Page 91 of End Game

“Well, you are quite ... talented.” I’m blushing. I can feel the heat fill my cheeks.

His smile grows. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“I gave you a quickie hand job. That’s it.” I’m shaking my head, about to slide right off him, but he tightens his hold on me, keeping me in place.

“Why are you always downplaying what you do?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“I’m trying to give you a compliment and remind you how hot you were last night.” He drags his index finger across my knee. I feel that touch to the very depths of my soul. I’m literally shaking. “And you act like what you did was nothing.”

“It was noth—”

“It was something. You’re something.” His gaze lifts to mine, his eyes full of sincerity. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart. You have this ... way about you that everyone likes. Coop called it a vibe.”

Pleasure blooms in my chest. “A vibe?”

“He said he likes the vibe you’ve brought to the house since you moved in. I do too.” His hand is on my thigh again, his fingers playing with the hem of my denim shorts. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.”

“Yeah?” I croak, swallowing hard. I forget all about what I said. How we should just be friends. That pursuing this further will only end up in disaster. I’m mesmerized by the words he’s saying. The look on his face. The way he’s touching me.

“I know what you said, and I want to respect your wishes, but my thoughts about you, Everleigh? They’re way too friendly.” His gaze locks with mine, and I can’t look away. I’m finding it difficult to breathe. “I keep thinking about what it’ll feel like, being inside you.”

I don’t know how to respond to him. I’m in a haze, one easily constructed by this man’s way with words and how he’s touching me ...

Realization strikes and my heart drops. Is this a line? Is this what he tells all the women he’s been with?

Is this what he said to Portia?

Without warning I’m climbing off him, nearly tripping over my own feet when I make it off the bed. I’m practically to the door before he actually has a chance to say anything.

“Where are you going?” He sounds confused. Vaguely irritated. I’m always running from him, secretly hoping he’ll chase after me.

Except in this moment.

“I—like I said, Nico. I don’t think this is going to work.” I say the words to the door, unable to face him.

I exit his bedroom before he can say anything else, desperate to escape his convincing ways. He’s good at this.

Too good.

Chapter Thirty

NICO

I arrive at practice Monday afternoon ready to get out some aggression on the field, wishing I was a lineman so I could smash into someone extra hard. It would feel pretty fucking great to punch something right about now.

Anyone.

I’m not one who uses violence to get out my anger, but damn.

Rejection sucks. Especially from a gorgeous woman who tastes delicious yet panics every time I try to tell her how I feel about her. I’m starting to wonder if I’m complete shit at this, because anytime I start talking, she starts walking.

I suppose I can’t blame her for running away from me. I do have a reputation, and she’s heard all about it. I’m positive Sienna filled her head with all sorts of stories about me and my shitty behavior with women.

And here I thought Sienna was a friend.

Unfortunately, my reputation and behavior, all of it is true. Sienna is also Everleigh’s friend, and I’m sure she told her the truth:Nico Valente is a risk. Look at his situation with Portia.

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