Page 16 of Drawn to You

“You need to be more subtle next time,” Dane says in a low tone, sounding irritated. “And don’t tell anyone you’re getting paid to make sure I stay out of trouble.”

That was a misstep on my part. But him telling me to be more subtle? That’s laughable.

“You want me to be subtle when you’re lying your ass off to unsuspecting women in hopes of spending a few hours in bed with them and never calling again?”

He presses his lips into a thin line, the muscle in his jaw flexing.

“We’re taking off,” he announces to the table. “Anyone want to ride with us?”

Banks and another player ride in our Uber, which ends up being a minivan. When we get into our hotel room, Dane turns on the lights and immediately pulls his shirt off over his head. I can’t help letting my gaze linger on him for a few seconds. His torso is so cut with defined muscles that he looks Photoshopped. His chest hair is dark. I force myself to look away.

Dane is sifting through an overnight bag when I steal another glance, this time taking in his broad shoulders. I can see how seducing women is so easy for him--he has the looks to back up his game.

“You want me to autograph a poster for you or something?” he asks.

“What?” I look away, embarrassed he caught me staring.

“So you’ve got something to admire when I’m sleeping or whatever.” He grins, clearly enjoying this. “I’ve got an online fan club; I could send you the link to join.”

“Go fuck yourself. I was looking out of curiosity, not admiration.”

He laughs. “Well, I sleep in the buff and once you get a full look”

I cut him off midsmarm. “You arenotsleeping naked when we’re in the same room.”

He shrugs. “That’s how I sleep.”

“Not when we’re in the same room. I have no desire to meet Dane Junior. That crosses a professional line and you know it.”

“Fine, I’ll keep my boxers on. Or do you want me to wear long-sleeve button-down jammies like a grandpa?”

I sort through my bag, looking for my toiletries and pajamas, which do happen to include pants and a long-sleeved shirt.

“No, I don’t expect you to suddenly understand modesty,” I answer lightly. “But make sure the boxers stay on at all times.”

“Fine. While we’re discussing ground rules, don’t eat while I’m trying to sleep; it drives me nuts. And on game days, I take a nap in the afternoon, so don’t wake me up or come in and out of the room then.”

I toss my toiletry bag onto the bed and look over at him. He’s flossing his teeth, looking at his reflection in the mirrored closet doors.

“I’m a quiet roommate,” I say. “I’ll be asleep within ten minutes, and you should know that if I wake up at any point tonight and you aren’t here, I’ll call Tim. I’m not chasing you down in the middle of the night.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He glares at me, aggravated. “Now, can I go take a shower, or do you want to follow me in there and tell me how to wash my balls?”

I’m so done with his quips. It’s been a long day and I need some sleep.

“I need to get in the bathroom first; it’ll take less than five minutes.” I grab my toiletry bag and walk past him. “Then you can wash your balls however you want.”

“Alone,” he snaps. “I guess showering and sitting on the can are the only times I get to be alone anymore.”

“You made your bed,” I call out from the bathroom. “And now you want to bitch about having to lie in it.”

He’s silent, which is unlike him.

“You’re flipping me off, aren’t you?” I ask, the bathroom door still open.

“With both hands.”

I close the bathroom door, quickly washing up and brushing my teeth. Then I crawl into bed without saying another word to Dane. Tomorrow is my first full day on the road with him, and something tells me I need to rest up for it.

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