Hard and Fast

He smiled, and brushed his lips over hers, his hand sliding under her skirt, and over her bare backside. The touch transformed that little ache into a big one as his fingers dipped intimately lower. More of this and she’d demand he do her right now.

His teeth nipped her bottom lip. “Let your imagination run wild, sweetheart,” he said. “I promise I will.”

The phone rang again and she jerked back. “I have to go.” Damn. He had to stop distracting her. She needed that car.

She tried to push away from him, but he held her close, ignoring the ringing. Ignoring her urgency. And just when Amanda was sure Brad couldn’t do anything to blow her away any more than he already had, he did.

***

THE HOTEL ROOM DOOR shut, leaving Brad alone with his thoughts and the growing pain in his arm. He’d watched Amanda’s face when he’d told her he cared about her job. He’d seen how much it meant to her.

He let out a breath and ran a hand over his head. What should have been a simple round of sex to win the bet and deliver a serving of humble pie to the rookie just got more complicated. Now Amanda was his secret and he’d have to find another way to put Becker in his place.

As for Amanda, Brad would have to ensure she never found out about the bet because he was nowhere near getting his fill of her. He doubted one night would even begin to do the job.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed to his feet, forcing himself to put his clothes on. It was going to be a long, hot night, and he needed Advil. Even though she knew about his injury, he’d prefer to down the medication in private and his stash was in the truck. His ego wouldn’t let her see how right she was about his arm.

He actually needed something stronger than over-the-counter, but that entailed a doctor’s visit and he couldn’t trust anyone local. Lord only knew which doctors were cozy with team management. That meant he had to wait for the Texas series to see someone he knew would keep his secret.

By the time he tugged his shirt over his head, his arm felt like a lead weight. Amazingly, when he’d been buried deep inside Amanda, he’d tuned out the pain. Judging from the spasms darting from his shoulder to elbow, he was in for a rough night.

Brad was ready to go before he realized his predicament. If he left this room, Amanda would freak, afraid he’d be recognized.

Until he’d heard Amanda’s concerns about Jack and her career, Brad hadn’t given much thought to the scandal an affair between them might create. When he’d entered into this bet, he’d been so ready to smash the kid’s giant ego, Brad had forgotten to think it all the way through.

He accepted the inevitable. He wouldn’t be getting that Advil. Instead, he headed for the room service menu. He needed sustenance. He dialed the operator and ordered a broad selection of food. He didn’t know what Amanda liked, but he was determined to make sure she was satisfied. In all ways possible.

***

IT TURNED OUT exchanging vehicles was a huge ordeal involving far too many forms to sign. At least thirty minutes had passed since Amanda had left Brad in the room, and she was more than a little eager to get back to him. The whole time she’d been filling in information, her imagination had been in overdrive. She could think of all kinds of naughty things Brad might do to her. And then there were the things she planned to do to him.

A fast swipe of her key card and Amanda was inside the room.

Alone.

Brad was nowhere in sight. His clothes were missing from the floor. Her chest tightened at the emotions rolling inside her. He left her? Without saying a word?

Her gaze slid to the closed bathroom door just as it opened, displaying a now fully dressed Brad. Amanda sucked in a breath at the sight of him. His shoulders filled the doorway. A snug T-shirt hugged the rippling muscles of his torso, tapering down to a trim waist. His powerful legs were covered in soft denim. The man had a body to die for.

“Hey,” he said, giving her a one dimple smile.

No rejection in that smile.

She let out a breath, relieved in a way she didn’t want to begin to explore. “Hey.”

He started toward her and her heart kicked up a beat, her body humming with the anticipation of his touch. “I ordered room service,” he announced, pulling her close.

Amanda grinned, his spicy scent teasing her nostrils. His strong arms surrounding her. “You read my mind.” Before she could ask what he’d ordered, a knock sounded on the door. “I guess that’s it.”