Pushing away from the table, I roll my shoulders a few times before leaning back in my chair in a more comfortable position, giving Harper my full attention. Talking with Harper is not only highly entertaining, but I find her even more attractive because she talks sports. It’s a heady combo for a man who has gone without sex for a long time and lives for basketball. And the fact that she’s beautiful doesn’t hurt, either.
“Both Noah and I have high hopes for Isaiah Montgomery and Xander Williams.”
Harper’s expression lights up with interest. “Xander’s from Wake Forest, right?”
“Yes. And Isaiah is from—”
“Kentucky,” she adds at the same time, dropping her foot to the floor to lean forward, propping her elbows on her thighs. “Both excellent forwards. But if I had the chance, I’d consider Isaiah first.”
I mirror her posture and bend forward, closing the distance between us so we’re eye level, and I can watch the enthusiasm sparkle in her gaze.
“Oh, yeah? Tell me why.”
“Well, he had a lot more playing time last year in a bigger program. He’s an extremely consistent free throw shooter, can rebound like nobody’s business, and is an excellent team player.” She pauses a moment and raises an eyebrow. “And I already know how you feel about players who are only in it for themselves.”
Fuck me. She had me at Kentucky.
She is my definition of the perfect woman. Smart, capable, ambitious with a goal, professional…and she talks sports. That is perfection in my world.
Maybe it’s all of that plus the fact that she smells so mouthwatering good, an intoxicating combination of scents that muddle my brain. And her mouth…deliciously irresistible. God help me, but I can’t stop myself from doing what I do.
Closing the distance, I cup her face in my hands and draw her mouth to mine. I press my lips gently to hers, brushing a soft peck, tasting the berry-flavored lips before I pull back to give myself a time out. A pause to regroup. To make sure I haven’t fouled out of the game already.
I search her eyes for evidence of alarm or consent. What I see there is something I had hoped to see.
Clearance to go for more.