Page 53 of Love Game

He fought for control, struggling to keep his game face in place. She had to know how hard this was, but if this relationship was going to work, he had to trust her to handle herself. As much as he wanted to launch into the white-knight routine, she wouldn’t take it well. She wouldn’t be bullied. By either of them.

Her smirk melted into a come-and-get-me grin. “Don’t you worry about Jim. I can handle him. I think you need to spin our good friend the athletic director.”

Shoulders drawn up tight, he stalked toward the door. “I can guaran-damn-tee you that you won’t have to wonder if I’m kissing Mike or not.”

“Danny?”

He froze, his hand on the door handle and his back to her. “Yeah?”

“Will you be wondering about me kissing Jim?”

Turning to look over his shoulder, he scowled when he spotted the pleased smirk she failed to hide. “Damn straight I will.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about.”

He turned the handle but held the door firmly shut, keeping the world outside at bay for a few seconds more as he faced her. “Regardless, you’re going to pay the price, Coach. When I’m done with you, you’re gonna wish you were running bleachers.”

He opened the door and made it over the threshold, but her laughter-laced retort echoed down the cinder-block hallway.

“Promises, promises.”

Chapter 13

“Thanks again for dinner, Jim.” Kate unlocked her front door and turned back to face him, her feet planted, ready to block his charge. Her cheekbones ached from smiling. Not because she’d actually had a good time, but because she was afraid she’d grit her teeth through the whole interminable evening if she didn’t. “I was in the mood for a nice, juicy steak.”

She still was. The rib eye they’d served her at Jim’s favorite restaurant had been as dry and flavorless as her companion. It was no wonder he liked the place so much.

“So, I suppose I should…” She gestured to the door. “Nothing like running with a pack of twelve-to-fourteens to wear a girl out.”

But Jim wasn’t about to let a bunch of middle school girls run him off. “I was hoping you’d invite me in for a cup of coffee.”

“Oh, no. I can’t drink coffee after five.” She curled her hand, clutching her keys to her chest, and wrinkled her nose. “Keeps me up all night.”

“Sounds like the perfect game plan.”

He settled a hand on her hip, and she fought the urge to stiffen. She had to keep it cool and casual. Move him along. Nothing to see here. Unable to force another face-cracking smile, she opted for a fake pout and jammed her key into the dead bolt.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Her sigh should have measured on the Richter scale. If there was any justice in the world, she’d have an Oscar sitting on her mantel this time next year. “I can’t. I told you my niece was in my camp this session, remember? She’s staying with me.” A lie. A big, fat lie. Kylie was safely ensconced in the women’s dormitory with the rest of the giggling campers.

“She’s here now?”

“I have to go pick her up.”

“So we have a little time.” Jim nodded, then stooped to brush a dry kiss over her lips. “The next generation, huh? I might have to stop by and see if that wicked jump shot runs in the family.”

The tumblers in the locks fell, but she was too tired to fall for his lame flattery. “Camp is closed to the press. These kids are minors. You can’t get anywhere near them.”

He smiled, but it did little to soften the steel in her spine. “Darn. I guess I’ll just have to be happy with getting close to you.” He pressed a damp kiss to the side of her neck. “Rumor has it your agent is going for the jugular.” His teeth scraped her skin, and a shiver of revulsion ran down her spine. Unfortunately, Jim was never very good at reading signals. He latched on to that instinctual reaction and ran with it. “Maybe that’s what you’re looking for?” He twisted the handle, and the door swung inward, carrying them both into her house.

Kate gasped, grasping his arms as they stumbled into the foyer. “Jim!”

Caging her against the wall, he fastened his mouth to her neck. Normally, she loved having her throat kissed. When Danny did it, she melted into a puddle of desire. But Jim’s slobbery kisses called to mind the old Hoover canister vacuum her mother used to sweep the stairs. His hands slid to her ass, and the artless grope was all she needed to spur her into action.

“Jim, no.” She planted her hands on his chest and shoved him away.

Her sessions in the weight room paid off. He tripped over his own feet as he tried to catch his balance. Chagrin contorted his blandly handsome face, and the flash of malevolence she saw in his eyes made her take an involuntary step back. A muscle ticked in his jaw. She forced herself to stand her ground.

“I’m sorry.” The words sprang from her lips, and she hated herself for them. She tugged at her slacks and straightened her top, needing to keep her hands busy as she mentally cussed herself up and down for spewing an apology he didn’t deserve. “I think we should call it a night.”

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