Page 31 of Press Your Luck

Naomi's team celebrated their victory, and she stood there, the epitome of grace and success. It was infuriating to watch, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.

As much as I wanted to feel anger and resentment toward her, instead, I found myself filled with admiration and longing. She had coached her team to their first victory, proving herself against all odds, and I couldn't help but be impressed.

As the teams left the ice, our eyes met for a brief moment. Naomi's hazel eyes sparkled with victory, while I tried to hide my frustration and disappointment.

"Good game, Jackson," she called out casually, a smug grin on her face.

I forced a tight smile in response, trying to maintain some semblance of sportsmanship. "Congrats, Withers. Your team played well today." And with that, I turned away from her, unable to handle the potent mix of emotions coursing through me.

In the locker room, I didn’t have much to say that the men didn’t already know or that Bo hadn’t already drilled into them. There was nothing to do but let them clean up and leave. We had a lot to work on at our next practice.

Since we were playing on our turf, I retreated to the sanctuary of my office, closing the door behind me and sinking into my chair. My thoughts raced as I tried to process what had just happened. It wasn’t just the loss, although that stung too. It was this unsettling, uncontrollable longing I had for the woman nearly half my age. Was I losing it?

"Damn it.”

My mind wandered back to the conference room and the passion and desire that had burned between us. It seemed like a lifetime ago now, and yet the memory of her touch still haunted me. Could we have been something more, if not for our careers standing in our way? Or was I too old for her? Was this some cruel joke meant to test the limits of my sanity?

Bo poked his head into my office. “Okay, Coach?”

“Losses suck, Bo.”

“Yeah, they do. The Nuggets got themselves more organized. Big Ed looked like he was listening to Coach Withers, at least sometimes.”

I nodded.

“But it helped show where we’re weak. I think we can fix that. This is a good group. They’re just raw.”

I was pleased that Bo saw their potential.

“We’ll start first thing at the next practice. I’m heading out. Are you coming?”

“Soon.”

Bo left, and I waited until the locker room was quiet to gather my things and head out. I made my way down the corridor to the exit. As I turned the corner, the last thing I expected was to find Naomi engaged in a heated argument with Max.

"Max, just drop it," she snapped. "I don't want to talk about it."

Max’s eyes shone with annoyance. "Fine." He stormed off, shoving the door open as he exited.

Naomi's gaze shifted to me, and it took all my strength not to let my emotions betray me. Jesus fuck, she was stunning, even when she was angry.

"Congrats on ending your team's losing streak," I said, trying to sound as casual as possible even though I was irritated by our loss and her hold over me. “But why the lover's quarrel with Max? Shouldn't you two be celebrating?" It was a shit thing to say, but then, I felt like shit.

Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. As usual, tension snapped, crackled, and popped between us. Not all of it was anger.

"Your sense of humor is seriously lacking, Pierce." She crossed her arms defensively. "That wasn't funny."

"Who said I was trying to be funny? I’m seriously concerned. It seems like the whole world is watching your little saga with Max. Did he find out about what you did on a conference room table? With a rival coach, no less.”

Fuck, I was still being a dick. I regretted the words, not just because her eyes widened and shone with an emotion that looked like hurt, but also because it showed my hand. She was clear on where I stood. I was a glutton for punishment if I let her know I was still interested in her.

She stared at me for a moment. Was she searching for a scorching remark? Or was she looking into my soul and seeing the truth I was trying to hide there?

"There's no truth to those rumors," she finally said, her voice low and firm. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear."

I couldn't help it—I laughed. The sound was bitter, devoid of any real amusement. "Liar. If that's true, you would have denied it to the press."

My comment seemed to catch her off guard, and for a moment, she hesitated. Her eyes flicked away from mine.

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