Page 50 of Behind the Net

He blinks and frowns, and then his gaze shutters. “Shit.” He straightens up, and I want to yellno!“I’m sorry.” He drags a palm down his face. “I lost my head. I wasn’t thinking.”

There are a hundred things I want to say.I liked itanddo it againcome to mind.

He takes a step back. Without his body heat, I’m cold. The hunger and urgency are gone from his expression, leaving only his typical cranky surliness. But unlike normal, I don’t feel like teasing him about it.

I just feel hurt. An ugly realization hits me—this is exactly how I felt at the airport.

What am Idoing? He’s hot, protective, and secretly sweet. Kissing him was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. He’s nice to his mom, for god’s sake. He’s the whole package. If I let him, he willdevastateme. What Zach did will be a tiny scratch compared to what Jamie could do.

It’s like I’ve thrown a bucket of ice water on my thoughts, and my head clears.

Jamie’s mouth is a hard line as he shoves his hand through his hair. “I only do casual stuff, and with us working together—”

“I know.” I play with the ends of my hair as I look away, getting my breathing under control. “This isn’t a good idea.”

I meet his gaze, and he studies me, looking torn. “You’re my assistant,” he says.

A weight lands in my stomach, and I’m angry with myself, because he’s right. Everything about this is a terrible idea. I step toward the ladies’ room and force a smile, like what just happened was nothing.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I tell him, pushing the door open before he can answer.

I take a long moment to wash my hands, wetting a paper towel with cold water and pressing it to the back of my neck. My skin is still hot from Jamie practically fucking my mouth with his tongue.

Against my will, I picture Jamie fucking my mouth with that steel rod that pressed into me. My eyes close and I groan.

This isn’t a good idea, I told him.

I can’t be picturing it, then.

CHAPTER25

JAMIE

My jaw istight as I stalk back to the group. Something about my gait makes the guys move out of my way.

Fuck. Kissing Pippa was incredible. It’s like she was made for me.

I shouldn’t have done that, but something about Pippa makes me lose control. I can’t give her more than casual, and I know that’s not enough for her. That isn’t enough formewhere she’s concerned, and that terrifies me.

At the booth, I down the rest of my beer, watching the entrance to the hallway, remembering how her soft mouth felt under mine, how her curves pressed into me, and how she gasped and rubbed against my cock. I don’t think she even realized she did that. The hazy, drugged look in her eyes lit my blood on fire. Every cell in my body wanted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her home before I fucked her into the mattress.

If Pippa and I were together, I’d never let her rest. The thought curls around the base of my spine, and my balls ache.

I stare at my empty beer glass. My pulse is still racing. Every nerve in my body is on high alert. I wasn’t even this amped up during my game tonight.

I can’t believe I did that. My eyes close. I saidyou’re my assistant,but what I meant wasyou’re special and I don’t want to hurt you. She’s been through the wringer. If I crushed her the way I crushed Erin, I couldn’t live with myself.

“You okay, buddy?” Owens asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

I nod and drag a sobering breath in. “Fine.”

Behind him, Pippa meanders through the players to her seat. They’re calling out praise for her performance, and she’s giving them shy smiles. My chest tightens, and the bar feels too small.

Owens glances between Pippa and me. “Oh.”

I glare at him, daring him to say something, but he just smirks.

Pippa reaches the table. “I’m going to go.” Her gaze darts to mine before she looks away.

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