by Lea Coll
I opened the door to my car, climbing inside on shaky legs. I pulled out after Clay, waving goodbye to Noah.
Chapter 5
Clay
I drove out of the lot, knowing Noah’s curious gaze was on me. Talking to Payton was risky, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get another opportunity to be alone with her. As soon as she was in my radius, that night came to the forefront of my mind. It was all I could think about. I wasn’t ready to let the possibility of her go.
Later I tossed and turned before finally falling asleep, trying to figure out what I was going to do about my attraction to her.
On Monday morning, I stopped at the door of Payton’s office. I rationalized it by reminding myself that Will wanted me to talk to the strength and conditioning coach. He hadn’t said which one.
Payton’s office was tiny, boxes stacked against the wall like it had been a storage room.
I stood in the doorway watching as she massaged her neck, tilting her neck from side to side as if trying to work out a kink. When she turned and found me watching her like a creeper, I said, “Hey.”
She turned her attention from the computer, smiling. “Hey. Are you going to the weight room?”
“Yeah, but I wanted to talk to you first. Will said I should talk to someone about my—” I couldn’t say my doubts, worries, or fear. “Play. He thinks my movement has been a little slow.”
Her brow furrowed. “You should talk to Coach Ruxton. I can’t suggest any changes to your existing program. That’s way above my pay grade.”
“I was hoping you’d watch me go through the paces, see if there’s anything I could improve on.” Watching video was something Coach Ruxton would ask her to do. He didn’t have time to break down my entire season like she would.
Her eyes glittered with excitement. “Do you mind if I record you practicing, so I can play it back later in slow motion?”
For some reason, my head went straight to thinking about what she’d do with that video later. Would she watch it in bed, touching herself? I shook my head slowly. “No. Not at all.”
“Good. I like to study things before I give any opinions.” Her face was thoughtful and serious.
I felt a little guilty suggesting something I didn’t technically need, but maybe she’d see something that would improve my performance. It couldn’t hurt. Maybe it wasn’t the voice in my head telling me I was a screw up.
“How is your diet? Have you been eating what the nutritionist suggests? You want to build functional weight in your position.”
I smiled at her textbook terms. “I use the team recommended chef to provide all of my meals.”
“Good. The quality of the weight you gain matters.”
Between what she’d said in the car on Saturday and now, she was clearly good at her job. She took it seriously, she knew what she was talking about. She wasn’t in this to work with a professional team or get close to the players. “You love your job, don’t you?”
“I do. I love figuring out how we can tweak something to make your performance better. With professional athletes, it’s the small things like watching video of your footwork. You’re already operating at a high level so any gains are small with big impact.”
She’d stood during her speech, gesturing with her words.
I was confident if there was a way to improve my performance even slightly, she would. “You ready to get to work?”
“Absolutely.” She grabbed her phone from a pocket on the waistband of her leggings. In the process she’d pulled up her shirt, revealing a sliver of bare skin and toned abs.
My lips ached to kiss that sliver of skin, pulling her leggings down over her hips, dropping to my knees in front of her. I wanted her with an intensity I’d never felt with anyone else.
I gestured for her to precede me out the door, following her so I could watch her hips sway, the way the leggings clung like a second skin to that delectable ass.
I lifted my eyes as we entered the weight room. Noah wouldn’t appreciate me ogling his sister.
Payton approached Coach Ruxton speaking to him. He nodded in agreement to whatever she was saying. She stepped back, placing a hand on my forearm as she passed me. “Come on. We’re going to train on the practice field today. I want you to have room to move.”
We’d be alone on the field. It was what I wanted but I wasn’t sure I could control myself around her.
Stepping onto the field, I ran through a warm-up of ten yard sprints, shuffling and crossover drills while she fiddled with her phone. When I worked up a sweat, I peeled my shirt off.
Tossing it to the side, I caught her slowly perusing my chest. I flexed when her eyes drifted over my biceps, down my chest, to my very-defined abs.
She cleared her throat. “You seem to be following the nutritionist’s advice.”
I smirked. I loved that she was as affected by me as I was her. I wanted to ask her if she saw anything she liked but it wasn’t the time or the place. I was satisfied knowing that this was going to be as torturous for her as it was me.
She ran through drills of sleds, prowlers, tempo runs of forty yards, then a footwork session. I was dripping in sweat when she was done.
“You ready for weights?” Her hair swished over her shoulder as she pointed back toward the tunnel.
I was ready for a shower and to sink into her. “Sure. You see any room for improvement?”
“I’d like to reserve judgment until after I’ve reviewed the video.” She leaned over her phone, hitting play on the footwork session in slow motion. I stepped closer, not touching her, the longest I’d been alone with her since that night in college.
I swore her breath hitched as I leaned closer, pretending I couldn’t see the screen due to the angle.
“I’ll need to review the videos of your games, too.”
I had to refocus from thoughts of how soft her skin would be to her phone.
“It’s tough during the season to break things down like this but it can be helpful.”
“Have you done it before?”
She lowered her phone, tucking it into her pocket. “I reviewed Noah’s video. I interned with my college team’s strength and conditioning coach. I may be new but I’m qualified.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, her chin set in a defiant tilt.
I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume you weren’t.”
She dropped her arms to her side, her lips in a grim line. “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
“I didn’t intend for you to think I was questioning your credentials.”
“Let’s get to the weight room.” She turned, not saying anything more about my slipup but it was like a wall had dropped between us. She was cool and professional with no more of the familiarity between us.
The one thing I’d been searching for the night we met was respect from my dad and my coaches. She was looking for the same thing.
I hadn’t earned my father’s respect, but no one else questioned my ability to do the job. I wanted to tell her it was a process and it wouldn’t happen overnight but she probably already knew that.
The urge to encourage her to persevere was strong, but she didn’t need it. She’d gotten this far on determination and instinct. There was no doubt in my mind she’d achieve her dreams, whatever they were.
She spotted me throughout the entire workout. When I lie down on the bench, her brows were furrowed, her forehead adorably wrinkled, a tenderness formed in my chest for her. It was different than what I’d felt during our night together. This was more.
When I was done with the last set, I sat on the edge of the bench, wiping the sweat from my brow with a towel.
“I’m going to go watch the video of your last few games in my office.” She turned to go.
“I’ll shower and meet you there.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said over her shoulder.
“I have to watch the video anyway, might as well do it together.”
She nodded. “Okay. Sure.”
I showered quickly, tugging on fresh athletic pants and a Seattle T-shirt, pulling a hat low over my head. I grabbed my bag to head to her office.
Payton
I’d started watching the last regular season game on my computer when someone knocked softly on my door.
“Come in.”
Clay pushed open the door, dropping his bag on the floor. He smelled like soap. His hair was damp under the hat he’d pulled low over his forehead, hiding his eyes. But he looked sexy as hell in a T-shirt stretched taught over his biceps and pecs that were even bigger after his workout, his track pants slung low over his hips. I swallowed, easing my chair a few inches from the one I’d placed next to mine.
“Have a seat.” My voice came out low and husky. I cleared my throat before attempting to speak again, “I’m watching the last game.”
“Perfect.” He dropped into the chair, his legs spread wide, his hands clasped together over his stomach, taking up all the available space in my tiny office with his masculine scent and presence.
I hit play on the computer with a shaky hand. I hoped he didn’t notice how he affected me. I kept telling myself I could be a professional as I forced myself to focus on the screen.
“Let me slow that down again.” Clay stood, one hand on the back of my chair, one hand on the mouse, leaning over me to replay it, pointing out the placement of his hands and feet. Each time he pointed at the screen, his body pressed closer to mine. When his arm grazed my shoulder, his T-shirt tickled my cheek, my breath hitched.
I closed my eyes to block out the feel of his strong hard body so close to mine, only to pop them open again when it didn’t work.
I wanted to smooth the wrinkles on his forehead. I wanted to pull him down so his lips were on mine, feeling the scruff on his chin with my fingers. I wanted his hard body pressed against mine, his cock nestled between my legs. Heat flooded my body, making me feel heavy.
He played it several times, his brow furrowed in concentration. “We’ll have to go back to the beginning of the season and watch those too.”
“Right.” Of course that would mean more time alone. More time where I’d have to fight the force field around his body that threatened to suck me in instead of repel me.
When he asked for help this morning, I should have said no.
His presence brought every memory of that night alive. That night made an indelible impression on my body, my mind, and my soul.
I wanted to experience it again. I wanted to feel the way only he could make me feel. Small and dainty, beautiful and confident. It was addicting.
He finally sat down in the chair allowing me to suck in a full breath. I shook my head slightly trying to focus on the video playing. I was supposed to be hyper-focused on his stance, his footwork, and hands. I didn’t want to miss anything that could help him.
“Thanks for doing this.”
I looked away from the screen to find his gaze on me. “Of course. This is my job.”
I repeated something I’d said from earlier, sounding lame. He was here to improve his game and all I could think about was sleeping with him. I wanted to be respected yet I lusted after the first player to ask for my help. Regardless of our history, I had to keep this professional.
“It’s more than that.”
Before I could ask what he meant by that, he pointed at something on the screen and we discussed his stance, how he liked to play, Coach Phillips’ theories on the best form.
It was interesting. This was what I loved doing. I loved breaking it down to simple movements, studying them against what the player had done in the past, seeing the progression through the season to see if the stance was breaking down, becoming wider, looser, less effective. Then pointing it out, so he could tighten it.
“You know a lot about football. I’m sorry I doubted you earlier.”
“That’s okay. Like I said, I should be used to it.” I offered a weak smile.
“No. You shouldn’t. I have to get to practice. Thank you for taking the time to help me.”
I stood when he did, wiping my slightly damp palms on my leggings. “I’m going to continue watching to see if I can find any differences from the beginning of the season, maybe even go back to last year.”
I pulled open the door, resting my elbow against it while I waited for him to shoulder his bag.
He paused in the doorway, looking down at me. “I wish you weren’t Noah’s sister or one of my coaches.”
Then he was gone, leaving me aching for more. More beautiful words, more of his strong solid presence. I closed the door softly behind him, taking a second to pull myself together.
This thing with Clay threatened to destroy everything I’d worked so hard for, yet I couldn’t stop wanting him.
Chapter 6
Clay
I had to leave Payton’s office, not wanting my desire for her to be evident. Being in that tiny room with her, brushing against her even when it was innocent, ignited every nerve ending in my body. I was hyperaware of each inhale, exhale, the hitch in her breath when I moved closer.
I wanted her to be aware of me, not thinking I was someone who’d take advantage of her. I wanted her to know she was important to me, not that I just wanted a repeat of that night. I hadn’t waited this long to see her again to screw it up before it began.
As I went through the plays in practice, I was pleased that I was able to focus on football and not those few moments when I was alone with Payton.
“Hey, man. Are you going out with us later?” Noah asked.
I peeled off my practice jersey and pads. “I didn’t know you were going out.”
“Just to get dinner. Payton’s going too. I want her to feel comfortable here, get to know the other players.”
I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see her. “I’ll be there.”
Noah slapped my shoulder, then headed for the showers.
Eric sat on the bench. “You asked Payton for help. You know what you’re doing?”
I shrugged as if I didn’t have an ulterior motive. “It’s her job.”
“Sure it is.” He drew out the words.
“You’ll keep me in line at dinner.”
“I don’t want Noah to beat your ass during the playoffs.”
I grunted. That was a concern. If I had a little sister and my co-worker was trying to get in her pants, I’d be pissed too. The only difference was, Payton and I had a connection outside the bedroom. One I wanted to explore even if Noah wouldn’t understand.
We showered then headed over to our favorite low-key bar.
Eric and I arrived first, grabbing a table near the back of the bar. My foot tapped a beat on the floor in time to my heart. No woman had ever gotten me this worked up.
When the other guys showed up, I slowly relaxed as we discussed the upcoming game. Just as I’d stopped checking the door each time it opened with a cold gust of wind, Noah and Payton walked in. Payton was laughing at something Noah said, her head flew back as she laughed with abandon. For the first time, her hair was down around her shoulders and she wore jeans, a flannel shirt, and a navy puffer jacket. She looked warm and down-to-earth.
Payton gave Noah’s arm one last squeeze, pausing in front of our table. Her gaze perused the guys, stopping on me. She smiled, taking the remaining seat next to me. Noah on her other side.
Eric leaned over, probably to remind me to behave. I ignored him, leaning toward Payton to say hello. “Were you able to find anything on the video?”
“I’m still going through everything.”
“Are you having Payton look at your video?” Noah rested his elbows on the table, leaning forward to see me.
“Yeah.” My heart beat fast in my chest, worried if he was going to call me out.
“She used to do that in high school and college with my teammates. She has a knack for making the small tweaks into big improvements. It’s amazing. It’s why I talked to Coach Ruxton. She’s more
than a conditioning coach.”
“Noah.” Payton rolled her eyes as if his praise embarrassed her.
I bumped shoulders with Payton. “I’m glad I asked then.”
Noah’s gaze caught on the movement, raising his brow at me.
“I’m taking advantage of her while she’s here.” I winced at the double entendre behind my words, something I hadn’t meant to let slip. I tried to cover for my unfortunate word choice, “I just meant that she’s meant for bigger and better things than this.”
“Yeah, she wants to start at a lower level, encourage kids to go into sports, then guide them in the right direction. Not tweak our over-inflated egos.”
“I can speak for myself, you know,” Payton said dryly.
“You’re too humble, sis.” Noah poured beer from the pitcher into the glass in front of her.
“I learned from the best.” She swirled her beer thoughtfully.
She was right. Out of all the veterans, Noah was the most humble, the least likely to brag. He was a team player all around. Quick to attribute his play as safety to the other defensive linemen.
When she lowered her glass, drops of moisture lined her upper lip. My chest was tight. When her tongue popped out, it was difficult to draw in a deep breath.
I wanted to be the one who tasted the beer on her lips. I wanted to sink my fingers into her hair. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time or place.
Noah started talking to Gavin who sat next to him.
I took that as my opening to invite Payton over for dinner. “You want to come over tomorrow night for a home-cooked meal?”
She raised her brow at me in silent question.
“And to watch the video?”
She gripped her glass while studying me carefully. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a while.” My voice was soft so no one else would overhear.
She cleared her throat before lowering her voice. “You said earlier that you wished things could be different. I don’t know if being alone in your condo would be smart.”