Page 17 of King of Hearts

Hmmmm, sexy and smart. Another pro for the list.

“Hi, I’m Jack,” another younger player moved through and wiped his hand on his shorts before extending it towards me. He looked up uncertainly towards Andy before facing me and I shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Arna. What’s your role in the team?”

Jay, now disinterested, moved back to the power rack leaving Jack with Andy and I.

“I’m a defender.” He puffed his chest with pride.

“Jack is one of our newer players but he works harder than some of the older ones and it shows.” A few of the men close enough to hear scoffed in mock anger and Jack’s eyes lit up at the compliment. It was clear he valued what Andy had to say and while some of the others bantered and joked with him, the respect was there. He was captain for a reason.

“Lovely to meet you, Jack,” I said, before adding, “Seems a fairly big compliment coming from you, Mr. Silent.” Andy’s resulting grin made my stomach clench and he flicked his eyes down to meet my own.

“Mr. Silent?” He questioned mockingly and I raised my brows, smiling flirtatiously. He gazed down to my lips and a shiver moved through me. This was definitely moving into dangerous territory and I was in the driver’s seat.

Desperate to cut through the tension snaking around us, I cleared my throat before asking, “Can you please take me out to see the field?”

“Sure,” he answered. “Why not.” His voice was calm but the subtle clench of his fists told me he too noticed the moment we shared and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.

The experience of stepping foot on the field was like nothing I had ever felt before. Although the stadium was empty, taking that first step onto the luscious grass was almost ethereal as the hallowed turf permeated through the empty seats, the scoreboards and every inch of the ground. Pausing, I took a deep breath and appreciated what it must be like for Andy and the team who took the field in front of thousands of spectators each week. How truly exhilarating yet daunting it must be to vie for dominance while strangers either cheered you on, or no doubt hurled abuse with the intent to put you off your game.

“Wow. This is so much more than I expected.”

“How so?” Andy found a discarded football and began kicking it to himself effortlessly.

“It feels almost sacrosanct. As though I’m trespassing and it knows.”

Andy laughed at my whispered words and I was so lost in my own thoughts and the magnitude of the arena that it caught me off guard. It was low and husky and I instantly wanted to hear it again. My chest swelled a little at how I’d unintentionally brought it forth.

“You know, woman, half the time I don’t know what you’re saying. Although, I did know you were taking the piss out of Jay back there. He had no idea.” His laugh rumbled up his chest again and I grinned.

“Sorry, that was unprofessional,” I chuckled. “This ground is unexpectedly overwhelming. From the stands I suppose it’s easy to devalue being out here. What’s it like playing in front of a full crowd?” We slowed our walk and Andy lent down, ripping some grass from the field before throwing it into the air and watching it fall. I watched puzzled and he laughed, already able to decipher my facial expressions.

“Testing the wind.” He explained, answering my curiosity before my question. “It’s like nothing you’ll ever experience. The nerves are always there. I mean some of the boys say they feel hungry for a win, for the competition and the physicality of the match. But for me it’s nerves, excitement and pride. It’s a funny thing to lead your team out to play each week. There’s a lot of pressure.” Facing the goal, he kicked the ball and we both watched as it sailed straight through the centre posts. “But that pressure is also what drives me to be the best I can be. If I’m not performing, the boys won’t be on their game either. Accountability is an important motivator.” He shrugged, as if he hadn’t just said more to me in that one answer than he had in every previous conversation combined.

“Why don’t you speak more candidly with journalists? Any articles about you provide a less than flattering portrayal, which in my opinion, is not a reflection of who you really are.”

“And who am I, Ms. Frost?”

His use of my surname startled me and when he impetuously took a step toward me, so we were less than a metre apart, I realised he was no longer hiding behind the shield. This was the vulnerable version and if I didn’t navigate this situation carefully, he would retreat.

Pushing my shoulders back I also took a step closer, raising my chin so I was looking him directly in the eye. Squashing down the butterflies which fluttered in my stomach and drawing on a bravado that my shaking hands could easily contradict, I gave him an answer which would likely play in my mind on repeat.

“My nan always says I’m a fairly good judge of character,Mr. Gloss.” His lips quirked and he bit his lower lip to suppress his smile. “I get that quality from my father. And from the limited time we have spent together, I would say you are someone who leads by example. Someone who chooses when and who gets to see the real Andrew Gloss – and dare I say you keep people at arm’s length. So, few are lucky enough to have that opportunity. Why that is, I am yet to determine. But it’s a shame that only a handful of people truly know you.

“The one smile which has reached your eyes came when you mentioned your parents, so I would say you value the sanctity of family, and along with football, not much else matters to you. You’re the best because you work your arse off, and it shows.” I said, flicking my hand toward the goals where he had just kicked the ball.

“You are the captain of this team for a reason and despite the way the media portrays you, you have the biggesthearton the team, too.

“You value your teammates, your club and your role. You live a life that is wholly centred around the Hearts and you don’t apologise for doing so. If I’m right, you are a decent man, and if that’s the case, it’s a shame more people don’t see that.”

When I finished, it was clear that one of us had taken another step as there was now minimal space between our chests. Mine rising and falling quickly, as the intensity of the situation became apparent, his as gorgeous and thick as ever, moving in a similar fashion. I stared into those molten eyes and deliberated, not for the first time, what it was that had me enraptured.

Why did my belly ache low whenever I was near him and why did my heart speed up when his name was mentioned?

His hand reached towards me, encircling my wrist for the briefest moment and my nipples hardened at the fervour in his stare. Before I had another second to unpack what the hell was happening, he took a step back, clearing his throat.

My wrist sizzled and I pulsed in places I had no business awakening in the middle of a football field.

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