Game On!. Dani Jace

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СКАЧАТЬ don’t get dragged into any of her games. I’ll catch you later. Got some afternoon delight planned.”

      Heath laughed. “Got it covered, buddy.” If Dugan only knew the game had Jordan offered him.

      * * * *

      From his view on the deck, surfers bobbed on the high tide afternoon swells. Heath itched to join them but couldn’t risk an injury. He’d grown up on the coast of South Carolina near Folly Beach. Since college, he’d been deprived of the Atlantic, and a lake wasn’t the same for an ocean lover.

      With stomach growling, he returned inside to the kitchen. After tossing mixed lettuce in a large bowl, he loaded the salad with grilled chicken and poured on his vice of peppercorn dressing. A few sundried tomatoes served as croutons.

      While eating, he fired up his computer hoping to video chat with his sister, Ashley. No response. Even though her husband made plenty of money, she’d never been a girl satisfied to sit at home. She worked at a law office while Jeremy was in pre-school. At twenty-four she already had a career and a family. Chasing the elusive football dream had Heath far behind in both.

      Curiosity drove him to Google his game girl. He typed Jordan Walker and clicked on the first link, a newspaper article.

      Richard Branscome, CEO of Bodies, a sports equipment chain from Richmond, has been removed from the board for inappropriate relations with Jordan Walker, a teacher in Hampton Roads, and captain of a woman’s semi-pro lacrosse team sponsored by the corporation.

      The fork fell from his fingers. Digging deeper, he searched Mr. Branscome. The man was a staunch supporter of women’s sports in the state. It didn’t take long to also surmise the man was a high-class hound and young female athletes were his prey. Somehow Jordan had gotten caught in his web. If he hadn’t been privy to similar situations while elbowing amongst pro football players, he might not have believed her innocent plea. He knew a player who kept a secret house where he and his friends and teammates invited ladies and partied hard.

      He distinctly remembered Jordan scrutinizing his left hand at the café. She might have been gullible, but he didn’t believe her the type to knowingly carry on with a married man.

      After lunch with more than food for thought, he drove to Sandbridge where he’d first met Jordan. The multitude of vehicles surprised him. Several teens unhitched surfboards as he passed. “No school today, guys?”

      “Last day, early release, dude!” The lanky one grinned.

      Heath found a quiet spot on the surfing side and planted his chair. Before long, the noise of beachgoers blended into the lulling surf while thoughts of Jordan filled his twilight sleep. Hopefully, with the school year finished, his hottie teacher would be free to play their little game over the summer.

      * * * *

      Jordan clicked save after entering the last grade and shut off the computer for the summer. While lying low after her legal troubles, she sighed in relief having made it through the school year. Her cell phone buzzed on the desk.

      “You didn’t call me back on Sunday. Did you meet him for brunch?” GiGi didn’t even wait for her to say hello.

      Crap, she’d hoped GiGi’s fun with Dugan and her trip to New York had dulled her memory. She grabbed a box and started unloading her desk. “Yep. It was nice.”

      “Hold on a second, Jordan. Let me double check this order before sending it to the vendor. Found some great fabrics here this week.” Clicking keys followed. “Okay sister, give it up.”

      “He’s a guy in town for a few weeks and I’m not looking for a relationship.” Just needed a hot body taking her to heights she’d only imagined.

      “Jordan, are you actually clamming up on me?”

      “You know they’re both players on the new Tritons football team, don’t you?” She closed the box, ready to sprout wings and fly away in freedom.

      “Say what?” GiGi let out a long whistle. “Sneaky fuckers!”

      “Your guy’s a middle linebacker, so no wonder he’s meat on the hoof.” Jordan laughed.

      “And between those massive thighs, too.” GiGi moaned. “If I hadn’t had to pack and fly out for this fashion show, I would have kept him at my place the rest of the weekend.”

      How many dates would it take to reach that particular body part on Heath? Warmth built in Jordan’s lower stomach and migrated down. Maybe she could surprise him and skip straight to the ‘D.’ “So are you hooking up with Dugan again when you get back?”

      “Yes ma’am. I ain’t done ridin’ that bull yet. Told him I’d be busy while in New York and I’d call after my flight back on Thursday. Now you’ve got me thinking I should text him. Maybe I should send him a cleavage shot to give him a reminder.” She giggled. “Why waste a chance to show off this designer bra. What about you and Mr. Dreamy Eyes?”

      So she had noticed those stunning baby blues in spite of the meat man. “I offered to be his local tour guide, no strings attached.”

      “Good girl. Heard he’s coming off an evil woman and out for some summer fun like you.”

      So body parts it would be. Jordan frowned, unsettled about how much she longed to see him again. “We’ll get together for lunch when you get back. Get a freebie dress from the fashion show to loan me. One that will bring him to his knees.”

      “Only if I can watch!” GiGi razzed her before disconnecting.

      Forever notorious that girl.

      With a pang of regret, Jordan packed some of the lacrosse gear she’d loaned to the new coach for the season. She said goodbye to her fellow PE teachers, the office staff then loaded her car destined for home.

      Still paying lawyer’s fees, she’d given up her apartment, hoping to get out of the hole. She turned into her parent’s fancy bricked driveway. With no raises for city and school employees in the last three years, she doubted her residence would change in the near future.

      Her dad stepped out the front door as she started unloading. “Let me help you.”

      “I’ve got it, Dad.”

      He rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. Though he had a desk job, he stayed in shape playing tennis. His protective and giving nature demanded he help her until the boxes sat stacked in her room over the garage.

      “Are you going out tonight?” He knew the usual school’s-out parties that she used to attend.

      Her life had changed dramatically after being cross-examined by a bulldog lawyer and having her whole life exposed for the public’s eye. Her Dad admitted it was one of the most painful moments in his life. He even said he wished he could have taken her burden.

      “I’m meeting a friend for dinner.”

      His eyes brightened. “Glad you’ve started to get out again, hon.”

      He wouldn’t have lectured her about going out with a guy she just met, but Jordan decided against mentioning Heath. He was just body parts.

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