Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“It’s a preseason game. I’ll write something after I watch the highlights. Besides, I think the story is right here,” she says with a grin.
“You’re going to write a story about a man sitting in a dimly lit bar feeling sorry for himself?” I ask. “That’s not exactly compelling reading.”
"I was thinking more of a story about a man paying the price for doing the right thing."
My face twists like I just bit into something sour. “I hope you’re kidding.”
“And if I’m not?”
“I don't want that kind of publicity. I did what I did and got dinged for it. No big deal. Nobody needs to know what happened.”
“You don't like the spotlight, do you?”
“I really don’t.”
“If you don’t like the fame and attention, then why do you play on one of the world’s biggest stages? I mean, it comes with the job.”
“Because I love the game. Waking up every day knowing I get to go to the gym and do something I love so much is what juices me up. I would play in an empty gym with no cameras and no fans in the stands if I could. I just love the game.”
She stares at me for a long moment, her sparkling emerald-colored eyes locked on mine. My gaze travels down to her full, bow-shaped lips, and I find myself fighting the urge to lean in and kiss her. My cock stirs in my jeans as I imagine the pillowy soft feel of her lips on mine and maybe I’m crazy, but I get the feeling that if I do it, she’ll kiss me back. The moment grows thick with tension, and she looks away quickly, her cheeks flushing. And just like that, the moment passes.
We spend the next couple of hours talking and getting to know each other better. The conversation is all over the place but is fun, lively, and full of laughter. I haven’t had as much fun with anybody as I'm having with Bailey in a long, long time. The conversation flows so freely, and everything seems to come so easily, I feel like I’ve known her a lot longer than I have.
“I should get going,” she says as she glances at her watch. “I need to be in the office for a staff meeting early tomorrow. Honestly, that’s the worst part of my job.”
“If that’s the worst part, I don’t think you have it so bad.”
“I really don’t,” she says. “You’re not the only one who gets to wake up every morning and go do something they love.”
“That’s a good thing. We should all be so lucky.”
“Walk me out?”
“Of course.”
She pulls on her coat as I settle up with the bartender, making sure to leave a healthy tip for the man. I give him a nod then turn and walk Bailey out of the bar. We walk down the sidewalk in silence before turning into the bar’s parking lot. She leads me over to a blue and white Mini Cooper and hits the button on her key fob. A high-pitched double chirp sounds, and the lights flash as the alarm is deactivated. She turns to me, her gaze uncertain, a gentle smile on her full, red lips.
I gesture to the car. “If we ever go anywhere, I guess I’m going to have to drive.”
She laughs. “Yeah, well, I didn’t think about the possibility of having a giant in my car when I bought her.”
I like that she didn’t shoot down the idea of us going somewhere together.
“Thanks for tonight,” she says. “I had a good time. If I’m being honest, I haven’t had that good a time in a while.”
“I was thinking that earlier too.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah. And I was thinking we should do it again sometime.”
I can see the conflict on her face as she processes what I said and puts it up against any possible strain of ethics or conflict of interest issues because of her job.
She’s torn. Part of her wants to say yes and the other part is afraid of mixing business with pleasure. I guess I’m going to have to put a finger on the scales and tip them my way.
Stepping forward, I cup her face with my hands and pull her to me. The moment our lips touch, it feels like an explosion is tearing through me. Heat spreads through my veins like a wildfire tearing through dry grassland.
Her mouth is warm, wet, and tastes of the bourbon we just shared, and her tongue against mine is as soft and smooth as silk. Bailey’s kiss is hesitant but longing. It feels like something she wants but is afraid to let herself fully enjoy.
Slowly, we pull back and I stare into her eyes and smile. “Goodnight, Bailey.”
Her lips part, almost as if she wants to say something, and the air between us crackles with desire. But she settles for a smile and a nod.