Page 272 of Well Played

That shocked him like nothing else could. He didn’t know all that. When he heard her voice last night, it was soothing, comforting, reassuring.

“I didn’t know,” Grant admitted.

“I figured. She was really worried about you and I’m glad you let her come with you. Whatever is going on between you two isn’t my business, but you won’t hear that from the rest of my family. I’ll say this though, sort it out before it goes too far because you’re temporary here and she’s not.”

8

Cassie was makingdinner for her and Grant tonight after his return to practice this week. He’d been cleared by the doctor yesterday for it after he’d gotten his cast.

As she stood in the kitchen anticipating his arrival, she let her mind wander to things she shouldn’t be thinking of. She wanted him more than she’d wanted any other man she could remember.

It wasn’t smart, and she prided herself on making smart decisions. She wasn’t reckless in her decisions, like most of her brothers were. Sure, they were smart at work, but in their personal lives, they were anything but.

“Don’t be stupid,” she reprimanded herself, putting off the thoughts.

Grant didn’t knock as he let himself in shortly after dinner was done. “That was exhausting.” He walked to her and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

That was new, and she tried so hard not to read anything into it. “Dinner’s done.”

“Thanks for having me over.” He took the plate she offered him to the table.

“How did it go?” She joined him.

“It was good. My entire hand is throbbing and I’m not playing this week, but I will be back next week. I thought maybe I could sit with you in the stands?”

Something had changed in him since he’d woken up after his injury. He was more casual, but it was more intense. Like they were more of a couple than two friends. She was overthinking it, reading into it too much, but it was nice to dream.

They made small talk over dinner and she cleaned up after. Grant stayed near her and didn’t seem ready to go home.

“Want to watch a movie or something? You seem wired.” She asked when she was done cleaning up.

“I owe you so many dinners when my cast comes off,” he lamented. “Thank you for doing all this for me.” Grant was right in front of her.

She blushed. “I don’t mind.”

“I know, but thank you.” He cupped her cheek with one hand. “At the risk of screwing this easiness up between us, I need to tell you something.”

A pit formed in her stomach. Did he have a girlfriend back in DC?

“You look so terrified. It’s not that bad, I don’t think. Well, it isn’t to me, anyway.”

She studied his face and waited for him to continue.

“I don’t know how long I will be here after the season is over, but I want more. I want to kiss you and wake up with you in the morning. I can’t promise you anything, but I’m hoping that maybe you’ll want to explore whatever it is between us while I’m here.”

Her breath caught in her throat as her heart raced. He felt this too, whatever it was between them, and that set her on fire. Rather than answering, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Grant answered with a moan, and his hand slid from her cheek to the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. When they pulled apart, both were panting.

“I can’t promise anything and I hate that so much for us.” Grant’s eyes pleaded with her to understand.

Cassie nodded. “For now, it’s just us. No one else. When you leave, we can go our separate ways.” It broke her heart to say it, to admit this had a time limit. She was determined not to waste what little time they had and to live in the moment instead.

Grant closed his eyes before replying. When he opened them again, the desire she saw there nearly melted her legs on the spot. “Let’s not put an end on it yet. Let’s just explore this and see what happens.”

If he kept looking at her like that, she’d agree to anything.

He kissed her again, backing her against the wall. He pressed against her and she felt his desire strong and clear.

---