Gauging the Player: A One-Night-Stand Sports Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romance Book 3), стр. 36
Stop. This. Shit. Now.
“Professor, why don’t you date?”
The question shocked him right out of his racy reverie, doing a better job shutting down his lust than any rebuke he could inflict on himself. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t date. There are dozens of women dying to get their hands on you—maybe even all at the same time—yet you seem … nonplussed by it. Uninterested. Why?”
The last bit she said nonchalantly, as if not referring to their previous sexcapade, which left him contemplating the same question. Did she have any interest in dating him at all? Did she think about it like he did, which was pretty much all the time? “Why, exactly, are you asking?” Hope floated.
“Judging by your mail, women make up a huge percentage of your fan base. Understanding more about you will help me craft the best approach when I respond to them on your behalf.”
Hope sank. Damn. “Ah. I see. Well, the women I meet are … For the most part, they’re interested in the hockey player, not me.”
“Don’t you meet women you’re attracted to outside that world?”
At the moment, he could only think of one. “If I do, they’re usually unavailable.”
“Unavailable as in married?”
He stared at the bookshelves beyond her. “Not married. Just … unobtainable.”
“Can you give me an example?”
Yeah, the one I’m looking at right now. But if she knows, she’ll bolt quicker than a bronc out of his pen.
He searched his brain for a name, any name, and unfortunately blurted out, “Kathryn Tappen.”
Lily’s expression transformed from curious to downright bewildered. And who could blame her? He was giving himself another Grandma head slap, trying to shake sense into his addled brain because, really, could he sound any stupider? The thought he could was disconcerting.
Lily now sported a triumphant look. “Oho!” she sang. “Don’t tell me. Supermodel?”
He hid his mouth behind his fist, biting back a laugh, and shook his head.
“Actress? Victoria’s Secret Angel? Playboy Playmate?” she prodded, her face eager like Hobbes when he—she—got a Meow Mix treat. Lily was too damn irresistible when she thought she was about to solve a mystery.
“Let’s go back to the office,” he deflected. Less chance of getting distracted by curvy guitars and everything I want to do to you here. He needed clean, hard angles to get himself back on track, to remain rooted in reality. To settle the fuck down until he could properly address his aching need.
Her head did an odd nod-and-shake motion, as if she couldn’t decide yes or no. Then it dipped, exposing the smooth line of her neck. He pictured his tongue and teeth on that neck, and his dick perked up. Again.
“Okay,” she agreed.
Office, asshole! She means going to the office, not sinking your teeth in her neck.
Back in said office, he pointed her to his executive chair and stood as far from her as he could while still staying inside the room. No need getting a noseful of sweet flowers and fresh something. His mind was messed up enough, thank you very much, being controlled as it was by his clamoring cock.
“So who’s Kathryn Tapping?” was Lily’s next logical question.
“Kathryn Tappen,” he corrected, pausing to clear his shockingly Mickey Mouse-like voice, “is a sports announcer.”
Confusion clouded Lily’s features once more. She slid her phone from the pocket of her ass-clinging jeans and began scrolling. “Ohhhh, I see. And wow! She’s stunning.”
“Yeah, but she’s smart, and she knows her hockey, probably better than the personalities she’s paired with,” he added helpfully. Yeah, that didn’t make him sound like he had a schoolboy crush in the least—which he didn’t. He just liked watching her on TV, like lots of fans did.
Lily blinked. “Do you know her?”
“Nope. Never met the lady.”
Pixie-ish nose pointed back at her phone, she said, “Looks like she’s single. So if she’s the reason you’re not dating, are you, you know, saving yourself for her?”
He burst out with a laugh. “Saving myself?”
“Yes. Like you don’t want to get involved with someone else because you might miss a chance with her.”
Was she serious? He scanned her face but didn’t find the answer. “Lily, I was only joking. I’m not worried about missing a chance because I’m not looking for a chance. While I may be stupid, I’m not stupid enough to believe I ever stood a chance.” Shit. That didn’t come out right. Makes it sound as though no one can live up to Kathryn T, including Lily.
“It’s fantasy, like looking at an actor on the screen and daydreaming. That’s all,” he tried to explain but only seemed to deepen the hole he was digging. “I … It’s nothing. She’s nothing.” And frankly, Lily Everett, after setting eyes on you, I’d forgotten who Kathryn Tappen is.
Lily gave him a calculating look without a hint that she thought he was a babbling moron. She slid her phone back into her pocket and tapped a finger against that plump lower lip of hers. “I have an idea, Professor.”
If that idea involves me showing you how comfortable my mattress is, I’m all in.
His semi stiffened to full mast. Shit. Why had he thought having Lily work at his home was a good idea?
Because he was, in fact, stupid.
While Gage shifted from one foot to the other, Lily fought the smile that tugged her lips. Oh Lord, this man was going to kill her with cuteness. And if it was an act to cover up a smooth playboy persona, he was doing a damn fine job, though she had a hard time believing