Page 53 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

I lift my head and meet his gaze. He must have passed Maggie on his way in. “Maggie put you up to it.”

“Not at all. She mentioned you have an event and that she’d love to have a girl's night out with you. It’s no big deal.”

I chew on my lip. “Jake?—”

“Ellie loves me,” he says, grinning. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

17

SAMANTHA

I narrowmy eyes at him. “Don’t even go there,” I say, but my tone is too sharp. However, he’s right. I rarely take time for myself and I’m long overdue for a night out. I also know that getting a break invigorates me. A night off gives me time to decompress, it’s like a total body reset and I notice my mind is clearer the next day. And the most important part is my patience is restored. The fact is, a break from my life makes me a better human.

Jake is a smooth talker, but he has a valid point. He also has an uncanny ability to reframe situations, and I’ve learned that often, it’s how he keeps me from flying off the rails. I hate how smooth he is–especially in a crisis.

His presence calms me, even now, when I’d be paralyzed with apprehension at the thought of leaving Ellie.

He’s great with her. He listens to her and validates her feelings. I hate to admit it but he has more patience in his pinky than I have in my entire arm!

Ellie can be a handful. She talks non-stop, and it makes me dizzy trying to keep up. But Jake takes it all in stride, evenwhen Ellie can’t sit still. She has him tirelessly throwing the football at her for hours. I’m impressed with his parenting skills, and I wonder why he doesn’t have kids of his own. He’s a sure bet as a life partner and as a father.

The bottom line is—if I can’t trust Jake, then who can I trust?

Why in the hell am I dragging my feet?

I’m scared to ruin our track record. Everything is great—so great, that I worry I’ll find something I won’t like about this charming man with a penchant for making me scream with nightly orgasms. Can I risk our perfect blitz?

I know that if I refuse his request, it’s a silent vote of no confidence. He’ll see it as such, and it would be justified. I would feel slighted if our roles were reversed.

“Fine,” I huff. “But if she demands chocolate chip pancakes for dinner, that’s on you.”

Jake smirks. “Fine.”

“You’re sure you want to do this? I won’t hold it against you if you want out.”

“Never, she’s a sweetheart. Besides, we’ll have fun.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, then,” he reiterates like he just won a Supreme Court case.

My stomach rumbles. “You want some lunch?” I ask, pulling myself to my feet. I’ve been here longer than I planned and I’m starving.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he teases.

“I know you love bacon so how about some BLT sandwiches?”

“I’ll love anything you make,” he says, pulling me into his arms as I walk past him.

“Jake,” I say, as a weak protest. But I’m being ridiculousbecause no one is here. He’s breaking down my defenses. What am I doing to do?

“Has anyone ever told you that you think too much?” His chiseled chin lifts as his lips curl into a smirk. Desire flashes in his eyes as his hands slide, gripping my shapely butt.

“Guilty as charged,” I reply, then I roll my eyes in silent protest, but instead of a reply, he’s off his chair and warm lips cover mine. I moan under his tender kiss and he hugs me tighter. His arms become bands of steel and I know there’s no escaping. I snake my hands up his thick biceps and wrap them around his neck, pulling him into me and that’s when I hear the office door slam shut.

“Jake,” I murmur my protest.

“You’re mine and we’re christening that desk of yours. I want you to remember me when you’re working.”

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