Page 23 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

“It’s new for me too.” He smiles reassuringly, like I’m a skittish animal. That’s maybe not far from the truth.

“That’s not what I mean.” I force myself to stay calm. “For you, it’s different. For me, it’s new.”

“New?” He frowns briefly, but he must see something in my expression because I can actually feel the moment he understands my meaning.

“Are you saying you’ve never dated before?” The words are harsh to my ears even though his tone is gentle.

“No. I’m saying I haven’t...I’ve never felt…chemistry.” I squeeze my eyes shut so I don’t have to see the pity and regret I’ve come to expect when people learn about my inexperience.

The fingers gently lifting my chin up have a calming effect, despite the fact that they shoot tingles throughout my body. I open my eyes to find his staring at me intently.

“That’s why I scare you,” he says more to himself than to me. “You’re not used to having your body take control.”

“It’s not in control.” I roll my chair back, escaping his grasp. “I’m not going to sleep with you just because I’m attracted to you.” I say that for my benefit as well as his, to remind myself that I don’t answer to my hormones.

“You think I’m here just to sleep with you?” He rears back, his blue eyes going ice cold. “I’m attracted to you, yeah, but I wouldn’t take my focus off the game just for sex.” He runs a hand through his hair and shoots out of his seat, turning to the door. He only makes it two steps before he curses and spins to face me.

“I’m going to assume you said that because this is new, and you’re scared.” He exhales, visibly struggling to stay calm. “And my past probably only adds to that,” he guesses, correctly. “I would have eased into this conversation if you weren’t so good at seeing through me, but since you can, I wanted to be honest.” He comes back to his chair and sits heavily, resting his forearms on the desk and leaning toward me so I’m forced to look at him.

“I’m here because you treat me like a normal guy, not a celebrity. The only people who are that real with me are my teammates and my family, so when you treated me just like they do it felt good. I liked it.” He pauses, a strained expression on his face as if wondering how much to say. With a sigh he continues.

“Part of the reason I stay away from women during the season is they always want me to be the celebrity. To go out and have fun, get photographed, whatever. I don’t give a shit about that stuff. I care more about my career and my team, so I’m happy to give that up during the season. Most women aren’t, so that usually means I spend the off season alone. I’m used to it, but I’m not gonna lie, it’s getting old.”

“Do I want to sleep with you? Yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I can’t imagine any guy wouldn’t want to. But that’s not my only motivation. It’s not even my primary motivation, although I’m not gonna deny that this chemistry is damn tempting.” He grins sheepishly. “Mostly, I just like that you see me, and whether you want to admit it or not, I see you.”

I open my mouth to protest but he cuts me off.

“You think there’s nothing special about you, but there is. You’re real. You aren’t chasing some image or trying to climb some ladder. You know who you are. You do what you’re passionate about. I admire that. Outside my teammates, I don’t know many people like that. That’s why you’re refreshing. That’s why, even though I like your plans for the charity, and I kinda think I could be good at it, I’d forego it for the chance to get to know you.”

My breath gets caught in my lungs, making my heartbeat echo in my ears. No one has ever complimented me on the qualities that set me apart from the crowd. Usually, they try to get me to change to be more like them.

Even Delaney, who I know loves me, merely tolerates those qualities. She’d change me if she could, making me more outgoing and social than quiet and driven, because she thinks she’d be doing me a favor. She knows me better than anyone, yet somehow Colt is the one who seems to appreciate me for me.

I feel my mouth trying to work, but I can’t get any words out.

“I’m gonna need you to say something, Samantha. I can only sit here so long looking at those pretty lips trying to form words without wanting to touch them.”

My hand flies to my mouth before I can stop it. Colt chuckles.

“You’re so fuckin cute when you let your guard down.” He watches me appreciatively. “So, what do you say? Are you willing to take a chance on getting to know me? Even if we end up working together?”

I should say no. Logically I know that, because I’m not prepared for a guy like Colt. Not to mention, socializing with someone who could end up a client should be out of the question, particularly since that someone is the most recognizable name I’ve worked with so far, and that could be a big boost to my career.

Yet despite all the reasons to say no, the reason to say yes outweighs them. This guy sees me. He seesme, and he hasn’t dismissed me for being too plain or too boring or too socially awkward. I’m out of my depth here, but like he suggested I want to believe that means something.

I could be taking a stupid risk, but for the first time in my life I’d rather do that than play it safe. Before I can overthink it too much, I nod my head slowly. The smile he gives me in return sends shivers straight to my core, making my panties wet. Oh lord, what have I done?

Colt

“Dowehavetodo this here?” I ask as gently as possible. The office may be Samantha’s safe space, but the walls feel too close, and this chair I’m sitting in is too stiff. Plus, even though she’s a little more relaxed than she was at our last meeting, she’s still treating me like a client since we’re in the office.

Time to get out of here.

“Let’s finish this somewhere else.” I shift in my chair to keep my ass from falling asleep.

“My office is really that bad?” Her shoulders sink as she sets her pen down.

“I don’t fit so well in this chair, Honey.”

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