I’m fucking gone over you, Bay.” He nudged her knees apart and moved his body closer so he was standing between her legs. “You make me want to risk it.”

“Really?”

“Jesus, Bay, I wouldn’t have slept with you if I didn’t want to give us a shot. I wouldn’t risk our friendship over one night. I told you that last night.”

“I know, but what if we don’t work out? “

“What if we do?”

Bailey chewed her bottom lip as her eyes searched his face. “I don’t want to lose you over sex.”

He sighed. “Pretty sure we should have had that discussion before we ended up in bed. We can’t exactly put the cat back in the bag, so I figure we see where this goes.”

“You really want to date me? Take me out with your friends and to parties? Have me wear your jersey at games?”

“Don’t we already do that?”

Bailey huffed out a breath. “It’s different if I’m your girlfriend and not just your friend.”

He slid closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I know. If you’re my girlfriend, I’ll get to put my hands on you instead of just wanting to.”

She smacked him on the arm. “Gonzo, I’m being serious.”

“So am I. What’s this about, Bailey?” Holy shit, maybe she didn’t want to date him. “You don’t want to date me?”

“What? No. God, that’s not it at all. Just what will people say when they see us together?”

“Who gives a fuck?”

“Gonzo come on.”

“Bay, the people who matter already know I’m crazy about you. The ones who don’t will quickly realize it and can get on board or they can fuck off.”

“And when some sexy girl, who looks like the women you normally go home with, hits on you in a bar?”

Annoyed at the implication, he clenched his jaw. “Then I’ll tell her I’m taken.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, and the annoyance became anger. “What are you implying, Bailey?”

“I don’t know, I just—”

“Bay, am I the type of asshole who would cheat on a woman? Is that really who you think I am?”

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