Turn Over

“True, but seriously what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting after I finished here.”

He ran his thumb across my lower lip and I couldn’t breathe. He held me with his stare. With his gaze. My hand was glued to the door, but I couldn’t move. I wanted to suck his thumb into my mouth. To hell with the fact we were in a public hallway.

“I couldn’t wait that long,” he responded with a sexy smirk.

I didn’t know what was right or what was wrong about him, but I knew then that somehow Luke Canton was going to turn my life upside down, and it scared the absolute shit out of me.

I nodded. “Ready to sing?”

“Oh I don’t sing. I sign things. Hats, shirts.” He patted a bag over his shoulder. “I brought some kid-sized footballs. They love these things.”

I laughed. “Well, let this be your introduction into the entertainment business. These kids are going to hear Luke Canton sing.”

“Alexa.” His voice was firm.

I liked how it sounded over my ears. It reminded me of last night. Of the things he said to me. How commanding he was. How sexy and hot he was in his room. How I did what he asked in his bed. I didn’t say no once.

I smiled widely, pushing the door open. I didn’t give him a chance to back out. It was fun to make the big strapping quarterback squirm.

“Hey, there. I’m Lexi and this is my friend Luke. We came to say hi and sing a little for you. What’s your name?”

Luke stood next to me. I could feel him beside me. The heat emitting from his body.

“Daniel.”

“You like football, Daniel?” Luke reached into the bag and pulled out a foam ball about six inches long. The Warriors logo was painted on all sides.

The boy shook his head. “I do. And I love Lexi too.”

I smiled. “Thank you.” I bent over his bed to hug him. “You’re so sweet.”

Luke signed the ball and tossed it so the boy could catch it. “Nice grip you’ve got.”

I’d never seen a child smile like that. Clearly, I was taking a backseat to Luke.

“Really? Do you think I should play? My mom won’t let me, but maybe if you talked to her…” Daniel’s eyes were wide.

“She won’t let you play? That’s bull—”

I quickly elbowed him in the side and glared at him.

“I mean. That’s a shame.” He tried to cover up his mistake. He was an expert on a lot of things, but kids weren’t one of them.

“But could you talk to her? She’ll be back any minute.”

Luke nodded. “Sure, but I’m not making any promises. Mom’s make the rules sometimes.”

I smiled. “How about we play a song until she gets here? Any requests?”

Daniel looked at the ceiling, sorting through his choices. “Can you play ‘Heaven Sent’?”

“Of course I can. Let’s see if Luke knows the words.” I eyed my new duet partner as I settled on the edge of the bed and propped my guitar on my knee. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

After three songs we said goodbye to Daniel and his mom Stacey. She followed us to the door.

“Thank you.” She squeezed my hand.