Chapter 9

Reese

 

 

What was this man doing to me? I flexed and wiggled my fingers to try and alleviate the odd sensation. The same one I felt when I threw myself into his arms and Trent’s eyes locked onto mine. When I put my hand on his hard chest, his heart beat fast and strong beneath my palm. Knowing that I had been the reason for that, turned me on in a way I hadn’t expected—he wasn’t what I had expected.

Trent definitely had a way about him. I suppose it was because of what he did for a living. A lot of people think football players are nothing but muscular bodies slamming into others made of the same. Except, I knew that was the furthest thing from the truth. Aside from their brawniness and hard hits, they each had a job to do.

On the field, Trent, like every other quarterback, was the leader. He was in charge of executing plays and making changes based on how the opposing team reacted to where everyone had lined up. In turn, his team would protect him to insure he wouldn’t get injured, and he’d do the same.

Trent had to be smart. Methodical. Prepared. All of which he seemed to be in his private life. Even the way he threw the axe had been done with precision. And just like on the field when he threw a football, it seemed effortless. I’d also need to be blind not to notice his physique beneath his clothing. As gorgeous as he was in a football uniform, he was equally stunning in jeans and a sweater—maybe even more so.

Everything I’d thought I knew I wanted or in this case, didn’t want, seemed to be flying out the window. There was zero doubt when I went to bed tonight and let my lids slide closed, that I would be able to feel his strong warm hands wrapped around me, his chest against mine, and the way his body tensed beneath my touch.

“Reese?”

His deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m sorry, what?” He had my jacket in his hands, holding it open for me. “Oh, thank you.” I slid it on and pulled my hair from beneath the collar.

“I had asked if you would like to go grab a coffee.”

“Oh, I’m getting a little tired.”

We started to walk out but not before saying goodbye to Tommy and Carrie who had invited us back anytime. Trent thanked them before we stepped out into the nighttime air. A shiver ran through me and before I knew it, Trent’s arm swung around my shoulder.

“Smells like it’s going to snow again.”

“Snow smells?” I swallowed my laugh when I glanced up at his serious expression.

“I’m surprised you didn’t know that. Don’t tell me you don’t know any sensational snow statistics.”

“Say that five times fast.” I couldn’t stop the giggle from flying out of my mouth before sharing a fun fact. “A football game hasn’t been postponed or cancelled due to snow since 1933.”

Trent shook his head, then catching me off guard, he kissed my temple. Neither of us said a word, he just opened the door for me, I slid into his car and waited for him to do the same. He pushed a few buttons and within a few minutes my seat warmed.

“Better?”

“Yes, thanks. So, when do you leave for Arizona?”

“Sunday. Then we’ll have daily workouts and practice as a team before the game next week.” When I remained quiet he added, “Then we’ll have a fan day. All profits go to a children’s charity.”

I knew that and quite frankly, that was the only positive about the game. “Well, at least you’ll be warm.”

“Why don’t you come with me?” My head snapped to the left. Trent’s eyes flicked to mine before focusing on the road. “Isn’t your grandfather going?”

“No, he isn’t. Dave and Kenzie will be there. Shoot, I forgot I’ll have Bubba. I really hope it doesn’t snow. He loves it.”

Trent chuckled. “That’s a bad thing?”

“Yes, have you ever tried to get snowballs out of a Bichon’s fur?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Well, it’s not fun.”

We pulled into my driveway. Trent put the car in park and looked at me. “I had a great time tonight. Thank you for going with me.”

Before I knew it, “Would you like to come in?” flew out of my mouth.

“I’d love to.”

***

Our laughter filled my living room as Trent told stories of traveling with the team. I’d heard some stories, accidentally of course, at a couple Thunder parties, but hearing Trent talk about them took them to a different level.

“Troy is the saint of the group. I think it’s because he’s a rookie and doesn’t want to cause waves. But the ladies love him.”

“I’m sure they love all of you.” His right eyebrow arched. “Don’t tell me you all don’t have a harem of women around you.” As soon as that statement, not even a question, flew from my mouth, I regretted it.

“No, we do,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Meanwhile, a swirl of jealousy—something I tried to avoid—flowed through me. It was dumb because I’d seen the pictures. I wouldn’t call each one of them supermodels, but they definitely were beautiful. “Sounds like fun.”

“It can be. But it gets old quick.” I snort-laughed into my coffee mug. “You don’t believe me?”

“Actually, I do, but I’ve been around enough players through the years to know what happens. I can’t say that the blame is all on you guys. I’ve seen women literally throw themselves at a man just because he’s a professional athlete. Is that why you’re single?”

“No, I’m single because I choose to be. I didn’t think I wanted a relationship. I’m also not a serial dater as the media likes people to believe. Do I date? Of course, but not in the traditional sense. Not until you. Going to a charity event isn’t a date in my opinion… axe throwing is.”

Trent winked and a warm chill scurried down my spine. “It was fun.”

“Wait until our next date.”

“What makes you think we’re going on another one? You haven’t even asked me.”

He shifted on the sofa, leaned forward, and tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear before cupping my left cheek with his strong calloused hand. Our eyes locked. “I like you, Reese Parker. And I’d like to take you out again before I leave for Arizona. Then when I get back, we can pick up where we left off. What do you say? You’re single, I’m single, let’s not be single together.”

“What are you asking?”

“To give me a chance. As you can see, I’m loads of fun. And in a way, you owe me.”

A half-chuckle mixed with a huff flew from my mouth. “Owe you? How do you figure that?”

“Well, for one, you held something that happened five years ago against me without knowing the entire story. Two, you gave me the finger and turned us into a meme.” I rolled my lips between my teeth to not giggle at that one. Not that I enjoyed being a meme, but dang, I’d be lying if I said that flipping him off hadn’t felt fantastic.

“I said I was sorry about what happened with Tracy. In my defense, I didn’t know you made it up to her. All I knew was how sad she was. Technically, not my fault.” I paused a beat. “I’ll give you that I’m a bit of a hothead, but that kiss and wink set me off. You should have been on the Thunder.”

As soon as that left my mouth, I wanted to reel it in. “Is that why you did what you did? You know I had my reasons and respect the hell out of your grandfather. It wasn’t personal, it was business.”

“You sound like Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail.”

“Well, he was right.”

I waved my hand back and forth doing my best to clear the air. Going into the details of how the Thunder needed a player of his caliber, wasn’t any of his business. Quite frankly, he knew that.

“Regardless, I don’t date football players.” He smiled and a tiny window in my heart opened up… and a little voice in my head, which sounded a lot like Alexa, told me I’d be dumb to turn him down.

“Feel like making an exception?” His green eyes still tethered to mine, sparkled.

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“Can I try and convince you?”

The smolder in his eyes held me captive. When they flicked to my lips, I didn’t bother to ask how he planned on convincing me because Trent came closer, paused as though he waited for me to pull away. When I didn’t, his fingers slid into my hair, and he very gently brought his lips to mine. The first kiss he gave me was featherlight, teasing my senses. Tempting my willpower.

I could feel my resolve going up in smoke. The gentle coaxing of his kisses flipped a switch in me. A sudden surge of heat mixed with sensuality rushed through my veins. I couldn’t stop my hands from running up his taut muscular torso, and fisting his cotton shirt to bring us closer together.

What was I doing?

“Reese,” he whispered against my cheek, then my neck, before landing once again on my mouth. We moved in a perfect rhythm before I let go of him and we broke apart. His soft lips were a bit puffier and wore a sheen of my lip gloss that neither of us bothered to wipe away.

“I should go.” Feeling lightheaded, we both stood. I’d blame my slight wobble on the boots, but I knew it was the man next to me who caused it.

Trent slid on his jacket and when we got to the door, he turned to me. “Can you take tomorrow afternoon off? I have a workout in the morning, but if you can swing it, there’s someplace I’d like to take you.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Great.” He opened the door and, before walking out, turned to look at me. His eyes roamed my body from head to toe and back up again. “Tomorrow, wear something more comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, you look sexy as hell, and believe me when I say, it took every ounce of stamina not to ask to see what was under that skirt.”

I felt myself blush at his forward compliment. “Okay, want to tell me where we’re going?”

“No, it’s a surprise.” He chastely kissed my lips before tossing me that wink of his. “You know, I like this side of you much better.”

“Yeah, yeah… I know.” Not wanting to test my resolve, I closed the door, and brought my fingers to my lips. Never in my life had I been kissed like that. Nor had I ever kissed a football player.

It figured that Trent Archer, of all people, was my exception. All I could hope was that I didn’t regret it.