Page 27 of Fumble

Chapter Eight

HUNTER

I spentthe entire flight cursing myself. It’s one thing to make mistakes, but knowingly paving the way to hell in a handbasket is career suicide. Is this the beginning of a midlife crisis? It makes sense. My playing career ends, and I find myself agreeing to sexually school Coach’s daughter. He’s the most influential person in my life, hands down.

When Faith handed me the phone this morning, I was overcome with guilt. Barely anything has happened between us, but the promise of what could happen is enough to condemn me to hell. What was Coach thinking sending his young, hot daughter to work with me?

I couldn’t look her in the eye after I spoke to him, and yet I still went ahead and changed her flight. I can’t explain it, I want her with me, but now, it’s clear what I need to do. If Faith wants to give me her virginity this summer, then I’m going to guard it, cherish it, and teach her not to settle for some schmuck like me. I’ve slept with more women than I care to admit. Someone like her deserves better, should expect better. This might be my hardest play yet.

* * *

The car rideto the hotel was quiet. I was waiting for Faith to start shouting at me, protesting my decision to bring her here or my behavior this afternoon, but she just stared out the window in utter, disconcerting silence.

She booked the hotel, and it doesn’t disappoint. The concierge acts with total discretion when I check in with Faith at my side—two keycards, one suite. I’ve stayed here before. It’s the best hotel in San Francisco, and the presidential suite has multiple bedrooms. We won’t be sleeping together, but she’ll be close where I can watch over her. Did that come off as creepy as it sounded? It was supposed to be sweet, but at this point, I’m not sure what the hell I’m doing.

She hasn’t said a single word, and I can’t stand it any longer. When the elevator doors ping closed, I turn to face her, pinning her against the back wall.

“Say something.” I search her face, desperate for some response—anger, lust, content.

“Something.”

“If you’re going to act like a petulant child…” She runs her palm over the bulge in my pants, her eyes never leaving mine.

“I don’t need to be scolded. You brought me here.” My breath is labored as I struggle for control.

“I did.” I lean in, ghosting my lips over hers.

“You got what you wanted. Now, I want what I want.” Her fingers caress, teasing me, making me swell beneath her touch. It takes everything I have to hold back.

“You have to earn that, Miss Fairchild.” Her lips crash down on me, her hands roaming my body with wild abandon. I fist my hands in her hair, trying not to explore every last inch of her. She tastes so sweet like forbidden fruit.

Ping! Presidential suite.

The doors open, giving me just long enough to muster the strength to pull back. I can see the want in her eyes—it cries to me—but I take her hand in mine and lead her out into the hallway.

“I didn’t bring you here to steal your virginity like a thief in the night or to fuck you in an elevator… no matter how much I want to.” A playfulness dances in her eyes—a mystical nymph sent to torment me.

“I know you’ll play the game. You can’t give in that easily.”

“It’s not about our wager. We need to talk about that. I just don’t think it’s wise to…” Grabbing the keycard from my hand, she swipes it through the lock.

“I’m going to take a shower. You want to join me?”

“No. You go ahead. I have a few calls to make. Why don’t you run a bath? It’s been a long day.” Without another word, she goes in search of the bathroom, stripping off items of clothing, discarding them on the floor—a trail of breadcrumbs. She is spectacular.

I grab my phone from my back pocket and head for one of the bedrooms as far away as possible from a naked and wet Faith.

“Coop, I fucked up.”

“Do I even need to ask what or who you’re referring to?”

“I haven’t slept with her… yet.”

“Yet? Are you out of your freaking mind, Vaughn? You know this can only end in disaster. What happened to keeping your distance?” I stare out into the city trying to make sense of it all.

“I don’t know.” I lower my voice as if Faith could hear me across the suite. “I brought her to San Francisco. She’s in my suite right now, naked and wet, and mouthwateringly hot.”

“For fuck’s sake. Why did you have to tell me that? Now, I’m complicit.”

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