Page 19 of Roughing the Player
“Because that’s what he gave the team a year ago.”
I grin, as I brush a curl off her face. “And here I thought I was special.”
Her breath hitches. “You are. Special, I mean.”
“How special?”
“Very special.” Breaking contact, she walks away. Clearly, she’s uncomfortable with my touch.
“The Chicago Outlaws is a very special team as well,” she says, turning back around.
“Yes, it is.” Where is she headed with this?
“They try hard to ensure players don’t get into trouble, like driving under the influence. That’s the main reason they make hotel rooms available for the players after an Outlaws team event.”
I bark out a laugh. “A player can get into plenty of trouble in a hotel.” I should know. I’ve fucked more women in my hotel room than I care to remember.
“But at least they won’t drive drunk.” She trails her hand across the sofa’s back cushion.
I want to do the same. To her. Feel the softness of her velvety skin, taste her, breathe her in. She wants to keep her distance, but I’m like a moth to her flame. Slowly, I stroll toward her. I don’t want to spook her, after all.
“Have you gotten the morality lecture in training camp?” she asks, quite unaware of what I’m aching to do to her.
I laugh, mainly to keep from following through. “Yep. In spades. They brought in a lifestyle coach. No drugs, no wild parties, no sex with underage girls, and whatever you do, use condoms.” Fuck. Didn’t mean to mention that. “The lecture went on and on for over three hours.”
“They’re protecting themselves if something happens.”
“Well, they have nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned. I intend to keep my nose clean.”
“Really?” She stops stroking the seat cushion, and her head comes up.
“Really.”
“What brought on this change of heart? The lecture?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“If you must know, you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. When we talked on Thursday, and I heard your kid’s voice.” I tangle a hand through my hair. “Damn it, Ellie. She could have been mine. I was so young and stupid and horny that day. I should have stopped. I should have never let it get to the point it did.” My gaze, hot and needy, finds her across the room. “I just wanted you so much.”
“You wanted me?” she asks in a breathless voice.
“Yeah. You drove me crazy, you know.” I let out an embarrassed laugh, without taking my gaze from her. “With your glasses and your hair tied back in a ponytail. Nothing I wanted more than to loosen the knot, toss away your glasses. Kiss you. I used to fantasize about you at night.” The hell with taking it slow. I step forward until I’m standing right in front of her, breathing in her scent.
She doesn’t move, or push away, but remains where she is. “You’re kidding.”
Unable to help myself, I stroke her silky skin, right above the wild throbbing in her throat. “Swear to God.”
Her eyes are two luminous pools of brown. “But you could have had any girl on the cheerleading team.”
I grin. “I did have every girl on the cheerleading team.”
She steps back, her mouth scrunching in disapproval. “Figures.”
