Playing with Temptation

by Reese Ryan

  “It’s more than that. If a story isn’t salacious enough, she’ll put a spin on it, like she’s doing right now.”

  “So there is some truth to what she’s saying about you and her during your rookie year.”

  She shouldn’t care. They weren’t together anymore. So why did it feel like her heart was about to explode?

  “Why don’t you just go ahead and ask me what you really want to know?” Nate narrowed his gaze, his voice tight.

  “Because I might not like the answer, that’s why.” Kendra’s voice faltered. She exhaled. “Besides, I can’t afford the distraction from the question I need to have answered.”

  “Which is?” Nate’s incredulous expression indicated that he couldn’t believe there was anything more pressing than the issue at hand.

  “What the hell is she doing here?”

  Nate sighed, realization in his eyes. He knew enough of Stephanie Weiss to recognize that she hadn’t come all this way without something sinister in mind.

  “What do you think she’s planning?”

  “I don’t know.” Kendra shrugged. “But that’s where our focus must lie. Not on what happened between you two eight years ago.”

  “I thought you said you needed to know everything, so we don’t get blindsided?” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “So you didn’t tell me the whole truth about you two?” Her mouth felt dry and tears pricked her eyes.

  Nate exhaled and sat on a bench, pulling her down beside him. He turned his body to face her, his eyes barely meeting hers.

  “Midway through that first season, I’d become this breakout star. Stephanie interviewed me for her sports magazine over dinner. We had a few drinks. I walked her back to her hotel and...she kissed me.”

  Kendra screwed her eyes shut against the pain in her chest. She blinked back tears. “So did you—”

  “Nothing happened, I swear.” He held his hands up, his palms facing her. “I told her I don’t get down like that. That I was with someone I loved and was going to marry.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was ashamed of myself for letting it happen.”

  “You know about my dad, about what he did to our family.” She pointed a finger at him.

  “That’s why I was so afraid to tell you the truth.” A vein was visible in his temple as he lowered his gaze. “With your history with your father, I was afraid you’d never trust me again. I wasn’t willing to take that chance.”

  “Guess my concerns about what happens out there on the road aren’t so unfounded after all.” Kendra stood, angrily wiping away the wetness at the corners of her eyes. “Don’t worry, this won’t change anything between us. I’m still your media consultant, and I will honor my promise to let you spend more time with Kai, because it’s the right thing to do. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to come over after all.”

  “Kendra, please.” He grabbed her hand, but she snatched it from his grip. “It was a mistake, and I know I should’ve told you, but nothing happened. I swear to you. You have to believe me.”

  “No, I don’t. My job is to make everyone else believe you.” She bit her lower lip and willed her limbs to stop trembling. “Excuse me, but suddenly, I’m not feeling very well.” Kendra grabbed her things and made her way to her car.

  She’d been right. Like her father, Nate Johnston couldn’t be trusted.

  Chapter 17

  Nate checked his watch again. The last few days had been stressful. His relationship with Kendra was strained and formal, and Vi was still angry with him, so talking to her wasn’t an option.

  He felt badly for keeping the truth from Kendra. Maybe he hadn’t slept with Stephanie that night, or done anything to overtly encourage the kiss, but he’d lapped up the adoration she’d been pouring on all night. And he hadn’t discouraged her flirting. Worst of all, he’d kept it from Kendra.

  Nate had convinced himself that not telling Kendra was in her best interest. The truth was he should’ve handled the situation differently. Most important, he couldn’t bear for her to look at him and judge him as being no better than her father. By hiding it from her, he’d proven just that.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting.” Bud Flynn placed a firm hand on his shoulder as he took his seat at the table. The older man adjusted his large glasses and smiled through a sigh. “So, how’ve you been, son?”

  “Well, thanks.” Nate would’ve found it demeaning had anyone else referred to him that way. But Bud Flynn had been as good to him as his own father. He’d given him a shot in the league when no one else would. He mentored him through injuries, slumps and tough times—like his breakup with Kendra. “Look, Bud, I want to begin by saying again how sorry I am about this entire mess. I never intended any of this.”

  “Yet here we are, dealing with it just the same.” Once a staple on the sidelines during games and practice, Bud hadn’t been as active with the team as he once had due to health issues. It was the first time Nate had ever looked at the old man and seen his eighty-plus years in his blue eyes and bearing down on his shoulders. “You’ve always been straightforward and outspoken, and I appreciate that. Reminds me a lot of myself.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Nate squirmed in his seat, the shadow of the other shoe Bud was about to lower loomed over him.

  “However, there comes a time when you have to learn to control those impulses. Know when to be open and when to season your words up a bit.”

  “I just got so caught up in my anger with the guys, with myself. It was a mistake to talk about it outside our walls. I’m clear on that now.”

  A server came, left glasses of water and then took their orders before taking off again.

  “It’s good you understand that.” Bud took a sip from his water glass. “However, I’m gonna need you to apply that behind closed doors, too.”

  “Sir?”

  “When I was a boy, we didn’t have much. My mother made do with what we had. She often bought liver because she could get it cheap and it’s good for you. A super food. But if you don’t prepare it just right, it’s one of the most god-awful things you’ll ever eat.”

  “Okay.” Nate assessed the old man, wondering if he was beginning to lose it.

  Bud leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “Consider your words the same way, son. What you’re saying is a hard truth your coaches and teammates need to hear. But if you don’t season those words up just right and make them palatable, they won’t do anybody a bit of good. They’ll block out every word and use your poor delivery as reason to discount your advice. They’ll be so focused on how you told them that they won’t pay attention to the wisdom you’re offering.”

  “Point taken.” Nate nodded, tapping his thumb on the table. “Kendra told me pretty much the same thing.”

  Bud smiled. “Caught a glimpse of her at the press conference. She was good for you. Glad to see you two have worked things out, for your sakes and the sake of your son.”

  Nate lowered his gaze and drew circles in the condensation of his glass. “I’ve hired her as my media consultant. As for our personal relationship...we’re still working on that. She’s a little gun-shy.”

  “Why?” The old man shoved his glasses up the bridge of his crooked nose.

  Nate sighed. “She believes every man out there will disappoint her like her father did. He left them when Kendra was a baby.”

  “Does she have a good relationship with her father now?”

  “She can barely tolerate being in the same room with him.”

  “Then start there,” Bud said matter-of-factly, then thanked the server for the whiskey smash she handed him.

  “What do you mean?” Nate took a sip of his imported beer.

  “Help her repair her relationship with her father. Seems like that�
�s the only way she’ll let go of that fear and anger and move forward.”

  He’d met Curtis Williams—Kendra’s father—once or twice while they were growing up. It was apparent neither of them liked the other. Nate resented Mr. Williams for abandoning Kendra, Dash and Ms. Anna. Mr. Williams clearly didn’t trust his daughter’s male best friend. He hadn’t seen or talked to the man in years. “Thanks, Bud. I’ll consider it.”

  “Good. Now, there’s something else I need you to consider, so take a deep breath. Really think about this request before you reject it out of hand.”

  Nate’s spine stiffened. “I get the feeling I should have ordered something a little stronger.” He hailed the server and asked her to bring him a Cuba libre, then turned back to his mentor. “Let’s hear it.”

  Bud twisted his mouth, spreading his hands on the table in front of Nate. “We need to think of the future of the team here. You’re a critical piece of the team right now, as you have been for the past eight years. But we both know you’re nearing the end of the ride.”

  Nate sighed. Bud’s words—though true—were like a punch to his gut. They were already looking past him. On to the next big thing. “Does that mean there’s no longer a place for me on the Marauders roster?”

  Bud waved his hand. “Of course there is. In fact, I want you to take on an even bigger role in the years ahead. We need your skill and talent on the field. However, it’s even more important that you help us begin shaping the next generation of wide receivers. Build a team that can win now and into the future.”

  Nate clenched his jaw, then took a few gulps of his beer. Bud’s hands were wrinkled and covered with age spots, yet Nate felt like the relic. “So, I assume you plan to draft a star wide receiver.”

  “I do.” Bud’s tone was unwavering and unapologetic. “Doesn’t mean I don’t respect your talent and understand what a critical role you play on our team. It means I have great reverence for your smarts and ability. So much so, I want to ensure that our future generation of wide receivers has been mentored by the greatest wide receiver we’ve ever had.”

  Nate finished his beer and handed his glass off to the server when she set his Cuba libre on the table. He took a gulp of it, letting the chilled cola, dark rum and lime juice slide down his throat. He closed his eyes for a moment, wishing he were on the sandy beach where he first discovered this drink, rather than sitting across from the team’s owner essentially telling him he was washed up and more valuable as a mentor than as a player.

  “Well?” Bud took a sip of his whiskey smash.

  Nate shrugged. “Don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

  Bud’s voice was somber, fraught with disappointment. “We always have choices, son. I just hope you’ll take some time and think about my offer and make the best decision. One beneficial to you and the team.”

  Nate nodded, meeting the old man’s gaze. “I’ll give your request serious consideration. I promise. I’d like to talk your proposal over with my team first before I commit.”

  “Of course.” Bud nodded, steepling his fingers. “There is one other matter we need to discuss.”

  Nate’s stomach roiled. He gripped his glass. “Okay.”

  “I need your assurance that you’ve learned from this experience. That we won’t find ourselves in the same position six months down the road. Because if we do, I need you to understand that this conversation will go very differently.” Bud raised one of his furry eyebrows, punctuated by unruly gray hairs that pointed in opposite directions.

  Nate nodded. “I have, sir. I can assure you it won’t happen again.”

  “Good.” A warm smile spread across Bud’s face. He looked around. “Now, where is that prime rib? I’m starving.”

  Nate chuckled, his head swirling. As shaken as he’d been by Bud’s proposal about his changing role on the team, his thoughts kept returning to Kendra.

  Suddenly, Bud’s suggestion didn’t seem so bad. Kendra would be angry if he interfered in her relationship with her father, but if Bud was right, it would be worth enduring her temporary ire.

  After dinner with Bud, Nate drove back to his place in Memphis. Then he booked a flight to Jacksonville, Florida.

  Chapter 18

  Kendra sat on the set of another midday sports show as Nate took part in a discussion panel. This time they were in Atlanta.

  It was down to two teams that would play for the championship. The absence of football action didn’t stem the tide of talking heads analyzing every facet of each remaining team and predicting how the contest would end.

  Nate was a natural—funny and charming. His words insightful and his opinions thought-provoking. Initially, he’d been against doing the sports shows. Now he was in his element, loving every minute.

  His smile was broad and genuine and his deep chuckle was contagious. Not to mention, the man was finer than he’d ever been.

  Kendra massaged the knot in her shoulder and breathed through the heat building in her chest.

  It was no use.

  Flames marched down her spine, fanning the heat at her core as she tried to clear the memories of the night they’d spent in his bed.

  You’re the one who rejected him. Twice.

  Her anger and distrust aside, she still loved and wanted Nate. But how could she trust him again? And what about her career? He hadn’t been supportive of it then, why would things be any different now?

  Nate made a funny observation that had the entire panel in stitches.

  Kendra smiled. She’d missed hearing his genuine laugh. He’d spent the previous few days in Memphis while she’d been back in Pleasure Cove. They met in New York, where he did a few shows before they’d flown to Atlanta for this one. After another appearance scheduled later in the day, they’d head back to Pleasure Cove.

  “How’d I do?” Nate approached her, a sheepish smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

  Her eyes traveled the length of his body, draped in an expensive blue suit that enhanced his athletic build. She lifted her gaze to meet his. “You’re a natural. You’ll have a long career ahead of you as a sports analyst, if that’s what you want.”

  “Think so?” He relieved her of her leather briefcase and lifted it onto his shoulder as they headed toward the door.

  “Absolutely. The producers loved you. They asked if you’d like to come back and do a few shows during the off-season.”

  Nate nodded thoughtfully. “That’s great, but let’s hope all of this will pay off at the negotiations table. Marcus is meeting with the team later today.”

  “If they had no intention of paying you, Bud wouldn’t have asked you to mentor James Eastland.”

  “I guess.” Nate’s shoulders tensed. He was obviously still unhappy about being asked to mentor a younger player. A sure sign his days with the team were numbered. “How much time until the next show?”

  “A few hours. Plenty of time for you to grab a bite or go back to the hotel and get a little rest. I can meet you at the next studio, if you’d like.”

  “No.” He lightly gripped her arm. “Let me take you to lunch, if you don’t have any plans.”

  Kendra’s heart beat faster. Her mouth felt dry as she stared into his warm eyes. “Why? Did you want to go over the appearances scheduled for next week?”

  “No, we need to talk about us. I’m sorry for my bad judgment then and for not telling you when it happened.”

  She pulled away. “Nate—”

  “I know you’d rather not talk about this.” He countered her objection before she could make it. “But that’s always been our problem. We’ve avoided the tough conversations. Maybe that’s because we got together so young. Maybe we weren’t mature enough to deal with all of this then. But we need to talk about it now.”

  Nate cupped her face in his strong hand, lifting Kend
ra’s chin so her eyes met his.

  Kendra backed up until she was pressed against the wall. Her heart beat so quickly she was sure he could hear it. She stared at him, unable to speak. Her chest was heavy with all the things she wanted to say; her head spun, reminding her of all the reasons she shouldn’t say them.

  He captured her mouth in a kiss. Slow and sweet. Filled with warmth, affection and desire. Her hands slipped beneath his jacket, pressing into his back. Her body softened against his.

  She was kissing Nate Johnston in a secluded hallway at a major sports network. She’d lost her mind. Yet she had no desire to stop him. Nor would she pretend that she didn’t want more.

  Kendra pulled away. She bit her lower lip as their eyes met. There was so much they needed to say, but she didn’t want to talk. “I know exactly what I’d like for lunch.”

  A slow smile spread across his face as he traced her collarbone. “What?”

  “You.” Kendra’s heart raced, hardly able to believe what she’d said.

  From the widening of Nate’s eyes, he could hardly believe it, either. Nate nodded his head toward the door. His voice was a hoarse whisper. “Let’s get out of here. Now.”

  They took the waiting car service back to their hotel, Nate gripping her hand for the short ride.

  A quiet, nervous energy buzzed between them as they rode in silence in the back of the black SUV.

  Kendra wasn’t prepared to think about where they stood or Stephanie’s accusation. She simply wanted the comfort and solace she’d only ever felt when she was in Nate’s arms.

  * * *

  Nate had planned to apologize to Kendra again and outline all the reasons they belonged together over lunch. But he’d kissed her and then Kendra proposed the very thing he wanted so desperately: to spend the next few hours making love to her.

  The temptation too great, he couldn’t say no.

  When they arrived at the hotel, Nate escorted Kendra to his suite, nearly holding his breath, afraid she’d reconsider.