Players

by Rachel Cross

  “No problem. Good luck this weekend, all right?”

  “Cool. Peace.” Devin hung up the phone.

  Jared got into his car and sped out of the parking lot. He hadn’t considered taking Tasha flowers until he’d said it to Devin. He wanted to see her. He still planned to wait for the weekend, but nothing could prevent him from trying for a kiss or something. He smiled as the thought of her lips on his. Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt to go by her job and see her. Get her just as excited about their weekend as he was.

  Chapter 8

  “Excuse me, I’m looking for Tasha Smith.”

  Tasha froze in the middle of filing papers in her office. What was Jared doing here? It was too early for his mentoring session. That happened at six and it was barely three. Her excitement at seeing him was dampened by the thought that he’d changed his mind. She peeked around the corner as her high school intern, Latiffa, answered.

  “Hello, Mr. Patterson. I mean Jared. Do you care if I call you Jared? I know you don’t care, because you’re cool like that. I heard you started out here at the Rec Commission, way back when. I mean . . . I don’t mean that you are old or anything. Just that you started in the nineties and that was like a while ago. My bad. I mean, you’re still fine as hell . . . how old are you, anyway?”

  Jared chuckled. “Too old for you.”

  Latiffa leaned over the counter. “I’m old enough.”

  Tasha slammed her file cabinet closed and came out of her office. “That’s enough, Latiffa.” She glared at the young girl. “We didn’t give you this job to hit on every man that comes in the door.”

  Latiffa lowered her eyes. “I know, but dang, Ms. Tasha. Look at him.”

  Tasha rolled her eyes and finally looked at Jared. Damn, why did he have to look so good? He licked his lips before they spread into a sexy smile. There was a promise in his eyes that left her breathless. Tasha cleared her throat and broke eye contact. “Jared Patterson knows how he looks. He doesn’t need me, or you, telling him.”

  Jared leaned on the desk and winked at Latiffa. “I don’t know, Tasha. I don’t think you’ve ever told me your thoughts on my looks. Maybe I should take off my shirt, flex a few muscles, and you can give me thumbs up or down.”

  Latiffa’s eyes sparkled like Christmas lights. “Oh, will you!”

  “No, he won’t.” Tasha glared at Jared. “Did you have a reason for being here?”

  He stood and nodded. “Yeah, I came to see you.”

  Her heart sped up. “Why?”

  He glanced at Latiffa before answering. “I had a question about one of my mentees. Can we go in your office?”

  She nodded. “Sure. Follow me.”

  Jared came around the desk but stopped at her door. He tapped the door’s glass window, then glanced at her. “You know what? I haven’t seen the renovations to the gym. Why don’t you show me and we can talk on the way.”

  Tasha frowned and put a hand on her hip. “Jared, I have some stuff to put together for the budget hearing next week. We can talk here and then I’ll get someone else to show you the gym.”

  He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I would prefer talking to you alone.” His eyes went back to her mouth before returning to her eyes. “I promised discretion, but if you don’t come with me I’m going to kiss you right here in the middle of the office.”

  Her eyes widened and she took a quick step back. With just a few words, her annoyance melted into a delightful tingling. Humor reflected in his eyes. He was teasing her again. Her anger returned full force. She squared her shoulders and scowled. “Fine. Let’s go.” She brushed passed him, knocking him with her shoulder in order to push him out of the way.

  As she hurried out of the office and down the hall toward the gym, she fought the urge to slap the smug smile from his face the moment they were alone. How dare he come to her job, in the middle of the day, and look at her as if he wanted to devour her. She’d picked him for his discretion, but apparently, he didn’t care about showing the entire world they would be sleeping together.

  It didn’t help that he came here looking like he’d just tumbled out of bed. Did the man own anything other than basketball shorts and t-shirts? Just the sight of his well-formed biceps was enough to get her blood boiling.

  “Why are you here?” she asked without turning to look at him.

  When she didn’t get an answer, she stopped and spun around. The hall was empty. She was about to call out his name when he came around the corner, grabbed her arm, and pulled her down the corridor they’d just passed.

  “This isn’t the way to the gym. What are you doing?”

  He didn’t say anything, just looked to see if they were being followed. She tried to dig in her heels and stop him, but it was no use. He just tugged on her arm and pulled her along as if she weighed nothing. He turned suddenly to the right and pulled her into an empty classroom. It was the room they used for the evening aerobics class.

  Jared looked at the door and cursed. “I forgot every damn room in this building has a window.”

  Tasha tried to pull her hand free. “Why does it matter if we have windows on the doors?”

  He pulled her to the left of the door and pressed her against the wall. As soon as she felt the heat from his body her protest died on her lips. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room. She knew he was only pursuing her as a favor, but when he looked at her as if she were the most desirable woman in the world common sense left.

  Jared ran the back of his hand along the side of her face before using his thumb to trace her lower lip. Without thinking, she poked her tongue out to wet her lips. His eyes grew dark with desire and he brought his other hand up to run his fingers in her hair. It was in its usual ponytail and he made quick work of removing the clip holding it back. Tasha sighed with relief when the pressure from the clip was removed. He ran his fingers along her scalp, massaging with strong sure strokes. Tasha closed her eyes and let her head fall back.

  When his lips touched hers, she didn’t fight it. He kissed her softly before running his tongue along her lower lip. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and granted him access. Passion erupted as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her as if he couldn’t get enough. He slowed down and pulled back, but she grabbed him by the waist and pulled him closer. His hands went back into her hair and he angled her head to kiss her again.

  His desire pressed thickly against her belly. If they kept doing what they were doing, she’d be willing to drop her shorts and let him make short work of her virginity right here. But that wasn’t what she wanted. He’d swept in and taken control. He was overwhelming her senses and she was being taken for a ride. Control, she had to reestablish control.

  She abruptly broke off the kiss and turned her face to the side. Undeterred, Jared kissed her jaw, ear, and neck. His sensual assault was going full swing and she was about to be a causality of a war she didn’t know how to fight.

  “Jared, we’ve got to stop,” she said between gasps.

  “I know,” he replied, but didn’t stop kissing and sucking on her neck.

  She reached up to place her hands on his chest to push him away, but he brought his lips back to her ear and traced his tongue around the sensitive edge. With a moan, she turned to kiss him again.

  She was floating in a haze of desire and once again she was about to forget all of the reasons why she needed to stay in control. Why not let him take the lead? That was why she picked him, wasn’t it? Why not lose herself in the experience of being with Jared Patterson? Because once you’re lost in him, you’ll never find yourself. Or a husband.

  Tasha broke the kiss and pushed him away. When he groaned and reached for her she darted out of his reach and tried to catch her breath. He rested his head on the wall briefly before turning it to look at her from the corner of his eye. When he bit his lower lip and let his eyes travel the length of her body she thought she’d burst into flames.

  “Stop it. You can’t just show up here and
kiss me senseless. This isn’t what I asked for,” she said.

  He didn’t lift his head from the wall. “You chose me for a reason.”

  “I know, but not for all of this. Just for one night, which you’ve turned into one weekend. I just need to lose my virginity, that’s it.” She couldn’t believe she could say that with a straight face. Not when her breasts were aching, her nipples were tingling, and there was wetness between her legs.

  He turned his body and rested his shoulder against the wall. “I came to bring you flowers.”

  She frowned and shook her head. “What? Why? There’s no need for all of that.”

  He ran his hand over his face. “Don’t ask why. I’ve never taken a woman flowers. I thought it would make . . . I don’t know what I thought.”

  His discomfort was endearing. She’d never thought she’d see Jared unsure of himself. “Where are the flowers?”

  “In the car.”

  She laughed. “Why are they in the car?”

  He grinned at her. “I was trying to be discreet. Obviously, I’m not doing a good job at that.”

  She shook her head and combed her hair with her fingers. “Well. At least you picked an empty room.”

  He pushed away from the wall and brought her hair clip over. “Score one for me.”

  She snatched the clip from his hands. “This isn’t a competition.” She turned from him and put her hair back into a ponytail. She was being sensitive, but it felt like she was losing and she didn’t want this to be a game.

  He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. She held her body stiff until he kissed the top of her head. She relaxed into him.

  “I know it’s not a game, Tasha. That’s why I’m trying to make it special. I’m sorry I showed up and attacked you in the aerobics room. I just wanted a taste of those lips.”

  It would be so easy to get used to this. Their bodies fit together too easily, as if they were made for each other. Where the hell had that come from? She wasn’t made for Jared Patterson. She didn’t even want a man like him. He was only good for one thing and that was taking her virginity.

  She pulled away and turned to face him. “Is it true that you like to eat downtown?”

  He frowned. “Downtown Columbia?”

  “No, I mean, is it true that you like to eat . . . ” Her voice trailed off and her face burned with embarrassment. Unable to finish, she pointed between her legs.

  Comprehension dawned on his face and a sly grin split his full lips. “I do enjoy that, with the right woman. I don’t eat at anyone’s table. But I have a feeling I’m going to want a taste of everything you have to offer.”

  Her panties became wetter, but she straightened her spine. “Good. It’ll be nice to have a comparison.”

  The smug smile dropped from his face. “Comparison to what?”

  She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “I’m not as innocent as I look. I have had certain things done to me and I was . . . curious to see if . . . all men did it the same.” She could barely meet his eye her embarrassment was so great, but it was worth the look on his face.

  He stepped closer, his shoulders rigid. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  It was her turn to smile slyly. “You’ll be the first man inside of me, but you won’t be the first man to pleasure me. Remember that when you think you can come around and play games. I’m not just some dumb virgin.”

  She left him with his mouth hanging open. It served him right. Just because he was going to be her first didn’t mean she would let him treat her like a puppet on a string. She hadn’t exactly lied. Her boyfriend in high school had tried that on her once as an alternative to sex. It had been awkward and uncomfortable, but Jared didn’t need to know that. All he needed to know was that he wasn’t the only man in the world who could pleasure her. And he damn sure wasn’t going to be the last.

  Chapter 9

  Unsure of when Jared wanted to leave for Charleston, Tasha took Friday off. After she’d thrown her limited experience in his face, she wondered if he’d show up. She hadn’t called him to confirm their plans, and neither had he. The bravado she felt after speaking to Shayla had vanished. She’d read all of the erotica in her library, which consisted of the one book from Shayla, but couldn’t imagine doing those things with Jared. Getting Jared to take her virginity was one thing. Sharing all types of intimacies should be reserved for her husband. She doubted Jared would see it that way.

  While Jared hadn’t called, her mother had—constantly, since Tasha had told her she was going out of town this weekend. She wasn’t foolish enough say she was going out of town with a man, opting instead to say she had to go to a conference in Charleston for work. It was hard to break her family’s tradition of getting together for birthdays, but a part of her was happy for the excuse. It was bad enough she was turning thirty without a husband, but to bring in the next decade with cake and ice cream with her mom and dad was depressing.

  After cleaning all morning with still no word from Jared, she was starting to think he had changed his mind when her cell phone vibrated, alerting her of a text.

  I’ll be there around 3. JP

  She let out an unsteady breath. She had four hours to occupy herself before he showed up. She wrung her hands in front of her and chewed on her lip. This was a bad idea. She’d waited her entire life for the right man to give her virginity to, only to casually sleep with a known player over the weekend. It was reckless, stupid, and way too impulsive. If she met a man she wanted to marry later, what would she bring to the table now other than the fact that she was Jared Patterson’s leftovers? Another notch on the belt of the fitness trainer and entrepreneur who slept with half of the women in South Carolina? What man would want those sloppy seconds?

  Her finger hovered over the call back icon on her phone display. She would call Jared, tell him this was a mistake, and continue to wait.

  She didn’t press the button.

  Wait for what? Wait for the next guy she dated to become excited with the thought of deflowering a virgin, or break things off as soon as he discovered she was saving herself for marriage? She’d done that for thirty years. Whomever she married didn’t have to know who she’d slept with in the past. Jared promised discretion. Although he’d shown up at her job this week, she doubted he would do that again. He was only doing this as a favor to her, not because he was overcome with the urge to sleep with her. He was notorious for one-night stands. From what she’d heard, he rarely slept with the same woman for an extended period of time.

  Her head cocked to the side as she considered that. Why did he switch from woman to woman so much? Could he really be that much of a lothario that he wanted to sleep with every woman he came in contact with?

  Tasha shook her head. It didn’t matter why he slept with the women he did, or why he stayed away from long-term relationships. His experience was the reason she’d chosen him. He knew what he was doing, would be discreet, and would make sure she enjoyed it.

  Warmth spread through her body as she remembered the way he’d looked at her on Wednesday. He appeared as affected by the desire between them as she was. She agreed with Shayla he must want her a little bit. He may not have wanted her before, but he wanted her now. And if she didn’t want the same situation her sister had, losing her virginity to a man who’d only pretended to care, then it made more sense to control the situation.

  Feeling somewhat better, if not calmer, Tasha stood and went through her kitchen out the back door. Weeding her vegetable garden would distract her for an hour or two. She’d packed the night before, and really had nothing left to do to prepare for the weekend. A few hours tending her tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers would keep her from changing her mind yet again.

  The outside air was warm without a trace of humidity as she walked into her backyard. The one tall oak tree in the middle of the yard cast shade on her porch, and the smell of the potted marigolds on her patio greeted her. Smiling, she walked to the gard
en along the privacy fence in her yard. These were the types of days when she preferred being at home instead of in her office. It was too beautiful outside to be stuck behind walls.

  After getting her tools from the shed, she started pulling weeds from between the still growing plants. Before long, her mind began to clear as she focused on the joy of feeling dirt on her hands as she worked.

  Shortly after she started a person’s shadow covered her. She spun and held her trowel out in front of her, but the sudden movement from a crouched position caused her to fall awkwardly onto her ass. The sun behind him prevented her from seeing his face, but she knew it was Jared.

  “You scared the crap out of me,” she said with her hand over her pounding heart. “What are you doing here already? It’s not three.”

  Jared reached down and pulled her up. A shot of electricity shot from where his hand clasped hers straight to her belly. She snatched it away and took a step back, only to step on one of her tomatoes.

  If he felt it, he didn’t show. He only stood there scowling at her. “Who are you comparing me to?”

  Tasha returned his scowl. “What? You came here early and scared me half to death to ask who I’m comparing you to?”

  He stepped closer. “Let’s get one thing straight. You’re not to compare me to anyone. When we’re together, the only person you’re supposed to think about is me. Don’t bring up another guy’s name when we’re together.”

  Anger bubbled hot in Tasha’s belly. She reached out and shoved his chest with every ounce of strength she had. Caught off balance, Jared fell backwards into a pile of weeds. She put one leg on either side of his hips, stood over him and pointed a finger in his face.

  “You need to get a couple of things straight. Number one, I’m not one of your groupies, so don’t talk to me like I should be privileged to sleep with you. Half of the women in South Carolina and California have slept with you so believe me, it’s not like it’s hard to do. Number two, stop trying to take advantage of the fact that I’m a virgin. My experience with men is limited, but I know enough to see that you want me. Badly. But I’m not going to let you take control of everything and get me all mixed up. Number three, there will be no more ‘when I’m with you’ after this weekend. I need a favor from you—that’s it.”