by Cathryn Fox
She schooled her features into polite professionalism. “What did I do yesterday?” she asked, even though she was fully aware that she’d played counselor and coaxed him into opening up to her.
“You dug around inside my head.”
“Me?” she asked, feigning innocence, her mind racing back to their conversation about his career, and her talk with Liam after Jack had left. Jack hadn’t come right out and told her that he didn’t want counseling. But she was intelligent enough to know he wasn’t comfortable with the idea. She really hoped that he wouldn’t get upset and tell her she’d overstepped boundaries. But she’d wanted to do something for him, to help him feel whole again and show him that he was important, worthwhile, even if he never went back to professional football. “I’d never do that.”
He laughed. “You know, I’m starting to think you’re not so innocent, after all.”
“Hey, I never claimed to be innocent. All I ever said was I was inexperienced in bed.”
He reached across the table and put his hand over hers. “Can’t say that anymore, though.”
“No, you’re right. But I can still say I’m a virgin.”
“Not for long.”
A quiver moved through her as she thought about what it would be like to feel him inside her. Just a few days ago, that scared the living hell out of her. But she wasn’t that same girl anymore, thanks to Jack.
He brushed his thumb over her wrist. “Are you nervous about it?”
“No, I’m actually looking forward to it.”
He gave her a playful grin. “Enough to beg for it.”
She arched a brow. “You want me to beg you, Jack?”
“I want you so hot and needy that by the time I take you, you’ll do anything for it. I want to hear my name on your lips, Danielle. I want you to be fully aware that it’s me who’s taking you.”
Was there ever any doubt?
Just then her cell buzzed and she glanced at her purse. “Probably Violet. She likes a morning play-by-play.”
He laughed. “I’m looking forward to meeting her on Saturday. I think.”
“You’ll love her.” She bit into her toast and brushed the crumbs from her fingers. “What are your plans for today?” she asked, broaching the subject carefully.
“Therapy, then I’ll stop by and help Dad at the shop.”
“Think you can spare an hour around one?”
“Sure, why?”
Instead of telling him, she said, “Can you come by the college? Have lunch in the cafeteria with me?”
“You want me to eat in the cafeteria? Are you trying to finish me off before I can finish you off?”
She laughed. “No, just come by at one.”
He agreed, and they both turned their attention to their breakfast. Once they’d finished, they cleared the dishes, and she checked the time again.
Standing in the kitchen, she put her hand on his chest, once again noting his strong heartbeat. “I better get showered and get moving.” Her fingers slid down to his stomach, then she turned and made her way back to her bedroom. As much as she hated to break contact, she knew if she didn’t, she’d never get to the college. Jack followed, grabbing the rest of his clothes from the floor once he reached her room. She watched as he pulled his T-shirt on, and warmth spread between her legs when his muscles flexed and relaxed again. For a big strong guy, he moved with grace, in bed and out.
“I’ll see you this afternoon.” He pressed his lips to hers, his kiss so warm and sensual, it felt real, as if there was something truly meaningful between them. Her heart missed a beat, and she swallowed against the tightness in her throat. When had soliciting his help turned into so much more than research? She should probably put a stop to this before it went any further. Heartbreak was a high price to pay for two weeks of research. But if she wanted the job, and all the benefits that came with it, she had no choice but to continue.
“And tonight,” he added. “I’ll pick you up at seven. We’re going out to Lucien’s first.”
“That place is expensive, Jack.”
“So?”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to take me there.”
“But that’s exactly why I want to do it. Besides, my best friend Jamie is the chef. He’d kill me if I took you anywhere else.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he pressed his lips to hers to seal them. Then after a good, thorough kiss, he left her apartment.
Feeling breathless, Danielle hopped into the shower. She washed and dressed quickly, then stepped outside to walk to work, enjoying the warm morning sun shining down on her. She took the long way, going past the downtown house she hoped to soon make hers. Excitement welled up inside her at the thought of opening her own practice, but when she saw a couple viewing the property, her heart sank. Even if Jack’s dad found it sound, she wouldn’t be able to put an offer in until her finances were in order. That could take weeks. Then again, she did have that trust fund. Could she bring herself to ask her foster parents?
With a little less spring in her step, she hurried to class and spent the better part of the morning reading and making notes for her upcoming lectures, drawing on all the things Jack had taught her. Unease moved into her stomach every time she glanced at the clock. As it neared one, she climbed from her chair and walked to the window to see Liam working with the group of high school boys. She watched for a minute. Jack said football was his life, and she hoped what she had planned would give him purpose over the next couple of weeks.
A noise at the door heralded someone’s approach. She spun, and Jack lunged for her. She squealed as he scooped her up. “I was trying to sneak up on you.”
She put her hands on his shoulders. “What are you, twelve? Now put me down, before you hurt your leg.”
“My mom always says boys never grow up, they just become bigger boys.”
“I’m really going to like her.”
Jack’s lips found hers, and he gave her a warm, sensual kiss. He gestured with a nod toward her desk. “Have you ever thought about doing it there, with me?”
She whacked him. “No, and I’m not about to. I need this job.” As soon as the words left her mouth, her mind went back to the couple viewing her house.
“What is it?” he asked.
“On my way to work today, I saw a couple looking at the house.”
“Shit,” he said. “What did they look like?”
“Why?”
“I saw people looking the other day, too.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“I didn’t want you to worry.” He drew her to him. “If it sells, something else will come along.”
She nodded. “I know. I never should have set my heart on it.” A noise outside the window reminded her of her purpose this afternoon. Not wanting to dwell on the possibility of losing the house, she grabbed his hand. “Come on.”
“You’re seriously going to make me eat cafeteria food. Let me take you somewhere nice.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. Not for me.” She tugged on his hand, dragging him to the elevator. They rode to the first level, and she took him out the back door, onto the football field.
He shaded his eyes from the sun and looked around. “What are we doing out here?”
“Just hear me out, okay,” she said quickly.
He frowned. “Danielle, what are you doing?”
She waved to Liam, and he waved back. He said something to the group of guys—high school teens who practiced on the field during the summer months—who all started running drills, then made his way over to where she and Jack were standing.
“Don’t be mad, but Liam was looking for an assistant and I told him you might be interested in the job.”
His jaw fell, and he stared at her. “Why would you do that?”
“I just thought the guys would love to learn from a pro. You have so much to give, Jack, and this is just another way to keep football in your life.”
He went quiet for a long, long time, a
nd she wrung her hands together, sure he was angry with her. Warmth moved into his dark eyes, and his knuckles brushed her cheek. “You…you did this for me?”
“Yes,” she said, relief washing through her.
“Jack Rider,” Liam said, breaking the moment between them. He held his hand out and Jack accepted it, giving it a shake. Liam looked at Jack with something akin to worship. “So nice to meet you. Danielle here has been talking nonstop about you.”
Jack’s glance went from Liam, to Danielle, then back to Liam again. “Has she now?”
“So what do you say? Interested in lending a hand while you’re home?”
Jack looked out over the field, a new light in his eyes. “I suppose I could teach them some drills, things like that?”
“Want to go meet them? They’ll be thrilled.”
He nodded, and as Liam walked off, he turned to Danielle. “What about lunch?”
“Go,” she said. “The cafeteria food will still be waiting.”
A troubled look crossed his face, and his jaw clicked. “You shouldn’t have done this, Danielle,” he said through clenched teeth. “You overstepped boundaries.”
“Jack,” she said quickly. “I’m sorry, I just—”
“You know what happens to naughty girls who overstep boundaries?”
She gasped, but then noticed the mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No, what? Tell me.”
“Tell you.” He shook his head. “I don’t think so. But I will show you.” He paused for effect. “And it’ll be a night you’ll never, ever forget…”
The serial concludes in September, with Full Exposure!
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Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to the members of Foxy Fiction. You are all so ready and willing to help at every stage of the book. I appreciate all you do for me, every day!!
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie), pizza, and red wine. Cathryn has two teenagers who keep her busy and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found laughing over lunch with friends, hanging out with her kids, or watching a big action flick with her husband.
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I’ve just had the best two weeks of my life! Who’d have guessed that a big part of my rehab would involve giving a gorgeous psychologist private lessons in sex? The problem? I’m hooked. I want more and that wasn’t part of the deal. But before I walk away from this incredible thing between us, I’m going to use every strategy I know to convince her that the only hands she needs are mine…
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