Taming His Tutor

What was he planning to bite?

“You look gorgeous.” His gaze roved over her body, lingering at the open vee of her shirt.

“Thanks.” Abbi finally managed a reply. Man, she needed something stronger than a makeover and a pep talk from Nadia to get her act together. She should have preloaded with a stiff drink instead. She folded her arms across her tummy as she walked upstairs alongside him, desperately trying to get a grip on her lust. But oh yeah, she wanted him to bite her.

At the top of the stairs he turned to face her, suddenly a whole lot closer than she expected him to be. “Tell me more about your man-eating app.”

“I already told you it’s not about man-eating.” She looked up at him, acutely aware of how exposed her neck and cleavage were given how far she had to tilt her chin to see into his eyes.

“No?” He chuckled. Slowly he looked down, then back up her body. “Are you going to show me your moves?” he asked quietly. “Can you distract a man from a ball game?”

His words, his expression slammed into her bones. Heat. Humor. Challenge.

Electricity crackled between them. A jolt of power surged into her veins as she realized she had his full attention. And she could tease a little, right? She could channel Sasha Fox again. “You tell me.”

A smile slowly creased his face. “I’m not going to make it that easy for you.” He turned and walked, pausing at the open doorway through which Abbi could hear the sounds of people talking, laughing.

His provocation struck deep in her belly. She couldn’t help following him. Game on.

“What do you expect me to do?” she asked.

He looked thoughtful. “Remind me of the aim of the app.”

“Tips on how to get a guy’s attention and keep it.” She swallowed.

“And you’ve been ensuring those tips are accurate.” His emerald eyes speared. “How’s the info working out for you?”

Abbi narrowed her eyes. Doubtless he thought she was desperate. Even if she was, she didn’t want him thinking it. She might be a flirt failure, but she wasn’t going to be teased by him. “It’s working wonders to expand my social life.”

“Really.” His brows lifted. “So, let’s see some app in action. Show me how all that valuable info works.”

He stood in front of her, feet planted apart, expectant.

She drew in a deep, brain-clearing breath. “First of all, I need to find a suitable target.”

His eyes widened, startled. She suppressed a smile as another trickle of confidence surged through her. Did he really think she’d try to prove her skills on him? She wasn’t that crazy. Not when he’d made his skepticism so clear. She turned, checking out the three-quarters-full room—mostly men. Men in supporters’ gear or polo shirts. Not as many of the plain tees like Joe’s, which she most definitely preferred.

“See anything that takes your fancy?”

She heard the unbelieving amusement in his voice. Arrogant man.

“There are a number of options,” she lied.

“Really? Where?”

She gestured vaguely to the nearest group—three guys talking together, laughing. Definitely talking baseball.

She didn’t have a hope.

“Which one?”

“Maybe the blond?”

“Hmm.” Joe sounded like he thought it was an iffy idea. “So what’s your strategy? Are you going to ask him for a bite of his hot dog?”

What was he implying there? She saw the amusement, but there was heat in his eyes as well. She liked that combination a lot.

Joe “So Freaking Sexy and He Knows It” Fuller wasn’t just arrogant, but he had unreal good looks and a huge sense of fun. And didn’t that just make him all the more attractive.

“Okay.” She turned to try again, determined not to let him see just how easy she’d be for him.

So. Mission accepted. Every article had stressed the importance of eye contact. Plus, this afternoon Nadia had explained her “no-talking, no-fail” formula for getting a person’s attention…

Hold eye contact for four seconds. Count ’em and don’t rush. Then glance away. Glance back quick. And smile.

Abbi glanced at Joe. He was smiling. She glanced back at the room. Failure in front of Joe Fuller was not an option. Not when the few women in there were already scoping him out. Hell, half the men were too. Recognizing, respecting. They all sucked in their stomachs as they saw him, as if they were all suddenly preening to attract. Slightly irritated, Abbi flicked her hair back off her shoulder and walked deeper into the room.

Target, target…someone friendly, safe, approachable…

A few guys looked her way, but maintaining eye contact? She was so screwed. That’s when she noticed that Joe had moved farther into the room, well ahead of her—and now he’d turned around so he could see her face?

Hell.

She wasn’t going to pay any attention to him. Wasn’t going to fail. She was going to find—

That guy. To the left. Not that much taller than her. She was so determined not to look at Joe, she stared at the guy instead.

One, two, three, four…

She glanced down and smiled to herself. She’d done it. Actually maintained eye contact for the magical four seconds! She glanced back up and caught the guy’s eyes. He smiled. And her smile deepened.

He stepped forward. “You looking forward to the game?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Thanks.”

She wasn’t going to clock Joe’s reaction. Not going to look over at him. She was maintaining eye contact with the new guy, who wasn’t too tall and intimidating. And she was relaxing and smiling because she’d won.

“You’re a regular supporter?” he asked.

“Uh, no.” She laughed a little self-consciously. “Actually, it’s my first time.” Ugh. Brainless, unintended innuendo.

“No way.” His smile broadened and he stepped closer still. “Then we’d better make sure you have a really good time. My name’s Pete.” He held out his hand.

“Abbi.” She took it.

“Great to meet you, Abbi.” He held on a little too long, a touch too tight, too. That was a good thing, right? Except she didn’t like the feel of it.

“You too.” She nodded and pulled her hand back. “So you’re a regular?”

“Absolutely,” he laughed.

Jeez, she was actually getting somewhere. Nadia’s no-failure tip had been right. Except—now what?

“You here with friends?” he asked.

“Yeah, at the bar.” She stumbled over an explanation. Should have thought of that first.

“Leaving you free to talk to me.”

“It would seem so.” She racked her brain for something to say. “You’re a big Giants fan?”

Duh, given the club shirt and cap and the fact that he’d already told her he was a regular supporter, that’d be a yes.

“Sure am.” He moved. “You’re gonna be cheering for my team tonight, right?”

Uh. Though the room was filling up, Pete was now standing just a little too close. She could smell his aftershave. It was good of him to think of personal hygiene, but it was a little strong. It wasn’t as nice as the freshly showered, soapy smell of—

“Abbi?” Joe slung his arm along her shoulders. “You need a drink?”

Startled, she jumped. His hand tightened, pulling her closer.

“I’m Joe.” He nodded at Pete. “Lost track of my special guest there for a minute.”

Could he be any less subtle? And could she be any more stupidly relieved? But she sent Pete an apologetic smile.

“Yeah, well, you wouldn’t want her to get lost given it’s her first time,” Pete answered, his expression souring.

“No, I wouldn’t,” Joe replied, his smile more a baring of teeth.

“I better go find my guys.” Pete stepped back.

“Enjoy the game,” Joe called after the guy as he disappeared into the crowd.

“What was that?” Indignant, mostly

with herself, Abbi turned toward Joe, trying to ignore the fact that the movement brought her too close to him. There was that fresh soap scent and as for the wall of heat? The solid wall?

“What?”

Oh, now he looked all innocent?

Abbi shook her head. “You just cock-blocked me.”

“I—what?” He laughed—but it was a surprisingly humorless sound.

“You did. You scared him off.” She lifted her hand and gave his chest an ineffectual shove. “I was getting somewhere.”

Joe’s innocent facade suddenly sharpened, his smile falling to reveal a set look about his mouth. “Only because you didn’t stop staring at the guy.”

“He didn’t seem to mind.” She lifted her chin and tried to take a step back but found she couldn’t. When had Joe’s arm tightened to prison strength?