“My parents have told me all about him. Every detail.”
A sudden dryness drove her to sip her Cosmo. Pete’s warm expression showed he understood. That made it worse. She’d become adept at holding it together when she talked about Bobby. But not tonight. The prick of tears behind her eyes made her take a long, calming breath.
“Surely that can’t be true. A parent loves every child.”
“I was a big disappointment. First, by being a girl, and second, by being me. They even had a boy’s name picked out. Joseph, which they changed when they found out I was going to be a girl.”
“That’s why Stanford and Harvard?” he asked.
She nodded. This is getting too personal, but I can’t stop talking. “I thought that by being the best, at the top, that things would change. But they didn’t.” She took another swig to catch her breath.
“That’s terrible.”
“It’s good to have those credentials. And I learned a lot about working hard.”
“What about discovering who you are?”
“I had some professional help with that. Now it doesn’t matter quite as much as it used to. And I’ve gone my own way. They wanted me to become a lawyer and go into politics. But I preferred football. They think it’s silly. We don’t talk about it much. In fact, we don’t talk much at all.”
“Where are they now?” He still held her hand.
“In Europe somewhere. Touring.”
“When are they coming back?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Do you spend holidays with them?”
She shook her head. “They’re always away for holidays.”
His frown deepened the lines on his forehead. He lifted her fingers to his lips. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, tucking her hand between both of his.
“We don’t see each other much. It’s best that way.”
The waiter appeared with their Caesar salads. Jo took a deep, shuddering breath. Pete patted her hand once then released it.
Why did I open up? I hardly know the man. And we’re colleagues, not lovers. Sometimes, I don’t know when to shut up. Denying her feelings, Jo admonished herself not to trust Coach Bass so easily. Protect yourself. Be careful. Still, his sympathetic response to the revelation of her secret warmed her. Maybe she could confide in him? Maybe.
“Tell me about your girls,” she said, digging into her food even though her appetite had gone south.
Pete’s face lit up as he regaled her with a brief history of his daughters.
“I don’t mean to be blunt, but what happened to your wife?”
“She was a model when we met. After the twins, it took her two years to get her body back in shape. Carrying twins is a bitch. Then, she decided she missed her former life and wanted to go back. Motherhood wasn’t for her. Not every woman’s a nurturer.”
“That’s the truth.” Jo took a forkful of lettuce.
“She left and gave the girls to me.”
“It must have been tough raising them by yourself. How come you didn’t get married again?”
“You know football. On season there’s hardly enough time to coach and take care of the girls, let alone date. And serious dating, looking for a mom for them? Not many wanted the job.”
“I admire you. That’s dedication.”
He crossed his fingers and held them up. “So far, so good. Both still in school, doing reasonably well, and not pregnant.”
Jo laughed. “Bet you’re a great father.”
“Coaching, parenting—a lot of stuff’s the same.”
Their main courses arrived. The server removed the empty salad plates and put down chicken marsala with a small side of rigatoni and glazed carrots for Jo. Pete had a steak, baked potato, and broccoli.
They ate in silence, eyeing each other in a friendly, curious manner. When Jo licked some sauce off her lower lip, she spied his gaze following her tongue. He wants to kiss me. Her temperature rose as her eyes were drawn to his mouth. She wondered how it would feel to press her lips against his. The waiter interrupted her sexy thoughts with a bottle of wine.
Jo raised her glass for a toast. “To Coach Bass. Thank you for supporting the anger management program. You won’t be sorry.” He clinked his glass with hers before they both drank.
Then, he raised his. “To Jo Parker. Best hiring decision Lyle Barker ever made.” His eyes gleamed, lit up by his broad smile. He gave her goosebumps.
Conversation centered on the food, then switched to the Kings’ draft picks, then training camp. Pete went on about his goals for this year. Jo listened and asked questions. The fact that he was discussing this with her lifted her spirits. All she wanted was to be taken seriously. For a woman in the NFL, that wasn’t easy.
Simon arrived with a dessert menu and lit a candle on their table.
“I’m stuffed,” Jo said, patting her stomach.
“They have strawberries dipped in chocolate mixed with a bit of Madeira wine. They’re amazing. Split with me?” He took her hand.
“Sounds great. No coffee for me. I still have my wine.”
Pete agreed. He kept hold of her. The candlelight gleamed off his light brown eyes, making them glow. His handsome face, with a strong jaw and sexy mouth, drew her gaze. He laced his fingers with hers. She sat back, her muscles relaxed. His intent gaze drew hers and held it. Something passed between them, sending a small jolt through her.
The strawberries arrived.
Pete held one up to her mouth. “Ladies first.”
She nibbled it, licking the juice off her lips then off his finger. His eyes widened and color heightened in his cheeks. She quickly finished the giant berry and dabbed her lips with her napkin.
Then, she held one to his mouth. Holding her hand steady, he bit and sucked at the succulent fruit until she thought she’d lose her mind. Almost unbearable heat gathered inside her chest, making her nipples contract, before it traveled down.
There were only four behemoth berries, which they finished quickly. Simon brought the American Express slip, and she signed it quickly, anxious to get outside in the cool, night air. When Pete held her coat, he cupped her shoulders for only a second, but she noticed it. She had tasted his fingers, and now she wanted more. But this was business, though they hadn’t been very professional at dinner.
She turned on the ignition and pulled out of the lot. There are almost no cars on the road in Monroe at nine thirty on a Saturday night. Pete navigated her around the shortcut. She slowed the vehicle, and they traveled to his house safely.
He peered at her with a knitted brow. “Would you like to come in for coffee? I think maybe the wine was a bit too much, eh?”
She nodded, relieved the shadows of night hid her blushing face. He unlocked the door and turned on the lights then took her coat.
“Regular?” he asked, dropping his keys in the bowl by the door and ambling toward the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves.
“Regular. Plenty of caffeine.” She followed him.
“Maybe espresso?”
She waved the idea away. “That’s too strong.”
Once they had filled two mugs, he headed toward the window, leaving the lights out. “Come. Take a look.” He reached out to her.
Jo allowed him to tuck her right up against him.
He folded his arm over her shoulders. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
She looked out over the shiny path across the water made by the moonlight. The sea always calmed her, and this moment was no exception. Feelings of safety and acceptance surrounded her heart. While skeptical thoughts attempted to push away the happiness, Jo refused to listen.
They sipped in silence, staring at the ocean, listening to the lullaby of the waves.
“I love the water.”
“Do you?” He bent down to make eye contact.
She nodded. “I used to go to the beach at my grandmother’s place. She lived in Westchester. My parents shipped me off to her house every summer. It was great.”
; He kissed the top of her head. Jo finished her coffee and put her mug on the windowsill. Turning, she snaked her arms around his middle and rested her face on his chest. Heat from him penetrated the fine cotton fabric to warm her cheek. His scent, male mixed with freshly ironed shirt and spicy aftershave, teased her nose.
He put his cup down too and hugged her. They stood, clinging to each other for a quiet moment. Then, Pete cleared his throat. The vibration made her body hum. He looked down at her, staring at her mouth. He bent slightly, as if to kiss her, but stopped.
“Do you? I mean…would it be okay?” Sweat broke out on his forehead. “I just don’t want to get sued for sexual harassment.”
She reached up to tug him toward her. “I won’t sue you if you don’t sue me.”
He laughed then brushed his lips up against hers. His tongue slid lightly over her bottom lip, and she opened. Slowly, he entered and explored. The taste of superb coffee mixed with a hint of fine scotch on his tongue. Softly, sinuously, he seduced her with his mouth. He moved his hand to her neck, closing his fingers ever so gently, caressing the sensitive column with his thumb.
Jo melted at his touch. Pressing herself against him, she wanted more. His hand lowered until his thumb rested on her collarbone. He pulled back to stare into her eyes. The fingers on his other hand caressed her waist through the sexy sweater. She itched to have him slide them up, but hung back. The hungry look on his face made her body burn. But the voice in her head told her to put on the brakes.
In a husky tone, Pete mumbled, “We should stop. Unless you don’t want to. I mean, we’re adults. Consenting adults. In the privacy… But I don’t want to push or rush you, but if you want to,” he stammered. With a sex flush stealing up his neck, he was clearly too turned on to talk.
“Oh, I want to. But maybe not tonight.”
He let her go and moved closer to the window. “Of course. We don’t know each other well. We work together. A thousand reasons not to go any further. I get it.”
Disappointment washed through her as the cool air created by the absence of his body chilled her spirit. You made the right decision. “Not a thousand reasons. Maybe only one or two?”
“You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
She laughed. “Of course not.”
“So, that’s not one of the reasons?”
She shook her head. “I don’t like to rush into anything. You’re a very attractive man. But I’m sure you’ve heard that before…”
“Can’t hear it too often.” He chuckled.
“But I can’t let my libido run away with me and maybe destroy the career I’ve worked so hard to build up.”
“I’d never hurt you. Never. No matter what happened,” he said, leaning back against the wall.
“Even if I broke it off between us and started dating someone else? Someone on the team?”
He sucked in a breath. “That would be tough to swallow. I might be pissed off, plenty pissed off, but I’d never try to get you fired or anything.”
“Or sabotage me? Or a project I was working on?”
“Nope. Not my style. In fact, I’m usually the one to leave.”
She laughed again. “Really? That’s funny. Then, you have no experience and don’t know what you’d do.”
“Hell, I’ve been living with myself for forty-two years. I know what I wouldn’t do.”
She sauntered over to him and gazed up into his eyes. “It’s funny what passion turned backward can do.”
“Not remove all my standards.”
“You like to win.”
“On the field.”
“In life.”
“I’ve had enough women to know each one is not necessarily the last.”
“Ouch!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you,” he said, and hugged her to him. “God, you smell good,” he whispered into her hair.
“You didn’t. I get it.”
“You’re different.”
“Oh? I thought I was just another woman who came along.”
“Nope. You’re beautiful, smart, and know the game. That’s unique.”
“Thanks.” She closed her eyes and lost herself in his arms again. He stroked her back. Jo lifted her head and eased out of his embrace. “Coffee’s done its job. I think I’d better go…while I can.”
He nodded. “I’ll get your coat and walk you to your car.” He held her wrap while she slipped her arms in the sleeves then closed his around her, bent, and kissed her neck. Jo shifted her head back to rest on his shoulder. The feather-soft feel of his lips made her tremble.
“Sorry,” he said, straightening up. “I must have been a vampire in another life. Can’t resist a pretty neck.”
When she turned, he grabbed her and kissed her with raw passion, angling his head to deepen it. He stole her breath. Then, it was over. Eyes bright with lust met her own. One more date and I’m a goner. He opened the door and let her go first.
“Thank you for the dinner.” He shut her car door.
She rolled down her window, but before she could speak, he was kissing her again, his hand cupping her cheek. Then, there was nothing but cool air.
“Call me when you get home. So I’ll know you arrived safely.”
She nodded and shifted into reverse. Driving down the lonely road home, thoughts tumbled through her mind. Disorganized, jumbled, sensuous, hormonal ideas flashed before her. Jo had always been buttoned up. She had learned by the time she was eight to keep her room in order and her school projects as well.
Organization is the backbone of success, she’d told herself a thousand times. But now, she was a muddled, unorganized mess, a mass of feelings that ran the gamut from happy to terrified. It was as if she had tried to put her foot in a shoe that was the wrong size. This manner of being wasn’t the Josephine Parker she knew. This was a primitive animal that wanted to give in to lust, no matter what the cost.
But the sight, the taste, the feel, and the scent of the man were beyond tempting, mesmerizing her, seducing her. His confidence, his slow kiss, promised a bedroom experience like none she’d ever had before. And she wanted it. She wanted him. She wanted to give herself to him, all night long, to taste and be tasted by, to reach ecstasy with, and to make love to until sunrise.
This new feeling shook her to her roots. A part of her broke through the controlled, distant, untrusting, business-like Josephine Parker and became the lusty, sensuous Jo Parker who had to have this man—damn the consequences. It scared the crap out of her.
Chapter Four
Pete stripped down to boxers and donned his running shorts. Not bothering with a shirt, he headed for the beach. There was no way he could get to sleep after his steamy encounter with Jo Parker. Running would clear his mind and calm his body.
He pulled an elastic with his house key on it over his wrist and left. As he walked down the path to the sand, he thought about Jo. Christ, I can’t stop thinking about her! Chilled by the night air, he started to run. He’d known she was sexy, but the way she had surrendered in his arms, well, surprised wasn’t the word. He never thought she’d fall without a major seduction. Flowers, candy, dinners out—now he could forget that. Next date would end in his bed.
Pete could hardly wait. Searching his memory, he couldn’t remember when he had been so turned on so quickly. She’d had him when she’d walked in wearing that sweater. Shit, I could barely keep my eyes or hands off her breasts. Lust had boiled up in his veins when she’d insisted on seeing his bedroom. Standing there with the sea on one side and alluring Jo Parker on the other, a foot from his bed, he could hardly control himself or ignore the protests from his dick.
But he had. Then, the dinner. He recalled her story about her brother. His heart ached for the little girl who had so desperately wanted the approval of her parents, approval that, apparently, had never come.
He thought about his girls and how much it mattered to them what he thought of their every little achievement, from making the perfect mud pie
to winning a spelling bee or a volleyball game. Whether it was the outfit they chose to wear to school, or their number at the dance recital, he had nodded his approval and cheered them on from the get-go. He wondered how Jo had managed to make it as far as she had without that. Must have been a struggle.
Something had happened when she’d opened up. She’d ceased to be just a smart, pretty woman he wanted to bed. She had become something more, someone who had triumphed over hardship, which he admired. Maybe she needed him, his approval, his guidance, his help. That alone made her irresistible, not only to his groin, but also to his heart.
He hadn’t planned on that change of direction. It hadn’t been about love with Jo Parker. It had been meant to be collaboration in the boardroom and the bedroom. He’d have an affair, his head straight to his dick, with no detour. Now, he scrapped that plan. It was too late to leave his heart out of the equation.
He picked up speed, breathing hard, pushing his body. She was in his blood, and no amount of running would get her out. He was infected with her, like a virus that would have to play through all the way. No antidote, no cure, existed. Falling for Jo Parker put him in limbo, sailing on uncharted seas, giddy, excited, scared silly, but, like a roller coaster, he was forced to ride it through to the end.
Pete returned home at eleven, showered, and slid into bed. Sleep came quickly, bringing luscious dreams of lovely Jo. He awoke refreshed, having spent the night making love to her in his dreams.
Pete spent Sunday watching film of other teams, reading the newspaper, and running again. Still, his thoughts turned to Jo. The day stretched on and on. He paced in his mini-mansion like a caged animal, counting the hours until he’d be near her, smelling her sweet perfume and hearing her light laughter. He knocked off early, figuring sleep would bring him closer to seeing her.
Monday morning, he dressed with more care than usual and entered the administrative section of the stadium, whistling.
His cell rang. Call from Alyssa, his daughter. “Hi, Lyssa. What’s up, honey?”
“Nothing.”
“You never call for no reason. Money?”
Pete Sebastian, Coach Page 5