“Among other things,” Mara agreed. “So,” she said, moving on before she made Cal uncomfortable. “New Orleans is playing Phoenix tonight. It’s a home game. I have tickets. Would you like to go with me?”
“If you wish, Miss King.”
Mara chuckled. “Of course I wish. I’m the one with the tickets. That’s not what I asked. Would you like to go with me? As my friend? Not a work thing.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Still, she worried he was only placating her and didn’t want to go. “Are you sure? It’ll be loud.”
“It’s odd,” Cal said, sounding thoughtful. “You always treat me like you’ve read the manual on my fucked-up brain and know all my weaknesses, but no worries. I can take it.”
Mara winked. “I was more worried over your headaches, but if you’re sure you can handle it, I’d love to have a friend at my side.”
“I can take it,” he repeated.
She let it drop. “Second question,” Mara said, changing the subject. She held up a black knee-length dress and a similar red one. Mara had been waffling between the two for ten minutes before his arrival. “Black or red?”
Cal barely spared the outfits a glance. “The white.”
Mara looked at the dresses she held, wondering if she’d accidentally grabbed the wrong one. She definitely held the red and black. “What?”
Cal motioned toward the open closet door behind Mara. “I like the white shorts thingie.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She’d asked a man, so she’d had that odd answer coming. When she glanced behind her, Mara spotted a white romper. She snagged it. “This one?”
He gave her a short nod. Cal’s body language said he wasn’t interested, but something in his gaze said otherwise. He liked the white outfit. She searched her mind, trying to remember if she’d worn it lately. The memory came to her. They’d gone to lunch two weeks earlier, and she’d worn the outfit then. Had anything different happened that day? She couldn’t recall anything special.
“Sounds good to me,” Mara said, pulling off her robe. Cal turned his back on her as always. “Third question. I don’t have to be on set for a few more hours. Should we grab breakfast?”
Cal tossed a quick glance over his shoulder, checking to see if she was dressed. She was. He turned. “I’ve already eaten this morning, but I will keep you safe while you eat.”
Mara popped her hands on her hips. For some reason she couldn’t explain, keeping track of Cal’s well-being was like a second job for her. She needed to know he was taken care of because he wasn’t likely to do it on his own. “What did you eat this morning?”
“Grapefruit.”
Mara’s nose curled against her will. “Is that it?”
He shifted from foot to foot, looking like he’d been called to the carpet. “Coffee.”
“Nope,” Mara said, wiping away his words with a wave of her hand. “Not good enough. You have to eat more than that. I’ll get you some bacon.”
Cal shook his head but didn’t say anything.
Mara couldn’t take it. “What? It’s bacon. I didn’t offer to buy you a car. You can swallow your manly pride long enough to eat some real food.”
“You’re already taking me to a hockey game.”
“I didn’t pay for the tickets,” Mara said, feeling the need to confess. “A friend sent them to me. However, if you’re feeling inclined, you can pick me up and pay for parking tonight. It’ll be like a real date,” Mara added without thought. Cal’s gaze sharpened. She immediately wished she could take it back. Cal was a bit like a wild animal—too heavy of a hand and she’d scare him away. That was the last thing she wanted. She got the feeling they were a lot alike. They both needed a friend. Unfortunately, as he’d proven by not using her first name, he wasn’t as inclined to accept her friendship as she was his. Cal stayed quiet for so long, Mara worried she’d gone too far.
“I’d be more than happy to pay for parking,” he said finally.
She released her pent-up breath and smiled. “Good. I’ll buy the bacon,” she said, feeling triumphant as she zipped up her half boots. When she stood, Mara caught Cal eyeing her, wearing an expression she couldn’t describe. “What?” she asked, feeling subconscious over the way his gaze bored into her skin. It was almost as if he was touching her. She wasn’t sure she wanted it to stop, and that scared her more than anything.
Cal shook his head. “Are you ready to go?”
Without thought, she reached for the crook of his arm, holding on to him as she headed for the door. He didn’t pull away. His heat seeped into her side. Mara’s lips tingled. She almost missed a step as she realized she wanted to be close to him for another reason. Mara wanted to know what it would be like to be kissed by someone like him—dark and rough. At some point, in the past few months of spending almost every day together, Mara had gotten close to him. Even his “ma’ams” and “Miss Kings” couldn’t stop the seed of caring from taking root.
“I’m always ready to spend the day with you,” Mara said, calculating each word. Making Cal smile was everything, and Mara was just getting started.
He couldn’t avoid seeing her today. Just as he’d been unable to escape staring at Mara the last time she’d worn the white outfit. The color suited her. It made everything else about her stand out. Her red hair seemed deeper in coloration. Cal didn’t know why he tortured himself by suggesting she wear this particular outfit. The one that made her already long legs seem longer, and her eyes brighter. Goddamn, he’d never fantasized about anyone the way he did her.
“Do you mind sitting uncomfortably close to me?”
Mara’s question snapped Cal from the daydream of stroking her. “No, ma’am. Just tell me where you need me.”
Mara motioned to the empty chair on her left. “Here.” Cal immediately switched sides of the table, leaving his bacon behind. Mara snagged his plate and set it front of him, silently urging him to eat. As soon as he was settled, she leaned closer and dropped her voice to a whisper. “There’s a reporter to your left, taking pictures of me.”
Cal’s muscles tensed. He would snap the man’s neck.
Mara squeezed his knee beneath the table. A musical laugh filled the air. “There’s nothing you can do other than block his view of me.”
Cal shifted closer and turned in his chair, making himself as big as possible, so Mara could eat in peace. Well, as much peace as she could, considering his chest was in her face. Mara didn’t stop laughing. It was ridiculous how much that tiny detail had him enjoying himself.
“Eat your bacon.”
At her order, he stuffed a piece in his mouth and dropped his chin in an exaggerated motion so she could see he was eating. Unfortunately, the move gave him a perfect view down the front of her shirt. Cal tried averting his eyes. He needed to think of something else. All he ever thought about was her. Maybe it was her past that caught him? It sculpted her into something more like him—made him feel less alone. All the things he did to survive separated him from most people. Mara wasn’t most people. Her silence penetrated his thoughts. Their gazes met.
The moment he focused on her, Mara smiled. “You have gorgeous eyes.”
To Cal’s surprise and horror, he blushed. “Thank you, Miss King.”
“What were you thinking about a second ago? There was just a hint of a smile on your lips. That’s why I have to know.”
Cal’s mind went blank. He didn’t know how to answer. All he knew was—he couldn’t lie. Everyone lied to her. He went with a different yet equally embarrassing truth. “I really like this outfit.” It was Mara’s turn to blush. The sight fascinated him. “Everyone tells you you’re beautiful. Why are you acting shy now?”
Mara shrugged. “I’m not acting. You’re probably the only person who would never lie to me, so your compliments mean more.”
His gaze moved over her face. Cal could see how much his honesty meant to her after all the bullshit she’d swallowed in her life. He could give her mor
e of what she needed. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met,” Cal confessed, because Mara deserved to hear nice things. “That’s not me flirting or trying to step out of my place. I genuinely believe you’re amazing.” Cal had no idea why he’d gone on so much. He could’ve stopped at telling Mara she was beautiful. The thing was—he worried he’d never stop. Not at compliments or trying to get closer. Not at seeing her or thinking about her. Cal imagined he would go on forever, dreaming they could be more.
I genuinely believe you’re amazing. Those words kept Mara glued in place. She couldn’t move, speak, or look away from Cal’s gorgeous lips—where all his sweet words originated. His lips were plump and looked soft. She craved too many things at once. Mara didn’t know where to start.
“You can eat your breakfast,” Cal said, scattering her thoughts. “I won’t let anyone take pictures of you while you do.”
“The reporter left a few minutes ago,” Mara admitted. “Once he realized he wouldn’t get anything else, he was gone.”
Cal didn’t move away, even though he didn’t need to stay as close. Mara’s fingers brushed his thigh, reminding her where she’d left her hand. She stroked, fully conscious of the move. Every part of his body was solid muscle. He was hard to the touch. Her hand moved higher. She wanted to know if he was hard everywhere. His fingertips brushed her bare shoulder, reminding her his arm rested across the back of her chair. She wondered if he was aware he stroked her, or if it was an unconscious gesture.
“You shouldn’t stare at me the way you are now,” Cal said, pulling her from her musings.
“How am I staring at you?”
Cal’s gaze flickered down her body. Mara’s nipples hardened at the heat in his stare. “Like I can be fixed,” he said. Cal’s tone didn’t match the lust in his gaze. “I can’t be fixed.”
A smile pulled at the corners of Mara’s mouth. “That’s not how I was staring at you.”
The heat didn’t dim in Cal’s gaze. “How were you looking at me, then?”
Mara didn’t hesitate answering. “Like if you don’t eat your bacon soon, I will.”
He pushed the plate her way. “That’s fine. I had grapefruit,” he reminded her.
Mara pulled a face. “Grapefruit isn’t food. It’s acid that eats away at your stomach lining. You should eat the bacon. The grease will save your stomach from getting ulcers. Also,” she said, focusing on his gorgeous eyes. “I was thinking about how damn lucky I am to have met you—unfixable issues and all.” Cal looked away and shoved a slice of bacon in his mouth. She smiled. “See? I knew I’d get you to eat.”
“I imagine I’ll always give you what you want,” Cal said around a drink of orange juice.
“A girl can hope,” Mara said before shoveling some pancakes in her mouth. God knew something needed to keep her mouth busy. Otherwise, she might tell Cal all her thoughts. No good could come of that.
On one hand, Mara was thankful it had been a short day on set. Cal had dropped her back at her house at one, leaving her to get ready for the hockey game. On the other hand, Mara was a nervous wreck by the time Cal made it back to pick her up. She had too much time to think, and that was never a good thing. Mara questioned her every move. Was she making a mistake? Worse yet, was she making all the same mistakes? Then Cal walked through the door, and Mara forgot why she’d been pacing the floor before he arrived. The man wasn’t convenient. In fact, he was downright distant, and—she thought—most likely uninterested. But, he was also fucking gorgeous, and he looked at her like no one ever had before. Mara couldn’t stop trying to get to know him.
She’d never seen Cal in anything other than dark business suits. Usually, he looked like a sexy secret service agent, baking in the New Orleans sun. Tonight, in jeans and a white long-sleeve t-shirt, Cal looked more like a delicious treat she wanted to lick. Mara was hard pressed to recall ever being so immediately turned on by anyone’s appearance alone. She didn’t react right away. Mara had never been more scared of opening her mouth and hearing her lust pour out.
He looked uncomfortable.
That loosened her tongue. “There’s a human beneath the stuffy business suits.”
“No, ma’am. There’s not,” he said, sounding one hundred percent honest. His gaze moved down her body, making her want to tug at the tight shirt she wore, and make sure her jeans were zipped. “I can never decide which side of you I like best. I’m leaning toward this casual one tonight.”
He gave the oddest compliments. Hell, sometimes, Mara wasn’t entirely sure he was praising her. Still, she was always moved. Her cheeks heated. It was out of her control. “For the most part, I’m always casual.”
Cal’s mouth turned up in one corner. Mara’s mouth went dry. “Exactly. I guess if we want a decent parking space, we should go.”
“We should,” she agreed before she said something she couldn’t take back. Like how there was no way they’d been thrown together by coincidence. Neither of them loved themselves, but they cared about each other. Mara no longer knew where to draw the line with Cal.
Mara waved at a man nearby. His face lit at the sight of her. Cal was forced to pick up his pace as she rushed across the room. The man immediately stood for her hug. She rocked him as if he was an old friend she hadn’t seen in a while. He looked nice. His eyes were kind.
“It’s so good to see you here. I wasn’t sure you’d come.” He pulled away and held Mara’s gaze. Concern etched his features and Cal knew. This man knew Mara well enough to know of her loss.
Mara visibly squared her shoulders. “What? Me not come? I wouldn’t miss seeing Noah and you while you’re in town.” She turned slightly and nodded toward Cal. “Troy, this is Cal. He’s my friend. Cal, this is Troy. His husband, Noah, is Phoenix’s star player.”
Troy held out his hand for Cal to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Cal.”
Cal eyed the man’s outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”
Mara slipped her hand inside Troy’s, making an awkward moment seem less so. “Sorry. I should’ve warned you that Cal doesn’t like to be touched,” Mara said, steering Troy back to his seat. “Tell me all about what you’ve been doing. I see you’re not using a cane any longer. Does that mean the prosthetic is going well?”
Even as Troy pulled up his pants leg and gave Mara an update on his prosthetic, Cal couldn’t tear his gaze away from Mara. She’d never given any indication she knew he didn’t like to be touched. The woman touched him all the time without permission. Yet, the first time a stranger had tried to touch him, she’d intervened. Mara was a constant puzzle to him. She made him wish he could read minds. Cal was certain she knew everything and chose to keep it to herself. She intrigued him.
Cal sat next to Mara as she chatted happily with Troy. He chose not to focus on her words. Instead, he basked in the cadence of her voice—the excitement underlying her every word. She didn’t smile often and mean it. Tonight was different. Cal was glad he’d come. Someone squeezed his shoulder, and Cal turned his head.
Cold gray eyes met his. “Cal, it’s good to see you here.”
“You as well, Mr. Steele,” Cal said, returning Kieran’s greeting.
Mara squealed, nearly bursting his eardrums as she flew to her feet and hugged Kieran. “Kieran.”
Kieran smiled as he squeezed Mara. Cal was fascinated by the sight. Usually, Kieran was hard. Stone-faced. It seemed Mara brought out smiles wherever she went.
“You know we live in the same town and you could come see Henley and me anytime you like.”
Mara nodded and reclaimed her seat. “I know, but you’re both busy men and I’ve been...” She shrugged.
“You’ll do better in the future,” Kieran said, as if it was an order. Mara nodded. The crowd erupted into cheers and buzzers sounded, pulling Mara’s attention toward the ice. Kieran leaned over Cal’s shoulder and spoke close to Cal’s ear. “You know you’re allowed to bring a guest with you to The Rabbit Warren with your membership.”
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded toward Mara. “You should bring Mara sometime.” Mara turned her head, meeting Cal’s gaze, as if she knew they were discussing her. “I think it would do her some good,” Kieran added.
“Yes, sir.”
Mara flashed them a smile, and Kieran straightened away. He squeezed Cal’s shoulder once more before moving along to shake hands with Troy. It seemed the man knew everyone. Cal eyed Mara. Would she go if he asked?
“It just occurred to me, I’ve never asked how you know Kieran.”
Cal didn’t know how to respond.
Troy interrupted, saving him. “Who are you cheering for, Mara? Kieran and I have a bet going. He says you’ll cheer for Henley.”
Mara laughed and bumped him with her shoulder. “You know I can’t cheer for either of your men. That would be disloyal.”
“Ha,” Troy cried, holding out his hand. Kieran grumbled as he handed over what looked to be a twenty. “I told him you’d refuse to take sides.”
Mara leaned Cal’s way and lowered her voice. “Of course I’m cheering for Noah.”
Cal shook his head. “Disloyal to your hometown. I’m cheering for Henley. He has stamina.”
“Care to wager?”
The mischievous glint in Mara’s eyes held him captivated. “Go on.”
She somehow managed to move even closer until nothing separated them. “If I win, you have to stay for a drink when you drop me off.”
“Only water. I’m driving,” Cal said, agreeing to her terms. “If I win, you have to take Michael’s phone away for twenty-four hours so we can have a second wager on whether he’ll survive it.”
“That’s the meanest thing I’ve heard in a long time,” Mara said, shoulder bumping him as she’d done Troy. “I like it. You’re on.” As if their bet fed her interest in the game, Mara focused on the ice. Cal couldn’t look away from her. When she was happy, as she was now, there wasn’t a more beautiful person on the planet. He didn’t understand how anyone had lived with her day after day, seeing her like this, and thrown it away. What a charmed life her lovers must’ve lived to be so reckless. For someone like him, someone who’d seen how ugly and dark the world could be, Mara was like sitting in the sunshine. Without thought, his hand lifted. He couldn’t stop himself from rubbing one of her curls between his fingers. Mara turned her head. Guilt had him dropping her hair.
Guard (Hard Hit Book 11) Page 6