Teamwork

by Lily Harlem

  “No, no, stop.” I held up my hands. “I don’t need proof, because I couldn’t give a flying fuck if you’re into men or women or both, as long as you’re not into me. I’m here to do a job, sort out your shoulder and leg, nothing more. So please refrain from looking at my titties, touching my titties, thinking about my titties.” I paused. “In fact, it would be just as well if you didn’t even consider me to be a woman while I’m here, that would be much better for both of us.”

  He gave an irritating tilt of his head. As though he thought he knew me better than I knew myself. “After that glazed look you just got in your eyes when I touched you and the wood going on in my trunks? Come on, Fiona, we both know my pretending you’re not a woman is never going to work.”

  I stared at him. Bile bit at my gullet, my head pounded. “I can make it work perfectly well.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yes, because you’re not my type.”

  His lips tightened.

  “For your information,” I said, “Todd is taking me out as soon as he gets back from the UK. For dinner. He’s my type. He’s polite and conversational, charming and handsome.” I grabbed my box of acupuncture equipment and stalked past him. “He’s everything you’re not, which suits me perfectly.”

  I marched into the kitchen and up the stairs, and slammed the door to the guest suite behind me.

  My date with Todd couldn’t come soon enough. Spending time with someone who wasn’t Neanderthal was now an absolute essential for my sanity.

  Chapter Four

  The doorbell rang at eight on the dot. I brushed stray face powder from the front of my green dress, grabbed my purse and rushed to the hall.

  Raven beat me to the door.

  “Hey, buddy, how you doin’?” Todd asked, stepping in and slapping Raven on his good arm.

  Raven grunted. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one subjected to that form of communication.

  “Fiona, you look beautiful.” He took six quick steps over to me, stooped and pressed a kiss to each of my cheeks.

  I allowed the butterflies in my stomach to flutter and swirl deliciously. I’d been so looking forward to this evening, and Todd looked, sounded and smelled even better than I remembered. “Hi,” I managed.

  He grinned and took my hand. “We should go. I have a reservation at Ciao’s. A great little Italian with no paparazzi to worry about, just awesome food and fantastic wine.”

  “Sounds lovely. I adore Italian.”

  “Perfect.” He tugged me toward the front door. “Don’t wait up,” he said to Raven. “I don’t plan on returning her at a decent hour.”

  Okay, so I’d heard Raven grunt plenty, but the noise that rumbled up from his chest as I tottered past on my heels was definitely a growl. A low warning growl that I hadn’t known was possible for a human to make.

  “What’s his problem?” I asked Todd as he helped me into his blood-red Mercedes.

  “Who, Mr. Happy in there? Don’t worry about it.” He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

  “It’s not you stuck with him all day. I did his treatment in complete silence this morning and this afternoon.”

  He laughed then flew through the gears as we pulled onto the main road. “I have to spend plenty of time with him. Like I said, he’s a good guy under all that chest-puffing macho crap. The sooner he’s playing again, the sooner he’ll be tolerable to live with again.” A worried frown creased his brow. “You want me to find somewhere else for you to stay? I will, if that’s what you want.”

  “No, it’s fine, I’ve unpacked now, and having a nice little kitchen and a TV room is great, much better than being in a hotel. Plus it’s quiet, there’s no conversation to worry about.”

  Todd shook his head. “If he wasn’t such a brooding son of a bitch then he’d be dangerous. Hell, he can’t even see what’s under his nose.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “He’s got a beautiful woman staying in his house and all he can do is sulk. Mope around feeling sorry for himself. Like I said, he’d be dangerous if he stopped and thought about it.” He removed his hand from the gear stick and took mine, drew it to his lips. “Not that I’m complaining, of course. If he’d made a move on you maybe you wouldn’t have come out with me tonight.”

  “I would have. I’ve been looking forward to some adult company.”

  He laughed and let go of my hand. Flicked the indicator and turned down a side street. “So has he?”

  “What?”

  “Made a move on you?”

  I hesitated, thought of the tease in the pool. Did that count as making a move? No, it was just him being his usual piggish self. “Not at all. We’ve come to an unspoken arrangement that, unless I’m giving him treatment, we avoid each other. It’s easier that way, stops the boundaries of what I’m doing there becoming blurred.”

  He pulled the car to a halt and treated me to one of his wonderful smiles. “Here’s Ciao’s, one of my most favorite places to eat in Orlando.”

  * * * * *

  The meal was wonderful, the restaurant small and unassuming and the service discreet but friendly. Though at our table the atmosphere was charged with a simmering sexual tension. Every moment I spent with Todd was a treat. He was a hopeless flirt, brimming with compliments but also charming and easy to chat with. I ended up telling him all about growing up in Mumbles and how my parents still ran a small seaside shop that sold everything from starfish ashtrays to lumps of glazed coal brought down from the valleys.

  Todd had spent his early childhood going between his divorced parents. Half his time on the west coast, the other spent on the east. Eventually he just lived with his father in New York City, having grown apart from his mother. He’d got good grades but was only ever really happy when he was playing hockey or, he added quickly, in the company of a beautiful woman.

  At first, I was reluctant when it was time to go. I was mellow with wine and content watching Todd’s sensual mouth move as he spoke. But then I started to think about the next part of the evening. About Todd’s newly decorated apartment and wondering what the color of his bedsheets would be. An image of us naked and tangled popped into my mind. I let it stay, embellishing it with thoughts of him sinking deep inside me, pummeling his hips until I cried out in ecstasy. I wondered what he would sound like when he came. Would he be a grunter, a sigher or would he become all religious and shout his pleasure right up to the heavens?

  “Here,” Todd said, “don’t forget your purse.”

  “Oh yes, thanks.” I pulled in a deep, calming breath and set my face into a smile.

  On our way through the restaurant, an elderly Italian lady with a wobbly gray bun pulled Todd down for a double-cheeked kiss. “You come back soon, Pretty,” she said. “You know my cooking keeps you winning.”

  Todd laughed. “It certainly does, and yep, I’ll be back soon.”

  “And what is the name of tonight’s beautiful lady?” She turned to me, her small eyes studying me with keen intelligence.

  “Fiona. Fiona this is Benita, she’s the owner of Ciao’s.”

  “Hi,” I said. “We had a lovely meal, thank you very much.”

  “Ah, it is my pleasure. Good food is what makes the world go ’round.” She tipped her head. “Where are you from? I cannot place your accent.”

  “I’m Welsh. Over here working for a while.”

  “Ah, and having some fun with the Vipers while you are here. Can’t say I blame you. If I was forty years younger…” She sighed wistfully and her eyes twinkled.

  Heat rose on my cheeks. Had she guessed the dirty thoughts going through my mind?

  “Come on,” Todd laughed. “I have to deliver this lovely lady home.”

  I bid Benita good night, thanked her once again and allowed Todd to lead me outside. Home? Surely he meant home to his place.

  We got in the car and he pulled into the darkness. The radio came on, a classical song that he quickly switched to a beaty dance track.
“I’ve really enjoyed tonight,” he said, glancing my way then suppressing a yawn.

  “Me too.” We were heading back the route we’d come. “Er, whereabouts do you live?” I asked.

  “Downtown, not nearly as fancy as Raven’s place. But the decorators have nearly finished sprucing it up, which is a good thing.”

  “Yes, I guess it is.”

  “I’ll take you to see it when they’ve gone. I’d be glad of a female opinion. Don’t want too much of a bachelor pad. I’d kinda like a few soft edges. You know, keep it cozy.”

  “Of course.” My heart sank.

  We traveled a mile or so in silence. I watched my new surroundings whiz past in a blur of lights. Shopping malls, adverts for theme parks and not-to-be-missed shows, huge hotels. Eventually we pulled to a stop on Raven’s large circular driveway.

  Todd got out of the car, leaving his keys in the ignition and the headlights on.

  If I didn’t think the weight in my chest could get any heavier, I was wrong. That was my final bit of confirmation that we really wouldn’t be spending the night together. I’d had one last glimmer of hope that he might come in. Join me in the guest wing for some dirty fun. But it seemed that wasn’t to be.

  We walked toward the porch area that had a large red-tiled roof and thick white pillars. Six bay trees in bronze pots sat on the steps leading up to it and a security light cast long shadows onto the double-fronted door.

  “Fiona,” he said when we reached the top step.

  “Yes.” I turned to him.

  He curled his hands over my shoulders, his thumbs just stroking the base of my neck. He stepped in close and I could smell the clean cotton scent of his shirt mixed with his citrusy aftershave. “Can I kiss you good night?”

  I stared up into his heavy-lidded eyes. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more. “Yes,” I whispered as my heart tripped over itself.

  He lowered his head and his lips brushed mine, carefully, hesitantly, as though he were worried about breaking me. One small kiss, then another, no tongues, just soft, lingering pecks.

  I reached up and pressed my palm against the smooth skin on his cheek. “Todd?”

  “Yeah.” His breath was hot on my mouth, my chin.

  “Kiss me properly.”

  His mouth twitched into a half-smile, his fingers tightened on my shoulders and he gave me a real kiss. It was still reverent, tender, but it was enough to get lost in. I opened up and let him in. His wet, warm mouth tasted so good—sugar and sunshine, a wonderful sexy flavor spreading over my tongue as he searched gently for mine.

  I dropped my hand from his face and felt his solid chest beneath his shirt, his heart beating strong and his breaths coming steady.

  He broke our kiss. “Damn, but you’re just the sweetest little thing,” he murmured, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I could eat you all up.”

  “So eat.” I pressed my chest to his, searching for more connection, needing to feel his delectable body touching mine.

  He shook his head. “Not tonight.”

  Oh god, he’s torturing me.

  “Tomorrow,” he said. “One of the guys on the team, Phoenix, his kid is being christened. They’re having drinks and cake and stuff at The Burton Hotel afterward. Will you come with me?”

  My head spun, not just from the lovely kiss that was apparently going no further, but also from the sudden invitation.

  “I don’t know.”

  He grinned, touched his lips to the tip of my nose. “I’ll pick you up at noon.”

  The heat of his body left mine as he stepped away. My arms fell to my sides and I buckled my weak knees to remain standing. What the hell had just happened? I felt as though I’d gone into a tailspin. One minute my body was on high alert for sexy action, then knocked down, and then flung back up again with the promise of more tomorrow.

  “But I have nothing to wear, no gift or…”

  With his hand on the open car door, he looked over the roof at me. “That dress is perfect, green really suits you. And don’t worry about a gift, I’ll take care of it.” He flashed one of his heart-stopping smiles. “Good night.”

  The car headlights illuminated the fronds of various shrubs that lined the driveway as he pulled away. But just for a few seconds then everything fell into darkness once more.

  My heart was pounding, my lips still tingling. I tried to regain some control over my sagging knees and jellylike thighs by resting my back against one of the pillars.

  Todd was gorgeous, charming and one hell of a kisser. But he’d left a gap in my evening by disappearing like that, vanishing just as it was getting good. As far as a date went it was faultless, as far as the bit after the date, it was beyond frustrating.

  The sound of crickets filled the air. I wasn’t familiar with the noise and it reminded me how far I was from home. I pushed away from the pillar and went up to the front door. It was then I realized I didn’t have a key.

  Damn.

  I would have to ring the bell so Raven could let me in. Then not only would he know exactly what time I arrived back—and I didn’t see why he should be privy to any of my comings and goings—his surly face would be the last thing I saw before I went to bed.

  I’d have to get past him quickly. Try my best to ignore his huffs and grunts and get up to my room. A warm tingle in my clit was demanding attention and it seemed my finger was the only relief available.

  My first gentle tap on the door resulted in nothing, so I knocked hard, then harder still.

  Eventually the door swung open.

  “You’re home,” Raven said as I stepped into the dark hallway.

  “Yep.” I tightened the strap of my purse over my shoulder and bent to slip off my heels.

  The door shut with a bang. There was the slide of a bolt.

  I straightened and looked at him. He’d abandoned the sling and stood with his arms at his sides. He was wearing only sweats. His feet were bare, his abs tensed to a row of bricks.

  “And,” he said gruffly.

  There was something distinctly menacing about him, but at the same time so damn alluring it irritated the hell out of me. Why did he have to have such an amazing body? It wasn’t fair.

  “And what?” I asked, putting one hand on my hip and letting my shoes swing from the other.

  He didn’t reply. Just stared at me, let his gaze slide over my chest, hips and legs then slowly back up again.

  I shifted from foot to foot, the marble cool on the soles of my feet. I could make out the shadows slicing across his face, neck and throat, the blackness of his eyes boring into me.

  “And…did he kiss you?” he asked quietly.

  Turning, I flicked my hair over my shoulder and walked toward the stairs. “What has it got to do with you?”

  “Everything.”

  He was in front of me, close, so close I could feel the warmth from his broad chest radiating onto my cleavage and arms. I stepped back. He followed. I stepped back again and my shoulders hit brickwork.

  He placed his hands on the wall on either side of my head. “Did…he…kiss…you?” he asked again, in a voice so low it seemed to vibrate straight into the very center of my body.

  I was breathing fast now, panting. I felt hemmed in, there was no escape. “Yes.”

  He licked his lips. His nostrils flared. Something in the base of his eyes burned brighter than any flame.

  A shocking realization came over me. I didn’t want to escape. My god, I couldn’t take my eyes off his mouth, that sullen, annoying mouth that was glistening from where he’d just swept his tongue over it.

  My taste buds actually tingled to taste him. Learn what flavor he was. Would he be the same as Todd or would he be richer, darker, more intoxicating?

  “I need to know,” he murmured, “if he kissed you like this?”

  Suddenly his mouth hit down on mine, hard and demanding, hot and urgent.

  I gasped and he took full advantage, sweeping his tongue deep. I dropped my shoes and clu
tched his waist, spreading my fingers over his warm, smooth flesh. The feel of his thick brawn and honed muscles beneath my palms sent all the right signals to my desperate female hormones. Desire rushed across my skin, tingling down my spine and settling between my legs. I wanted to press harder up against him, crush my breasts to his chest.

  As though he knew what I needed, his weight dropped forward, pinning me to the wall. The denseness of his body was the most wonderful sensation I’d experienced in a long time, and suddenly, any last slivers of control vanished. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to make him part of me. Get lost in him forever—or just for one night anyway.

  Our kiss heated to inferno levels, slick tongues writhing and chasing. The sound of my breathing and his rang in my ears, wild and noisy. I was roaming my hands unashamedly over his back, his butt, his shoulders, uncaring of the fact that this man had made me want to slap him several times since our first meeting.

  He groaned into my mouth and cupped my breast, slid his other hand down over my belly and hip, tempting me with his explorations.

  Why the hell are we still dressed?

  Some primal response deep inside me was yelling for more. I wanted to fuck, get satisfaction. It had been so damn long.

  The thick wedge of his erection shoved up against me. Hard and determined, it strained through his sweats onto my waist. Lightning flared through my clit, a heated kick of sensation.

  Reality hit.

  He didn’t really want me. He was a miserable bastard who just couldn’t stand for someone else to have me—competitive sportsman and all that crap. Todd wanted me to be his girl and Raven had to beat him to it, have me first. It was the challenge of being the first warrior to throw the spear and bring down the bison, or something macho like that.

  I tore my mouth from his. “No.” I shoved at his chest.

  He sucked in a breath, scrunched up his nose and stared at me. He didn’t move.

  “No, please, we can’t do this,” I said.