Page 47 of Caught Stealing

“I don’t want to get you into trouble with your coach, Andrew.” She steps closer to me, forcing her to tilt her head back to look into my eyes. She licks her lips and I can’t help wondering if this is one of those moments the guys were asking about. If I leaned down a fraction and she met me halfway…

No. I can’t put her in a position like that when she’s feeling guilty. Instead, I brush my thumb over her jaw. “Coach is easygoing. Missing a practice I can’t participate in won’t make him too mad. I just can’t miss the next one. Now, shall we head back?”

Her eyes roam my face before inching down to my practice uniform. It’s not quite as fitted as my official uniform, but it’s more fitted than anything she’s seen me wear thus far...except maybe wet clothing in the dark. Her cheeks pink and she bites her lip before dragging her gaze back up to my eyes. I can’t help that one side of my lips quirks up into a full-of-myself smirk. Lottie grins and something unspoken passes between us.

I have to think of something to distract me from my sudden desire to kiss her right here. “Would you like…” Words fail me when she presses her palm to my chest and steps closer until the only thing between us is her hand. A lump aches in my throat as anxious anticipation sends a shot of adrenaline through my body.

Lottie runs her hand up my chest and behind my neck where she toys with my hair. Her breath warms my face even as her eyes question me. She’s tentative, soft, and unsure of herself, waiting for me to make the next move but I’m paralyzed. I don’t know what the next move is. She made it pretty clear she wasn’t interested in dating another athlete, at least, not any time soon, but here we are pressed against one another in a secluded hallway with a breath between us.

Her eyes continue to search mine, waiting. I grip her waist and squeeze, hoping this either brings her to her senses or encourages her to go all in with this incoming kiss. Her breath hitches and she licks her lips, a sign this thing is moving forward if I’m reading her correctly. I splay one hand over her lower back and lift her slightly. She gasps and drags her other hand up my arm until they’re both in my hair, pulling me down to meet her.

Yeah, this is happening. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but it’s definitely happening.

I step back and turn with her in my arms so her back is pressed against the wall. She pulls me down to her lips and giggles, which is just about the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. Her rose scent envelops me and her lips are right there when the hall door slams open. I jolt away and she strangles a squeal with one hand.

Martinez throws his glove to the floor and slams the door shut before heading down to medical with a limp that says Koa kept his promise. No doubt, it’s gonna leave a mark. I chuckle and turn back to Lottie, but the moment has passed. She’s crossed her arms and stares after Martinez with daggers in her eyes.

I can’t stand the tension between us now, so I step back and clear my throat. “Want to grab some lunch on the way back?”

Her expression instantly softens. “You promised to teach me how to make pasta, remember?”

“I did, didn’t I? Let’s hurry back then so we can eat and you can tell me all about the school carnival.”

“And we can brainstorm.” She wiggles her eyebrows and pushes off the wall.

She makes it sound like planning a carnival is a conspiratorial affair, but I’ll take it. Working out the details with Lottie beats sitting on the bench watching Martinez take shots at my friends and me any day. Besides, I have some ideas that might help her raise more money.

Once we swing by and pick up Ginger and get the dogs settled outside, Lottie is fully relaxed. I want to recreate that moment at the ballpark, but she ensures we are not close enough for that to happen. In the kitchen, she stands no less than four feet away from me at all times.

It’s okay. I respect that. I don’t understand it, but I’ll respect it.

“So, people think it’s harder than it really is, but you just have to make a giant pile of flour and add the egg like this,” I say and begin mixing the egg into the flour with a fork. Once it’s mostly incorporated, I ditch the fork and start kneading. “Then you knead it for a while.”

“What’s a while?” Lottie looks up at me again but it’s not the same as before. Something has changed. It’s more than regret or embarrassment, but I can’t pinpoint it. It’s probably something we should talk about, but bringing it up seems like a poor decision. One that might push her away again rather than draw her close.

“Uh, just until it feels like this,” I say and hand her the clump of dough. She reaches for it and our fingers brush. She jerks back and smiles.

“Got it. Soft but not gooey.”

Am I making her uncomfortable? Would she rather be home? She didn’t seem like it when we picked up her dog, but then again, she might not tell me for fear of hurting my feelings. Lottie seems like the sort of person who would rather be uncomfortable than say or do something that might offend or hurt someone she cares about. And I’m pretty sure she cares about me on some level at this point.

“Lottie,” I say, but it’s croaky and full of hesitation.

Lottie sighs. “I’m sorry.” She closes her eyes and swallows.

“You don’t have to be sorry, but I am confused. Maybe just explain to me what happened today?” I brace for incoming disaster but pray for the best.

Her cheeks pink a little and she tenses. “You looked so handsome today, and the fact that you got out of practice to be with me hit me really hard. You were concerned about my well-being and how I felt at that moment. And it’s no secret that I’m attracted to you. If I’m honest…I’m…I’m sorry.”

I’m standing in the middle of my kitchen with a ball of dough in one hand and the other is covered with flour. She’s got tears in her eyes and her voice wavers. All I want to do is ditch the food, wrap her in my arms, and tell her that it’s okay. I don’t expect her to suddenly change her mind and dive into a committed relationship with me. Shoot, I’m not even sure I’m fully ready for moving that fast, but I need some clarification of where we stand.

“Lottie, it’s okay. I already said you don’t have to be sorry. We got a little carried away today.”

Her eyes pop open. “That’s the thing, though. I let my mind get away from me and I did something crazy. I don’t want to lead you on in any way. I don’t want to be so hesitant one minute, then impulsive the next.”

“Are you? Leading me on, I mean.” Accusatory as it sounds, I do need to know.

“I don’t think so?” She groans and leans against my counter. “I like spending time with you. I wanted to kiss you today, but it would be dumb to succumb to those desires right now. I’m in a weird place emotionally. I guess I really need to make sure I'm really ready to move on and take a chance again. After that…”

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