Page 45 of Caught Stealing

I fall against the back of it and sigh. Ginger jogs across the room and rubs against me for a head scratch, then realizes I’m salty and commences with licking me. Andrew Rossi has me tangled up, but in a good way. Each day he’s showing me he’s got my best interests at heart and it lures me in despite my initial hesitations.

“Well, girl, I guess we’re going to give this thing a shot after all. What do you think? Do you like Goblin enough?”

She doesn’t even look up at me. Her tongue is too busy slurping up all the salt, so I wiggle free from her giant tongue and head to the shower. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, but I can’t wait to see Andrew in his element.

“What’s this?” Andew asks and accepts a bag of bagels from the local bakery.

“Breakfast. I hope you like carbs this early in the morning.” Goblin stretches then comes to me for some ear scratches. I’m grateful for the distraction since I’m blushing again. I hardly got any sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about our interactions last night. All morning, all I’ve thought about is what a fool I am for not kissing the man. It was such a romantic and fun night, a kiss would have been perfect. Of course, I let my mind get in the way, building walls and speed bumps to keep me safe. I’m beginning to think all of this nonsense about dating athletes is just that—complete foolishness.

“I already ate but they smell good enough to go for it again. Thank you.” Andrew pulls a cinnamon raisin bagel from the bag and takes a bite. “Oh, man. That’s good.”

“Mumbling with your mouth full is rude, Andrew.”

“What are you going to do about it, Miss Clarke?” He leans against the doorframe leading to his kitchen with one hand in his pocket and the other holding the bagel close to his lips. I think if I give him any indication that I want him to kiss me, he’ll toss the bagel to the dog and dive-bomb me. I can’t know for sure, of course, but I make an educated guess based on the feral wildness of his eyes, how his body leans toward mine in a taunt, and the way the temperature in this room skyrockets.

Okay, the last one is all me, but I can’t help it. I got a glimpse into what it might be like to be his girlfriend, and now I’m finding it difficult to keep control of my thoughts.

“Well?” He arches an eyebrow.

I haven’t answered him. I’ve been staring at his muscled chest with my mouth hanging open. “Well what?”

He takes another bite. “What are you going to do about me being rude?”

“Probably ignore you like I do the kids in my class. Giving you any sort of attention will only exacerbate the problem, naturally.”

Andrew gives me one nod and a smirk. “And what if I continue my rude behavior despite your best efforts to ignore me?”

I cross my arms and try not to laugh. “I’ll have to send you to the headmaster and you’ll probably get suspended.”

“Nope. Won’t work. I’m already suspended. Sort of. Sitting on the bench this long feels like a suspension.” He takes another bite and shrugs while Goblin stares up at him and drools. It’s puddling on the floor but Andrew doesn’t seem to notice.

“Hmm, I’d hate to have you kicked out of school just for talking with food in your mouth so that doesn’t really leave me with a lot of other options, does it?”

“Afraid not.”

“So where does that leave us then?” I ask.

“With me finishing this bagel and us heading to practice with a deeper understanding of one another. I’m annoying and have horrible manners in my own home, and you’re too sweet to do anything about it.”

My mouth falls open again.

Andrew laughs and pushes off of the doorframe. “I’m kidding. Not about the sweet part. You are, but I promise I won’t talk with my mouth full in front of you because I respect your disgust.”

“It’s not disgust really, just an observation that you did something rude and…Okay, yeah. It’s disgusting.” I cover my face which makes him laugh harder.

“I figured as much from the way your lip curled when I did it. All joking aside, we better head out.” He grabs a ball cap from the coat rack in the hall and pulls it over his head. It’s got the Sharks logo on it but that’s the last thing I notice. I’m usually a backwards hats are hot kind of girl, but Andrew put his on front facing. And it’s got me weak in the knees, swooning like a fool, ready to say forgive me but we’re not going to practice. We’re going to stay here and flirt until I can’t help but kiss you.

“You okay?” Narrowed eyes full of concern meet my gaze.

“Yeah! Of course. I’m ready.”

Chapter Eighteen

Andrew

“She asked to come to practice. That, along with your sunset antics on the beach last night, means something. I’m telling you, she’s testing you out without committing. She’s trying to figure out if you’re worth putting her fear aside, or if you’re a complete waste of her time like Elsher.” Koa stretches while the other guys huddle around to listen in on our conversation.

“So I’m not looking for things that aren’t there? She’s really throwing me bait?” Glancing toward the stands where Lottie has taken up residence, I pray that I’m not setting myself up to play the fool. She’s giving me definite vibes. I think. I don’t even know anymore, but if she is then I want to be sure I’m getting the right feeling from them.

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