Game On (Game On 1)

What are the chances …?

Shaking my head in amusement, I took off my other shoe then stepped back up to the pole to continue my dance. I felt less self-conscious this time, fired up knowing Miguel was watching me. Pulling out every sexy move I had, I didn’t care if I looked ridiculous because there was one man who seemed to be enjoying every second.

When the song ended, I stepped down from the platform, hot, sticky and exhilarated.

If things don’t work out at Westberg, there may be a career in pole dancing for me.

Miguel greeted me with a grin and handed me my disobedient heel.

“Sorry,” I said, slipping my shoe on, “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No, he laughed. “And even if you had, the dance more than made up for it!”

High from the buzz, I slid my arms around him, touching him for the first time. His body was toned but much softer than I’d expected. It was comforting, like having my own life-sized teddy bear.

“Did I just make a complete fool of myself?”

“Not at all. In fact, from the way the guys in here are staring at you I’d say they would kill to be in my position right now.”

I began to respond but a disturbing sight caught my eye over Miguel’s shoulder, halting me before I could speak. Amongst the throng of happy clubbers, I noticed McCoy intertwined with Taylor. His hands firmly held the exposed skin at her waist and she was grinding her hips against his.

“Oh hell.”

Miguel turned to follow my gaze. “That’s not good.”

My eyes darted around, seeking out Jesse and hoping he hadn’t seen them. I spotted him by the bar, staring in their direction and my heart instantly went out to the young soccer player.

“I think I should go and talk to him. He looks like he needs a distraction.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you down here.”

I gave him a quick hug, before making my way off the dance floor towards Jesse.

“Hey,” I said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

With a half-hearted smile, he said, “So you saw them too.”

“I did. I don’t think you should read too much into it though.”

“Leah, that’s practically foreplay!”

It was hard to disagree. Taylor whispered something in McCoy’s ear and he smiled like a man who was about to get lucky.

“Taylor’s yours. You know that.”

“I thought so too but now I’m not so sure. Of all the people in here, why did she choose McCoy? Why the man who made me want to be a soccer player?” He let out a deep sigh. “When I got selected to play for Westberg, I couldn’t believe I was going to meet McCoy and play on the sam

e team as him. I guess he really is as much of a dick as the papers say.”

The pain on Jesse’s face made my heart break a little. Just eighteen years old, starting out in his career and his life, only to think it was all over because the girl he loved was rubbing herself up against the man he idolised.

“Jesse, listen,” I said, turning him to face me. “I’m no fan of McCoy but the only thing he cares for, besides himself, is the Warriors. He would never screw you over by taking your girlfriend.”

I desperately hoped Bree was right in assuming McCoy wouldn’t touch his teammates’ women because I couldn’t think of any other way to wipe away his sadness.

“What about her?” he asked. “Can I trust her?”

“I don’t know. But she’s young, and being here with all these super famous people is probably really exciting for her.”