She handed the phone back to Brad. “They brought my car.”
“I figured as much. I’ll go take care of it so you don’t have to get dressed.” He started to get up.
Her response was instant panic as she grabbed his arm. “No!” But even in her current state of urgency, she managed to get distracted by his delicious body, her gaze flickering down those sculpted pecs and nicely defined abs. She cleared her throat. “You can’t go for me.”
Brad’s expression hinted at irritation. “Why not?”
“What if someone sees you?” she asked, and then felt a bit guilty. After all, he was trying to be polite. “Not that I don’t appreciate the offer.”
He stared at her, those too-blue eyes unreadable. “No problem, sweetheart.” He propped himself against the headboard, and stretched out his long legs in front of him. “Glad to kick back and let you do all the work.”
She felt confused. And irritated. On one hand, she liked his chivalry. On the other, she didn’t like his quick change of mood. It seemed as though his charm lasted only until he didn’t get his way. Didn’t he understand that she could rescue herself? She didn’t always need him riding in to save the day. Plus, what if someone did recognize him coming out of her room? Yes, it was a remote possibility, but it would be a disastrous one.
Amanda clenched her teeth. “Think about someone like Jack finding out about us, Brad. He’d rip me to shreds over this. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ripped you along with me, given the right angle. Word would get around. And just how much respect do you think your teammates—or any professional athlete, for that matter—would give me if they thought I screwed people to get stories? I have a lot to lose.” Her words were strained despite her best effort to hide how emotional she suddenly felt. She didn’t want to regret this night, and hoped he didn’t make her.
Shoving off the bed, she didn’t give him time to respond, hating the fact that her clothes were all the way across the room. Suddenly, she felt more than naked. She felt exposed.
With a detour to the bathroom, she grabbed a towel and a little privacy. She did a quick job of cleaning up, then inspected herself in the mirror, finding her hair in disarray, her lips swollen. Her eyes looked a bit drugged, satisfaction rooted in their depths.
The man knew pleasure—that was for sure.
She grabbed an extra towel and headed back to the room. She tossed the towel at Brad, who remained where she’d left him. Still gloriously naked. Evidently, he had no intention of getting dressed. Furthermore, he appeared to have every intention of watching her as she did.
She gave him a look, intending to protest his ogling. But his eyes danced with mischief, and one dark blond eyebrow arched in challenge. An amazing thing happened. She smiled, amusement replacing her anxiety. Okay, maybe her reaction was over the top for the circumstances.
Lifting her chin, she decided to meet his dare. She dropped the towel, then began to dress, as if it were no problem at all that he watched. First she slipped into her skirt. Then her bra and shirt. Her shoes. Damn. Where were her panties?
“Looking for these?”
Amanda’s eyes went wide as she found Brad holding her silk undies by one finger. She rushed forward, issuing a reprimand. “I have to hurry. They’re waiting for me.”
When she reached for her panties, he yanked them out of reach, his arm circling her as he pulled her across his chest. “Let them wait a little longer.”
Her pulse kicked into double time as the warmth of his body seeped into hers. A bit of laughter escaped her lips despite her best effort to stop it. She schooled her features with determination. “Brad. I have to go.”
“Not until we get something clear,” he said.
She glared at him. “What?”
“I would never do anything to jeopardize your career. I just wanted to help you. I’m trying damn hard to clean up my reputation, too. As I’m sure you know, my contract is almost up and I don’t want trouble any more than you do.”
He said the words with so much sincerity, she felt herself go soft inside, the tension sliding away. “I—I guess I overreacted.” On impulse she ran her hand over the sexy stubble on his jaw. “I’ll be right back.” She reached for her panties.
He yanked his hand out of reach again. “I like you better without them.” Their gazes locked, desire spiking between them. “Leave them off and think about what I’m going to do to you when you get back to the room.”
A tiny ache began to build between her legs. The man had just given her an amazing orgasm and already she was wet again. She was curious what he had in mind. “And what exactly would that be?”