Players

by Rachel Cross

  “Because.” She paused. Her eyebrows furled before she held up her hand. “Because I just do, all right?”

  He gazed at her and the tension slowly left his body. Tasha was always trying to help someone. At the center, she was viewed as a surrogate mother, sister, or friend who was always willing to help. Another reason why he’d stayed away from her. She was too nice for him to run game on.

  “She didn’t kill my dad.” He sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her. “I was eighteen. My dad and I went fishing that morning. When we got back, he went in the house while I put up the gear. When I came in my dad was peeping through the door to our home office. I walked up and he looked at me, looked back at the door, and clutched his chest. He fell to the floor and I saw my mom kissing my dad’s friend, Randall Carter. They broke apart when I cried out and my mom came running up to help, but it was too late. He died of a heart attack on the way to the hospital.” His voice was flat as he finished the story. Pain filled his chest.

  He heard the rustle of the sheet as she walked around the bed to sit beside him. She reached over and put her hand on his leg and squeezed gently. Her hand was warm and smooth against his skin. It was funny that he could actually enjoy her touch in a non-sexual way. It was nice, and comforting. He almost reached over to place his hand on hers, but stopped himself.

  “I’ve never told anyone what happened that day. Not even my brother Malcolm. He was so worried about our mother after dad died, I couldn’t tell him. He’d always been closer to her than I was.”

  She brought one leg onto the bed and faced him. “Why are you telling me?”

  He sighed and rubbed his face. “Shit if I know.”

  She smiled slightly. “What did she say that upset you?”

  Jared closed his eyes as the anger came back. “She’s marrying Mr. Carter. Ain’t that a bitch? She called to tell me that.” Tasha gasped and he laughed humorlessly. “Your reaction is more fitting than mine, I guess.”

  “Why would she call with that?”

  He shrugged. “She says we need to talk. That there’s more to the story than what I saw.”

  Tasha rubbed his leg. “Maybe there is.”

  He pushed her hand away. “I don’t want to hear a damn thing she has to say about that day. If my dad hadn’t seen them together, he wouldn’t have had the heart attack and died. As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing more to say.”

  Tasha slapped his arm. “Stop it, Jared. Don’t push me away like I’m nothing. I know that we aren’t together, but what I gave you . . . what we did . . . was special. I’m just trying to be a friend. Don’t mistrust what I’m offering.”

  He turned to look at her. Instead of feeling his usual annoyance when a woman said what they had was special, he felt something click inside of him. Like a switch shining a light on the truth of what she said. What they’d done was pretty damn incredible. The best he’d ever had. And for her it was life changing. It couldn’t be described as anything but special.

  Warning bells rang in his head. He couldn’t be falling for her, that was impossible, but maybe he did trust her a little. Or maybe the great sex was turning his brain into mush. But she was right. What was between them wasn’t like anything he’d had with the other women he’d slept with. She wasn’t out to trap him or his money. If anything, Tasha was the most honest female he knew. Even Cassandra was shady when it came to getting hers. But not Tasha. He’d never seen her lie to anyone; she was always up front even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. But she was also compassionate, loving, and trusting. Why in the hell had she chosen him to take her virginity?

  He reached over and brushed the hair from her face. He ran his fingers through the silky curls before cupping the back of her head and pulling her forward to kiss her softly. “Thank you for listening.”

  Her eyes softened. “It’s the least I could do.”

  His gaze traveled to the swell of her breasts above the sheet. “Is it?” Now that he’d poured the equivalent of his heart out to her, his mind easily transitioned to other things. He still wanted the distraction her body promised.

  She slid away. “Hold up, cowboy. I don’t think my body can handle any more.”

  “Are you hurting?”

  Dark lashes lowered over her eyes as she looked away. “A little sore.”

  He stood and brushed his hand across her cheek. “Fill up the tub and take a bath.”

  She grabbed her stomach. “I’m starving. A shower makes more sense.”

  “Take a bath and I’ll run out for something to eat. You soak and when you’re done, I’ll have food ready. After we eat, we’ll go out and do some sightseeing. It’s your birthday, so I’m willing to do whatever you want to do.”

  She smiled at him, her light brown eyes shining. “Thanks for making my birthday special even when you’re hurting.”

  An unfamiliar tightening in his chest made him back up. He had to get out of here before he had a warm and fuzzy moment. Snatching his keys off the nightstand he turned to the door before tossing them back on the bed. “I’ll run to one of the bakeries around the corner. When I get back you’d better be in the tub.” He said over his shoulder as he walked out the door.

  Chapter 15

  “Why were you a twenty-nine-year-old virgin?”

  Tasha froze mid-step. They’d spent what was left of the morning exploring the sites in downtown Charleston and were walking back to his car after ending the day on the Isle of Palms. He’d still been upset about his mother’s call, so she’d made an effort to keep his mind off of things. True to his promise, he didn’t complain as she’d dragged him through the old slave market, into the various shops and around the College of Charleston campus.

  Surprisingly, he’d opened up about his childhood memories of hunting and fishing with his brother and father. Though he’d tried to appear relaxed, his tense shoulders and compressed lips proved he was in pain. She’d quickly changed the subject to the joys and pains of growing up under her father’s strict rule.

  A breeze blew her hair into her face and she pushed it away. She would have preferred to put it in a ponytail, but he’d asked her to keep it loose. “What did you say?”

  “I didn’t stutter. Why were you still a virgin?”

  She laughed and started walking again. “Religious beliefs.”

  He snorted. “Come on, Tasha. Give me more than that.”

  She sighed. “I’m serious. I grew up with my parents telling me it was a sin to sleep with someone before you were married. My dad preaches about it as much at home as he does in church. As I got older and realized there were a lot of people sinning, my parents scared us on the consequences of sex, like disease and pregnancy.”

  “You can prevent both,” he said.

  “Says the man with a lifetime supply of condoms,” she said gently bumping him with her shoulder. “Yes, I know that. For a while it was fun to be the virgin.” He looked at her skeptically and she giggled. “I know it sounds silly, but it was. I was different from the other girls. Guys treated me differently. They respected me more. Plus, I was into the same things they were, working out and sports. It was fun. But as I got older, guys’ attitudes changed. They either looked at me as a challenge or undateable. The last guy I dated actually told me I was nice, but if we weren’t having sex then we should just end it.”

  He took her hand and steered her out of the way of another couple going toward the beach on the path. He didn’t release her hand after. “I still don’t understand why you asked your favor.”

  She shrugged. “I could have met my husband ten men ago, but maybe he was scared away because I was a virgin looking for marriage. I’m tired of the pressure to save myself for a man who might not be willing to wait.”

  “That makes absolutely no sense.”

  “Really, so you’re telling me you would marry someone without sleeping with them?”

  He cringed. “No, but I don’t plan to ever get married. You caved in to the pressure.”

>   “No, I’m tired of waiting. I’m thirty years old. My best friend has amazing sex apparently with every guy she meets and I have to hear about it. My sister is married and I have to walk in on her and my brother-in-law feeling each other up in every room at their home. I’m the only single person I know and I want a husband, but I’m tired of scaring guys away with my ‘wait until marriage’ speech. Especially when I don’t believe waiting will make a man love me any more or less. I want to meet a guy, go out, feel attracted to him, and if it’s right, finally sleep with him.”

  His brows furled, the afternoon sunlight reflected in his eyes making them appear light brown instead of their usual chocolate. “And if it doesn’t work out, then what? You’ve slept with someone no good and you’re still single. Except now you’re heartbroken.”

  “Are you going to break my heart?”

  He shook his head and laughed quietly. “Tasha . . . ”

  “What we’re doing isn’t much different. I know you. I’m attracted to you, so we slept together. When it’s done my heart won’t be broken.”

  “That’s because we aren’t dating. What if you fall in love and the guy doesn’t feel the same?”

  She looked away. “Why do you act like you care? What happens after we’re finished doesn’t matter. I’m not going to sleep with every guy I meet. I can’t do the things I’ve done with you with just anyone. He has to be special.”

  She dropped his hand and rushed ahead to the parking lot. He plan wasn’t fool proof. There was a likelihood that she’d still meet a guy just as sorry as Charles. But it was none of Jared’s business. Him acting as if he cared about her possibly getting hurt in the future caused her emotions, already wrapped into him more than they should be, to swell into dangerous territory.

  They reached his car and she stopped her before getting in. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just curious, ya know?”

  “Let’s just forget about it.” She said with a wave of the hand.

  They rode back to his condo in companionable silence. Her heart rate picked up once they parked in the garage. Her body still ached wonderfully from the night before, but after spending the day with him just the idea of sleeping with him again made her wet.

  “Hey, let’s walk down to the harbor.” He said once they got out of the car.

  She groaned. “Really? We’ve walked all day. I’m tired.”

  He took her hand and pulled her along. “Come on. I indulged you all day, you can give me this one thing.”

  “Yeah, but it’s my birthday.”

  The breezed carried the sound of his chuckle back to her. With a sigh, she stopped dragging her feet and followed him around the block to the front of the condominium. A guy dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt with long red hair pulled into a ponytail leaned against the building. He held a guitar in his hands and jumped up when they rounded the corner. Jared stopped and pulled her against his side.

  “Why are we . . . ” her voice trailed off as the guy started singing happy birthday. His smooth alto voice glided over the words into the night air. Tasha gasped and looked to Jared, who grinned at her.

  “Malcolm got the singing voice in our family. So I found someone to sing for me. Happy birthday, Tasha.”

  She was in trouble. Deep trouble. Jared was more than the playboy she’d taken him form. His softer side was playing a number on her romantic’s heart and she was perilously close to wishing there was more to this situation.

  “You didn’t have to.” She said after the guy finished singing.

  Jared shrugged as if it were no big deal. “Hey, you only turn thirty once.” He turned to the guy and gave him pound. “Thanks, man.”

  “No problem, Jared.” He smiled at Tasha. “Happy birthday, beautiful.” He saluted then turned and ambled down the street.

  She tried to hide how much she appreciated the effort as she met Jared’s eye. “I can’t believe—” He cut her off with a kiss. His warm tongue gently probed her mouth open. With a sigh, she wrapped he arms around his neck.

  His dark eyes burned with desire when he broke the kiss. “Instead of telling me what I shouldn’t do, let’s go upstairs and end your birthday right.”

  Without a word, she took his hand and rushed back to the entrance.

  • • •

  Tasha stood at one of the windows in Jared’s condo and stared at the boats gliding along the water in the Cooper River. It was Sunday. Time to go home and the end the best birthday weekend she’d ever had. It wasn’t just losing her virginity—although the sex had been amazing—it was spending time with Jared. The effort he’d put into making her birthday special was a gift she’d cherish forever. Despite his playboy persona, the man knew how to make a woman feel wonderful. It may be old hat for him, but she decided to accept it for what it was and celebrate in the fact that her thirtieth birthday and loss of virginity was a memory worth cherishing. Memories of the way he’d slowly made love to her the night before hijacked her mind causing her nipples to pebble beneath her shirt.

  She shook her head and pressed her temples. They did not make love. It was sex. Sweet, wonderful, perfect sex, but that was all. Love had no place in this.

  He came out of the bedroom carrying their overnight bags. His biceps, revealed by the red cutoff shirt he wore, flexed as he dropped them by the door. He was in basketball shorts and her gaze dropped to the crotch. Her face burned; just looking at the man summoned memories of what they’d done. When he walked over to stand beside her at the window, it took everything in her not to lean into him.

  What do you say at the end of an affair? She looked to him for guidance, but he was scowling.

  She touched her face. “What?”

  He reached over and pulled the clip out of her hair. “Wear your hair down when we’re together.”

  His long fingers caressed the base of her scalp. Her eyes fluttered, heat infused her, but she straightened her shoulders and stepped away. “I think we should stop before it gets out of hand.”

  His scowl deepened. “Out of hand?”

  She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Jared, I did this so that it would take the pressure off of dating. I still hope to find a husband. I can’t do that if I’m sleeping with you.”

  He smiled devilishly and took her elbow to pull her close. “No one will be hurt if we sleep together until you meet someone else.”

  She laughed softly, but pulled away. “Says the man with a trail of broken hearts behind him. No, this weekend was it. Thank you, for everything.”

  He rolled his eyes and looked out the window. “You can stop thanking me for sex. The pleasure was all mine.”

  “It’s not just the sex. Yesterday was . . . the best birthday I’ve ever had. Despite your mom’s call, you helped me celebrate in a beautiful city and now we can go home as friends. Nothing more.” She stared at him, hoping he wouldn’t see how hard it was for her to say those words.

  Jared cocked a brow. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the window and watched her. “You’ve gotten a taste, Tasha. It won’t be so easy to forget.”

  “You’re pretty confident.”

  He shrugged and grinned. “I have a reason to be.” He motioned with his head for her to come closer.

  A smart woman would refuse, but the smoldering of his dark eyes and curve of his lips was a temptation hard to deny. Her feet slid across the hardwoods as she approached. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She melted against the heat of his body. Something flared in his eyes as they stared into hers. “You’ll call me when you want me, and I’ll be ready.”

  She shivered. “I’m not calling.”

  His head lowered until their lips barely touched. Gently he rubbed his nose across hers. Her face lifted, her breathing hitched, and he pressed her body against his.

  Jared’s lips curved in a knowing grin. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Straightening, he let her go and damned if she didn’t sway slightly with the loss of contact. Shaking the fog out of her
head, she glared at him. His smile didn’t waiver. “I’ll take the bags down and we can go.”

  She didn’t respond to his goading. God help her. She’d have to pray constantly to resist calling him.

  Chapter 16

  “Tasha, did you hear a word I said?”

  Tasha blinked several times and turned to her dad. “What?”

  He shook his head and smiled, his white teeth gleaming in his tan face. Seeing the thin man with dark-framed glasses and a receding hairline sitting at the head of the table, you would never expect he could preach a sermon loud enough to shake the rafters in the church. Luckily, Angie’s daughters hadn’t done anything this Sunday to warrant a sermon. “You haven’t paid attention to anything going on at the table,” he said. “You’ve spent the entire dinner staring off. Have you met a man?”

  She shook her head frantically. “No! It’s work, that’s all. I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

  “You work too hard, Tasha,” her mom said from across the table. “You didn’t even get to celebrate your birthday two weeks ago. Are you sure you don’t need to take a vacation?”

  Tasha avoided her mom’s gaze by looking at the meatloaf on her plate. “No, the conference wasn’t so bad. It was almost like a vacation.”

  Angie snorted. “I bet.”

  Tasha glared at her sister before turning to her dad. “What were you asking?”

  Her dad leaned back in his chair. “I asked what you thought of my sermon today. Some people think it’s old fashioned when I preach about saving yourself until marriage, but you’ve been able to keep yourself pure for thirty years. I almost used you for an example.” He laughed.

  Tasha’s eyes widened. “Please don’t do that. I really don’t want that type of attention.”

  “Why not, Tasha? It’s something to be proud of,” Angie said with a twisted smile and raised eyebrow.

  She hadn’t told her sister about her weekend with Jared, although Angie had probably figured it out. She hadn’t talked to anyone about it, including Shayla. It was hard enough to not think about Jared, no need to purposefully talk about him.