Page 48 of Fated Shot

“Okay, okay, umm… Max Dunn is a massive player. John Daley is definitely getting traded, so that won’t last. Blake Strauss has the personality of a rock—OUUUU, I’ve got it!”

I look at her, amused, waiting for her top pick.

“Penn Brooks,” she says, with a satisfied smile. Yikes, no chance I’m going for his best friend slash brother. “Rookie. I think he’s like twenty-three, maybe a little immature, but he’s a total sweetie.”

“Mmm, I don’t know, I usually like a bit older.” I’m baiting her at this point. Digging for any inside scoop on the one I actually want. Or don’t want—Crap.

“Hm, okay. Older… older…” She continues racking her brain as I take another sip. “I mean, there’s Brody, but...”

Bingo. Without seeming too eager, I dig further. “Brody?”

“Yeah, Jack Brody. You can’t miss him; he’s massive.”Oh, that I already know.“Such a great guy. He’s got that dark and mysterious thing going for him. He’s a bit more reserved than the other guys and keeps to himself a lot. I bet he’d fall hard for the right girl, though. Too bad he doesn’t date; never has.”

My stomach lurches as soon as the words leave her mouth, and “Hmm” is all I manage. He doesn’t date?He doesn’t date, but he asked me on a date.He’s either incredibly good at hiding his private life from his friends or I’m in way too deep. Somehow, it feels like a bit of both.

“I’ll keep thinking, though and come back with a list of bachelors from the roster for next time!” she adds happily.

I laugh, trying to move past her last comment.

“I can’t date someone who plays on the team. My dad would kill meandthem probably.”

“That only adds to the excitement.”

I’m starting to think she may be right.

***

Jack Brody:Can I see you on Thursday?

It comes in out of the blue, catching me off guard. I guess I really need to learn to expect the unexpected from him.

Me:Sorry, I have dinner plans with my parents.

The moment I hit send, I reread how lame that sounds. Not to mention how it looks like I’m fully shutting him down. I’m relieved, though, when I see the three dots appear almost immediately.

Jack Brody:Friday morning? We still need to watch the season finale.

Me:Oh shoot, did you want me to wait for you? I watched it last night!

I can see him typing, then stop. He starts typing again, but the bubble disappears once more. I let him sit in this for another moment, but as I begin to reply, a call appears on my screen. Laughing, I press accept, holding the phone up to my ear.

“Hello?” I say as innocently as possible.

“Tell me you didn’t watch without me, Mia.” His stern voice hits me, washing adrenaline over every inch of my body. In an instant, I’m needy, awakening something hungry in me.

“Sooo gullible…” I add, as he laughs into the phone. “I’ll wait to watch with you if you want.”

“You better,” his playful warning puts a smile on my face.

I don’t know whether it’s the security of being behind the phone or the lust cloud that seems to surround me anytime I'm talking to this man, but I decide to push my luck.

“Or what?” The second it leaves my mouth, I’m rendered speechless. I don’t know why I said it all flirty like that, but it’s too late now.

There’s silence for a beat. “Or I’ll have to punish you,” comes out as serious as a heart attack.

My stomach flips as my body immediately reacts. My nipples are already hardening, and a throbbing is starting between my legs. The image of being totally under Jack’s control has me dripping already. I wet my lips, taking a steadying breath.

“On second thoughts, I may just have to put it on right now…” I’m goating him, but I can’t help it, just the sound of his voice is already sending me.

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