“Hey.” My voice wavered because I had thoughts about ducking under the bleachers and fucking him right then and there, the rules be damned. “I wanted to see you play.”
His eyes lit up. He liked hearing that. “What did you think?”
“It’s a lot like dancing, except for the part where it’s completely different.” I smiled. “It was . . . interesting.” Late in the game, he’d ended up at the bottom of a pile and came up with a bloodied lip. “You okay?”
“This?” He pointed to the scrape on his lip. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.” He grinned widely, like he enjoyed the pain. Was he a masochist? I could understand. I wasn’t a huge pain slut, but in the right setting and with the right Dominant? I was into that.
He glanced at Ruby, and his expression turned to concern when he saw the enormous box of macarons. “What’s happened?”
“Relax,” she scoffed. “Nothing’s wrong. Kyle asked me to move in with him, and I’m testing out his oven. You and your guys get to be my guinea pigs.”
Over his shoulder, several of his teammates milled about, stealing anxious glances at Ruby. Or more likely, the box of cookies in her hand.
Grant straightened. “You’re moving in with McAsshole?”
“Have I mentioned how much he loves that nickname?” she said, her voice flat. “And maybe I’ll move in with him. If his oven sucks, he’s moving in with me.”
He shifted his bag from one hand to the other and tossed a look at the crowd of guys waiting. “Well, go on, then. Rogers is hoping you brought the lemonade ones again.”
She did, and I agreed. The lemonade cookies were delicious. She nodded and left us, hurrying toward the players. As soon as she was out of earshot—
“You don’t like her boyfriend?”
Grant made a face. “I like him all right. They broke up once, and he was bloody awful to her, but that was a long time ago. He’s good to her now, but I like to give him shit so he knows I haven’t forgotten.”
That had to be intimidating for her boyfriend. Grant wasn’t a small guy, and after watching his game, I knew firsthand he had no problem being aggressive.
“What are you doing now?” he asked. “I’ve got to get cleaned up first, but you want to hang out?”
The invitation was innocent, but his eyes were not, and the muscle in my center clenched. “Actually, I was hoping I could ask for a favor. My sister texted me this morning. She’s in town for a business thing and wants to grab dinner tonight. Wanna come?”
Surprise filled his face. “You want me to meet your sister?”
“What I really want is you to save me from my sister, but yeah.” I grasped the sides of my leather jacket I wore over my skimpy top and held them closed. The sun couldn’t be seen through the overcast clouds, but it was setting, and it was growing colder by the minute. “It’s going to be boring. I won’t blame you if you say no.”
He peered down at me like I was being silly. “Of course I’ll go.”
I stepped up to him and picked a few blades of grass off his shirt sleeve. It was mostly an excuse to touch him. I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his, filling my voice with seduction. “I promise to make it worth it later.”
He dropped his bag with a thud and slid his hands around my waist, pulling me tight against him. He lowered his mouth to mine, and his kiss was intense. If his lip was bothering him, he didn’t let on.
Warmth spread from his kiss, lighting up my body and drawing a sigh.
It was over too soon. As we parted, he whispered in my ear, “Worth it already.”
-20-
Grant
I had four more stops on the El before I’d reach the restaurant when Tara texted me.
Tara: I’m at the bar. I already need a drink and she’s not even here yet.
Grant: On my way, be there in 10.
I pocketed my phone and tightened my grip on the strap hanging from the ceiling as the train wound through a curve. I’d gotten several text messages from Ruby earlier telling me how much she liked Tara. I was still blown away she’d come to my match this afternoon.
By herself.