Page 36 of Press Your Luck

“I get that you have more to lose here, Naomi. I get it. But can't you feel it? The pull between us is too strong to ignore."

Her cheeks flushed, and for a moment, I thought she might give in. But then she sighed and looked away, her voice barely audible as she said, "I can't, Pierce. I just... can't."

I reached out, holding her arms, desperately wanting to keep her close. She flinched slightly but didn't pull away, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. “Give it a chance.”

"I don't want to hurt you.” She lifted her gaze to meet mine. "But you have to understand that my career... my reputation... is on the line. Not to mention the potential fallout for our teams if this became public knowledge."

"Are we really going to let fear dictate our lives?” I said with more curtness than I intended. “We’re in control of our lives.”

"Sometimes, it's not that simple. I wish it were, but it's not."

In that moment, I realized that she did feel what I felt but was going to ignore it, push it away. For some reason, that was worse than if she just didn’t care.

"So we find a way to make it simple. We can keep this a secret. No one has to know."

She shook her head. "Secrets have a way of coming out. And even if we could keep it hidden, what about myrelationshipwith Max?"

Did she really just say that? "Your relationship with Max? The one that you told me wasn’t real? Fucking hell, Naomi. You’re saying you want to be taken seriously as a coach, but you're more interested in playing games with some fake relationship that compromises your integrity than in having a real connection with me?"

Her cheeks flushed with anger. I had struck a nerve. "You don't understand. After all this, you still don’t understand. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices in order to get where we want to be."

“But at what cost, Naomi? How far are you willing to go before you lose sight of who you really are?"

"Who am I to you, Pierce?" she challenged, her eyes narrowing as she stared me down. "Just another conquest? A way to feel young again, maybe? Or perhaps I'm just a distraction from the fact that you can't have what you really want."

Wow. “Don’t you project your situation onto me. I’ve been clear. You’re not a distraction. You’re what I want. Or I suppose you think I’m too old? That was a low blow about my trying to feel young again.” Holy hell, I hoped she wasn’t right. I didn’t feel like I was having a midlife crisis and desiring a younger woman.

"I’m sorry. But you don't get to judge me for my choices. You have no idea what it's like to be a woman in this industry, trying to prove herself every damn day."

"Then let me help you. Let me be the one you lean on when things get tough. Let me show you that you're worth so much more than some fake relationship with Max."

“I can’t.” Her words felt like a punch to the gut, but I couldn't—or wouldn't—accept them.

My anger surged. "You know what, Naomi? You're a fraud.” My voice was heavy with resentment. "You say you want respect as a coach, and yet you parade around with Max, using that taboo relationship to get attention for yourself."

Her eyes flared in surprise at my outburst.

Feeling emboldened, I continued, "You're playing right into Todd’s hands, letting him use you as a publicity stunt. And worst of all, you won't even admit it. You're a coward, Naomi."

The moment the words left my lips, I regretted them. My heart clenched at the sight of her reaction. Tears pooled in her eyes. But before I could apologize or try to take back my harsh words, she turned on her heel and walked out of my office.

As I watched her go, I felt a strange mixture of frustration, anger, and despair. I knew I was right about the connection between us, that it wasn’t one-sided. It must have been what propelled me out of my chair to follow her out. If I let her go now, our chance was lost forever. I felt that as surely as we’d lost tonight’s game.

"Naomi.”

"Stay away from me, Pierce.” The harshness of her words had me stopping.

"Fuck." I slammed my fist against a nearby locker. The metallic clang reverberated through the room. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed so hard. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed at all. Or maybe it was time to see the situation for what it was. Success as a coach overrode everything else for her.

I laughed derisively as I realized I was a notch on her bedpost. I guess she really was making it in a man’s world.

18

Naomi

The next day I was off, and boy, did I need the break. I was sick of the way Big Ed was a jerk. I was irritated by all the publicity about me and Max. Worst of all, I was frustrated by my undeniable but totally inappropriate attraction to Pierce. How did my life get so complicated?

I woke early but didn’t bother dressing at first, deciding to make a cup of coffee and have a slow morning. It was November, and temps were supposed to be nearly seventy today. It didn’t feel like the holidays were upon us. Back home in Minnesota, it was likely below twenty degrees. Nothing said holidays like bitter cold and snow.

---