Killian (On the Line 1)
“You are.” She reached up and stroked my scruffy cheek. “You’re the only one, Killian.”
“I’m a person who broods and thinks about things. I wasn’t ignoring you. I thought you wanted space, too. Not space from each other, just space to cool down. If you ever need me, just tell me.”
Her expression twisted into something I couldn’t place, but it almost looked sad.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just feel myself losing control and it’s so hard.”
“Losing control of what?”
There was a pause before she spoke softly. “My heart.”
With any other woman I’d been with, I’d have leapt from the bed and been in my car within five seconds. But Sidney’s words made me feel so damn good that my eyes burned.
“Me too,” I said, brushing back a lock of hair from her forehead. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”
She wrapped her arms around my back and I rested my forehead on hers.
“I’ve always kicked men out of my bed before they even fell asleep, but you . . .” She moved her hands down until they were gripping my ass. “I want you to stay here for days. I hate that we only get stolen moments and nights here and there. I cry for you and dream about you. You’ve turned me into such a woman, Killian.”
I closed my eyes and breathed in her soft, exotic scent. “I’ve turned you into my woman. And that’s a very good thing. I’ll take whatever you’ll give. If you want to keep things a secret, it’s okay.”
“It’s not that I want to, I just know the fallout would be bad. I’m sure the other owners in the league would have some choice words for me. And you’d be labeled as the guy who slept with his owner to get to the top.”
“Baby, I was already on top.”
She sighed deeply. “What did you decide about Indy?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“I kind of don’t want you to go, crazy as that probably sounds.”
“I need time to think about it.”
She sat up, still covering her chest with the bed sheet. “Last night . . . Killian, I felt so swept off my feet. Where did you learn to dance like that?”
“My mom was a dance teacher. I started dancing about the time I started walking.”
She smiled, her eyes glistening. “That makes me really happy. Thinking of you dancing with your mom.”
“I always loved it. Except tap. That wasn’t my favorite.”
“You know how to tap dance?” she asked, her voice rising with amusement.
“That’ll be our little secret.”
“I’ve felt like an uncoordinated fool every other time I’ve ever tried to dance in my life. You made me feel like I was floating.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a dance partner,” I said, reaching under the sheet to take her hand in mine. “Hey, that song that was on when I got here last night . . . that was nice.”
“Love is Here to Stay by Ella Fitzgerald. It’s one of my favorites.”
“I’ll dance with you for as many hours as it takes to make up for being such an asshole,” I said.
“Oh, really?” She turned to me with a mischievous smile.
“Are you thinking about the horizontal cha-cha? Because yes, that’s one dance I’d love to do with you for hours.”
“I think that could be arranged. I’m thinking of my parents’ anniversary party next weekend. It’s in San Francisco and it’s a rare weekend with no games. Will you come with me? We can do dancing of the horizontal and vertical varieties.”
“Is this because I said you don’t think I’m good enough for you?”
She shook her head. “This is because I want you to come to my parents’ anniversary party with me.”
“That’ll let the cat out of the bag about us in a big way.”
“I’m ready if you are,” she said. “I expect some fireworks, but nothing we can’t handle. I’m proud to be with you and ferociously jealous when other women hit on you. It’s time to stake my claim.”
“I can handle that. And you don’t mind if I punch any guy who looks at your ass, right?”
“I’d expect no less, Mr. Bosch.”Sidney
Keri was talking about the campaign she’d put together to increase season ticket sales, and I was listening with half an ear. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. The leather jacket, the dancing, the sex.
“Earth to Sidney,” Keri said, waving a hand at me from in front of my desk.
“Hmm? Oh, I love that idea,” I said.
“I’m pretty sure my corporate sponsorship program is not responsible for the grin on your face.”
“It could be.”
“Is a certain team captain responsible for your chipper mood this morning?”
I nodded. “We had a bit of a fight before they left on the last road trip, and we made up last night.”
“Can’t say this is news to me. You seemed really down just before you left for New York and I can’t say you looked any better when you got back yesterday. I didn’t want to pry, but I’m glad you’re feeling better.”