by Amelia James
“I’m sorry.” She put her arm around him. Jane remembered that game. The whole school feared they lost their most promising quarterback, and everyone was relieved when Austin came off the injured reserve list.
“I can’t scramble like I used to. That’s why I depend on my arm and a good running back like Jack. So when I had to figure out what else to do with my life, I decided I wanted to help other athletes like me.”
Jane smiled. She didn’t expect Austin to be the one with a plan, with goals, with a purpose. “And here I thought you stayed in school for the cheerleaders.”
“Yeah that’s a definite perk.” Austin grinned and leaned back against the gym wall with her in his arms. “I’m a pre-med major, so I don’t spend all my time at the gym. I even go to class now and then.”
“That’s why we never see each other. I’m a business major.”
“What kind of business?”
“I haven’t decided.” She had an idea, but she wasn’t ready to tell anyone about it, so she changed the subject. Jane smiled into his eyes. “Have you changed your mind yet?”
“About sleeping with you?” Austin grinned at her and pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck. “Hell yes, first chance we get–”
Jane laughed and pushed him back. “No, have you changed your mind about lo–” Good lord, what was she asking him? Her smile faded and she looked down at her bandaged knee. Of course, his first thought was about sex. What did she expect? “Forget I asked.”
“No, I won’t forget.” Austin frowned, his blue eyes penetrating her. “Did you think you changed my mind already?”
She shrugged, not looking at him. “I hoped.”
“Hope is a useless emotion too.”
She stepped back and searched his face. “What made you so cynical?”
“Life did. Real life, Janie.” Austin’s eyes narrowed and if Jane didn’t know better, she’d say he was fighting tears. “The night my parents split up my dad told my mom he loved her, but it didn’t do any good. They still got divorced and they still hate each other.”
“It doesn’t have to be like that.”
“Do I have a choice? Does anyone?”
“I believe we can choose to be happy.” Jane looked into his doubting eyes, hoping he would see her confidence and believe it too.
Austin shook his head. “I’m glad you believe that, Janie, because I don’t.”
“What do you believe in?”
A wicked grin lit up his eyes as they slid over her body, stripping her defenses. “Hot sex, cold beer, and the last-second Hail Mary pass.” But that grin faded all too quickly. “I believe—I know—that dreams can be shattered in a moment.” He took a determined step toward her. “I believe in taking what I want with both hands and never letting go.” He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back, kissing her lips, her neck, whatever his mouth could reach. His other hand slid down her back, grabbed a handful of her ass and pulled her up against him.
His passion and conviction thrilled her to the core. “Wow,” Jane panted, “I can’t believe how much that turned me on.” As quickly as it started, their fight was over…for now.
Austin half-laughed, half-groaned and turned her back against the wall, sliding both hands under her thighs. He picked her up and wrapped her legs around her waist, pinning her against the wall with his body.
Her knee throbbed at being bent around him, but she ignored it, focusing on the throbbing between her legs. Was it her or was it him? Didn’t matter. It felt good either way.
“Tell me you want me,” he whispered on her skin.
“I want you, Austin.”
“Tell me what you want me to do to you….”
Available in the Kindle store March 2011