Game On!. Dani Jace

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СКАЧАТЬ been so gullible, she wouldn’t have become news fodder as a business man’s plaything. She’d lost her self-esteem, ability to trust, and nearly her livelihood.

      “What the hell’s gotten into you, Jordan?” GiGi followed the black Jeep to the beach house. “You were into him.”

      “Just not ready to go there, G.”

      “He’s hot as fuck. They’re new in town. Ride him like a stallion and be done.” She popped the clutch and jerked the car into third gear.

      Jordan had worn down the last of GiGi’s patience. “Sorry, I’m not like you.”

      “No, you don’t give anyone a chance anymore. The first wrong word and you dismiss people like they’re not good enough.”

      Like your mother. Gigi didn’t say it, but the message rang loud and clear. Hiding her fear had turned her into a hardass.

      Heath turned into the next driveway. The sleek black four-by-four reminded Jordan of her eldest brother’s ride. She missed rides on the beach down on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Good times. She’d love to return to that simple life.

      GiGi stopped the car at the end of their driveway.

      Dugan swaggered his beefy self to the driver’s side and leaned on the door.

      Enthused with the jock, GiGi chatted him up like a teen.

      Heath grabbed the cooler from the back of his vehicle and then glanced her way. “Nice meeting you, Jordan.” Barefoot and shirtless, he waved and turned for the house.

      Without an explanation, she’d blown an opportunity with a seemingly nice guy with an amazing body. One man had ruined an endearing word that another’s sexy and southern pronunciation had her shivering with desire.

      Take a chance. She might wind up being his vacation playmate, but at least it would be her choice. As long as he wasn’t a liar and deceiver like Richard. Taking GiGi’s advice, Jordan rose from the low sports car and followed him up the driveway. She reached him as he was about to enter the outside shower. “Heath.”

      Surprised blue eyes questioned her.

      “I’m sorry. I overreacted. Someone used to call me darling.”

      His jaw tensed. “Someone who hurt you.”

      She studied her flip-flops.

      “I know where you’re coming from.” He grasped her hand.

      So strong. His closeness unnerved her, yet his magnetic gaze enticed her. Beyond his handsome features, he emanated a protective nature that encouraged her to trust.

      Her brothers were the same. They could tease her, but let someone else mess with her. She tightened her fingers around his. “Thanks for understanding.”

      Her knuckles tingled against the stroke of his thumb.

      The tender touch sent Jordan’s pulse surging. A relationship wasn’t in her cards at the moment, but meeting Heath for a quick meal would merely be hospitable to a visitor. “How about lunch sometime?”

      “Sunday brunch?” He arched a questioning brow.

      Not leaving their date to chance, either. She admired his determination and mentally hash-marked his effort to the plus side of her teacher grading chart.

      * * * *

      With a date set, Heath headed into the shower and latched the plywood door. A horn toot signaled the girls had left.

      Beneath the steam, he lathered his skin. Since he’d arrived in Virginia, sex hadn’t made it into his playbook. He’d spent his free time practicing, learning the team’s plays, and recharging his body.

      Jordan reminded him he missed women. His thickening cock refused to be ignored. Hot water sluiced between his ass cheeks. The sensation tightened his balls as he took his shaft in hand.

      Heat flooded his groin. Bracing a hand against the wall in front of him, he envisioned her pert and full breasts. How would they taste? He’d love to make her moan as he buried himself to the hilt between her toned thighs.

      A familiar tightening gathered in his sac as he erupted in thick streams. He closed his eyes and let the release take him. Leaning against the shower wall, he exhaled as his muscles relaxed. Calm washed over him.

      It seemed like forever ago that he felt a true connection with a woman. Of course with his luck, he’d clicked with someone who’d been burned and was twice shy. What asshole had screwed her over? The dick and his ex, Sandy, should team up.

      * * * *

      Jordan parked in front of the Centerville Café, a place she’d frequented most of her life. She retrieved her cell phone from her bag. No sign of Heath’s jeep. Cursing her promptness, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her clingy top felt too snug and her shorts too short.

      Would he show? Probably wondering which personality she’d have today after her freak show on the beach. The guys who had shown interest in her since Richard, she hadn’t given a second thought. Heath’s romantic effect on Jordan had her stumped. She never went for jocks.

      A blaring rock tune vibrated from a vehicle pulling into the space next to her.

      Heath’s mouth moved in sync to the Shinedown song.

      One of her favorite bands.

      If she hadn’t known better, she might have thought he chanted a mantra. He definitely wasn’t singing. On the crescendo of the last notes, she stepped out of her car.

      He slid from his Jeep and jerked his head in her direction. “Hey, didn’t see you there.”

      “We have similar taste in music.” She smiled. His pecs and biceps bulged beneath his Tidewater Tritons football t-shirt. A football fan and obviously already aware of the area’s new team.

      “You like Nickelback, too?” He shoved his keys in his shorts pocket.

      “Chad’s voice is like sex.”

      Heath swallowed. “Noted. Ready to eat? Uh, I mean…”

      Jordan giggled.

      “Bad girl, you’re taking that the wrong way. Trying to get me all riled up?” He offered his arm.

      “Not intentionally.” Impressed by his manners, she clasped his rock-hard bicep.

      He blushed through his tan. After opening the door, he followed her inside.

      The staff would probably be shocked to see her with a date instead of her parents or GiGi.

      * * * *

      He followed the hostess and Jordan to a gingham-covered table next to a window.

      Homey. He held out Jordan’s chair. Her clean linen scent reminded him of helping his mother hang clothes on the line when he was young. Jordan’s hair had the same copper tints as his mom’s. СКАЧАТЬ