Hard and Fast

The words were a slap. More than once her ex had used the exact same words. She was not a wannabe and she was not going to fail. But that didn’t mean she wanted to deal with Jack’s animosity anymore. Though dealing with the rookie’s advances didn’t hold much more appeal, at least Casey represented a possible story.

“Yes, I am,” she said. “I’m going to the dance floor where I get an exclusive interview.” Pushing to her feet, she faced the rookie. “Let’s dance.”

A few minutes later, Amanda was being twirled and maneuvered in tune with a George Strait song. Not only was the movement murder on her toes, but it also rendered talking impossible. So much for that exclusive interview. At this rate, her night was headed for a total bust.

***

SHOVING CASH into the hands of the band’s manager, Brad ensured the next song would be a slow one. Adrenaline pulsed through him as he headed for the dance floor, prepared to take control of the situation, just as he did on the baseball field. Becker had had more than his share of Amanda while Brad had not had near enough.

Arriving at the edge of the dance floor, he scanned the couples and zeroed in on his target. Anticipating the change in music, he weaved his way to where Becker showed off his two-step skills. Brad stopped slightly behind Amanda, surprised at the rush of possessiveness the sight of Becker’s hand on her waist stirred in him. Surprised, too, at how much he wanted to pull Amanda close. How much he wanted Amanda, period. Bet or no bet, Amanda would be his and Becker would be gone.

Oh, yeah, Becker was about to get a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

7

“I BELIEVE THIS is my dance.”

Amanda glanced to her right to find Brad standing by her side, his gaze fixed on her.

“Forget it,” Becker said. “You can head back to your seat and wallow in your beer.”

Brad didn’t even look at Becker. He focused on her, sending a silent message that spoke volumes. He wanted a whole lot more than this dance. “I believe that’s up to Amanda,” he said.

The moment built as they all stood their ground. Around them, people danced, while the three of them remained still. Despite what she told herself, she knew Brad was asking for more than a dance or another feature in her column. This was a turning point. Whatever decision she made now would dictate whether logic or lust ruled. If she said no, she sensed that Brad might never again pursue her. If she said yes…

Who was she kidding? The decision had been made the second he’d adjusted his towel that first day. She turned to Casey. “Brad owes me an interview.”

Casey stared at her, disbelief and agitation on his face. He didn’t let go. In fact, his grip tightened, became possessive.

Amanda had the distinct feeling his desire to hold on had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Brad. The overload of testosterone flying between the two men had her thinking there would be trouble. She wanted no part of whatever pissing contest these two were engaged in, and was about to say so when Casey eased his hold, then stepped away.

“Don’t think this is over,” he said. But she wasn’t sure to whom he directed the warning.

The song ended, and without hesitation, Brad pulled her close. With a smooth step, he rotated, giving Casey his back.

Brad’s hand settled on her lower back as a slow melody by Garth Brooks began. Almost as if he knew it would. Something was up.

Even as distracted as she was by his sexy scent that was so much more enticing with proximity, she wasn’t letting him off the hook. “You knew the song was going to change.”

He didn’t even try to deny her claim. “Not only did I know it, I made sure of it.”

She studied him. “You like making him mad, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. His eyes darkened, warmed. “But that has nothing to do with why I wanted a slow song.”

“Brad—”

He touched his finger to her lips, shutting down her objection. “It’s just a dance.”

They could claim this was just a dance, but they both knew more than that was happening between them. Every second they spent together was fuel on a simmering flame.

Slowly, Brad eased his finger away from her mouth, caressing her cheek as he did. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, the heaviness of arousal building in her limbs. That heaviness grew as Brad took a subtle step forward, dissolving the distance between them. Their thighs brushed, not so close that they’d draw attention but close enough to inspire all kinds of sensual images in Amanda’s mind.

This couldn’t happen here for the team and Jack to see. She needed to delay this seduction until a more appropriate time. In a desperate attempt to regain her composure, Amanda started talking. “What’s the story with you and the rookie?”