Page 31 of Stepping Up to the Plate

“Oh my God, this is delicious,” I say with a mouthful of sesame chicken.

“Baby, you gotta stop making sex noises while you eat. It’s incredibly distracting.”

I blush hard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your appetite.”

“Ruin my appetite? I have never been hungrier.” The lust in his eyes tells me exactly what type of hunger he means.

“Your blush is so fucking cute,” he comments, running a finger down my cheek. “Tell me, how was your weekend? I didn’t have the chance to talk to you much today or yesterday.”

“It was good. I finished a piece on Fourth of July celebrations for the magazine and wrote one with party tips for the blog.”

“Sounds like you were busy. Do anything else?”

“Just my trampoline class. I need to try a different style of workout, but it’s fun and Charlie is the best instructor. I’ve never felt that good while sweating.”

He makes a disgruntled sound at my admission. “What?” I question.

“Nothing. You and Charlie seem to have hit it off. How many classes do you go to in a week?”

“Only two, but Charlie sometimes joins me when I have to go places for the magazine if Carina and Tiffany can’t.”

“You and Charlie spend time together outside of the gym?” he asks tightly. I’m picking up hostility from him, which I don’t understand. Does he not want me to have friends outside of our group? Because I’ve already lived that life and that will be a problem.

“Of course, we do. We’re friends. We went shopping together the other day and picked out a dress I think you’rereallygoing to love,” I reply, trying to change the subject to a happier one.

“Jesus, you tried on clothes in front of him? Listen, I know we haven’t put a hard label on this or anything, but I am not okay with you being half-dressed around people who also want you. I don’t share.”

“Ugh, you sound like Tiffany. Charlie is not into me. Trust me.”

“You I trust,” he states. “Charlie, not as much. I know how men are when they see a woman they think is vulnerable. I’m friends with Kent for Chrissake. He’s never met a girl with daddy issues he hasn’t tried to fill.”

“What are you talking about? First off, I am not vulnerable. Second, I do not have daddy issues.”

He sighs, exasperated. “I’m not saying you have daddy issues, Lola. But you have to admit you are a little vulnerable. You’re in a new place on this journey of self-discovery, which has you open to new experiences and people. I don’t want someone like Charlie to take advantage of that.”

“Someone likeCharlie? What the hell does that mean?” I all but shout. “I may be open to some new things, but I am not that open, Brady Miller. I have no interest in playing for the other team.”

He puts down the fork he was clutching and stares at me with a confused expression. “Other team? What are you talking about?”

“Charlie! Being friends with a lesbian doesn’t mean I’m going to turn into one.”

“Charlie is a woman?” he questions, dumbstruck.

“Yes. Why else would I ask for her advice on dresses? If I wanted a man’s opinion, I would ask you or maybe—” Before I can finish, he is bent over laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I demand.

“I’m sorry, sweet girl. I thought Charlie was a man. To be honest, I was jealous of all the time he was spending with you while I was away,” he says, wiping the tears that formed in his eyes from laughing.”

“I thought you didn’t get jealous,” I tease.

“I don’t usually, but something about you has me twisted up in knots. The thought of another man seeing you all sweaty in your workout classes and then watching you try on dress after dress was too much for me. Forgive me?”

I should be mad at him, but I find his reaction endearing. Phil’s brother used to flirt with me in front of him, and he never said anything about it. I want to play this out a little longer, but he’s pulled me into his lap and is nuzzling his nose down the side of my face and neck.

“I guess I could be persuaded to forgive you,” I murmur.

“Persuaded, huh? I’ve been known to be very, very persuasive,” he says, nipping at my shoulder. As he continues to speak, his hands trail down my body, caressing the side of my breasts, giving them the barest touches. One lands on my waist, sliding up and down my curves, while the other trails down my thigh, rubbing gentle circles.

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