Page 23 of Making the Call
Luke
As I wakethe next morning, my hand instinctually reaches out to pull Dani closer. She’s completely content using me as a body pillow and for the first time in my life, I have no place I’d rather be. I know the timing is shit, but I’ve never had a woman I connected with on so many levels.
Not wanting to disturb her, I let my thoughts wander through our past few days. Even in silence, we’re comfortable around one another. I can’t believe how focused she is when she’s writing. Yesterday, we spent the morning, after breakfast, in bed. But diligent as she is, Dani managed to get us both to focus on the jobs we needed to do before spending the evening cruising across the Sound, on my thirty-five-foot American tug.
Watching Dani in a pair of denim cut-offs and a navy tank sprawled across the top deck was a sight to be seen. We’d stopped for a late dinner at one of my favorite restaurants on our way back. I love going to Budd Bay Café because I’m hardly ever recognized, or if I am, no one makes a spectacle of me. Besides, with our casual attire, we fit right in.
When Dani starts to stir, my fingers trace invisible circles along her spine. She has the most beautiful blue eyes that lock with mine when they finally flutter open.
“Mornin’.” Her deep, raspy tone has my body standing up to take notice.
“Good morning. Sleep well?”
She stretches as a yawn escapes. She couldn’t look more beautiful in this moment if she tried. Her curly brown locks spring out in every direction as if they have a life of their own. Her plump pink lips are swollen from our night together. Her radiant glow that shows‘I’ve just been fucked,’makes my pride soar, knowing I’m the one who’s done this to her. When she lets out a light moan, my mind instantly returns to last night. Christ, she’s gorgeous.
As she settles her head back onto my chest, I feel content, and my body settles slightly. Continuing to rub my fingertips along her back, an unexpected question flies from my mouth before I’ve given myself permission to ask, “Do you have plans tomorrow evening?”
“Uh…” Her wheels visibly spin as she contemplates her plans. “Saturday… hmmm… my brothers are supposed to be in town. Why? What’s up?”
Damn, she has plans. I can’t ask her to ditch her family. “It’s nothing.” God, I wish I hadn’t made commitments to attend the team’s charity auction. But being the head coach means duty calls. I know we’re supposed to keep this casual and take it one day at a time, but I don’t want my time with her to end.
I realize she has an eyebrow cocked in my direction, waiting for more explanation. Obviously, I’ve left something out.Damn. Maybe I should hire her to keep the team on track.
“It must be something…” she continues, eyeing me inquisitively.
After a few moments of silence, I realize she’s not giving up. “I don’t want my time with you to end,” I admit honestly. “I was hoping to convince you to go to this thing for work.”
Her expressive face shows she doesn’t buy my half-explained answer. “And what exactly is athingfor work?” Flies out of her upturned lips, causing me to smile in return.Damn, I love her quick mouth. It stirs things in me I long ago forgot.
“Well…” How do I tell her I wanted her to drop everything for a black-tie affair and not disclose my status of head coach? I love being just Luke with her and not having any expectations. I can’t remember the last time someone liked me for just me.
“Well…” she repeats with a crooked grin.
“There’s this charity auction I have to attend,” I start slowly, hoping I don’t have to explain much more.
Her eyebrows raise to her forehead. “A charity auction… As in… You’re being auctioned?” Her voice raises at the end, and her eyes are as round as saucers.
“Oh, God, no!” I say in a fit of laughter. “Who the hell would bid on me?” I say in disbelief. “No…” I state emphatically. “Besides, this isn’t that type of auction. Trust me.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “You honestly don’t think anyone would bid on you?”
“Why would they when there are actual pro-athletes at their disposal?”
Dani rolls her eyes as she shakes her head. “I’m sure you could bring in some large bills at that type of auction. Have you looked in the mirror, Luke?”
“Oh, please… Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, in a room full of players, I’m the last one anyone would look twice at.” Maybe when I was playing, that would’ve been a different story, but I don’t nearly have that kind of clout anymore.
“Oh, trust me, Luke. Women look twice at you.”
“Whatever you say, Dani…” I pull her close, pretending to snuggle, but instead, I tickle her.
Laughter fills the room, and her thoughts of a bachelor auction are soon forgotten.
* * *
As we make breakfast later that morning, Dani’s hips sway to the music she’s set up on her phone. She’s waiting to flip the pancakes in front of my stove, as I slice fruit into a bowl. Instead of it being weird or awkward, it feels right to have her here in my home with me. It’s right then, I realize I don’t want my time with Dani to end. I know we said we’d keep this casual, but this feels anything but. With the season starting, I’ll have zero time for a relationship. I know it isn’t even fair to ask, but the thought of walking away and never seeing Dani again guts me. I almost drop the knife at the mere thought. Holy shit! How does someone I just met days ago have this effect on me. Yeah, the sex has been amazing, but with Dani, it’s more than that.
I watch her dance some more and realize I can’t keep these thoughts to myself. I need to put it out there, but how do I approach this, when she’s the one who suggested we just make the most of our days together? Shit. I’m usually the one who likes to keep things low key. What if that’s all she really wants?Can I let this be just a fling?
