Reina: I’m going to call you and ask you yes or no questions.
A few seconds later my phone rings. “Sorry, I have to take this.”
“No problem, Ains,” Zack tells me with a smile.
“Hi Reina. What’s up?”
“Is this going to be a problem for you?”
“No.”
“Are you planning on sleeping with him?”
“Yes.”
“If the evidence points to him, will you be able to take him down?”
“Absolutely.” I mean it, too. If Zack’s the bad guy, I will take him down. It’s my job and I’m committed to it.
“That’s not a yes, but I believe you. Just be careful. He’s not a relationship guy from what I’ve seen and read. Okay?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going to have Tegan look into this new development.”
“That would be great.”
I hang up with her and then look up to see Zack turned around in his seat, looking at me. “Is everything okay? You had a lot of one word answers going on.”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. My friend, Reina, just had some questions for me about something we’re working on together.” It’s not technically a lie.
“Cool. Just trying to be a good friend and make sure you’re alright,” he tells me with a wink and then turns back around.
Friend? I just got friend zoned again? Story of my life. Oh well, that will make things easier. For work at least. Sierra meets my eye in the rearview window and gives me a sympathetic smile.
We arrive at the hotel a few minutes later and I thank Sierra before getting out of the car. I practically run inside. I see the woman from last night—the one Zack took back to his room—in the lobby. I hear a squeal and turn in time to see her grab him into a hug. He doesn’t seem to be protesting or untangling himself. I guess that’s who he’ll be having fun with tonight.
I’m close to breaking down even though I knew better than to get my hopes up. The elevator is taking forever, so I hurry over to the stairwell. It’s only ten floors and I’m in good shape. I can totally do this.
I’ve barely made it to the second floor when I hear the door below me bang open. “Ains?”
I lean back against the wall before answering. There’s no point in running. He’s faster than me, and we both know it. “Yeah?”
Zack is in front of me in less than a minute. “What the fuck are you doing? You were attacked last night and now you’re taking the stairs? What if someone was watching you?”
“No one’s going to look at me when there are sexy women in the lobby.” I look down at my jeans, t-shirt, and Chucks. I dressed down tonight, thinking I wouldn’t see anyone. Yeah, Zack didn’t seem to mind my outfit and glasses when he kissed me, but then he “friended” me and was hugging that other woman who was busting out of her dress.
“Is this about the chick in the lobby? I mean, come on. I told you I wasn’t going to do anything with her. I felt a little bad for using her to make you jealous, so I let her hug me. I told her I was no longer interested, though.”
I push my glasses up on my nose and try to walk past him. “That’s nice. I really want to get to my room and go to sleep.”
“I thought we were going to have some fun.” He puts his arm out to stop me.
“Yeah. We can watch TV or something if you want.”
“TV?”
“Isn’t that what friends do?”
He backs me up to the wall and braces a hand on either side of my face while leaning in to me. “I think you and I are gonna be doing a lot of things normal friends don’t do, babe. But I won’t stop calling you my friend. Because you are. You’re also the hottest woman I know, and I want to fuck you so bad my cock hurts most days just thinking of being buried in you.”
“Even when I look like this?”
“Oh yeah. You’re totally rocking the sexy nerd look.”
I reach up and put my arms on his biceps, rubbing them as he closes his eyes. Then I lean in and kiss the bottom of his neck. “Lean down so I can have your mouth, please.”
“Not here. I’m not giving the security guys a show.”
He pulls open the stairwell door as I step back. I didn’t even think about the security cameras. He’s making me forget things that should be second nature to me. I realize that, just for one night at least, I want that. I want to forget computers and spy stuff, while the man I care for makes love to me.
“What are you smiling about?” he asks as we walk to the elevator.
“You. And me.”
“I like that. I wish I could be inside you tonight.”
“I-I thought that’s what we were going to do,” I tell him when we get on the elevator. I’m not that clueless. Am I?
“Not tonight. I know I won’t be able to stop once we start, and I do have a game tomorrow. I can’t be up all night having you over and over again. Which means you’ll just have to use your mouth tonight.”
“Excuse me?” He did not just say that to me.
“You’ll like it. Women get turned on with my cock in their mouth. I’ll get you off, too. I don’t normally care, but I want you to feel good.”
I slap him before I even realize what I’m doing. “I told you before that I wasn’t getting on my knees for you.”
“I said I’d get you off, too. Jesus, Ains, stop being so uptight. I mean, what the fuck?” he asks as he rubs his jaw.
“I’m not that girl. I can’t believe you don’t know that. Maybe your friend’s still in the lobby. She’d probably do what you want.”
“She would.”
“Great. You should go find her.”
I run to my room once the elevator opens, slamming the door behind me once I’m inside. Then I slide down the door and cry. Ugly cry. I thought he cared about me. That he was the one, like in all those stupid movies and books. I know better than to believe in the fairy tale, but for once, I wanted to.
Chapter 6
Zack
Last night sucked. And not in the literal way I was hoping it would. I can’t believe Ainsley got so pissed. I never offer to get a girl off, but I was going to do it for her. I just wanted some reciprocal action.
I can’t think about that now since I’ve got a game to play. And win. We need this win, and although being sexually frustrated isn’t fun, maybe I can channel that into some action on the field. After, I can find someone willing to give me the other action I need.
The first quarter is rough. We’re neck and neck. When I score the touchdown that pulls us ahead, I automatically look to the sidelines. I want to see Ainsley react. She always pumps me up. But when I look to her, she’s not reacting. I mean, she’s clapping, but that’s it.
I tear my eyes from her and look to where Sierra’s sitting. She’s jumping up and down, and I smile at her. I need Ainsley to do that. Just because it’s not going to work for us sexually doesn’t mean we’re not friends. Does it?
I play the best game of my life, making four touchdowns. Every fucking time she just claps. Even when the last one wins us the game. I don’t like this at all.
I storm into the locker room, but manage to laugh and smile for the post-game interviews. After we’re dressed, Ainsley comes in like she always does to go over the game. She congratulates everyone and tells us what we did right and what we did wrong. The other guys all nod as she gives them their info. I clench my jaw when she gets to me.
“Did you hear me, Zack?”
“I heard you.”
“You didn’t react.”
“I said I heard you.”
“Okay then. I’ll see you guys back in Vegas.”
“You’re not flying with us?”
“No. I have a few things I need to do here, so I’m catching a later flight.”
She looks me in the eye, and I know this has to do with me. I also know that things aren’t going back to normal with us. I didn’t act like she wanted me to, so she’s done with me. Just like every ot
her friend I had when I was younger. If that’s the way she wants it, then that’s what she’ll get. Classic Zack Taylor at your service.
“Did you finally find a guy, Ainsley? That’s so sweet. Don’t forget to use protection and remember, the first time may hurt a little.”
“Got to hell, Zack,” she tells me as she turns and storms from the room.
“Crazy woman,” I say with a laugh when she’s gone.
No one’s laughing with me, though. I look around, and the few guys who catch my eye are just shaking their heads. Shit. I went too far. She’s earned their respect, and I just embarrassed her. They’re on her side. What’s weird is I actually want them to be.
I make myself look busy for a few minutes and then walk out of the locker room to find my sister. Since we’re headed to the airport from here, this is my last chance to see her. My heart sinks when I get into the hall and see her. She has her arms crossed over her chest, and she looks pissed.
“Hey, Si.”
“Is there someplace we can talk?”
“I-I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Find out, please.”
I swallow hard and then go back into the locker room. Coach tells me I can use the office they assigned him for the game. He doesn’t look happy about it. Or maybe it’s just me he’s not happy with. Join the club.
I walk Sierra there, dreading every step. My sister has always been on my side. Always. If I don’t have her, I have nothing.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she asks once the door is closed.
“A lot of things. You’ll need to be more specific.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“You’re going to let some chick come between us? Really? I thought you were always on my side.”
“I am on your side and that’s why I’m pissed. And don’t refer to Ainsley as ‘some chick.’ You didn’t just play the best game of your life because she was someone random.”
“I played the best game of my life because I wanted to win. It had nothing to do with her.”
“Bullshit. You looked over at her after every touchdown. I was actually pissed at her because I thought she was being a bitch until I saw her come out of the locker room barely holding it together. She told me what you said to her. Last night and just now.” She pauses to reach for my hand. “I love you so much, Zack. When I saw you with Ainsley at the restaurant last night, I was so relieved. I worry about you objectifying women. I know how hurt you were in high school and college, but it has to stop. I thought it had when I saw you kiss her and hold her hand, but then you asked her to get on her knees for you and what’s even worse, embarrassed her because she didn’t behave like you wanted her to.”
“I offered to get her off, too. I never offer that to women. And she obviously doesn’t care. My touchdowns meant nothing to her.”
“I really want to slap you right now. Do you even hear yourself? Am I just supposed to drop to my knees if some guy wants me to? Because he’ll get me off, too. Never mind that I want to be held and cared for. Have someone tell me I’m beautiful and kiss me sweetly.”
“Fuck.” I screwed up. Bad. Sierra deserves those things, and so does Ainsley.
“And she cheered for you all the way into the end zone.”
“What?”
“She was jumping up and down, screaming all the while until you got there because she knew you’d look at her. Then, she politely clapped. She needed to have some self-respect after last night.”
“Really? She did?”
“Yes. And then you embarrassed her in front of the team. She doesn’t think she can go back to work tomorrow.”
“What? She has to. We need her. Plus the guys were all on her side. I’m lucky I made it out of there alive.”
“She doesn’t know that. All she knows is that the guy she cares about treated her like a slut and then embarrassed her.”
“Shit. I need to call her.”
“Yes, you do.”
I dial, but she doesn’t answer. Damn it. I didn’t want to text it all to her, but I guess I have to.
Me: I’m sorry, Ains. For last night AND today. You didn’t deserve any of that. I want to make it up to you.
Ainsley: Really?
Me: YES!!!! I care about you, and I want to show you. Please let me.
Ainsley: Can I be your date for the ball on Friday?
I can’t do that. I just can’t. Going public with her isn’t an option for me. I’ve never done that, and I’m not ready.
“What’s wrong, Zack?”
“She wants to be my date for the charity ball the team’s throwing on Friday.”
“That’s great.”
“No. It’s not. I’m not ready to go public.”
“Yes, you are. You care about her. Take a chance, big brother.”
“No.”
Me: I can’t do that. I don’t take dates to those things. Give me another option.
Twenty minutes later I’m still staring at my phone. Clutching it so hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t break. She’s not answering, which means there’s no other option. I can’t do what she wants, but she wants nothing else. I guess this is it.
“You won’t reconsider?”
“No. There has to be something else.”
“I don’t think there is. She wants a grand gesture from you, and there’s nothing bigger than you taking her to a party. Like you said, you never do that.”
“I’m not ready for that, Si.”
“Yes, you are. You just don’t know it yet.”
Before I can answer, there’s a knock at the door. It’s time for me to leave. I pull Sierra into my arms and hug her tight.
“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Think about what I said. Please.”
I can’t promise her anything, so I don’t.
* * *
Ainsley
Knowing someone’s never going to be your boyfriend makes investigating them easier. I asked for, and was given, Monday off from the team meeting. I think they feel sorry for me. Hell, I feel sorry for me. But there’s a job to be done.
I talked to many people Sunday night and Monday morning. I found out how much they love Zack in this town. Everyone was excited when he signed here. He was hanging out around town, and got to know a bunch of the locals. When he was traded, it was a blow to him and the friends he’d made.
“He was really angry,” Joe, a local diner owner, tells me. Zack was eating at his restaurant when he got the news. I told him I’m working on a biography of Zack, but I’d get his permission before printing anything. “I thought he was going to start throwing things. But he said he respected me too much for that.”
“Have you stayed in touch?”
“Of course. He brought his sister here for breakfast the other day. He told me he hopes to be traded back here soon. Says things may not work out in Vegas.”
“I hope it works out for you guys. Breakfast was great. Thanks for talking to me.”
“You’re welcome. Have a safe trip.”
My trip back in was uneventful. I head straight to the office to debrief with Reina. While we’re talking, I also spill everything about Zack and how it’s not an issue anymore.
“He doesn’t care enough, I guess.”
“Who doesn’t care about you, Little Mouse?” Matt Corrigan asks as he walks into Reina’s office.
“It’s none of your business, and stop calling her that.”
“Some people don’t mind their nicknames. You don’t, do you Ainsley?”
I shake my head. I really don’t care that he and his friends call me that. I kind of like that they have a nickname for me. “It’s fine.”
“See?”
“Maybe because hers isn’t meant as an insult.”
“Maybe I should leave the two of you alone.”
“Not until you tell me about this guy of yours.”
“It’s Zack Taylor. And he’s not mine.”
“He’s not anyon
e’s. That boy gets almost as much play as I do. Stay away from him.”
“She can’t. He’s part of her mission.”
“You didn’t sleep with him?”
“No. We just have lunch every day and hang out. Or at least we did.”
“Zack doesn’t ‘hang out’ with chicks.”
“Women.”
“Excuse me, Princess. Women.”
“He did with me.”
“Well, shit. You’ve broken him. I know guys like him. If he’s hanging out with you in a non-sexual way, he’s hooked.”
“Obviously he’s not. He won’t take me to the ball on Friday.”
“Then I’ll take you. I’d love to watch him crumble. He stole twins out from under me a couple months ago. I owe him a little pain.”
“You don’t ever take a date to those things,” Reina tells him.
“Maybe I haven’t found the right girl.”
“I guess not. Excuse me, I’ve got to go. Have fun on your date.”
Reina practically runs from the room and I turn to glare at Matt. “Why are you like that with her?”
“Like what?”
“You pretend you don’t care. But I’ve seen the way you look at her when you think no one’s watching.”
“We both know she’s too good for me. So just drop it, please. I’ll pick you up at 6 on Friday. Okay?”
“I’m not sure we should. Reina…”
“She’ll be fine. It’s really not like that with us. Do you want me to take you or not?”
“Yes, I do. Thanks, Matt.”
“Anytime.”
* * *
Zack
This ball is going to be the death of me and I’ve only been here for five minutes. I’ve already turned down ten women, and one man. Currently, Miss BJ is trying her best to climb me, even though I keep moving and telling her to go away.
“Wow. That’s even crazier than if you showed up with a date,” she says to me.
I turn and almost drop my drink. Matt Corrigan just walked in with Ainsley on his arm. What the fuck is she doing with him? He’s ten times the man-whore that I am. Or was. And this chick’s right. He’d never bring a date to one of these things. Unless he’s serious about her. Was she playing me all along? No. I know she wasn’t.
Ainsley’s looking beyond hot. The top of her strapless black dress is leather and the bottom has a wrap skirt with a slit that goes to the top of her thigh on the left. I move my eyes up to her face and see that she’s scowling at my crotch. I’m confused until I realize that this stupid chick is palming my cock through my pants. I immediately push her away.
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 1) Page 5