by Cathryn Fox
Was she pissed off to see him there?
“You have got your hands full, don’t you?” Dom laughed at him in a way that only a man who’s never been in love could.
Zach met Teal’s brother’s gaze. It hadn’t take five seconds for Dominick to put two and two together when he’d walked in the gallery only to find Teal had left to shower.
“So you’re the reason no one could get hold of my sister this morning, eh?” Had been the way Dominick had greeted him.
He’d looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Yes. Do you have a problem with your sister having a private life?”
At first he though the guy was going to swing at him, but he was pleasantly surprised when instead, Dom had grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
They’d gotten started cleaning up, working side by side with Dom grilling him not so subtly about himself and his relationship with Teal. Zach had answered the questions about himself, but stonewalled him when it came to Teal and their relationship.
But this time he just answered with the simple truth. “I’m in love with her.”
He saw Dom’s eyes flick over his shoulder and he knew Teal was standing behind him. Before he could turn to her, she was at his side.
“Take this and get lost,” she said, holding out a steaming paper cup to her brother.
Dominick took the cup and walked away without a word. Zach turned to Teal, bracing himself for her anger. She could yell at him all she wanted for being there, but he wasn’t leaving.
Teal shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans to keep from grabbing Zach and kissing him. Sure he’d shown up, but it might just be because he still had one podium to finish for her. The closed look on his face was one she’d never seen before and she didn’t like it.
Unsure of exactly what to say, she started at the top. “Thank you.”
His eyes widened and his mouth opened to speak, but she put a hand out to stop him. “Please, let me say what I need to say before I lose my nerve.”
His jaw snapped shut and he nodded, a small light flickering in the depths of his eyes.
“Thank you for letting me go this morning. For letting me come here alone, and for showing up now. It means a lot to see you here.” She took a deep breath, shaking her head at him when he opened his mouth again. “Also, I want to say I’m sorry. I was a bit of a bitch this morning, when all you were trying to do was help.”
When she didn’t continue, he raised his eyebrows and she nodded.
“A bit of a bitch?” His eyes sparkled and lips twitched.
“Yeah, well, I’m not much of a morning person.”
He chuckled and pulled her to him in a hug. “I gathered that.”
Teal relaxed into him. She couldn’t believe it had been that easy. That Zach wasn’t going to make her beg for his forgiveness. He felt so good, so solid and comforting. His cotton t-shirt was soft beneath her cheek. His clean, crisp scent filled her lungs and his heartbeat thumped steadily against her ear.
Being in his arms felt so right and she finally accepted that, yes, being together could be that easy. That was the whole thing. Zach truly only wanted what she was willing give.
She leaned back and looked up at him, stilling his arms. “I have more to say.”
His arms tightened around her, but he nodded. “Okay, go ahead.”
“I was scared.”
Her insides trembled and she locked her knees, hoping she wouldn’t collapse if he pulled away. He didn’t pull away. In fact, he pulled her closer, so their bodies pressed together from knees to chest. “I know,” he said softly. “But I don’t want you to ever be scared of me. In any way.”
“Enough already you two. Get to work, would you?” Dom’s voice echoed through the gallery, followed by Brina Jo and Doug’s laughter.
Before Teal could step back Zach sank his fingers into her hair and pulled her head back. His eyes shining with emotion, he brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her thoroughly for all to see. When he lifted his head again her knees were weak and the look in his eyes made her heart expand with emotion.
She’d finally found her niche.
Epilogue
“Everything looks perfect.”
A shiver danced down Teal’s spine at the husky words spoken into her ear. Zach spread his hand across her belly and pulled her back against him. She could feel his hard-on against her butt and wiggled against it as she stared out at the people milling about Lush.
He was right. The opening was a success.
Her parents had flown in from Victoria the day before to help get everything ready. And they’d brought some impressive erotic paintings to be displayed. They wouldn’t tell her who the artist was, but she had a sneaking suspicion it was her mother.
“It does look good doesn’t it?” She leaned back into Zach’s arms. “We did it.”
“You did it.” He kissed her neck.
“With help from my friends.” She grinned.
Dominick was standing about ten feet away from them with Wanda Brooks, the blonde columnist from his paper. She’d been super nice to Teal, but she was tearing a strip off of Dom about something and Teal knew she owed him.
Brina and Doug were standing by the temporary bar chatting with Doug’s cousin, the last minute caterer. Several artists had made it a point to be there for the opening and they were mingling with clients. Sales for the day already totalled the first three months of operating expenses, and Teal knew it was just the beginning.
She laced her fingers through Zach’s hand and led him to the back room. She walked down the short aisle and pulled him behind a large stack of wooden packing crates. Without a word, she pinned him to the wall and kissed him.
She put her whole heart into the kiss. Zach’s hands cupped her ass and he pulled her tight to him. He spun around quickly and pinned her to the wall. Pulling his mouth from hers he kissed his way along her jaw and nipped at her earlobe with his teeth.
“You are so naughty,” he purred.
“And you love that I’m so lusty.” She slid her hand between their bodies and stroked him through his pants.
“No,” he said, pulling back slightly. He gazed into her eyes, completely serious. “I love you. Period.”
Teal’s heart kicked in her chest and a minute trembling started within her. “It’s only been a week, Zach.”
“I know. But I knew from the moment I met you that you were special. You challenge me, you inspire me, and you let me tie you up.” He grinned at her and she knew his words were true. “I love your independence, I love your brain and your body…I love you, Teal.”
“So you’re telling me it’s more than lust, huh?” She whispered.
“So much more.”
“Good,” she met his gaze and let him see what was in her heart. “Because I don’t ever plan on letting you go, even if I have to tie you up.”
About the Author
Gifted with a salacious imagination, USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author Sasha White’s brand of Romance with Heat, and Erotica with Heart is all about sassy women and sexy men. With a voice that is called “distinctive and delicious” by The Romance Studio, this Canadian author has become a reader favorite.
Visit her website:
www.SashaWhite.net
or find her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SashaWhite
or Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SashaWhite
More Stories from Sasha White
Contemporary
The Dungeon Stories
Bound
Watch Me
Trouble
Wicked
My Prerogative
Lush
The Principles of Lust
Passion Play
Sexual Healing
Lush (print anthology containing all three novellas)
Stand Alone
Gypsy Heart (Heart Mates)
Lusty Ladies (erotica shorts)
Paranormal-erotic romance
&
nbsp; The Hunter Protection Group
Sexy Devil
Primal Male
Most Wanted
Still Sexy (Short Story)
Highland Heat (Short Story)
Science Fiction-erotic romance
Mavericks of Space (Short Story)
Playing the Game
Stephanie Queen
Copyright © 2012 by Stephanie Giancola
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Praise for Playing the Game:
“If you’re a fan of fast paced contemporaries, Playing The Game delivers one heck of a story”
Storm Goddess Book Reviews
“A refreshing and fun romance story that swept me off my feet.”
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
Praise for Stephanie Queen’s Between a Rock and a Mad Woman:
“Absolutely delightful”
RomanticLoveBooks.com
“I was riveted! The twists, turns, surprises & the love story that resulted were outstanding and I can’t wait to read more”
HesperiaLovesBooks.com
Praise for Stephanie Queen’s The Throwbacks:
“Boston comes vividly alive in the first of Queen’s Scotland Yard Exchange Program series. Grace is an engaging heroine with charm, humor and sass. Resplendent in rich detail, laugh-out-loud moments, a fast-paced plot and spellbinding characters, The Throwbacks is a stellar not-to-be-missed standout!”
Romantic Times Book Review
Chapter One
“Damn it,” Roxanne muttered. Her drink had splashed on her dress. Looking right, and then left, at the partygoers around her, she took a surreptitious glance down to inspect the damage.
A very large, dark, wet spot spread over her left breast. Luckily it was only ice water—or maybe not so lucky, on second thought. She watched in horror as the red silk material clung to her skin.
“Double damn. My nipple is showing!” This time she forgot to keep her comment under her breath.
“Now that I’d like to see.” The man appeared from nowhere, towering beside her. He watched her reflection in the floor to ceiling window.
The heat of embarrassment ignited her face. The man was no gentleman. Her embarrassment turned to anger in a flash. She jutted her breast out for him to see.
“You can look all you want,” she dared, wanting to shift the discomfort to him.
She thought she’d succeeded, until the signature dimpled half-grin split his face.
“I’m Barry Dennis.” He held out his free hand for her to shake. He held a bottle of beer in the other. The famous lopsided smirk remained in place.
“Must be my lucky night.” She ignored his hand.
He laughed.
Biting her lip, she reminded herself to behave professionally. He was the star attraction at this gala and they were both there to raise money for a good cause.
“I’m Roxanne Monet.” She shook his hand. She eyed him, wondering if he’d dare to say something about her nipple.
“I know who you are. I watched you get fired from your job at the TV studio a few days ago. You were supposed to interview me.” Unrestrained amusement shone in his eyes now and his grin widened. She was really starting to dislike this guy.
“I was only fifteen minutes late.”
“I only had ten.”
He still smiled, but it was no joke to her.
“They didn’t fire you because of me,” he said. His gaze dropped to her still-erect nipple.
Heat returned to her body, but it wasn’t embarrassment this time. It was anger. Especially since he was right about her job.
“I got some bad press recently. The studio brass was nervous and I was expendable.” No need to hide the truth. It was all over the news. No need to go into the details either.
“I never did schedule another interview.” He took a swig of beer.
“Hank—the producer—must have loved that.” She resisted the urge to fold her arms over her breasts as he continued to stare. She had started it. She had to see it through. The nipple refused to soften.
“Hank expressed his disappointment. I was disappointed that you wouldn’t be the one asking the questions. I was looking forward to a confrontation.” He stopped and took a handkerchief from his tux pocket and handed it to her.
Maybe he wasn’t such a cad. Maybe his ‘too cool’ reputation was undeserved. God knows she knew how unfair the press could be. Finding the real man behind the enigmatic superstar was supposed to be her job—when she had a job.
“Well here we are. Would you like me to ask you some probing questions?” She snatched the hanky from his hand and resigned herself to the task of blotting the spot on her left breast to hasten the drying process. It was tough to be cool and sophisticated while she dabbed at her nipple.
He laughed. “Give it your best shot.”
He was probably the happiest man in the world right now, Roxanne thought. The Irish-Catholic boy from Queens had grown up to be the MVP of the National Basketball Association for four years running. At age thirty-one, the six-foot-nine guard was an international superstar.
“What’s it like having all your dreams come true, Mr. Basketball Superstar?”
Barry paused and stared at her with that unnerving blue fire in his eyes. “It’s like being in Disneyland. You have to go home sometime.” He took a gulp of his beer. A more cynical smile now appeared.
“I can’t picture you turning into a pumpkin,” she said.
Barry chuckled.
“You don’t really think the fantasy will end when you leave basketball?” She couldn’t help the serious curiosity that mixed in with the seduction in her voice, as if she were asking the question of a lover and soul mate instead of a perfect stranger.
“I don’t know. I don’t think about it much. Everything I have, everything I am, is invested in the present—in basketball. I don’t think about what happens when they shut down Disneyland.” He took a longer gulp from his bottle.
“Maybe you’ll find Cinderella and carry her off to your castle.”
Barry remained silent for too long. Her pulse raced.
“Enough of the fantasy bull. I’m realistic enough to know when I’m being seduced by a woman like you.”
“It’s not bull. It’s a metaphor. And what kind of woman do you think I am anyway?”
“The kind of woman who is so sexy that she could have any man she wanted. Any time she wanted,” he whispered. His mouth twitched.
“That’s the problem. I don’t want just any man.”
He moved closer. Her pulse jumped to a racing pace. It had been so long since she’d flirted. A waiter came by and Barry dismissed him with a nod. Then he lowered his voice.
“Luckily, I like a challenge.”
“Oh?” She arched her brow. The buzz of the room around her faded. His ridiculous confidence sucked her in even though she knew fear drove her racing pulse at least as much as attraction.
“And I have to warn you…”
“I’m sure you do,” she cut in.
“I always play to win,” he said.
“That I knew.”
“You don’t play fair?”
“True.” She laughed.
“As long as I know the rules.”
“None at all,” she said.
“I’m used to that.”
“I’m experienced myself.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” He nodded.
“And where is that?” She tilted her head to look directly into his eyes. She felt an army of goose bumps pop. She worried what he might say.
“Into your past.”
It was worse than she thought. She wanted nothing to do with that subject. Not with him. Not now. She had too much to hide. She feared most that he might sense
her anxiety underneath the practiced professional TV persona she showed him. What separated him from the rest of his peers was the single-minded intensity of his competitiveness, his indomitable drive to win. That made her think twice about whether or not to continue their flirtation before it became a game of seduction. He was headed into dangerous territory, asking about her past.
“So which game do you think turned the play-offs around?”
“Oh, we’re going to talk basketball now? I’d rather hear something about you. You already know my life story.”
“No, I don’t,” she told him. Everything she’d read only covered the obvious and the superficial. He protected his privacy.
“Basketball. One word says it all. That’s my life story.”
“An oversimplified version, I assume. Unless you were actually hatched out of a basketball?” She felt more at ease now, with him as the subject of conversation.
“I think my mother was beginning to wonder.” Barry’s voice faded and his thoughts seemed to carry him away. He took another long gulp of his beer.
Her curiosity was piqued. “Oh? And why is that?”
“When I was in high school I missed my father’s funeral because there was a basketball game I had to play.” He looked defiant. Yet that expression made him look almost vulnerable. “Hell, my father would have turned in his grave if I missed a game. I never did.”
“What did your mother think?”
He looked at her squarely and spoke. “My mother didn’t understand. What Irish-Catholic woman would? But she forgave me anyway. Before she died.” He raked his long fingers through his wavy dark hair, looking uncomfortable for a moment. “So, mystery lady, the only thing I know about you is your name—and that you used to be a talk show host before you were fired. Where do you live?”
The intensity of those blue eyes forced her to look away from him. This wasn’t the time or place—or the man—to start confessing her past. But she could answer his harmless question.
