Page 52 of Love Game

“You’ve been a good boy for a few years, racked up a little good press for a change. But hey, think about it: you can get out of a contract and a relationship in one play.”

The accusation landed like a punch in the gut. He released her arms and stepped back. “That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s plausible.”

“It’s complete crap, and you know it.”

“Maybe it is, but your pal Mike made sure I knew your contract comes with an ejector seat.”

“You let me handle Mike. Tell me what’s going on with Davenport.”

She shrugged. “Nothing. He wants to take me out to dinner.”

“That’s the guy you were dating,” Danny concluded.

“It wasn’t serious.”

“But we are,” he asserted.

“It doesn’t get much more serious than this, Danny. You can get fired!”

“I get that.” Heaving a sigh, he ran his hand through his hair and gave his head a helpless shake. “I just don’t know when this became some crazy-assed plot to get myself fired so I could get out of a relationship with you.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and tried not to grind his molars as he walked to the window and stared out at the red brick paths that crisscrossed the quad. “Christ. This is what I get for thinking everything was going so well.”

Kate touched his arm, and he turned. “You think things are going well?”

Her voice was soft and tremulous, like she was scared to ask the question. But when he looked into her eyes, he had a hard time imagining this woman being scared of anything. Her ramrod-straight posture and tight-lipped scrutiny should have made her look like a ballbuster. But she wasn’t. He knew she wasn’t. He’d spent hours learning every one of her soft, secret places. His throat tightened, and his arm tingled where her hand rested. Biting the inside of his cheek, he shot her a sidelong glare.

“I thought they were until I came around the corner and heard you making a date with that douchebag.”

“He cornered me. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“That guy couldn’t corner on training wheels.” He grumbled the insult, but she smiled so wide that time stopped. Unable to see anything but the earnest entreaty in her eyes, he brushed her hair back from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “I know you have a bad knee, but the next time some guy backs you into a corner, use it. You’re aiming for soft parts anyway.”

Dark brows shot up, but her smile didn’t dim one watt. “Does that include you?”

Danny gave his head a quick shake, then ducked to steal a kiss. “No. When I corner you, I want you to show me all your soft parts.”

“We have to be careful, Danny. I’ll just have a quick dinner with him. Trust me, it’ll be either steak or Italian, and I’ll be home by nine.” When he opened his mouth to protest, she pressed a finger to his lips. “Jim’s not known for his spontaneity, but he is a reporter. We have to throw him off the scent.”

Her eyes widened, then flared to life when he drew her fingertip into his mouth and circled it with his tongue. She grabbed his elbow and pulled him to the side, away from the window. “Danny, stop.”

“Okay, I’ll stop. Right after this.” Taking her hand, he pressed a soft, wet kiss to the center of her palm, then he let her go.

“Have dinner with me instead. Steak or Italian, you choose.”

Kate laughed. “Danny—”

She spoke his name in a chastising tone, but the pink flush staining her cheeks showed her pleasure. “Katie,” he teased, toying with the hem of her shirt. “Date me. I can be a dick, but everyone knows dicks are far more fun than douchebags.”

He scored another laugh, but this time, she tossed her head to flip her hair out of her face. “Tonight, I’m defusing the douchebag. If it makes you feel better, I’ll call you when I get home.”

She touched his face. A fleeting caress, probably meant to soothe, but the tease of fingertips over his eyebrow, cheek, and jaw made him ache for more. “I don’t think anything is going to make me feel better about you being out with someone else.”

She stepped back a pace. “I think it might be healthy for you to worry a little bit.”

“It might not be healthy for Davenport. I don’t want you going out with him.”

“Tough, because I said I would, and I am.”

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