by Zoë Lane
“I know you can handle it,” I said while looking Landyn right in the eyes.
Rose’s mouth dropped and she stared at Landyn, who less inconspicuously looked around the room.
“Casper?” Coach Hicks came to where we were still seated. “We should get word on...the outcome in a matter of days. Whatever it is, we’ll fight to get you back on the field as soon as possible. How’s the shoulder?”
“Thank you, sir.” I touched my sling, my shoulder snug in the harness. “Good, sir. Keeping it still for as long as possible.”
“Perfect. Don’t rush it, because we’ll need you for the rest of the season.”
“Yes, sir.”
Coach Hicks nodded to the rest of us and walked away.
Siobhan squeezed my thigh. “I’m going to create an incredibly regimented program for you.”
“Oh...great.”
She laughed. “Do you want to be back on the field?”
The answer was obvious. I shoved aside painful memories of my previous therapy and smiled at Siobhan. This time, I’d have a hot therapist treating me.
And I knew she’d make the pain well worth the effort.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CASPER
“Sir, I don’t think I ever really thanked you for reinstating Siobhan. If it wasn’t for her integrity, I would never have ever questioned what I was doing.” I extended my hand for Coach Hicks to shake.
We stood in the main conference room, waiting for other members of staff to enter and take their seats.
“Next time, when you question your actions, make the right choice,” he said.
I sheepishly smiled. “You have my word, sir.”
“Good.” He shook my hand.
I’d been suspended for six weeks, which left about a quarter of the season for me to play. I’d already missed the last week, but I couldn’t play anyway. Siobhan was right; her therapy treatment was incredibly regimented, and agreed upon by the entire medical staff.
“How do you like the new doctor?” Coach Hicks asked.
A woman. She had a pedigree that would’ve impressed Dr. Benzoli. “She seems okay. I’ve only met with her a couple of times.”
“She’s got training in holistic medicine. Swears by the whole-body approach in treating patients.”
They wanted to avoid another Billy.
His family had been devastated by his suicide. I had kind of adopted his younger brother, Braiden, who was taking his brother’s death hard. Wanted to make sure he had someone positive to look up to. That he wouldn’t forget the good things his older brother had accomplished. Braiden loved football, but he still wanted to be a firefighter.
“Looking forward to my treatment schedule,” I said. “Already missing being on the field.”
Coach Hicks’s lips parted in a wistful smile. “Miss it every day myself. But I have a greater passion now, and that’s coaching you guys. I’m incredibly humbled by and proud of what you guys have done so far this season. Let’s get our seats.”
The GM waited until everyone was seated before sitting at the head of the table. “Casper, we’ve been able to reduce your suspension to two weeks following the all clear by the doctor. You’ve already agreed to undergo treatment, but you’ll also be required to attend three therapy sessions by our staff psychologist to address any underlying psychological issues with prescription drug addiction—if there are any.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said solemnly. I wasn’t addicted, but I wouldn’t argue. A two-game suspension had shocked me into agreeing with anything she could propose.
“Good. That’s all I have, everyone.”
I looked at Coach Hicks. “Quick and painless,” he said with a grin.
“Definitely quick,” I agreed. “But it will be painful.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SIOBHAN
Casper was waiting for me when the elevator door opened to his floor.
“Hey, beautiful.”
I smiled. “That’s a perfectly normal line.”
He grinned viciously. “I have you now, so I don’t have to do anything extra.”
I breezed past him, even though I had no idea where I was going. “That stuff you said earlier was ‘extra’?”
He wrapped his good arm around my waist, arresting my ability to continue walking. He put his lips to my hair, behind my right ear. “Some of my best work.” He nibbled on my earlobe.
“Good effort,” I said with a chuckle. I couldn’t be mad at him. He was just too damn cute. “And what do you mean, you have me now?”
“You came over to Netflix and chill, right?”
“If your shoulder wasn’t hurt...”
He laughed and squeezed my waist. “There are other ways you could punish me.” He planted a kiss on my cheek.
Butterflies crashed around in my stomach. I hadn’t been this nervous since...my first time. And I was literally just coming over to do my job.
And a little extra...but he didn’t know that.
Or maybe he did.
We entered his condo, and he led me to the den. “Thank you for coming over and doing the therapy here. Want anything to drink?”
I sat my bag down on an armchair. “Water is fine. It’s a little hot outside.”
“I know, and it’s October.” I followed him to the kitchen and saw menus spread out on the island. “I’m starving. Was going to order Chinese. Want some?”
“Sure. I haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
“Good.”
I avoided his gaze when he handed me the water.
“What’s wrong?”
I forced myself to look up. His blond brows were arched up, his lips slightly pursed. Worry filled his blue-green eyes, and I wanted to hold his face in my hands and kiss him.
Until my nerves convinced me otherwise.
“Nothing,” I said with the water bottle at my lips. I scurried back to the den. I opened my bag and rummaged around for what I needed to start the therapy session.
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were nervous.”
I looked over my shoulder. He commanded all my attention with his confident walk, his even stare aggravating the butterflies in my stomach into an uncontrollable frenzy while a shot of need plummeted down into my nether region.
“What are you talking about? I’m excited to see your progress.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I am. I’m just having trouble finding something...”
He took my hands out of my bag and placed them on the hem of his sleeveless shirt. “Help me out of this,” he ordered softly, eyes shining.
This.
This was what I was here for.
I slowly pushed his shirt up, letting my fingers run over his muscled abs, up and around his pectorals. My fingertips burned against his warm flesh, fire coursing through my arms. I knew this body.
“You’re panting.”
I clamped my mouth shut. “No, I’m not,” I mumbled.
My fingers felt the deep timbre of his chuckle reverberate through his chest.
I had to stand on the tips of my toes to maneuver the shirt over the mass of blond curls atop his rather large head. His mother had probably been in agony during his birth.
I gently pulled the shirt over his sling and tossed it onto the chair where I’d placed my bag. Again I was on my tippy toes, wrapping my arms underneath his and pressing my lips against his mouth. I moaned, eagerly parting his lips and slipping my tongue inside.
His good arm scooped beneath my ass and hoisted me up. I leaned back in alarm, at the same time wrapping my legs around his waist. “Your shoulder!”
“What about it?” he asked against my neck.
I leaned into him to give him better access as he dropped kisses along my collarbone and down the center of my chest.
“You...ah...you shouldn’t be doing all this,” I breathed heavily. I wiggled against him, way too eager to experience this man.
“Agreed.”
He sat down on th
e couch and I straddled his hips. I ate his mouth hungrily and kneaded my hands into his chest.
“Is this the massage?” he asked between kisses.
“Mm-hmm. Updated therapy regiment.” I moved my lips to his neck. Kissing areas that my hands had worked.
His heavy breath tickled the side of my face. “Whatever...whatever you think is best.”
“I’ll teach you a few things.”
“Have I ever told you that I was an honor student? Made the dean’s list every year.”
I laughed lightly. “Then you’ll have no problem reciprocating.” I unbuckled his jeans. My lips captured his again. He wiggled and I yanked on his pants to slip them down over his knees. A firm length pressed against my inner thigh.
My hands threaded his hair, relaxing his neck back to rest against the sofa. Our gazes locked. “I’m yours,” he whispered.
“Are you sure? Because I want you, but not just part of you.”
He broke our connection. I watched his Adam’s apple bob. My heart hammered in my ears, and fear snaked up my arms.
His eyes came back to mine. “I’m not going to lie, there are days where it’s still hard. But that’s not what I want. I will always love her.”
“I know...”
He smiled. “But I’m falling in love with you.”
I returned his smile with one of my own. “And I’m falling in love with you.” Our lips met. “Now, try not to move your arm. I’d like to get to work.”
His brows wagged once. “On my arm?”
I lightly bit his bottom lip. “I’ll get to that.”
Dear Reader,
Casper has been suspended, but the rest of the players still have a job to do.
Especially the running backs.
Sean Miller is the best rookie RB, and he’s only too happy to be responsible for more plays. He’s a role model for the kids in his old neighborhood; a role he takes very seriously.
This hometown hero also has ties to people he’d like to cut. Only his success is their success, and they want their money.
Sean finds an unlikely ally in the woman who owes him a lap dance: Lacey Gallagher.
Except Lacey’s under strict orders from Landyn to stay away from Sean.
If you enjoyed Casper’s story, then you’re going to love this star-crossed lovers romance.
Thank you for being a reader and following the Richmond Rhinos in their inaugural NFL season! To see them get closer to the Super Bowl, click the link below for the next book.
The Running Back
Zoë