Page 51 of Play Maker

“Two for two, so I’d say fantastic. Now we just need to work on your choice of targets.”

Her face scrunched, and she stared down at the napkin in front of her. “Agreed. I’m averaging one hundred percent on the dick meter. What is it about me that attracts guys like that?”

I lifted her chin, pausing until she met my eyes. “It isnotyou. You’re smart and funny and strong—and beautiful, which is all those guys saw. That’s on them.”

Her tongue darted out to wet her lower lip, barely missing my thumb. “How can you be sure?”

“Because I see all of you, and I’m nothing like those assholes. Right?”

She finally gave me a real smile. “You’re certainly better with your mouth.”

I dropped a chaste kiss on her, not letting myself linger despite her quick indrawn breath. “Fuck yes, I am. Don’t you dare settle for less.”

Blue nodded slowly. “I think I’m learning that lesson.”

My next question came out rougher than I intended, but I was mentally preparing for a fight. “Do you want to practice some more?”

“I think I’m good for now,” she said with a laugh. Her amusement didn’t dim my satisfaction in the least.

The bartender set a glass of water next to my hand, nodded at Blue, then moved to the other end of the bar. Unlike the last time, I had the distinct impression he was watching me to make sure I didn’t overstep. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Scott since I’d told Lars about his questionable customer service.

Blue grabbed my water, but when she lifted it, the slick glass slid out of her hand. I caught it before it could hit the bar and douse us both. As a precaution, I leaned over to set it out of her reach, and the motion put us in contact from shoulder to hips.

Big Mac perked up at the close proximity, but I was done hiding my reaction to her. “You are such a lightweight. How many drinks did you have… two?”

She shook with laughter. “I’m not drunk, just clumsy. Now that you mention it though, I didn’t eat dinner before we left. Too nervous. And between the beer thief and Nick, I couldn’t order food.”

Ah, so Tassels had a name. Belatedly, I realized Blue didn’t stiffen or move away from me like she had with him. She didn’t make excuses to run away. When it mattered, she’d trusted me to keep her safe.

“Do you want to eat? Only the finest pizza for my girl.”

Blue tilted her head up at me with lazy comfort. “No. Take me home, Adam.”

The words burrowed into me, a flash fantasy of hearing her say them in a different context—one where we didn’t separate at the end of the night. Where she said them to me becauseIwas the one she wanted to be with.

A dangerous train of thought, considering my history.

“Let’s go, Sunshine.”

The entire drive home Blue snuck glances at me I couldn’t read without ending up in a ditch. The apartment was dark when we came in, and my steps got progressively slower as we crossed the living room. Tonight had been different, maybe because of the lines we’d crossed in the last twenty-four hours, but I didn’t want it to end.

It wasn’t about sex. Like I’d told her before, sex was easy. I craved everything else. The banter, the soft looks, the barely there touches, I wanted to curl around her, safe in my arms, and never let go.

We made it all the way to the hallway between our rooms before she stopped me with a hand on my arm.

“Thank you, Adam,” she said softly. “For going, and for making me feel better after.”

I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let the night end here even though I knew I was risking a repeat of the Eva disaster. Blue was worth the risk. If she couldn’t see me as more than a friend, I’d still take whatever she’d give me. Until I convinced her otherwise.

Before she could disappear into her room, I loosely circled her wrist. “Watch a movie with me.”

She sent me a questioning look, then smiled. “Okay.”

My room was too dangerous. Blue wanted me—that much was clear—but I intended to respect her decision this morning. Friends. Nothing more. The temptation to push when I knew she’d probably say yes would be more than I could resist. I tugged her back the way we’d come and pulled her down next to me. Without a second thought, she snuggled into my side under my arm. I flipped through the options, but when I stopped on my usual late-night comedy fare, she shook her head.

“Let’s watch Wonder Woman.”

I gasped dramatically, aiming for light and fun. “Are you trying to seduce me? Because this will definitely work.”

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