Playing with Temptation

by Reese Ryan

  “Leftovers.” He turned back to the microwave to watch the timer count down.

  She shoved a few items into her luggage, then inched closer. “I shouldn’t be eating this late—but now I’m hungry again. Any more?”

  Arms folded, he tipped his head toward the fridge. “Plenty.”

  Kendra cocked her head to the side, her brow furrowed. She opened the fridge. “Thanks.”

  She made her plate in silence as he waited for his to finish heating.

  Nate removed his plate from the microwave, grabbed his utensils and headed back to his room. He needed to put space between them, get a good night’s rest and let his annoyance subside.

  “Wait.” Kendra’s plea halted him. “Have I done something to upset you? Everything seemed fine, then suddenly I’m getting grunts and one-word answers.”

  “Everything is fine, Kendra. I’m tired, and I’d like to go to bed, if that’s all right.”

  She shrugged. “You don’t want to talk about it? Fine. But if I’ve somehow pissed you off, you should at least be mature enough to tell me what I did wrong.”

  “Like you were when you packed your bags and took off seven years ago?” He swung around. “That the kind of maturity you’re talking about?”

  Kendra lowered her gaze. “I didn’t know exactly how to handle what I was feeling.”

  “I was prepared to spend my life with you, and you gave me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech. You said the life you would’ve had with me wasn’t the one you envisioned for yourself. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?” Nate put the plate on the table and clenched his fist.

  “Shitty,” he supplied when she didn’t respond. “Everything I’d done up to then was so that I could give you the life you deserved.”

  Head tilted, her brow creased. “That’s sweet, Nate, but I never asked you to take care of me. I’m fully capable of caring for myself.”

  “I know, but...” Nate ran a hand through his hair and huffed. “All those years I watched your mom struggle to support you and Dash, working long hours and still managing to be a good mother. Most days she was tired to the bone. Apologizing because she couldn’t be at your brother’s track meets or your school plays. I didn’t want that for you. For us. I wanted to give you everything. Anything you wanted.”

  “What I wanted was to have a relationship and a career. I wanted to do what I loved during the day and go home to the person I loved at night, just like you did. But you couldn’t cope with that, as if it infringed upon your manhood.”

  “I didn’t object to your career. I just didn’t want you working with random athletes.”

  “Why?” She stepped closer.

  “You know how those guys are. Chasing skirts. Going after anything pretty that moves.”

  “Exactly.” Kendra’s self-satisfied expression said it all. He’d justified her reasons for walking away.

  His cheeks flushed with heat. “C’mon, Kendra, you know what I meant. Not every guy is like that. I’m not.”

  “Okay.” She shrugged. “Let’s look at the most essential point. You didn’t trust me.”

  “Now you’re turning this on me? You’re the one who walked away because you didn’t trust me.”

  “And you sabotaged my career because you didn’t trust that I could deal with your colleagues without ending up in their beds.”

  They were both silent, stewing over the unhealed wounds they’d inflicted on each other.

  Nate inhaled deeply, then released his breath slowly. He shook his head. “For the record, I did trust you. Just didn’t want you to put yourself in a bad situation. Besides, I couldn’t be sure of what I’d do if one of those guys ever laid a hand on you. Figured it’d be safer if we never had to find out. I didn’t realize how important it was to you until it was too late.”

  “You should’ve talked to me instead of trying to lay down the law like you were the sheriff in a one-horse town.” The corners of her eyes were damp. “Like what I wanted didn’t matter.”

  Nate studied her face. “I was wrong, and I’m sorry. I wish I could take it back and do it all over again.”

  “Me, too.” Kendra swiped a finger beneath her eye; her voice quavered. “The choice I made...it was a mistake. One we all ended up paying for.”

  Nate had waited a long time to hear those words. For confirmation that what they’d shared was real.

  “I shouldn’t have brought it up.” His fists were balled at his sides as he resisted the urge to take her in his arms.

  She sniffled, raising her eyes, wet with tears, to his. “And I shouldn’t have made such a big deal about not being able to tuck Kai in tonight. That’s what upset you, isn’t it? I was complaining about one night without him while you...” She sighed heavily. “While you’re away from him most nights.”

  Nate shrugged, watching a line of dark clouds rolling in and lightning in the distance.

  “Every day I regret the pain my choice has caused both you and Kai.” Kendra touched his arm. She leaned into him when he didn’t respond. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I hope that one day you can forgive me. Both you and Kai.”

  His chest ached from the pain and regret he saw in her brown eyes. “What do you mean you hope Kai will forgive you?”

  Kendra’s eyebrows gathered and a deep line creased her forehead, hardening her soft features. She pressed her lips together tightly, as if she were trying to hold back a sob.

  “He’s been asking for you a lot more since Liam came into our lives. He sees Liam with the girls and he doesn’t understand why his dad isn’t in his life every day.” Her voice grew faint; the tears etched a salty path down her face faster than she could erase them. “He’s only six now, but eventually he’ll be hurt and angry...he’ll hate me for taking him away from his dad.” Kendra covered her mouth and turned away.

  Nate wrapped his arms around her, pulling her wet cheek to his bare chest. He kissed her forehead. “Kai adores you. He could never stay angry with you. He’s too much of a mama’s boy.”

  Kendra laughed against his chest, then pulled away enough to meet his gaze. “Like his dad?”

  He held her at arm’s length. “Whoa? Me? A mama’s boy?”

  She raised an eyebrow and punched him in the gut playfully. “Uh...yeah.”

  Nate peeked through his thumb and forefinger. “Maybe just a tad. Nothing wrong with that.”

  “No, there isn’t.” Kendra smiled wistfully. “There’s a little mama’s boy in every good man.”

  He pulled her to him again, his body reacting to the exquisite sensation of her curves pressed against him. “You saying I’m a good man?”

  “I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t believe you are. That’s why this campaign is so important. I want people to see the kind, brilliant man I’ve always known. That’s my mission. Once we accomplish that, everything else will come. The contract, the endorsements.”

  “Didn’t think you believed in me anymore.” He paused, his next words catching in his throat. “That’s what hurt most when you left.”

  Kendra dropped her stare, but Nate cupped her chin, raising her eyes to meet his again.

  “I know that you don’t want to talk about this and that what’s done is done. But in all these years, it’s never felt over to me. There’s always been a tiny piece of me that—despite the anger and hurt feelings—still wanted you to be there for me like you are right now.”

  She tried to pull away, but he held on tight, his gaze not leaving hers.

  “I need to know, is there still a chance we can be a family?”

  * * *

  Yes.

  That single word hung at the back of her throat, unable to make its way past her lips. She shook her head, trying to clear the warm thoughts that were fogging her brain and spreading throughout her
body. Making her want things she had no right to. “Nate, I—”

  He leaned down and kissed her open mouth, mid-sentence. His strong arms encircling her waist, he pulled their lower bodies together.

  Kendra gasped at the sensation of his lips pressed to hers. She savored the taste and warmth of his mouth as she melted into his strong embrace. The memories of what they’d once been filled her body with heat and caused a delicious ache in her nipples and between her thighs.

  Kissing Nate went against every rule she’d established when she agreed to take him on as a client. Rules she put in place to safeguard their working relationship and protect her heart.

  Despite the blissful contentment she felt, surrendering to the magnetic pull between them, she needed to put a stop to it and regain control. Kendra pressed the heels of her hands into his chest, but Nate pulled her closer. Kissed her more fervently.

  The logical objections her brain posed gave way to the temptation and desire that made her skin tingle. She relaxed into him and pressed her fingers to the warm skin of his muscular back.

  She missed the strength of his hands, the tenderness of his kiss. The way his touch filled her belly with fire and made her knees weak.

  Her senses were overloaded with the heat emanating from his skin, the scent of his freshly scrubbed skin, mingled with a hint of sweat and the salty taste of him.

  Maybe she was overly cautious. They’d done this before—had one night together and then sensibly walked away.

  Would it be so wrong if we did it again?

  But that wasn’t what Nate had proposed. He’d asked whether they could be a family.

  That, she couldn’t promise.

  Kendra pulled away, her eyes searching his. “Nate, please, we agreed to keep this strictly business.”

  Nate sighed heavily, frowning. He cupped her cheek with his rough palm. “We didn’t agree to anything. You insisted on it.”

  “I know, but you promised to keep your hands to yourself.” She poked a finger in his chest, attempting to lighten the suddenly heavy mood. The tension between them was finally abating. She couldn’t afford for things to go back to the way they were.

  “We both made promises.” He dropped his gaze, his voice gruff. “Things change.”

  He didn’t need to elaborate. Kendra knew exactly what he meant. The night they’d gotten tossed from the prom, they spent the night on Pleasure Cove Beach, watching the waves crash on the shore. He’d made love to her on the beach under an incredible full moon and a sky full of stars that had never shone brighter.

  That night, Nate promised to always love her. She’d promised the same.

  They were just kids. Neither of them had a clue what life had in store or how they’d change.

  Kendra clenched her fists at her side and sank her teeth into her lower lip as she searched for the right words.

  Head cocked to the side, Nate’s dark eyes studied hers. His words were a husky whisper that sent electricity up her spine. “There’s obviously still something between us.”

  “We have a lot of history and an amazing little boy. It’s hard not to get caught up in those feelings.”

  “Then maybe we should explore them.” He trailed the back of his hand down the side of her face. “See where this thing takes us.”

  Kendra fought off the overwhelming desire to let Nate take her back to his bed and make love to her. His mouth exploring hers, his hands roaming her skin as she lay in his arms.

  Sex and business don’t mix. Stay strong.

  “Wanting each other isn’t enough, Nate.” She stepped back, giving herself room to breathe in air that wasn’t permeated with his fresh, woodsy scent. “And what we want isn’t necessarily what’s best for us. No matter how badly we want it.”

  Nate caught her hand as she turned to walk away, tugging her toward him again. “I don’t believe our being together isn’t what’s best for us or Kai. Neither do you.”

  “One kiss and you’re talking about being a family? I can’t promise you that.”

  Nate groaned, releasing her hand. “We’re not kids on a first date, Kendra. We know each other. Most important, we love our son and want what’s best for him.”

  Kendra wanted Nate. Loved him. But did he love her? Or was this just about finally making them a family?

  Nate grew up in a big, close family that had earned the moniker “the black Waltons.” His parents had been married for four decades. Nate wanted Kai to be raised by both his parents—just as he’d been.

  She wanted that, too, but not at the expense of a one-sided marriage where they were just in it for the kids. Relationships like that didn’t last.

  Her parents were proof of that.

  “We both want what’s best for Kai. That’s why we need to focus on the mission at hand. There’s a lot on the line here, Nate. Your career, your future income, the work you’ve been able to do with the foundation—”

  “Your career.” His mouth tugged down in a frown. “It’s serious, I get it, but this—” he gestured between them “—is important, too.”

  She lifted her chin and met his condemning gaze. “This isn’t the time to explore the past. Not with so much at stake for both of us.”

  “Fine.” He gathered his plate, turning to leave.

  Kendra grabbed his elbow. “That doesn’t mean we can’t sit down and have a meal together.”

  “You want to keep this thing strictly business? Well, I don’t usually have shirtless midnight business meetings.” He narrowed his gaze, his tone icy.

  “You give interviews in the locker room when you’re half-dressed. How is this any different?”

  “You know why it’s different.” Nate put the plate down again. “What is it that you want from me, Kendra?”

  She stood stunned, her mouth slack, unable to reply.

  “I ask you to marry me and you walk away. Just when I think I’m finally over it, you find some way to mess with my head again. I just wanted to have a quiet late-night snack in my room. Alone. But you couldn’t let it be.” His words came in quick, angry bursts. “I kiss you. Tell you I want to be with you and Kai. You say I’m pushing too hard. But, oh, by the way, why don’t we sit down for a nice, civil business meal in our pajamas?”

  Her stomach clenched and her hands shook. He was right. She was being selfish—trying to hold on to him while maintaining her distance. “I’m sorry. I don’t know exactly how to do this. I want us to be friends again. Not just because we’re working together or even because of Kai. We were friends long before we dated. I miss that.”

  Nate shook his head. “After everything we’ve been through, I can’t just be friends. Maybe someday, but not tonight.”

  Kendra bit her lower lip, concentrating on the superficial physical pain rather than the deep ache in her heart as he walked away.

  Chapter 10

  Nate dropped his luggage by the front door and stumbled to the couch. They’d landed in Memphis later than expected.

  Good to finally be home again.

  He dropped Kendra off at a nearby hotel and headed to his place.

  He had plenty of room to put her up for the night. But after the night they’d shared at Wade and Greer’s guesthouse, they both agreed it would be better if she stayed at a hotel.

  Nate just wanted a cold beer and a hot bath before what would surely be a grueling day.

  First, there was the meeting with the team. Then he would meet with a couple of his teammates. After he made his personal amends to everyone on the list—except Tyree and Dade, who were still dodging his calls—he’d take to the podium in a press conference at the team facilities.

  Nate made his way to the fridge. He tossed out a couple of suspect take-out containers, then pulled out a bottle of imported beer. He settled on the couch again when the doorb
ell rang.

  His neighbor collected his mail when he was away, and was always a little too eager to bring over his mail and newspapers. Nate opened the door.

  “Hello, Nate. Miss me?”

  Stephanie Weiss—the devil herself and the cause of this entire fiasco—lifted her head, her face previously shielded by her large-brimmed hat. Her mouth curved in a sly grin.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” He gritted out the words between clenched teeth.

  “Got a proposal for you.” She smiled sweetly, glancing over his shoulder. “May I come in?”

  “Not if your ass was on fire and I had the only bucket of water for thirty miles,” he seethed. “You’ve got five seconds before I call security to haul you out of here.”

  She seemed slightly irritated by his rebuff, but mostly amused. “Fine. Then I’ll save my questions for the press conference tomorrow. Just thought you’d welcome the opportunity to sit down and explain your side of things.”

  “Sit down with the devil who caused this whole shit storm? No thanks.” He crossed his arms. “Yeah, I know it was you who sent those girls to ambush me.”

  She smirked. “Now that’s just unsubstantiated speculation.” Stephanie echoed the words he’d used in the press conference he had three years ago, when he’d distanced himself from her after the scandal broke.

  “Is that what this is about?” He placed a hand high on the doorjamb as he leaned against the frame. “You’re still pissed because I wouldn’t help you ruin my friend’s career?”

  “You didn’t have any qualms about ruining mine.” She narrowed her eyes, the irises the color of muddy water, and pressed her thin lips into a tight line. “This time, I had indisputable proof, and it’s you who came out looking like the fool.”

  Nate clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Swallowed back all the things he wanted to say to this woman. Things his mama would whup his behind for if she heard him utter them in mixed company. “Get off my property. Now. Believe me, I’d enjoy watching the cops drag you out of here.”