Page 328 of Well Played

“Fine, then give me another room. I’ll take whatever you have on that floor.”

“I’m sorry, the gentleman got the last room on that floor.”

“This is not happening,” she growled, feeling the burn of frustrated tears threatening to fall. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t be on another floor. I need to be where I’m accessible. That’s it, my parents’ room. I can just stay with them.” She pointed to the computer. “Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I cannot allow that. Not until they check in.”

“How about if I call them?”

He shook his head.

She rolled her eyes. “What am I supposed to do?”

One of the ladies said, “You could stay with us, but it would be against Shining Star Athletic Association policy. We’ve already got the maximum allowed in a room.”

Grace elbowed Walker. “Why don’t you let Kay stay in your room?”

Walker looked down at Grace and smiled wearily. “Sure, I can stay with the guys.”

Jimmy shook his head. “Sorry man, we’re packed to capacity, too. Statically, there should be a room available in a facility this size…”

Ignoring Jimmy’s list of facts and statics, he looked at Kay and shrugged. “I don’t mind sharing a room if you don’t. We’re both adults and most hotel rooms have two beds…”

She blushed and nodded. While she might want to spend the night with Walker, she didn’t want everyone to know. “Thanks,” she replied. “I think I can show restraint and resist your charms. Don’t worry, it’s only for a few hours. When my parents get here, I’ll just move in with them.”

He shrugged. “That’s fine.”

The dark circles under Walker’s eyes and the slope of his shoulders were all the evidence she needed to know this trip had been too much. He needed his rest. “Why don’t you go on to the room and rest? I have the extra key I can let myself in.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m just going to make sure everyone gets settled in their rooms. Let everyone freshen up and rest, then we’ll meet up and go down together to the Smorgasbord next door.” Some of the team members, like Grace and sometimes Jimmy, could do things on their own, but others needed more assistance. The room assignments were set up so that those who needed the most help were with caregivers or assistant coaches. Those who needed less help were the ones Kay and Walker were in charge of.

“I’ll help. We’ll get done faster and then both of us can rest and freshen up.”

Her heart twisted. He really was a kind man. She’d been wrong about him. He’d given up his own time to travel to Grace’s tournament. He’d practically gotten off one bus and onto another. If she wasn’t careful, she’d find herself falling in love with him.

Kay wasn’t sure if she was anxious or excited about sharing a room with Walker, even for a few hours. It wasn’t as if she were a teenager sneaking off with some boy she just met. She was 27 years old. If she wanted to share a room with a guy, her parents wouldn’t say anything. But this was Walker, and she’d had a crush on him since she was a tween, and he was still playing college ball. She was going to do something stupid. She just knew it. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had boyfriends. She was a long way from innocent, but she’d never had a relationship where they stayed more than a couple of nights together, and her parents knew about it. Oh, what was she worrying about? She was just going to get a shower and change clothes. It was like being in the locker room. She wasn’t staying the night with Walker. They were just…

Walker opened the door, and they both stared at the one bed in the center of the room. “Well, that could be a problem,” he said, as he pocketed the key.

“I’ll just go down and stay on the bus.” She turned to go, feeling like she was going to cry.

“You’ll do no such thing. We’re adults. We can share a bed. Hell, I’m tired enough right now. You could walk around naked and I’d probably be too tired to do anything about it. Don’t try it though, I’d hate to be proved a liar just as you’re starting to tolerate me.” He grinned. “Come on. I promise to behave, if you want me to.” He lifted his brows teasingly.

She laughed. “I know you’re exhausted. Go take your shower. It’ll make you feel better. Then you can rest while I get mine.”

He stifled a yawn. “Sounds like a plan.” He gathered up his things and headed to the bathroom. “Make yourself at home. And Kay, don’t worry about things, it’ll be alright.”

She laughed and shook her head. She sent a text to her parents, letting them know they’d arrived.

“Finished with the doctor, all is well. We will see you tonight, hopefully in time for dinner.”

Kay hung up her dress for the banquet and took out her clothes for the night. She would hang them on the back of the door in the bathroom while she showered. It would help with the wrinkles. She left the rest of her things packed. There was no need to unpack if she was just going to be moving. She sighed, wondering what it would be like to really share a room with Walker.

Walker came out with a towel around his waist, his hair wet from his shower and his face newly shaved. “It’s all yours.” Kay watched the ripple of his muscles as he toweled the wetness from his curls. A slow smile curled his lips as he caught her watching him. “See something you like?”

Oh yeah, she liked, she liked it a lot. Blushing, she said, “Nope,” and ducked into the bathroom. She closed the door and slumped against it, heat pooling in her panties.

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