Page 5 of Fumble

Chapter Two

HUNTER

“I’ll call her room again,”Malcolm says, pacing the lobby. He knows how disgruntled I get when staff is late.

“What room is she in?”

“716.”

“I’ll be back in five.” He attempts to stop me, but I’m in the elevator before he can protest. I’m so pissed off right now, my fists curl at my side. I can’t believe she has the audacity to be late after I specifically told her it bothers me. Is she testing me? Or is she just that unprofessional?

As I step out onto her floor, I don’t know what angers me more—the fact that she’s late, or that I couldn’t stop thinking about her last night. When I injured my knee and retired, I realized I’m not as young as I’d like to believe, but fuck, this girl made me feel old. I used to be the oldest guy in the locker room, but it didn’t affect me. I could out-run and out-play any one of them. Last night was the first time I felt my age, and that wasn’t even the worst part.

I’ve known Faith Fairchild since she was born. It’s not like I held her as a baby or anything creepy like that, but she was right when she said her dad treats me like a son. I’ve looked up to him since the day I met him. He took me under his wing and coached me tougher than anyone else. He pushed me to excel, and I doubt I would’ve had the career I did if he hadn’t drilled the arrogance right out of me.

I arrive at her room, rapping my knuckles on the door, ready to chew her out, but I’m not ready for what greets me.

“I didn’t order room service.” Her voice is raspy in the morning, and my cock twitches at the sound. Her hair looks sex-mussed, and I just want to grab it and pull. She’s wearing baggy old shorts and an oversized tank, which is enough to send me over the edge. I turn my frustration into anger.

“Why aren’t you dressed? You should have been downstairs twenty minutes ago.”

“My alarm just went off. I set it for seven o’clock.” I can’t believe she’s questioning this. It’s evident by the fact I’m standing in her doorway in a fucking suit.

“You’re right. The whole team must be wrong. You realize your phone automatically updates the time zone? It’s a poor excuse.”

“Oh my God!” She disappears into the room, cursing under her breath. I step inside—the drapes are still closed. She’s fumbling in the dark before tripping over the comforter. An old travel alarm clock goes flying into the air. Her hands reach out to break her fall, but she doesn’t see me right in front of her. Her face lands right in my crotch, dropping me to the floor. At least when I got hit in football, I was wearing a jockstrap.

“Fucking hell!” I’d be concerned about looking like a baby if it didn’t hurt so bad. White spots flash in front of my eyes as the searing pain in my groin intensifies.

“I’m so sorry, Hunter. It was an accident. Please don’t sue me for sexual harassment.” She scrambles over me, seemly unaware of just how inappropriate it is. As she straddles my waist while I writhe in agony, I try to think of anything else. The last thing I need right now is a hard-on. It might break my cock.

“I know. It’s fine. Just give me a minute.” As the pain subsides, and I can finally breathe, that’s when I catch sight of her. She really is stunning in the morning, but I inadvertently let out a chuckle. She jumps off me, busying herself with opening the drapes and pulling back the blinds. She stands for a moment, clearly trying to compose herself.

“I can’t believe I’m making such a bad impression on my first day.” She turns to face me, completely unaware the morning light streaming in is only compounding the situation. I slap my hand over my mouth to stop from either laughing or groaning, I’m not sure which.

“Miss Fairchild…” She throws her hands up in the air.

“You don’t have to say it. I’m fired.”

“Umm, that’s not what I was going to say.” I know it’s wrong, but I can’t take my eyes off her. “Your breast is showing.” I stop myself from adding, and it’s fucking perfect. I readjust my cock, the pulsing onset of arousal still mildly painful. She grabs her chest, reaching for a pillow to hide her wardrobe malfunction.

“Fuck. I’m so mortified.” Her bumbling is unusually endearing.

“Don’t be. It could happen to anyone. I don’t know who, but I’m sure it could. Why don’t you get dressed and meet us downstairs in fifteen minutes?” I pull myself up, careful not to meet her gaze.

“Yes, I’ll be there. Thank you.”

“I feel like I should be the one thanking you. Wow, that was inappropriate.” I couldn’t help myself. “I’ll see you when you’re ready.” I exit the room in disbelief. When did I contract verbal diarrhea? As the elevator doors close behind me, I can’t help but think this was a mistake. What the hell was Coach thinking asking me to hire Faith? He knows my reputation with women, and still, he sent his smoking-hot daughter to be by my side twenty-four seven for three months. Is he insane? This is going to be the longest summer of my life.

* * *

“Where is everyone?”

“I sent them ahead to get organized. You’re riding with me.” How has she gone from shabby chic to sexy secretary in fifteen minutes?

“My apologies for this. It won’t happen again.” Striding outside to my waiting town car, the sound of her five-inch heels click behind me. I hold the door open for her, but she looks surprised. “Isn’t it my job to do this for you?” She slides into the back seat, her dress riding up to show a little more thigh than it should.

“What kind of impression did your father give you? I’m not a complete asshole. Us old guys still believe in chivalry now and again.”

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