Game for Trouble

by Karen Erickson

  “Did I keep you waiting?” she asked when he hadn’t answered.

  Nick cleared his throat. “Sort of. But you’re forgiven, since you’re wearing that fuck me sideways dress.”

  Rolling her eyes, she settled into the chair across from him, her dress pulling against her chest, emphasizing the delectable curve of her breasts. His gaze lingered there, his head buzzing pleasantly. He hadn’t sipped a single drop of alcohol but he certainly was drunk on the sight of her. “Eloquent as always, aren’t you, Hamilton?”

  “Sure am, Cavanaugh. You know you love my blunt talk.” He decided to go for it. He couldn’t worry about irritating her—she’d already irritated him beyond belief. “I remembered you liked it mighty fine when I was whisperin’ dirty words in your ear, reciting all the things I planned on doing to you when I got you alone.”

  “I am so tired of you pulling out the ‘we used to fuck so that makes us fine old friends’ card.” She slowly shook her head, adding a yawn for emphasis. Bored, eh? “Let it go, Nick. We’re finished. Through. Done.”

  He was still left reeling by the fact she said fuck. Seeing that choice word fall from her perfectly glossed pink lips evoked all sorts of fantasies. “See, that’s exactly what I wanted to propose to you tonight. After dinner, though. I need something to eat before I launch into my plans for what I’m going to do to you. Need to work up some strength for fear you might try and beat me.”

  “No liquid courage tonight?” She smiled serenely, as if she knew he didn’t drink during the season. Which she probably did, considering she was so close to Sheridan, and Jared did the same thing.

  First few seasons he played pro ball, he also partied like a rock star, and it showed in his game play. Now he and Jared, plus a few other teammates who’d been around the block a time or ten, swore off liquor for the entire season every year. Being sober kept them more focused.

  “I don’t drink during the season. You know this,” he told her.

  “Sounds like you might need a drink, considering you have to deal with me.” She laughed and shook her head. “It’s going to be fun torturing you tonight, you know. We could’ve taken care of this earlier, back at the realtor’s office.”

  She sounded amused at his expense but at the moment, he couldn’t give a damn what she thought. “You know what I don’t appreciate? You keeping me waiting,” he practically growled, feeling like an ass.

  She leaned back, her eyes going wide, though he swore he saw a hint of a smile teasing the corners of her lips. “So sorry. You never even asked what my excuse was.”

  “What’s your excuse?”

  “Traffic—accident on the One. Awful, too.” Her gaze dimmed. “Looked like someone was probably hurt pretty badly.”

  Well, how could he fault her for that? “That sucks,” he said awkwardly, knowing he sounded like an ass, but damn. What else could he say?

  Raising his hand, he waved down the waiter. At the very least he needed another basket of bread, considering he demolished the one they’d given him when he first arrived.

  The moment the waiter fled to refill the breadbasket, Willow got down to business. “Let’s not draw this out any longer than we have to.” She leaned over the table, the neckline of her dress dipping, giving him a tantalizing view of her cleavage. She wore a black, lacy bra beneath.

  The woman was trying to straight up kill him.

  “Draw what out?”

  “The dinner and this entire…charade we’re putting on at the moment. It’s bogus, and you know it.” She propped her folded arms on the edge of the table, her gaze narrowed. “Let’s cut a deal. I have no idea what you want from me, but you know exactly what I want from you, and I’m willing to do just about anything I can to get my hands on that building.”

  He cocked a brow. “Anything?”

  “No sexual favors, if that’s what you’re hinting at. God, you haven’t changed a bit, have you? Do you ever not think with that thing between your legs?”

  Well, hell, now she’d offended him. “Baby, I can think clearly most of the damn time. It’s only when I’m around you that my dick decides to tell me what I should do. I can’t help it if I’m still sexually attracted to you.”

  “You could try and tone it down.” Her voice softened, her lids lowered.

  If he wasn’t mistaken, she looked aroused.

  “Tone what down? The sexual innuendo? I think it’s sorta fun. I thought you felt the same way.”

  “No,” she said too quickly. “It’s not fun. Not at all. Especially because I’m trying to be serious here, Nick. I want the building. I can’t necessarily afford it but I’m hoping you’re willing to listen to my proposal deal.”

  “I’ll listen to whatever you have to say.” Definitely, since he could just sit there and watch those beautiful lips move as she spoke. All glossy and pink and full and delicious—which he knew, because he’d tasted them quite a few times. Not enough for his liking, and never taking it as far as he’d prefer, but damn. Those lips of hers were utter perfection.

  “…and so I was hoping you could knock five hundred dollars off per month. Only for the first year, though. By then business should be rocking, and I’ll be able to afford the full monthly lease amount.”

  He blinked her into focus. Shit. He’d missed half of what she said. “Five hundred off a month?”

  She nodded, her expression prim, her gaze hopeful. “I think that’s a fair deal, considering the building has sat empty pretty much since you owned it.”

  Sounded like someone had done her research. “All righty then. Done.”

  “What?” She shook her head, her gaze narrowed. “Really?” she breathed.

  Damn, he’d given in too easily. Now he could only hope she’d do the same. “I need something in return, though.”

  “Sure. Fine.” She nodded. He could tell she was trying to restrain her grin but it burst forth anyway, the sight of it momentarily stealing his breath. She was so gorgeous, even more so when she wasn’t scowling at him and threatening to stomp on his balls with the spiked heel of her shoe. “Oh my God, Nick. You don’t know how excited I am.”

  “That’s amazing, darlin’. I’m glad I could excite you so much.” He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the eruption that was surely to follow at his suggestion. “Hopefully you’ll still be excited after you hear my proposal for you.”

  “Oookay.” She chewed on her lower lip, looking nervous. “Lay it on me. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  “Well, I was hoping for a trade.”

  “A trade?”

  “I give you that most excellent lease amount you just mentioned.” Of which he couldn’t even recall, since he’d been too damn busy staring at her lips. “And I get ten dates with you.”

  Her jaw dropped open. “Ten dates?”

  Nick nodded, reaching for his water glass—wishing like hell it was a beer—and taking a big gulp. Thank God he wasn’t drinking tonight. He needed to keep his head semi-clear when dealing with Willow. “I told you yesterday I was going to take you out properly and show you what a real gentleman does when he wines and dines a lady.”

  “And you’re calling yourself a real gentleman while trying to blackmail me with dates?” She grabbed her glass and drained half the wine in one swallow. “I should refuse.”

  “Then I rescind my half of the deal.” He leaned across the table, mimicking exactly what she did only moments ago. “You deny my request, I deny yours.”

  She glared at him, her excitement long gone. “I really hate you sometimes,” she whispered.

  His heart clenched. He hoped she didn’t mean that. “The last thing I feel for you is hate, Will. Come on; this won’t be so bad. You can handle it. And anyway, I won’t be around much. I gotta head back to San Jose first thing tomorrow morning for practice. Playoffs are coming up. I need to be on top of my game.”

  “Fine. Let’s negotiate. Five dates.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, plumping up her breasts, distracting him compl
etely.

  “Nine,” he countered, his mouth going dry at the sight of all that ample flesh—remembering that lacy black bra.

  “Jerk,” she murmured. “Hello, eyes up here. And make it six dates.”

  He lifted his gaze, saw the anger blazing in her eyes. “No way.”

  “Seven.”

  Nick shook his head, his gaze dropping to her cleavage yet again. Damn, he wanted to lick her right there. Taste all that soft, fragrant flesh, make her go wild with just a few strokes of his tongue…

  “Eight.” She clamped her lips shut. “That’s as high as I’ll go, Nick. I won’t do ten. Ten is too many.”

  “Eight it is, then.” He leaned across the table, reaching his hand toward her. “Shake on it. I won’t sign the deal if we don’t shake. It’s the least you can do for me.”

  She extended her hand carefully, almost as if his were a snake and she was afraid he might bite her. He clasped her hand in his, smoothed his thumb across her palm and felt her shiver. “I feel like I’ve just made a deal with the devil.”

  “Trust me, this devil is more than happy to make the deal with you.” He grinned and slowly withdrew his hand, his fingers skimming hers. “I have a lot of planning in my future. These dates are going to rock your world, darlin’.”

  Willow leaned back in her chair with her shoulders slumped. She looked downright defeated. “Tonight counts as our first one, right?”

  “No sir-ee. Nice try, though. I’ll give you points for that.” He nodded toward her. “This is a meeting. Not a date.”

  “A meeting.” She rolled her eyes. “Feels like a date to me.”

  “Maybe it’s because all those old yearnings you have for me keep bubbling up whenever we’re together?” She looked ready to tear him apart. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say.

  “You think you can woo me or something with a bunch of prearranged dates? Trust me, you can do whatever you want. Take me wherever you want. I won’t fall for you. I am so over you, it’s not even funny.”

  The girl threw down a challenge as if she knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. “I can guarantee I will have you in a melted puddle at my feet by the end of date three. You will be begging for it. Begging. For. It.” He arched a brow. “I’ve never met a challenge I haven’t been able to conquer.”

  “I’m not some football team you can strategize to beat, you know,” she said just before she finished off the rest of her wine.

  No, but she was the woman he wanted in his life on a permanent basis. He would have her. The eight dates deal would make it easier for him to convince her they truly belonged together.

  He could do this. He’d faced far tougher challenges before, hadn’t he?

  Willow studied him, a sultry smile curling her lips as she wound a thick, glossy brown lock of hair around her finger. Just watching her do such a simple thing like touch her hair made him break out into a sweat. Damn, he had it bad.

  There was no doubt in his mind that he would conquer her. Make her his once and for all.

  Game motherfucking on.

  Chapter Three

  “I need your help,” Nick said grimly the moment he sat at the table across from Sheridan.

  She blinked at him, all baby blue-eyed, golden-haired angel of innocence. “Help with what?”

  “Your best friend. What does she like to do when she goes out on dates with…other guys?” The last two words pained him to say. But damn, he needed a clue, a hint, something to help him figure out what the hell he was going to do on his first date with Willow, which was tomorrow.

  He didn’t need the distraction. A Friday night date right before a most important game was stupid. Coach Walsh would have his ass if he came to practice Saturday worn out from too much fun.

  Not that they’d have any fun like he wanted. Willow would put him off, he knew it. And if he didn’t play his cards right with this first date, well…

  Nerves ate at his gut just thinking about her possible rejection. The lease papers were in negotiation. She was eager to push it through, but his lawyer had balked at the terms, and Nick went ahead and let him balk all over the place. She wouldn’t walk, not with the fine details still hanging in the balance. It was manipulation in its purest form, but he was a desperate man.

  More than anything, he had a feeling she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. She just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

  This blackmail scheme had felt like the right thing at the time, but being away from her made him second-guess himself constantly. Being out of their attitude-riddled rhythm was throwing him off, too. He’d been practicing intensely for the last three days. He hadn’t spoken to Willow the entire time beyond a text message letting her know she needed to prepare for tomorrow’s date.

  She’d replied with a simple: looking forward to it.

  Funny how those four words still dripped with sarcasm despite his not hearing her actually say them.

  “Dates?” Sheridan frowned, wrinkled her nose. Damn, she was cute. Not nearly as gorgeous as Willow in his eyes, but he could see why Jared was so crazy about her. “Willow doesn’t really go on dates.”

  “What do you mean? All single women as beautiful as Will go on dates. There must be twenty dozen jerkoffs standing in line who would kill to go out with her,” Nick muttered, shaking his head.

  If he had his choice, he’d already be at his little condo, passed out in bed. After a long afternoon of practice filled with drill exercises that had quite frankly kicked his ass, he was beat.

  But here he sat at some place close to the stadium, Jared having asked Nick to join him and Sheridan for dinner. He’d been outside the restaurant on his cell with his agent when Jared had come out to join him, also yakking away on his phone to God knows who.

  Seeing his opportunity, Nick went for it, ending the call and hurrying back into the restaurant to drill Sheridan for information.

  “You like her, don’t you, Nick? It’s okay, you can tell me. Jared isn’t around.” Sheridan flashed a knowing smile, one that made him want to confess all of his feelings for the woman who twisted him in knots.

  “I do. I like her. I ain’t gonna lie.” His accent got thicker when he was nervous, and he cleared his throat, trying to get a grip. “She hates me, though. I did her wrong years ago, and I hate that.”

  The knowing smile grew. “I think she likes you more than you know.”

  “You know something I don’t?” He peered at her, wishing he could see inside Sheridan’s brain.

  Women. They were sneaky creatures most of the time, and he rarely could figure them out.

  Sheridan shrugged. “As if I’d tell you all of Willow’s deep, dark secrets. I could never do that.”

  “I’m not asking for deep, dark secrets.” Though he was intrigued. “I’m asking what your friend likes to do on a date.”

  “I don’t know. The usual date-type stuff? But like I said, she’s not one who goes on lots of dates. She…hangs out with guys. They go to dinner, she goes to his house, he goes to hers…”

  “Whew, for a minute there I thought you were saying Willow goes out with multiple guys.” He slumped in his chair with relief. He remembered she’d been a hot little number in bed—who could forget?—but hanging out with guys made him think she might like being with multiple guys.

  And he just couldn’t wrap his head around that idea. The mere thought of sharing Willow with anyone else literally made his skin crawl.

  Well, look at that. He just turned into a caveman.

  Sheridan laughed. “You have an overactive imagination now, don’t you?”

  “More like I’m a jump-to-conclusions sort of idiot, if you know what I mean.” Nick scraped his hand over his stubble-covered cheek. “I want to do something different. Not get all dressed up and take her out to some fancy dinner where I drop a couple hundred on food and drink and watch her scowl at me while she pushes food around her plate. No thank you.”

  That had happened during their dinner meeting, and he didn’t wan
t a repeat. Talk about a bust. He wanted to dazzle her. Talk to her. Make her fall head over heels for him again.

  “Take her somewhere simple. She was raised surrounded by money, you know, so most grand gestures do nothing for her.” Sheridan frowned. “When we were kids, I was always jealous of that. Her big fancy house, her rich lawyer daddy, her mom who traveled all over the world. I thought it was so glamorous, especially since I was on an inter-district transfer using my grandma’s address so I could go to the Carmel schools versus the crappy Seaside ones. Everything Willow had, I didn’t.”

  “Then what?” Nick wanted to hear what she had to say. He appreciated this glimpse into Willow’s past. He hadn’t been nearly as interested in the particulars that made her who she was when he was twenty-one.

  “Then I realized that Willow envied me and what I had. She was lonely. Tired of the trappings that so much wealth can afford a person. I know it sounds crazy, but she really was a poor little rich girl. Still is. That’s why she’s working so hard to prove herself with her business.”

  “Uh huh.” Sheridan was chock full of insight. Just what he needed. “So I should keep this first date simple.”

  “Yeah, you definitely should.” She rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin on her fist. “She told me all about your deal, you know.”

  “She did?” His cheeks grew hot. Why he was surprised and embarrassed he didn’t know. These girls shared pretty much all their secrets between them.

  “I think it’s kind of cute. In a lewd and slightly perverted way.” Sheridan grinned. “I get the sense you’re trying very hard to get back into her pants.”

  “Extremely hard.” He laughed. Well, that could be taken in a variety of ways. “I messed up the first time around. I want another shot.”