Page 41 of Playing to Win

“Charlotte adores you. You’ll at least get a few minutes’ play next week.” Katie squeezed his arms. “So how was your big Edinburgh date with Andrew?”

“It was…legendary,” he said, using Andrew’s word. “But probably a bad idea, considering how close I just came to failing that strength test.”

Katie grinned. “He gave you a good workout, huh?”

“Maybe.” To hide his mixed emotions regarding last night, Colin bent over and pretended to adjust his shin pads.

“Are you seeing him again?” Robert asked Colin.

“Nah, it was just a one-off.”

Katie poked his shoulder. “You sure about that?”

Colin straightened up, then turned to see a bright-red Tesla coming to a stop on the lane beside the practice pitch.

Fuck.He tried to move his feet forward to meet the man who’d given him the night of his life. But they wouldn’t budge.

Because that man was Lord Andrew again, strutting toward him in a cream-colored linen suit that brought out his blond highlights. His shirt was the same dark brown as the lenses in his gold-rimmed sunglasses, and he swung a small white shopping bag at his side. The bag’s gilded-leaf design stabbed Colin’s eyes with reflected sunlight.

Andrew stopped before Colin and handed him the bag. “You left these behind. I thought you might need them. They’re nice.” Having said all this in about two seconds, with no discernible emotion, he turned on his heel and departed.

Colin’s mouth opened, but his words evaporated in the summer heat.

“He says, ‘Thanks!’” Katie called out. Without looking back, Andrew lifted an elegant hand in acknowledgment.

Colin pulled a handful of gold tissue paper from the bag. Unfolding it, he saw the unmistakable blue silk of his own favorite briefs. “Fuck’s sake.” He shoved the package back into the bag.

“He’s right,” Robert said. “Those are nice.”

“Since when do you shop at Versace?” Katie asked.

“Since never. The bag is his.” Colin twisted the soft white cords of the twin handles. “I packed in a hurry. I must have left them on the floor.” His underwear had probably been kicked under the bench he’d hate-fucked Andrew upon.

It never was a hate fuck, a voice inside him said.He deserved better than to be left like that.

Colin sighed. This was true. He should say something right now.

But when he looked up, he saw the Tesla driving away, its electric motor pure silent.

CHAPTERTWELVE

ANDREWHADBEENsummoned home.

It was just as well, as he needed a distraction. In the three days since he’d seen Colin at training session—looking infuriatingly delicious in that football kit—Andrew had been able to think of little else. The lad hadn’t phoned or texted, not evenThank you for a lovely weekendorSorry I was a complete wanker, much lessCan I see you again?

Driving through the stone gates of his family’s estate, Andrew lowered the Tesla’s window in hopes the fresh country air would clear his head. Feeling instantly calmer, he slowed down upon the white-gravel, tree-lined lane that meandered among the green rolling hills.

Only the grassy areas near the lane were maintained and manicured. Most of Dunleven Castle’s twenty thousand acres were kept as a wild haven for deer, grouse, and other creatures people would pay dearly to come and shoot for sport—were they permitted, which they weren’t. Lord and Lady Kirkross were notorious animal lovers, a trait only Andrew seemed to have inherited.

He slowed further as he approached the dirt road leading to the loch, but after checking the time, he reluctantly continued down the main lane. Andrew made a mental note to rise early tomorrow to have some quiet time at his boathouse before heading back to Glasgow. He never felt morehimselfthan when he was sitting on the porch of that tiny house, or swimming in the cold, breath-stealing waters of the loch.

Arriving at the stables, Andrew was greeted with a wave and a smile by none other than Timothy, who six years ago had been Andrew’s first…well, his first satisfier of curiosity. Now twenty-three and head groom, he was more tempting than ever.

Usually.

Timothy opened the Tesla’s door. “Lord Andrew, welcome. I was hoping you’d pay us a visit during your stay.”

Andrew greeted Timothy with a warm handshake. “It’s good to see you. Is Gretchen inside or is she out terrorizing the Thoroughbreds?”

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