I'M MORE COMFORTABLE ON the field taking a pounding than watching a match and seeing it happen to others. Danny owns the field, but takes one hit too many a few minutes before the end of the match. She's slow to rise and then stays hunched over as play continues downfield. She drops to a knee and looks toward the blood bin.Crap, I can see red streaming down her face. It's obvious another player's cleat connected. She's holding her side between her breasts and belly, which is a good indicator of a problem with her ribs. A referee notices Danny and stops the game. Two of her teammates run from the sideline and assist her to the blood bin. A blood replacement is called out from her teammates who are not playing, and the game continues. Danny takes a careful seat on the bench while holding her side. Normally, she would have fifteen minutes to reenter the game without it counting against her team, but the game's almost over.I'm sitting a few rows up and focus completely on Danny. Her te
Estella is working behind the bar and has pitchers of beer lined up. I whistle her way and twirl three fingers over my head, so she knows this first round is on me. Estella's been a fixture here at the tavern for as long as I can remember. She's in her fifties and practically runs the place. My brother and I own half the tavern, and Estella looks out for us. She doesn't approve of my bad boy rep, but we've managed to become friends since Joel found Cami. Estella knew I blew things big time with Cami and, for some reason, took me under her wing after that.She's one of the few people who know how much I regretted what happened with Cami. She also sees through my bad boy vibe and gives me lip whenever she gets the chance.I turn and not so subtly look over the women from the opposing team. There's a few blondes and brunettes, but no one catches my eye. Danny grabs my earlobe and moves in so her warm breath slides over my neck. A strange feeling settles in my gut at contact. I ignore it
I'M KEEPING A FIRM grip on Danny's arm. "If you can't walk, I'm putting you over my shoulder," I tell her as she stumbles a bit."Nope, that would hurt my ribs, pretty boy."Okay, she's really drunk. Danny never admits to pain and she usually only calls me pretty boy over the phone. She stumbles again and I've had enough. "Arms around my neck; I'll cradle you." I sweep her up and she giggles, which is totally unlike her, as she places her arms around me. "Are you putting me to bed shoo, pretty boy?"I don't bother correcting the shoo into too. It won't make a difference. "That's the plan, Danny girl." God, she smells good. Soap and woman. No perfume. Her body is hard and muscular, and I think of this to remind myself I like soft and voluptuous. Now that I've taken notice of Danny, it's hard to turn that notice off. I keep reminding myself that Danny's a friendone of the guys. For some reason, carrying her in my arms this way no longer makes me think of the guys. She wiggles a bit an
Something's changed, and she looks sad. "I'll check your ribs and then leave. That's my final offer." I add a smile to put her at ease, but she doesn't return it.She heads my way and I move back to let her pass. She walks to a side table next to her bed and I'm right behind her. She gives me a look then looks at the drawer. Her face flushes and I know something is up."Stand back there while I get the cream out." She points toward the door. "We're heading to the couch," she adds. I can see she doesn't want me anywhere near her nightstand and then it dawns on me.I back away. Well, well this is interesting. "I've seen your bras tonight, so the least you can do is let me see your vibrator."And that's when the Danny, my friend, decides to play. A small, blue silicone vibrator flies directly at my head. I duck and slap it away. It bounces off the wall and lands at my feet. It doesn't look like muchmore of a finger than a dick. I step back a bit and bend over to lift it up. That's whe
I DIDN'T SLEEP WELL. Hell, I didn't sleep at all! It's now Saturday morning and I have no plans other than calling Danny and setting things right. I eat a bowl of cereal and wait for the clock to hit eight. Danny needs sleep, so this is me being patient. The minutes refuse to go by fast enough and fifteen seconds before the designated hour, I hit speed dial. She doesn't answer. I'm holding a rugby ball in my hand staring at the phone in consternation. "Just pick up," I say out loud, the cell plastered to my ear while I toss the ball from one hand to the other. I receive no answer from the room and decide to try again at eight-thirty.Once more, no answer. I try to keep my frustration on the downlow and barely manage.At nine I get the same "leave a message" request and, again, I don't bother leaving one. After a shower and endless minutes of contemplation, I jump in the Rover and head to her apartment. We are getting this out of the way and going back to friends. I don't care how b
IT'S NOW MONDAY, AND Danny hasn't returned my calls. I work the front office at Slam headquarters on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Joel takes Tuesdays and Thursdays and we're closed Fridays and weekends. I wait until a quarter till noon and take off to the office where Danny works. She just so happens to be the legal secretary for the team's lawyer. A business attorney, not a dick-face.Jeff is standing in front of Danny's desk and talking to her about some legal document."Hey, Jeff, my man. What's up?" I ask as I move closer to the desk.Jeff turns and a large smile spreads across his face. He's a good guy. "We don't have an appointment, but I can always make time for you, Van. I've been betting on a paternity suit for a few years now." He laughs, like this is the funniest joke on earth.I might take back the good guy thought. "Ha ha," I mutter as I look over Jeff's shoulder. Danny has her head down and is typing furiously. I can see the large bruise on her cheek, but she's removed
I can see the steel in her watery gaze, which is zeroed in on me. I give in. "I'll follow you."She nods and climbs out of the Rover. I wait for her truck to pull in front of me then keep her in my sights all the way out to my place.My house isn't exactly close. I grab my phone from the middle console while driving, find Jeff's number, and dial. I don't let him finish saying the name of his law office. "Danny won't be in for the rest of the day. She's not feeling well. She'll be in early tomorrow to do whatever it is she needs to work on.""Okay, Van, but do not hurt that girl.""Got it." I end the call and drive. Finally, my house comes into view. I drive up to the front porch and climb out. Danny, who's already parked, does the same. I walk around her truck and take her hand, leading her up the steps. I don't know why I suddenly need all this hand-to-hand contact with her. I'm not a hand-holder. For some reason, I'm just afraid she'll slip through my fingers if I don't hold onto
DANNY'S FINGERS SQUEEZE AROUND my biceps. Mine leave her breasts and glide down past her waist, so I can run my hands beneath her T-shirt and glide my palms over her skin. I can't get enough of the feel of her. I pull her closer so my erection hits her belly. She moans into my mouth and I growl back into hers.Her hands move up until her fingers tangle in my hair. She pulls her lips away as she pulls me back by the hair. "The sofa," she whispers. Our lips are almost touching, her breathe punching me with need.My mouth quirks. "So you can yell at me again?" I say between just as heavy breathing.Her eyes have gone so dark they're almost black. "Probably."I groan and thrust just a little bit harder into her belly. "My rocket can't take much more."She shoves me back with a husky laugh and I love the sound. "Come on, lover boy." She takes my hand and heads to the sofa. It's the formal one that my mother loved. It's where Joel and I got most of our mom lectures. It's as uncomfortabl