by Jamie Wesley
“You found a higher purpose.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly it.” He wrapped an arm her waist and nibbled the shell of her ear. “Let’s go inside. Now that you’re awake, we can have breakfast. And maybe something else.”
“I could get behind that.” She pressed her hand to his chest again. One, to hold him back. Two, because she couldn’t help herself. His hot skin warmed her hand. She stared at all that delightful bared skin. “Wait. If we go back inside, does that mean you’re going to put on a shirt?”
“Yes. I’m in the mood for bacon, and getting burned by grease isn’t something I look forward to.”
“Oh.” She took the opportunity to grope his truly outrageous abs. They flexed under her seeking hands. “Maybe we should stay out here then.”
He caught her hands. “What about a compromise? I’ll take it off while we eat.”
Her lips lifted. “Deal.”
…
“Hey, you ready to eat?” Christian asked, holding two plates.
Elise looked up from her phone. “Yeah, in a second. Let me finish this email.” Spending time with Christian was amazing but time-consuming. She finished typing and pressed send. “Okay, I’m ready.”
She sat at the table while he placed a plate in front of her. “This smells and looks amazing. Thank you. ” He hadn’t stopped at bacon. He’d added French toast and eggs to the menu.
“Thanks. I try. I was hoping the smells would lure you from your phone.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry about that. I needed to respond to an agent about one of his players. He wanted to know if we’re interested.”
“What did you tell him?”
“Yes. At the right price, of course. But enough work for now. Let’s eat.”
He took his place at the table across from her.
Elise waved her index finger. “Nuh-uh. You promised.”
He didn’t move. She raised her eyebrows.
“Fine.” He whipped the T-shirt over his head.
After unabashedly ogling him and all those glorious flexing muscles, she gave him a thumbs-up. “Now, we’re ready to eat.”
“I’ll exact my revenge later.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “I can’t wait. But we should eat first. I need my energy.”
His eyes darkened. “Yes, you do.”
She tucked into her food. Or she tried to. Her phone kept buzzing with updates from her assistant. From reporters wanting an update on the Stampede’s free agency plans. Wanting to enjoy her time with Christian, she tried to keep her glances at the phone to a minimum. Then a name popped up she couldn’t ignore. “Excuse me.”
She grabbed her phone and pushed away from the table. She moved into Christian’s living room and answered the call. “Elise Templeton here.” She listened to the caller for a few seconds. “Okay. That sounds good. We look forward to it.” She was proud of herself. She sounded calm. In control. Inside, she was doing a high kick the Stampede dancers would be proud of.
She ended the call and raced back to the kitchen. “You won’t believe this. That was Drew Newsome’s agent. Drew thinks he wants another visit, but first he wanted to schedule a video chat for tomorrow.”
He frowned. “What time tomorrow?”
“Eleven.”
The care he took setting his fork down told its own story. “You’re supposed to speak at my school at eleven tomorrow.”
“Oh, right.” She grimaced. Crap. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
He didn’t respond right away. She held her breath, waiting. His face went blank. She didn’t know what he was thinking. No, that wasn’t true. She’d gotten to know him well. When his face went blank, that’s when he was at his most upset. It was the same look he wore every time Mack came into the room. “Say something. I feel awful. I know this is important to you. I’m so sorry. If I could avoid canceling, I would.”
“But you can’t. Your career comes first. I know that. There’s no need to apologize.” He said it all flatly. Matter-of-factly.
“I can try to get my assistant to come if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m sure she’s as busy as you are trying to impress the boss and needs to be with you.”
Each barb stabbed her heart. “I said I was sorry, and I am. If you’re angry with me, say so.”
He looked up at her then. “I’m not angry. I’m disappointed. I shouldn’t be, though. You’ve been clear all along that work is the most important part of your life, and this thing between us is temporary, so I’ll respect that. Our priorities are too different for this to become more than a friendship with benefits, anyway.”
Damn. Direct hit to her heart that hurt more than she’d ever have imagined. She didn’t let people in. Not since her mom had died anyway. Yet he’d effortlessly wiggled past her defenses, which should have scared her. It did scare her, but she didn’t want whatever was happening between them to end. Not yet. She didn’t want to disappoint him, but she couldn’t turn down this opportunity. It was too huge. She bit her lip. “I’m sorry I have to cancel. I’m sorry I’m not who you want me to be. That doesn’t make me a bad person.”
She waited for him to say something. To stop her. He did neither. Her shoulders stiff, she walked out of the room to gather her things. This was just the reminder she needed. She wouldn’t fit into his life on a regular basis. Whatever was going on between them was a fun interlude. Just as he’d said.
…
Christian stepped into the auditorium for the career day panel and pushed his lips into a smile. His students didn’t deserve his black mood. But still he couldn’t help to think the day wasn’t complete because Elise wasn’t there.
She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She had to do her job. The job that meant so much to her. The one she’d worked so hard for. He needed to get over his hurt feelings. Which he’d known yesterday. Still, he’d let her walk out without saying anything.
Spending nights in his bed alone no longer appealed. No longer felt right. He’d done more staring at his ceiling last night than actually sleeping. Holding his phone in his hand, resisting the urge to call her, if only to hear the sound of her voice. But pride hadn’t let him. So fucking stupid.
Admitting the problem was the first step in recovery, right?
But none of that could be helped at the moment. Elise was doing her job, and he needed to do his. He’d call her later. Time to get this show on the road.
He walked on stage, past the table with microphones where the panel participants sat, stepped up to the moderator’s podium, and looked out at his students. Many of them were on their phones because they were teenagers and didn’t know any other existence. But that was okay. They’d told him they were excited. That’s why he loved this job. Getting to know them and getting the chance to help them reach their goals and attain their dreams. He grasped the edges of the podium between his hands and leaned into the microphone.
Before he could call for the attention of his students, the door creaked open. He swung his gaze to his left. Who was that? All his students and panelists were here. His mouth dropped open when Elise walked in. She met his eyes right away, that small smile, the one he understood that hinted at her vulnerability, played across her lips. She turned to the room’s other occupants, who were all staring at her. “Sorry, I’m late guys, but I hope you have one more spot for me.”
Christian sprang into action. As did one of the panelists, his buddy Kevin, a Dallas firefighter, who always went directly into flirt mode as soon as a pretty woman came into view. Kevin grabbed a chair offstage. “Sit next to me. Please.”
Kevin’s eagerness was clear for everyone to hear if the laughter from his students was any indication.
What was she doing here? Had Drew canceled the meeting? Was that the only reason she was here? Did it matter? No, it didn’t. She was here, and he was excited to see her. So were his students, judging by the excited murmur in the audience. They’d been disappointed when he’d told them she couldn
’t make it because of an unexpected conflict.
He returned to the podium. “In case you don’t know who our last arrival is, let me introduce you to Elise Templeton, the newest general manager of the Dallas Stampede. Welcome, Elise. She’ll be joining our other panelists, who are all here to discuss their careers and answer any questions you have. I’ll let them introduce themselves, and then we’ll open it up for questions.”
The hour went quickly with his students eager to ask questions.
“Did you always want to work in sports?” Tasha, a student who excelled at video editing, asked. “What is it like working for the Stampede?”
“Working for the Stampede was always my dream,” Elise said. “I grew up in Dallas. I love basketball. I love all sports, really. I was working for the Phoenix Suns when my father bought the Stampede, and I was beyond ecstatic to join my hometown team. Every morning I wake up excited to see what the day holds, and that’s what you should want when it comes to your career. Life is too short to hate going to work every day.”
She glanced his way. Was she trying to send him a message?
After the panel ended, he hung back while she and the other panelists talked to the students one-on-one. Finally, the room began to empty, the kids having to catch the school bus or meet their parents waiting for them outside. He thanked the other participants and sent them on their way, even Kevin, who lingered to talk to Elise.
Elise looked around to make sure they were alone before walking up to him. She offered up that smile of hers that punched him in the gut every time. “Surprised to see me? Actually, don’t answer that. I saw the look on your face when I walked in.”
“Definitely surprised, but I’m more happy,” he said. “I’m sorry for being a jackass.”
She caressed his cheek. “I know. It’s on your face.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and tucked her close. His shoulders relaxed when she didn’t pull away. “What happened? Did your meeting get canceled?”
She shook her head. “No. I couldn’t concentrate at work all morning. It finally dawned on me that postponing a meeting by a couple of hours wasn’t going to change anything. If Drew couldn’t agree to that, especially after asking to talk at the last minute, then I didn’t want to do business with him anyway. This was important to you. I’m sorry I lost sight of that. I wanted to be here. I definitely made the right decision. I enjoyed myself. The kids asked some really great questions that made me think.”
She was making him think. About what he wanted out of life. About if he could possibly give her up. But he had to. It’s what they both wanted. Right?
…
Later that night, they lounged in his bed.
“What am I going to do about Drew?” Elise asked, a question that been running through her head for the past few hours. Christian had filmed her Skype meeting with the basketball player. “I expected him to ask more basketball questions, but we just chatted. I think he was trying to get a better understanding of the team culture.”
Christian nodded. “Yeah, that’s the sense I got, too. He’s always been a smart guy. Thoughtful, underneath all the flash.”
“Yeah, that’s the conclusion I’m coming to. The flash is a result of a lot of careful consideration. It’s part of his brand. Everything he does is.”
“Which is driving you crazy.”
Elise threw her hands up in the air. “Yes! He’s still reluctant to sign. There’s a reason why. If I can figure it out before another team does, we’ll be golden.” She took a bite of the apple pie Christian’s sister had made for him. She moaned her appreciation of the perfect blend of cinnamon and apples. “I think I might have to marry your sister. Does she spoil you like this all the time?”
He had the grace to look embarrassed. “She loves me. What can I say?”
“Absolutely nothing, if this pie is anything to go by. Let her spoil you as long as I get my share.” She stuffed another piece into her mouth.
He sighed and leaned back against his pillow. “Actually, she made it because she was feeling guilty, and Brady told her he was getting fat and couldn’t eat all the desserts she bakes during her stressed periods. Since I’m the one making her feel guilty, the food went to me.”
“That’s what I like to hear from my players. Stay on the healthy straight and narrow. What is she feeling guilty about?”
He rolled his eyes. “Bringing Mack into our lives. She’s stressed that I’m still giving him the cold shoulder, and there’s nothing she can do about it.”
“Aww, I see.” Curious to see what else he had to say about the matter, she held her tongue.
Christian stuffed a piece of pie into his mouth and chewed slowly, lost in his thoughts. “He asked to be part of my documentary at your dad’s place the night Drew was in town.”
Her eyes rounded. “He did? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shot her a look. “I was a little distracted that night.”
Oh. Right. “What did you say?”
“I told him yes. I don’t know what I was thinking—the other reason I’m just now mentioning it.”
She spoke hesitantly. “Maybe that you want to take this chance to get to know him.”
“I’m nervous. Which is crazy. I never get nervous doing interviews.”
She reached for his hand, intertwined their fingers, and squeezed. “It’s understandable.”
He looked at her, uncertainty swirling in the depths of his rich eyes. “How so?”
“Because you’re going to get answers to the questions you’ve always wanted the answers to.”
He shook his head and let out a chuckle free of humor. “That was always Caitlin growing up. She wanted to know who he was and where he was. I was never interested.” He shrugged. “I guess I was lying to myself.”
“That’s okay. We all have different coping mechanisms, but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong. You weren’t ready then. Maybe you are now.”
He shrugged again. “Maybe. I’m not sure if I can let him into my life. I’ll never be able to forget the past.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s not a decision you have to make right now. See how it goes and how you’re feeling afterward. Mack will understand. Do you want me to be there?”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “No, this is something I need to do by myself. Figure out on my own.” He smiled briefly. “Besides, I don’t want you there if things get ugly.”
She side-eyed him. “Christian.”
The expression on his face lightened. “Just kidding. My mother would kill me. She’s five feet of scary. I don’t want to cross her.”
She laughed. “Tell me about her.”
“My mom’s the best. She always made sure we were taken care of. She was always there when we needed her.”
Elise set aside her plate, no longer in the mood to eat. “My mom was pretty great, too.”
He squeezed her knee. “Tell me.”
“When I was little, I used to think she was the prettiest lady I’d ever seen. My dad says I’m her spitting image.”
“If you do, she must have been beautiful.”
Her lips split into a small smile. “Thank you. She always said I was her partner in crime. Even when she got sick, she was always worried about me and making sure I was taken care of. When she died, I was so angry. I got into fights at school. Any little thing could provoke me. I never knew when it would. I fought, until I realized I was hurting my dad. After that, it was easier to channel my energy into concentrating on school, then work. School and work couldn’t be taken away from me. They wouldn’t die.”
“What about your dad?”
“He took it hard, but he was there for me always. We’ve been all we had for so long.” She sighed. “I wish we could go back to those times.”
He studied her. “What happened?”
“After we traded for Brady, my predecessor started talking about retirement. I went to my father and told him I wanted the job if Jim did retire
. My dad refused to discuss it.”
“What did you do?”
She’d come this far. Revealing far more to Christian than she ever had to anyone else. She couldn’t stop now, especially considering how open Christian had been with her. Elise swallowed and said, “I, umm, decided to hit on Brady because while my dad wouldn’t discuss the GM job, he had no problem telling me to stay away from Brady, who had a reputation for being a ladies’ man—at least before meeting your sister.”
Silence greeted her confession. She bit her lip, waiting for his reaction.
“Oh,” Christian said slowly. “So that’s what happened.”
“Yeah.” At least he hadn’t sounded mad. She scrubbed her face with her hand. “I wanted my dad to see me as an adult, but I did something incredibly childish instead. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. Brady wasn’t attracted to me, and I wasn’t attracted to him, and the whole thing was horrible and dumb.”
He touched her knee. “Hey, you don’t have to convince me. I believe you. I’m glad you told me.”
Elise’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thanks for being understanding. So yeah, even though my dad gave me the job, our relationship still hasn’t gone back to normal. He’s trying to run my life, and it frustrates me to the nth degree.”
“I’m sorry.”
The sympathy and understanding in his voice was too much for her to take. Crying was not an option. She’d already spilled her guts, something she never did. “Thanks, but can we talk about something else now?”
“Sure.” Christian tipped her chin up with a finger and peered into her eyes. “But know that although things are strained right now with your father, you have me.”
“For now,” she added quickly, even as her heart threatened to melt. She couldn’t rely on him for the long-term. She had to remind herself of that. She couldn’t open herself to that kind of potential pain.
“Right.” He studied her for a few seconds, then drew her into his arms. She went willingly. As always, the kiss consumed her and offered the distraction she knew Christian welcomed as much as she did. As much as the heat burned between them, their differences were very real and would have to be acknowledged. But not tonight.