Beyond the Play (Out of Reach 3)

I bite down on my bottom lip. I know that if I agree to this, I’m setting myself up for heartbreak. Any time spent with this man sitting across from me will only have me falling for him. I know that. I know I won’t be able to keep my heart out of the equation. However, as long as I don’t sleep with him, maybe I can keep the damage to my heart to a simple crack and not have it blown to a million tiny pieces when this ends or backfires on me.

Taking his phone from his hands, I open his contacts and type in my number before handing it back to him. “I reserve the right to say if this is too much. If I tell you that this” I wave between us “whatever it turns out to be is over, it’s over.”

“I don’t know if I can agree to that.”

“Then the deal of taking it slow and getting to know each other is off the table. You can delete my number.”

“What if you fall in love with me?” he asks. He’s not being cocky this time. His tone and his facial expression tell me he’s serious. “I can’t just let you walk away if that’s the case.”

“What if you fall in love with me?” I toss his words back at him.

“Never been in love.” He shrugs. “Probably won’t be an issue, but I already know that if you do fall for me, like that, it would be hard for me to let you walk away.”

“Slow, Bailey.”

I watch as his fingers fly across the screen of his phone before he puts it into his pocket. My phone vibrates on the table. “You better check that.” He smiles softly.

Unknown: We’ll take it slow, sweet pea. You hold all the control here.

I stare at my phone, not sure I can believe the words he’s sent me, but wanting to. I really want to believe him. I quickly add his number to my contacts and type out a reply.

Me: Slow.

“I should get going,” I say, slipping my phone into my purse and packing up the rest of my things.

“You want to come shopping with me?”

I smile at him. “You should look up the definition of slow.”

“Fine.” He returns my smile. “I’ll walk you to your car.” He grabs my bag and throws it over his shoulder as we both slide out of the booth.

With his hand on the small of my back, we make our way out of the café. His fans are waiting for us and swarm him before the door to the café is even closed. He holds up his hands to stop them. “Hold up. It’s freezing cold out here. Let me get my girl in her car, and then I’ll sign whatever you want me to.”

Shouts of “thanks” and “is she your girlfriend?” follow us as he walks me with his hand on the small of my back to my car. I quickly unlock the door and climb inside. He hands me my bag and bends down so that we’re face-to-face.

“Drive safe.”

“Always.”

“Text me when you get home.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue that I’m a big girl, but he appears to be sincere, so I nod. He reaches in and taps my nose with his index finger before stepping back and closing the door.

CHAPTER 10

Holden

Finally, I’m able to break away from the crowd and make my way to my truck. I must have signed a hundred autographs and taken just as many pictures. I don’t mind it as the fans keep me in a job, but today, I just wanted to be with her. I had to field questions of who she was to me. I left it at “she’s my girl.” I know that they read more into it than what this currently is between us, but no way was I telling them she was available. I don’t need the competition. Not when it comes to Parker. Waiting for my truck to warm, I check my phone for a message from her, and sure enough, she sent one three minutes ago.

Parker: Made it home.

Me: Dinner?

She replies with a string of laughing emojis, which makes me smile. I admit it’s nice that she calls me out and doesn’t just fall at my feet. At first, I hated it, but it’s growing on me. She’s growing on me.

Me: You have to eat to live.

Parker: S.L.O.W.

Parker: Repeat that over and over, Bailey.

I toss my head back in laughter. This girl is full of sass, and I love it. I knew she was going to turn me down. Hell, I’m surprised she gave me her number. It’s not in my nature to give up, though, and I figure regardless of her wanting to go slow, I’m not going to stop asking for more time with her. There is just something about her that pulls me in. My conversation with the guys comes to mind, and I’m glad I didn’t make that bet. Parker is worth more than that. One afternoon in her presence where we’re not grinding against each other or tossing out constant barbs is enough to know that.