“It was worth it.” He leaned down, brushed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips, and she stepped away from him quickly, her expression dazed, her eyes hazy. “You look beautiful.”
Her smile turned shaky. “Thanks,” she said breathlessly, her gaze skittering to where Nick and Willow stood next to them before returning to his. “You don’t have to put on a big show for them. I think Willow has us figured out.”
Flynn frowned. What was she talking about? “I’m not putting on any sort of show.”
“Oh.” Her brow furrowed in that cute way she had when she was confused. “Are you ready to go?”
He let his gaze rake over her. Her hair was loose, falling in soft waves down her back. She wore a black sweater dotted with sequins, the fabric clinging to her breasts. And the jeans she had on made her legs look miles long. Or maybe that was the black stiletto heels. Whatever it was, she looked freaking amazing, yet all he could think about was how fast he could get her naked.
They took a hired car to a restaurant not too far from the hotel, the weather not allowing them to walk, since it looked like a snowstorm was blowing in. Aubrey sat snug next to Flynn, her thigh pressed against his, and he reached out, settling his hand on her knee. He leaned in the slightest bit, discreetly inhaling the fragrance of her hair, the scent of her skin, the smell that was uniquely, perfectly Aubrey. He could get drunk on it—she smelled that good.
She smiled up at him, and he leaned away, acting like he wasn’t trying to breathe her in. Nudging his arm with her shoulder, she returned her attention to Willow and Nick. All three of them were engrossed in an animated conversation about some crazy fan who wouldn’t leave Nick alone, and the woman was so extreme she followed him to every game. The fact that she was a sixty-eight-year-old grandma was apparently the best part of the story.
“If she starts sending you pictures when she’s wearing a bikini, then I’m going to worry,” Willow said, causing Aubrey to laugh.
Flynn barely withheld the sigh that wanted to escape. He loved the sound of her laugh. Wanted to be the one who could make her do that again and again. She deserved to be happy. He wanted to make her happy.
“She looks pretty damn good for sixty-eight,” Nick said. “I bet she’d fill out a bikini real nice.” He held his hands out like he was cupping a pair of invisible breasts.
“Oh, stop.” Willow shook her head. “Think she’ll be at Saturday’s game?”
“I bet so. Wavin’ her sign for me and calling me her baby, as usual,” Nick drawled, earning more laughter from the women.
Flynn smiled and nodded, not giving a crap what Nick was saying. Now he was stuck on the image of Aubrey in a bikini. Preferably a skimpy one, black against all that pretty, pale skin, with string ties on her hips that he could undo slowly…
“How about you, Foley? Got any crazy fan stories?” Nick asked, interrupting Flynn’s dirty thoughts.
Blinking, Flynn looked at Nick and shrugged. “Not really.”
“Please.” Aubrey squeezed his thigh, leaving her hand there. “You have tons of fans.”
“None that follow me to every single game,” he pointed out.
“Well, I’ll be your number-one fan and follow you wherever you go, if you let me,” Aubrey murmured, smiling up at him, her hand curling around his leg so her fingers rested between his thighs.
Damn, did she mean it? He liked the idea of having her by his side, knowing she was in the stadium, watching him play. Having her with him tonight helped calm his nerves over the upcoming game, especially with the way she was looking at him. Her eyes glowed, her cheeks were pink, and he wished like crazy Willow and Nick weren’t with them. Because if they weren’t…
He’d be jumping Aubrey right here in the back of the car.
“Break it up, you two,” Nick said, ruining the moment, like a complete jackass. “You’re looking a little too cozy over there.”
Heaving an irritated sigh, Flynn reached out and skimmed his fingers down Aubrey’s cheek, ignoring Nick completely. “Quit worrying about us, Hamilton, and focus on your own woman.”
“Yeah, leave them alone, Nick,” Willow said, though he could tell by the lightness of her tone that she was teasing him. “They’re so cute together. Let the lovebirds have some privacy.”
Lovebirds. That was some sappy crap right there, and he wasn’t falling in love with her. It was way too soon for that.
Aubrey’s lids fluttered when he skimmed his fingers along her jaw, down her throat. She liked when he touched her, he could tell. Good thing, since he pretty much always wanted to touch her.
Look at him. A couple of nights of amazing sex, and he acted like he was addicted to her.
Deciding to go for it, he admitted what he’d wanted to say to her all afternoon. “I missed you today,” he murmured, figuring she needed to hear the words. Because he needed to hear them from her, too.
“You had to work.” She smiled, her breath hitching in her throat when he traced the curve of her lower lip with his index finger. “I understand.”
“Coach wanted to talk to me.” He glanced in Nick and Willow’s direction, noticed they weren’t paying them any mind. They seemed just as wrapped up in each other as he and Aubrey were. “Can I tell you about it later?”
“Of course.” She looked over at Willow and Nick, then wrapped her hand around Flynn’s neck, pulling his head down so their lips were in perfect alignment. “Kiss me before we get to the restaurant,” she whispered against his mouth.
He did as she requested, trying to control himself, since they weren’t alone in the back of the limo. But it was so hard when Aubrey opened for him easily. He slipped his hands into her hair, holding her possessively as he kissed her. Her lips parted, her tongue darted out, flicking against his, and he was freaking done for.
Somewhat. He did have some restraint.
Barely.
When he tried to pull away from her, she wouldn’t let him, with her hand clasped firmly around the back of his neck. So he gave her what she wanted for a little while longer, getting lost in her lips, her taste, the way she felt when he ran his hands lightly over her body. The sweater she wore was extra soft, and he let his fingers drift over the swell of her breast, making her gasp against his lips.
Yeah. Clearly he’d lost it, since he was feeling her up right next to Nick and Willow.
The car came to a stop, and he sprang away from Aubrey, smiling when he saw how disheveled she looked. Her hair was a little wild—because he’d trailed his fingers through it. Her lips were swollen, the gloss she’d had on completely gone. Kissed away by him. And he swore he saw her nipples poking against the thin fabric of her sweater…
“Stop.” She swatted him on the arm, and he grinned.
“What did I do?” he asked, all fake innocence.
“You’re looking awfully pleased with yourself, and I look a mess.” She smoothed her hands over her hair, trying to tame it.
Unable to stop himself, he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “You look beautiful,” he murmured.
The door closest to them swung open, and one of the restaurant-parking-lot attendants stood before them, indicating they should exit the car. Flynn let Aubrey leave first, his gaze locked on her perfect ass as she stepped out into the dark, wintry night.
“Hold on.” Willow grabbed hold of his sleeve and he turned to her, momentarily shocked when she reached out and smudged her finger along the corner of his mouth. She held her thumb out to show him it was streaked with deep pink gloss. “You were wearing your girl’s lipstick. Figured you didn’t want to be seen looking like that.”
Shit. “Uh, thanks,” he mumbled.
Nick chuckled. “Didn’t realize you were into that sort of thing, Foley. You’re a secret, kinky motherfucker, aren’t you?”
“Shut up,” he muttered as he climbed out of the car, the sound of Nick’s laughter following him all the way into the restaurant.
…
The restaurant was gorgeous, the atmosphere qui
et but elegant and the booths private. Once they were seated, Willow immediately ordered a bottle of their best wine for her and Aubrey to share, since the guys didn’t drink during the season.
It was some of the most delicious wine Aubrey had ever tasted. Went down smooth—too smooth. After two glasses and the skimpy salad she devoured, she was a little wasted.
Fine. She was a lot wasted. Though part of her drunkenness she could blame on Flynn.
Handsome, sweet, sexy Flynn, who could ignite her body with just one look. And he’d been sending her smoldering glances all night, from the moment they’d gotten into the car. And when he’d proceeded to maul her with Nick and Willow sitting mere inches away? That had been all kinds of hot.
He was all kinds of hot. It was like since they’d had sex, he’d become bolder, more open in showing his feelings.
She liked it. A lot.
“I think you’re drunk,” Flynn said near the end of the meal, leaning in so he could whisper the words in her ear.
A little shiver moved through her at his nearness, and she giggled. “Maybe I am. Does that mean you’ll take advantage of me when we get back to the hotel?”
“You want me to?” When she nodded eagerly, he pressed a quick kiss just behind her ear. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Promise?” Just having him by her made her edgy. His being so attentive didn’t help matters, either. The entire dinner had been some sort of quiet torture. They sat so close that when he pressed his thigh to hers, the hard, warm strength of him nearly made her tremble with pleasure.
“For you? Anything.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it, his gaze never leaving her face.
She stared at him, feeling a little lost, a lot overwhelmed. He said things like that, and she almost believed him. But she needed to remember this was all fake. He had an image to maintain, and she was playing a role in that. She was just getting caught up in something that wasn’t real. She’d been tricked before, like with Derek when she’d thought they’d felt the same way about each other and then he’d dumped her. When it came to men, she might not have the best judgment. Her mom sure loved to tell her that.
Aubrey didn’t want to believe her mom was right. She always said men were just users. They took what they wanted and then left. But Flynn wouldn’t do that to her. More like she was doing that to him.
And that made her feel incredibly guilty.
What they shared was fleeting. It had to be. She was caught up in a game that she didn’t understand how to play and left her at a disadvantage. Worse? Flynn thought what they shared was real. It sure felt that way tonight, and that’s why the worry and the guilt were nagging at her. She was a jerk, doing exactly what her mother warned men would do to her.
All this faking was fun until someone got hurt—and that someone would be Flynn and eventually her, too. She had the distinct feeling she would end up miserable and alone when this charade was over.
“You know, I had my doubts at first, but now I gotta say you make a good-looking couple,” Nick said casually, all sprawled out on his side of the booth, his arm slung around Willow’s shoulders, his fingers playing with her dark hair. Willow leaned against him, her expression mellow, her lids at half-mast, probably from all the wine she’d just consumed. Nick looked content, relaxed, but his gaze was assessing, all seeing.
All knowing.
“Thanks,” Aubrey said, looking anywhere but at Nick. Unfortunately, the booth was so high, she couldn’t see much of the restaurant beyond where they sat.
“Funny how you two were just dancing around each other in the flirtation game. Then I blink, and you’re hot and heavy and in a serious relationship.”
Unease slithered down her spine at Nick’s casual comment, which was so not casual. He was trying to get information out of her.
Aubrey just hoped Willow would keep her lips zipped.
“When you know, you just know,” Flynn said, grabbing hold of Aubrey’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Didn’t that happen for you and Willow?”
“Actually, I screwed it up big time with Willow the first go-around and had to pay the price.” He paused, dropped a kiss on top of Willow’s head. “For years.”
“Yeah, he did,” Willow agreed.
“Messing up on the woman you know is the one for you, but you’re too scared to face the truth, is about the dumbest thing you could ever do,” Nick added.
“You cheated on her?” Flynn sounded incredulous.
Aubrey stiffened. Oh dear. This was a subject Nick didn’t like talking about much. Yeah, he was the one who’d screwed up on Willow by leaving her in the worst possible way, but he’d never officially cheated on her.
He’d just left her behind for years, pined for her, and then pretty much crawled back to her on his hands and knees, begging for another chance. Luckily enough, she’d given it him.
Now look at them. They were the cutest couple in the world, disgustingly in love. Aubrey was extremely jealous of the relationship they had. She could only hope she’d have something as fun and meaningful as they did.
Maybe someday…
Ugh. No way could she count on it, at least not with Flynn. He’d leave her in the dust the moment he found out the truth.
“He didn’t cheat on me,” Willow said, her voice soft as she tilted her head back and smiled up at Nick. “We were young and dumb. It probably wouldn’t have worked out if we’d tried that first time around.”
“You really think so?” Nick sounded incredulous.
“I know so. I wasn’t even twenty yet. You were in your first pro season and horny. I couldn’t have kept you satisfied,” Willow said wryly.
“You keep me satisfied, baby.” Nick kissed Willow on the tip of her nose. “You were the one I always wanted. I hope you know that.”
Aubrey barely kept in the sigh that wanted to escape. They were having a total moment right now, and it was the cutest thing. But it also felt like she and Flynn were intruding on that moment.
“Maybe we should think about heading back to the hotel,” Aubrey suggested, her voice soft.
“Why? That eager to get back to that hotel room?” Nick laughed when both Aubrey and Flynn turned to glare at him. “What? You know it’s true. Your woman is buzzed. She’s been all over you since we came here.”
She couldn’t deny Nick’s words, because they were all true. As much as she wanted to hold a piece of herself back, out of Flynn’s grasp, that didn’t stop the constant yearning she had for him. It was just embarrassing to be called out for it.
“Oh, stop,” Willow said, giving him a slight shove. “You know you’re eager to get back to the room, too. You love nothing more than fooling around in a strange room that doesn’t belong to us. Ups the excitement for you.”
They both laughed. Aubrey wanted to die. She really didn’t need to hear those ultraprivate details about one of her clients. If she could, she’d plug her fingers in her ears.
“I am pretty beat,” Flynn said, feigning a yawn. Well, at least Aubrey hoped he was feigning it.
The last thing she wanted was to go back to the hotel, get a perfunctory kiss on the cheek, and then watch Flynn slip into his room.
Alone.
Though it would be best, right? The less time she spent with Flynn, the better she could protect her fragile heart. And it was so incredibly delicate right now. Like shatter-in-her-chest-if-she-didn’t-watch-it fragile.
“I’m sure you are,” Nick drawled, looking like he didn’t believe him whatsoever.
“Come on, let’s go,” Willow said, sliding from beneath Nick’s arm and exiting the booth. “I feel like we’re sitting around talking in circles. When, really, we all want to slip into bed and cuddle.”
“Darlin’, are you suggesting we have an orgy with Flynn and Aubrey?” Nick’s eyebrows shot straight up. “I know Flynn’s feeling a little bolder now, what with Aubrey poppin’ his cherry and all, but slow down, girl. You’ll scare the hell out of them.”
“Great, make them think I’m into orgies,” Willow whispered furiously, though Aubrey could tell she was trying to hold back her laughter. Willow’s gaze cut to Flynn and Aubrey. “He’s full of it, I hope you know. I wasn’t referring to having an orgy.”
Aubrey glanced at Flynn, who was sporting an embarrassed grin. “Of course we knew you didn’t mean it.” And she did know that. Hopefully so did Flynn.
“I’m just fuckin’ with you, Foley,” Nick said, shoving at Flynn’s shoulder when he slid out of the booth. “You should’ve seen the look on your face.”
“Yeah, real funny,” Flynn muttered, setting his hand at the small of Aubrey’s back as they left the restaurant.
She offered him a shy smile and he returned it, slowly shaking his head. Her stomach felt fizzy, full of nerves and hope and worry. She liked being part of a couple—probably too much. Shaking their heads together at the outrageous things Nick said. Spending time with friends. Knowing they were headed back to the hotel so they could get naked and stay in each other’s arms for the rest of the night.
But she needed to remember it was temporary. This, too, shall pass.
God, she really hated temporary.
Chapter Eleven
“So.” Flynn swallowed hard, captivated by the sight of Aubrey standing in the middle of his hotel room, shedding her coat and tossing it on the chair nearby. She ran her hand over her hair, her fingers threading through the reddish-hued waves as she smoothed it out and, holy hell, was he really getting a hard-on from watching her touch her hair?
Yes, he was. The entire night had been a different form of foreplay between them. It confused him. She’d been so attentive when the evening started out, but he’d felt her start to withdraw during dinner, and he had no idea why. What had happened?
He had no clue.
“So?” She rested her hands on her hips, watching him with the cute scrunched-eyebrows look she wore quite often. “Were you going to ask me something?”
He nodded, removing his own jacket and letting it drop on top of hers on the chair. “The conversation we had earlier with Nick and Willow.” Pausing, he suppressed the groan that wanted to escape when she kicked off those sexy heels she wore, dropping about four inches in height. Damn, she was cute.
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