Smooth Play

by Regina Hart

  15

  “We need to talk.” Troy’s eyes were as hard as his tone.

  Andrea’s smile of welcome wavered, then disappeared as they stood in the doorway of her apartment Sunday morning. Where was the man who’d shared waffles with her this morning? What happened to the lover who’d kissed her good-bye before leaving her apartment?

  Andrea noticed the printouts gripped in Troy’s hand. “Sure. Come in.”

  She turned to lead him through her apartment. Along the way, he exchanged much more pleasant greetings with Faith, Constance, and Tiffany. Andrea pushed open the window and climbed onto the fire escape.

  She waited for Troy to join her before closing the window partway. “What’s wrong—”

  “What the hell is this?”

  Andrea took the printout Troy thrust at her. It was the latest Monarchs Insider blog dated that morning. The heading was MARSHALL’ S SECRET MARRIAGE. Andrea’s lips parted. Her grip tightened on the sheet. How did the anonymous blogger get this information?

  She scanned the entry. It was written as though the blogger had interviewed someone with knowledge of Troy’s divorce. Andrea’s frown cleared. The Insider had tried this format before with Jamal and Warrick. But Jamal had denied ever meeting the blogger. Instead, information from the “interview” must have been compiled from the blogger’s eavesdropping.

  Who does that remind me of ?

  She saw the accusation in Troy’s furious gaze. “You think I’m the Insider’s source?”

  “You’re the only one outside of my family and college teammates who knows anything about my divorce.”

  Andrea lowered her hand still clutching the printout. A brisk spring breeze combed through her hair and pushed at the paper. “Actually, I’m not. Mindy Sneal told me about your divorce a week ago.”

  Surprise replaced the anger in Troy’s gaze. “I’ve never talked to Mindy about my personal life.”

  Andrea thought back to her conversation with the former Monarchs administrative assistant. “You didn’t have to. Mindy eavesdrops.”

  “How do you know?”

  “She told me.” Could Mindy Sneal be the Monarchs Insider? If so, was Troy right? Was Gerald involved? “Was Mindy fired or did she quit?”

  Troy leaned into a corner of the fire escape. “She quit.”

  Andrea heard his reluctance. “Why?”

  Troy shoved his hands into the front pockets of his black Dockers. “Our working relationship had become strained.”

  Andrea frowned. “What happened?”

  He flexed his broad shoulders with a restless movement. “Why are you asking? What does it matter why Mindy left?”

  Her curiosity increased. “Humor me.”

  Troy rubbed the back of his neck. “She was coming on to me.”

  Andrea blinked. “What?” Mindy Sneal had tried to seduce Troy. Why did that revelation make her want to slap Mindy? Really hard.

  Troy looked away almost as though he were embarrassed. “You don’t think men are ever harassed in the workplace?”

  “I didn’t say that. I was just surprised. She was coming on to you?” She was definitely jealous. They’d spent one night together and now she was a possessive lover. Andrea wasn’t proud of that.

  “She stood too close. She was always touching me. Her offers to work late were becoming more suggestive.” He faced her again. “When I realized she was reading my e-mails and listening to my phone conversations, I’d had enough.”

  “If she was reading your e-mails and listening to your phone calls, she knows a lot more about you than you think.”

  “Probably.” Troy looked highly irritated.

  “And she didn’t quit. You fired her.”

  Troy shook his head. “I didn’t want to fire her. Mindy was good at her job. She just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I asked Jackie if we could reassign her.”

  Andrea’s eyebrows jumped. “Jackie knows what happened?”

  Troy rubbed his right hand over his eyes as though wiping away an unpleasant memory. “I had to tell her. But that’s one conversation I wouldn’t want to relive. Uncomfortable is an understatement.”

  Andrea crossed to Troy and rested her hand on his shoulder. “The situation wasn’t your fault.”

  His gaze held frustration as well as regret. “I wish it hadn’t happened.”

  So did she. Andrea squeezed his shoulder, then dropped her hand. “Did you offer Mindy another position in the organization?”

  Troy crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, but she refused to take it. She said if she couldn’t work for me, she’d quit.”

  Andrea imagined that wasn’t a conversation Troy would want to repeat, either. “I take it she was angry.”

  “Very.” Troy paused. “Do you think she’s the Insider?”

  Andrea felt the excitement sweeping over him. “She could be. And I think I know how to get her to admit to it.”

  Troy smelled the potpourri as soon as he entered Mindy Sneal’s apartment Sunday afternoon. Her living room was over-the-top feminine. Frills, lace, pastels, and furniture he was afraid to sit on.

  He cautiously lowered himself onto one of her spindly, padded armchairs. He braced his elbows on the chair’s carved maple arms. “Thanks for letting me stop by.”

  Mindy made herself comfortable on her flowered pink sofa. She crossed her legs, smoothing the hem of her dark yellow skirt at her knee. “When you said it was about a possible job opportunity, how could I say no? As you know, I’m currently unemployed.”

  The look in her eyes was more amused than accusing. Or maybe Troy was reading into it. “Actually, I think you may already have this job.”

  She lifted her eyebrows. “What job is that?”

  “It’s with the Horn. You’re the Insider.”

  She didn’t flinch. She didn’t blink. She didn’t protest. Mindy just smiled. “You said Gerry was the Insider.”

  Troy searched her eyes. She was a cool one. “Gerry doesn’t know about my divorce.”

  Mindy cocked her head to the left. Her red hair swung behind her shoulders. “What makes you think I do?”

  “Andy said you told her I was divorced.”

  “So you are sleeping with her.” Mindy’s eyes glittered. Her features hardened. Was it anger, jealousy, or both?

  Troy ignored the blood pounding in his ears. “Did Gerry put you up to this?”

  Mindy’s smile was forced. “Why are you always accusing Gerry?”

  Troy stood. He couldn’t take another second in the spindly chair. Even Andrea’s secondhand furnishings were more comfortable than Mindy’s doll fixtures. “You couldn’t land an opportunity like that on your own. You don’t have the connections. No one knows you. You would’ve needed help.”

  Her mask melted. Anger heated her eyes and her tone. “I didn’t need anyone’s help. They were excited to publish my copy.”

  Troy stared down at his ex-administrative assistant. “You approached the Horn on your own?”

  Mindy’s eyes widened with surprise and dismay. Her gaze shifted left, then right. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders falling with resignation. “Yes.”

  Andrea had been right. He’d attacked Mindy’s ego and she’d spilled her guts. “Why?”

  Mindy glared up at him. “I wanted to be with you. But you fired me.”

  His puzzlement increased. “You quit.”

  Mindy stood, closing in on him. “I worked for the franchise. Andy Benson’s a reporter. She’s the enemy. But you were more interested in her than me.”

  Troy couldn’t make sense of Mindy’s answers. “You betrayed the franchise because you thought I was attracted to Andy?”

  Mindy threw up her hands and spun away from him. “You were always talking about protecting the Monarchs’ image. But then you gave your precious Andy an exclusive claiming Gerry was going to move the Monarchs out of Brooklyn. Which of us committed a bigger betrayal?”

  “Did Gerry convince you to do the blog?”

  �
��Why do you think Gerry’s responsible for everything?”

  Troy crossed his arms. “Not everything, just every bad thing that’s ever happened to this team.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “No, it’s not. So tell me the truth. Did Gerry give you the idea of writing the blog?”

  Mindy’s smile grew smug again. “No, he didn’t.”

  Troy tensed. He studied Mindy’s posture, her features, and her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Of course you don’t. It would be a lot more convenient for you if you could link Gerry to the blog. Then you wouldn’t be known as the marketing executive who slandered his boss on ESPN, of all things.”

  Troy dropped his arms. “You’re right. It would be. But I’ll have to be satisfied with identifying you as the Insider and saying you acted alone.”

  Mindy threw back her head and laughed. She was more than confident. She was arrogant and genuinely amused. “And who will believe you? First you accused your boss on television and now you’re accusing your ex-administrative assistant who quit because you were sexually harassing her.”

  He fisted his hands to hold on to his temper. “I never harassed you.”

  “Of course you didn’t. But I can be very convincing. In the end, it will be just your word against mine.”

  Troy pulled the audio recorder from his inside jacket pocket. “Not exactly.” He rewound the device and played the last ten seconds of the recording.

  “I never harassed you.”

  “Of course you didn’t. But I can be very convincing. In the end, it will be just your word against mine.”

  Mindy gaped at him. “You can’t use that tape.”

  “I will if I have to.” He tucked the recorder back into his pocket. “Andy’s going to submit her article about your being the Insider for Monday’s edition of the paper as well as post it on the Sports website today. Kind of ironic. By tomorrow, your anonymity will be over.”

  Mindy’s glare was lethal. “It will still be just your word against mine.”

  Troy shook his head. “I don’t think so. If you continue the blog, the next time I go on ESPN, I’ll share this tape on air.” He stepped around her on his way to her front door. “Don’t bother to show me out. I know my way.”

  He’d have to thank Andrea again. Sending him with the audio recorder had been part of her plan in case Mindy denied being involved with the blog. It also had been Andrea’s idea to attack Mindy’s ego. It was good to have a plan. Who would have thought he and Andrea Benson would make a good team?

  Troy pressed the elevator’s button and waited for his ride to the lobby. He’d been so certain Gerald was involved with the Monarchs Insider blog, if he weren’t the actual blogger. Being wrong disappointed him more than he could measure.

  How could he return to the Monarchs now?

  Andrea sat beside him on his black leather sofa. Her sherry brown eyes were dark with concern. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you’d hoped they would with the blogger.”

  So was he. But he was glad she was here. He could use the company to help him get through the disappointment. “The important thing is we’ve given Mindy an incentive to take down the Insider.”

  “Will’s going to run the story in tomorrow’s paper. It’s on our website now. Needless to say, he’s thrilled. One last hurrah before the paper folds.” Andrea had come straight to his condo after filing her exposé on the Monarchs Insider with Sports.

  Troy linked his fingers with hers. She was wearing her reporter’s uniform: blazer and slacks in neutral colors and a pale blouse. “Removing the blog will be one less worry for the team. Now if they could just keep from being swept out of the play-offs.”

  It was almost four hours before game four of the Cleveland Cavaliers versus Brooklyn Monarchs best-of-seven-games series.

  “I thought playing in the Empire would give them an advantage for games three and four.” Andrea looked at their joined hands before raising her gaze to his. “You’ve said all the right things. Now tell me how you feel.”

  “Frustrated. Scared.” Troy stood to cross his living room. He needed to distance himself from those words. He stopped in front of his picture window and let the view of his Prospect Heights neighborhood sooth him. “I want my job back.”

  “How are you going to change Gerry’s mind?”

  He clenched his teeth. “I still want him as far away from the Monarchs as possible.”

  “But he hasn’t caused any more problems. Maybe he’s given up his plans for revenge.”

  Troy faced Andrea. His eyes widened with surprise. “Do you believe that?”

  She spread her arms. “He wasn’t involved with the blog.”

  “If you believe Mindy.”

  “He’s not pushing negative stories about the team.”

  “That we know of.” He turned back to the window. The scene didn’t calm him anymore.

  Andrea’s shoes tapped against his hardwood floor as she came to him. She laid her head between his shoulder blades. “Troy, leave Gerry to Jackie. She can handle him. Focus on what you can control.”

  “I don’t have control over anything anymore.”

  “Yes, you do. Finding another job is in your control. Jackie will provide you with a good reference. I’m also sure she’ll use her contacts to help you get another position.”

  He didn’t want to think about Jaclyn giving him a reference for another job. He wanted his job back. He wanted the Insider blog gone. He wanted Gerald away from the franchise, and he wanted the Monarchs to win tonight. But he didn’t have control over any of that.

  He couldn’t even control his feelings for Andrea. They were more than want, stronger than need. How had she gone from being a threat to being his friend? His lover?

  Troy turned to take her into his arms. “Talking about control, do you want it?”

  Her eyes heated. She raised her hand and cupped his cheek. “Why don’t we share it?”

  The temptation of her smile. The sexy promise of her words. The knowledge that she trusted him enough to share control with him. All of these things combined to set Troy on fire. He bent his head to kiss her deeply, showing her with action the feelings he wasn’t ready to put into words.

  Andrea wrapped her arms around his neck and moved closer to him. She parted her lips and let him inside. Troy’s blood heated. His pulse raced. He released her to tug the blazer from her shoulders. Without breaking their kiss, Andrea lowered her arms to let him. Troy felt her warmth through her thin pink blouse, her slender curves beneath his palms, her full breasts against his chest.

  Troy pulled away from her to close the living room’s bronze curtains, leaving only the faint hallway light behind them. In the shadows, he saw Andrea’s wicked smile. She held her arms out to him. Troy joined her.

  He lowered his head to resume their kiss. Troy stroked his tongue along the seam of Andrea’s mouth, coaxing her to open for him. She did, and Troy pressed inside. Her taste was intoxicating, like fine wine. His thoughts spun. He caressed her tongue with his own, stroking it and suckling it as he undressed her. In her arms, he was as confident as she thought him to be.

  Cool air rushed against Andrea’s skin as Troy tugged her blouse from her. She trembled from the chill and the desire building inside her. She felt his nimble fingers at the belt and waistband of her pants. He stepped away as her trousers fell to the floor. He claimed her gaze, then, without a word, dropped to his knees before her. He pulled down her underwear. Andrea stepped out of her shoes and nudged the pile of clothing aside. She took off her bra and stood naked in front of him.

  Troy pressed his face against her abdomen. He kissed her navel, then twirled his tongue inside. Andrea’s breath hitched. His right hand moved up her calf to her knee, then slid between her thighs. Her body tightened with excitement as she anticipated his touch. Troy palmed her as he continued to kiss her stomach. He teased her navel and nipped her hip bone. Slowly, he moved his hand back and forth against her, n
urturing her need, making her crazy.

  Andrea closed her eyes. Her knees began to shake. She felt the familiar hunger building for this man. She braced her hands on his shoulders.

  “Troy, please.” Her voice was thin, so thin she could barely hear it.

  “Soon, honey. Soon.”

  He stroked two fingers between her folds, and Andrea jumped. She parted her legs farther to encourage him. “Please, Troy.”

  “Yes, honey.” Troy slipped his index finger inside her and stroked her with his thumb.

  Andrea sucked in a breath. Her hips moved back and forth with the rhythm of his touch. She tightened her grip on the muscles of his shoulders. Her body began to shake. Her nipples tightened. Every nerve ending in her body felt his touch. Troy removed his hand, and her body sagged with disappointment. She opened her eyes.

  He took her wrist and pulled her toward him. “Come here.”

  She went down on her knees in front of him. Troy kissed her as he lowered her to the plush Oriental rug. His right hand molded her breasts, moved down to her waist, and cupped her hips. Troy worked his way down her body, kissing her nipples and suckling her breasts. His soft jersey brushed against her skin. Andrea’s body began to buzz again. She heard the blood rushing in her ears. He kissed and licked her navel, nipped her hip bone, then pulled her knees over his shoulders.

  Andrea’s eyes popped open. “Troy—”

  He kissed her deeply, intimately. Andrea sucked in a breath, arched her back, and pressed her head against the rug. Electricity flooded her. Her nipples beaded painfully. Troy kissed her again and licked her, stroking his tongue over and around her. Andrea’s hips lifted for his next caress. Her body yearned for it. Begged for it. She gasped. She moaned. She pressed her forearm against her mouth to keep from screaming. And then she shattered against his tongue.

  Troy kissed her there one last time, then pressed his hand between her legs. He rose to kiss her lips. He rubbed her with his palm until she calmed, then he caressed her until her hips began to move again.

  Troy stood and removed his clothes quickly, pulling a condom from his pants pocket. He could still taste her. He smelled her on him. Her scent made his pulse beat even faster. As he moved toward Andrea, she rose to her knees and licked his arousal with one long, slow stroke of her hot, wet tongue. Troy shook. His body hurt with his arousal.