Playing To Win (The York Bombers Book 2)

by Lisa B. Kamps

  And caught Tyler Bowie’s eye instead.

  Megan blinked, realized that no, she wasn’t imagining things, that Tyler really was looking at her. No, not looking. Staring. Like he was trying to place her.

  No. No way could he recognize her. It would be a disaster if he recognized her. No, she was getting worked up over nothing, there was no way he’d be able to recognize her, not when she barely recognized herself.

  She should look away, knew she needed to look away. But his eyes held hers, freezing her in place. Maybe if she just stared back, he’d look away, break that odd hold he seemed to have on her.

  She saw Jason nudge him in the side and lean in closer to say something. Tyler finally looked away, turning toward Jason. Megan released the breath she’d been holding and felt herself relax. That had been close—too close. Except now Tyler was looking at her again—

  And so was Jason.

  Her heart slammed into her chest when their eyes met. Even from this distance, she could see the clear blue of the irises, felt them slice into her as he watched her.

  But she felt anything but cold. Heat filled her, a steady flame that danced across her flesh. Her skin prickled with unseen excitement as her pulse raced, sending heated blood coursing through her.

  Jason Emory was looking at her. And maybe it was just wishful thinking, or an overactive imagination, but she could have sworn she saw interest flare in his eyes.

  Megan spun around on the stool and reached for the drink, her hands shaking so much she nearly dropped the glass. She took one long swallow, carefully placed the drink back on the lacquered surface of the gleaming bar, then slid off the stool and grabbed Haley’s hand.

  “We need to dance.”

  “What?”

  Megan tugged, pulling Haley off her own stool. “I said we need to dance. Or go to the bathroom. Or something. Come on.”

  Haley shot her a look that questioned her sanity, dug her feet in, and glanced over her shoulder. Megan followed her gaze and was torn between freezing in place—or running away.

  Jason Emory was walking toward them. He was actually coming over! And he was looking at her.

  She tugged on Haley’s hand again. “Haley, please.”

  But it was too late because Jason had reached them, had come to a stop right there. In front of them. His glanced darted back and forth between the two of them, finally coming to a stop on Megan.

  And his eyes were even more gorgeous up close. An odd pale blue ringed with a darker sapphire. And he was actually looking at her. Right at her.

  And then he grinned. “Hi.”

  “H-hi.” Was that pitiful little squawk really her voice? Yes, it was. She glanced at Haley, silently asking for help. Instead of helping, Haley pulled her hand free, gave them both a smile, and took a step back.

  “I have to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be back.”

  Megan stared at her friend’s retreating back and fought the urge to chase after her. How could she do this to Megan? She was going to kill her!

  As soon as she could figure out how to breathe again.

  “Are you and your friend waiting on anyone?”

  Megan took a deep breath and turned back to Jason, surprised that he was still standing there. Surprised that he was looking at her. Talking to her.

  And if she didn’t say something back, soon, he’d probably think she was some kind of nut case and walk away. How could Haley do this to her, just leave when she knew how tongue-tied Megan might get?

  Because you’re only like that around him.

  Haley’s words came back to her, surprisingly soothing. And she was right. Megan didn’t usually stumble over her words or make an ass out of herself. She was intelligent, mature, well-spoken. Well, mostly.

  She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face, one that didn’t actually feel forced.

  “No, we’re here by ourselves. Girls’ night out.”

  Jason’s smile grew a little wider, interest flaring again in those glacier-blue eyes. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving hers. “Would you like to join us? We can make room.”

  Megan looked behind him, her eyes resting on the group gathered around the table. For the most part, everyone was ignoring them, focused more on talking and laughing among themselves.

  Everyone except two: the girl who had been trying to get closer to Jason earlier, and Tyler Bowie. She ignored the death glare from the girl and looked at Tyler. Why was he watching her with raised brows? And did she really see amusement dancing in his dark eyes?

  She turned back to Jason. “I don’t think your girlfriend is too excited about anyone joining you. We wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend. Or my date. She’s just…a friend of my friend’s, I guess you could say.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, glanced behind him, then looked back at her and held out his hand. “I’m Jason, by the way.”

  Megan stared at his hand for a split second then slowly reached out to take it. Could he feel the way her fingers shook? She hoped not. What about that quick jolt of excitement that moved from his hand to hers? No, that was probably nothing more than her imagination, just like the sudden awareness that shot through her.

  And then she realized he was waiting for her to introduce herself and she nearly froze. She couldn’t tell him her real name. What if he overheard someone call her at the bar when she was working? Which made no sense. Why wouldn’t she want him to know her real name?

  Because she was being someone else tonight. Playing at someone different. So she took a quick breath, offered him a small smile, and said, “I’m Michelle.”

  And oh God, did she really just give him a fake name? Why did she do that? There was just something wrong about that, even if it was her middle name. But she couldn’t give him a different name now. If she did, he’d really think she was insane.

  And did it matter? No, not really.

  His hand tightened for just the briefest second around hers, his smile growing a little wider. Then he dropped her hand and stepped to the bar, grabbing their drinks. He leaned across the lacquered surface and said something to the bartender, then moved back to her side.

  “Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

  Megan nodded, silently accepting her drink as he placed a warm hand against her lower back and guided her toward the table. She tried to ignore the warmth of his touch seeping through to her skin, tried to ignore the small flutters dancing in her stomach.

  And then they were at the table and Jason was introducing her. The guys smiled at her, polite and friendly. The girls made it obvious she was intruding and they didn’t want her anywhere near them.

  Too bad. She was here now, she wasn’t leaving.

  She took a small sip of the drink then looked around, her gaze meeting Tyler’s across the table. He gave her a lopsided grin, his brows raising in silent question.

  He knew! She didn’t know how, but he recognized her. Would he say something? No, of course not. Why would he? She was just borrowing trouble, maybe being a little paranoid.

  Jason stepped closer, the length of his thigh pressing against hers. She froze, shot him a curious glance from beneath half-closed lids. Was the touch accidental? Probably. Everyone was jammed so close together around the two tables, fighting for space, it would be easy to accidentally brush against someone else.

  She took another sip of the drink then looked around, searching for Haley. How long would she stay gone for? Hopefully not too long. She had to know that Megan would be nervous, that she’d need her there for support.

  And to make sure she didn’t do something stupid.

  There she was! Finally. Megan put her drink on the table and raised her arm, trying to get Haley’s attention. Just when she was ready to lower her arm, Jason grabbed her hand and leaned in closer.

  His breath was warm against her cheek, his eyes dancing as he watched her.

  “Would you like to dance?”

&nb
sp; Chapter Five

  Jason hadn’t really meant to ask her to dance. Hell, he hadn’t even planned on inviting her over, hadn’t even noticed her. At least, not until he’d seen Tyler staring at her. And then he thought the goalie was interested, only Tyler could be so damn awkward with his freaky focus shit sometimes that Jason thought he’d do his friend a favor and invite her over.

  Except Tyler said he wasn’t interested, that he only thought the girl looked familiar and that was why he was staring at her. And hell, if Jason had known that, he’d have never invited her over.

  No, that wasn’t exactly true. Not really. There was something endearing about her shyness, about the way she had almost turned down his invitation to join them. Like she was almost afraid to accept it. Jason wasn’t used to that, not with the way girls seemed to flock around them, practically throwing themselves at them when they went out. So yeah, the fact that she seemed to act the exact opposite intrigued him.

  And now that he’d talked to her for a while, he realized that he actually kind of liked her. Once she let go of some of that awkward shyness, she was funny and sweet. And that was something that was completely new to him: meeting a sweet, funny girl who actually seemed interested in him.

  Not that there wasn’t some attraction going on. Yeah, his body was definitely reacting to the nearness of hers, soft and warm and enticing. Every time they danced, he could feel the air getting heavier, wrapping around them so it felt like they were in a soft cocoon, isolated from everyone else despite the crowd around them. And it was a constant battle not to stare at the creamy flesh of her chest, especially when she kept trying to tug her sweater over that flowing blouse that showed him just enough to stay enticed. That was another thing he wasn’t used to: girls trying to hide themselves instead of flashing him whenever they got the chance.

  So yeah, he was definitely attracted. Enticed. Curious. But was she? He couldn’t get a read on her, on her interest. Should he try to kiss her, right here on the dance floor? Would she press that delicious body even closer to him, or haul off and slug him? Because he definitely got the impression she was the kind of girl who wouldn’t hesitate to slug someone if they crossed a line.

  Another point in her favor as far as he was concerned. And another reason why his interest level kicked up a notch.

  He looked down at her, their eyes meeting. Something flashed in her eyes and she quickly lowered her gaze, chewing on her full lower lip as her hand tightened on his shoulder. He felt her chest brush against his as she took a deep breath, watched as she slowly raised her gaze back to his.

  “The, uh, the song ended.”

  Fuck. No wonder she was looking at him like that. She probably thought he was half-crazy, or half-looped. He waited for her to move away from him, to say something else. But she didn’t, she just stood there, her body pressed against his, staring up at him.

  Jason didn’t stop to think, didn’t question what he was doing. He just dipped his head and pressed his mouth against hers. Soft, just enough for a quick taste.

  Except now that he’d had that quick taste, he wanted more. He increased the pressure of his lips against hers, took advantage of her lips parting on a gasp of surprise and swept his tongue into her mouth. Sweet, hot.

  Need exploded inside him. His heart slammed against his chest and he deepened the kiss, tasting her. He reached up, cupped the back of her head, the soft strands of her hair wrapping around his fingers.

  Fuck, what he wouldn’t give to be wrapped around her finger.

  The sudden thought floored him, surprising him enough that he pulled away. His breath left him in shallow gasps, echoing her own quick breathing. Her lids fluttered open and she gazed up at him, her deep brown eyes wide and glazed with passion.

  There was surprise there, too. Had the kiss floored her as much as it did him? He couldn’t tell, but he thought that maybe it had.

  What the fuck? It was just a simple fucking kiss.

  No, it was anything but simple.

  And suddenly he wanted to leave, to grab her hand and lead her out the door, take her back to his place. It was more than want: it was need, stronger than anything he’d felt in a long time.

  He needed his fucking head examined. All this, from just a kiss? If he was smart, he’d just lead her back to the table and say goodnight to everyone, get the hell home until sanity returned.

  Not many people ever accused him of being smart.

  He grinned, took a deep breath, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

  “Did you—” His voice cracked and heat filled his face. He cleared his throat, hoped she didn’t notice. “Would you like to go someplace more private?”

  And fuck, could he be any smoother? He almost closed his eyes, waited for the hit he deserved for being so crass and blatant. But she didn’t slug him. Her eyes widened for a brief second and she glanced around, almost like she was looking for something. Then her gaze met his and he saw the shyness, the uncertainty, in their depths.

  He held his breath, waiting.

  “I—”

  Please don’t say no. Don’t say no.

  “Okay. I, uh, I need to tell Haley I’m leaving, though.”

  Excitement—and relief—surged through him. He clamped his jaw shut, told himself not to do a fucking celly right there in the middle of the fucking dance floor. Instead, he smiled and grabbed her hand, threading their fingers together. Her fingers trembled against his and he gave them a gentle squeeze. At least, he thought it was her fingers trembling. For all he knew, it could have been his.

  And how fucking embarrassing was that?

  She gave him an odd look then pulled her hand from his with a shy smile. Jason watched as she walked over to her friend, leaned in close to say something. Her friend frowned then looked over at him, her frown deepening.

  Great. She was going to talk Michelle out of leaving with him. He wanted to rush over, to reassure her friend that his intentions were honorable.

  He nearly choked on the word. Honorable? Fuck no. What he was thinking, what he was visualizing, was anything but honorable.

  “What are you doing?”

  Jason turned around, surprised to see Tyler staring at him. No, what he was surprised at was the look in Tyler’s eyes. Cool, distant, judging. Jason stepped back, frowning at the goalie.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Come on, man, don’t use her like that.”

  “I’m not—”

  “I don’t think she’s like the girls you’re used to, Emory. Don’t do this.”

  What the fuck? Jason shook his head, leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in her. If you are, you should have said something.”

  “I’m not. That doesn’t mean I want to watch you take advantage of her.”

  “I’m not taking advantage—”

  “I’m telling you, she’s not like these other girls. If you want to scratch a fucking itch, take one of them. But not her.”

  “What the hell is your problem, Bowie? I’m not ‘scratching an itch’. And I’m not using her.”

  “Really?” Tyler narrowed his eyes, his focused gaze dark and too intense. “You still don’t think she looks familiar? At all?”

  “No. For the hundredth time, no. I’ve never seen her before. I don’t know why you keep asking me—”

  “You’re a fucking fool. And a tool.”

  “What the hell?”

  “You heard me.” Tyler shook his head, disgust clear in his eyes. Jason opened his mouth, ready to lay into him, when a soft hand closed over his arm.

  “I’m, uh, ready whenever you are.”

  He turned, felt a smile spread across his face when his eyes met Michelle’s. Jason ignored the disgusted look Tyler was giving him, ignored the concerned look on Michelle’s friend’s face. He reached down, took her hand, then led her through the crowd and outside.

  Cold night air swept around them. A gust of wind blew over them and he felt Michel
le shiver. He stopped, shrugged out of his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders. “Better?”

  She looked up at him, surprise in her eyes. Then she smiled, a soft shy one, and nodded. Jason grabbed her hand again as they walked across the parking lot, opened the door to the car and held it for her as she lowered herself into the seat.

  He climbed in, started the engine and hit the controls for the heated passenger seat, then hesitated before putting the car in drive.

  Where should he take her? Normally he wouldn’t even stop to think, just head to a motel somewhere. He never took girls back to his place, didn’t want them to know where he lived. And he never spent the entire night, usually left hours before the sun rose. No strings, no expectations, no awkward mornings.

  He didn’t want to take Michelle to a motel, though. And he sure as hell didn’t want to leave before morning. What the hell was up with that? What was so different about her?

  Maybe just the fact that she was different. Tyler was right in that at least. She wasn’t like the other girls, wasn’t just a quick fix for a deep itch.

  His mind made up, he put the car in gear and headed out of the parking lot.

  Headed home.

  Chapter Six

  Jason managed to get the apartment door open, managed to hit the switch for the small living room light and toss his keys on the table by the door. Anything more than that was beyond his capabilities, not when all he could think of was kissing Michelle again.

  He didn’t wait, just pulled her into his arms and claimed her mouth. Hot, searing. And no, he hadn’t imagined the feral excitement earlier, or the way his heart slammed into his chest and the way the breath hitched in his lungs. Passion, desire—the real thing—flooded him.

  This wasn’t a fast burn, one that threatened to extinguish itself once the excitement was over. No, this was slower. Heady. Threatening to consume him over and over.