The Sport of Romance: A Multi-Author Box Set

by Cari Quinn

  “Sarah, we have got to stop meeting like this. Mon Dieu, you are dangerous to be around.” His gaze swept over her in a hungry perusal. “Good thing I like danger.”

  A surge of lust shot through her like a thunderbolt, and she stooped to pick up her possessions so she could collect herself. Unfortunately, Sebastian had the same idea and they bumped heads. Sarah briefly saw stars and blinked a couple of times to refocus.

  “I think I’ll just back away before they have to put me on injured reserve,” Sebastian said with a laugh. “How are you? There’s no more cast on your arm.”

  Sarah grimaced as she scooped everything back into her handbag. If she actually hurt him, she’d never forgive herself. “They took it off, finally. I’m sorry for being such a klutz. I’m late, as usual.”

  “Ah, that explains why you ran into me like a defenseman checking me into the boards.”

  Sarah had a well-known reputation for being late, which the guys had latched onto like a starving dog to a bone and teased her about constantly. Since she was continually guilty of it, Sarah didn’t try to stop their jesting, not that it would’ve done any good. Now, she stood on uncertain legs.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth. “I have to touch you.” Lifting his thumb, Sebastian then traced it over her bottom lip before dipping it into her mouth.

  She couldn’t help herself. She needed to taste him again. Swiping her tongue over the tip, she sampled his hot skin and arousal roared through her.

  Pulling his thumb out, he brought their bodies flush then kissed her hard. It was a kiss filled with fire, his lips hot and restless. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, exploring and spreading a warm blanket of lust over her. Sebastian kissed her as if he was establishing possession, and a heavy wave of ecstasy flooded her.

  “Tu es ma femme.”

  Her own breath came in short pants as she forced oxygen into her starving lungs. She didn’t need that phrase translated—she knew what it meant—“you’re my woman.” If their circumstances were different, she’d like nothing more than that, but it could never be.

  He leaned in for another kiss and Sarah melted into his embrace until a noise down the hall startled her from the fog of desire permeating her brain. Breaking the kiss, she forced herself away from him. After cursing softly, she said, “Sebastian, we can’t. Not now. Not here. Someone might see.” She should have added “not ever,” but she couldn’t make her mouth form those words.

  He nodded, his eyes as dark as molten lead. Raking his hands through his hair, he sighed. “I know. Go to dinner before I get carried away again. I will be right there. I just need to grab something out of my room.”

  “Okay,” Sarah called, already starting down the hall in her haste to get away, all the guilt about how she shouldn’t get involved with him flooding back and choking her. It was so wrong and completely unacceptable behavior on her part, but she was powerless to stop wanting him.

  But him kissing her right in the hallway of the team’s hotel? That worried her. The fact he would take the chance of being caught was bad enough, but how she had reacted, too, forgetting where she was as she allowed him to seduce her, that was beyond mortifying. She groaned and stepped into the elevator.

  In the future she’d have to be even more vigilant about staying out of situations where the two of them could get into trouble. Of course, they were both headed to the same team dinner, but she managed to avoid him for the rest of the night. He watched her but didn’t try to approach and she said a silent prayer of thanks.

  The next day, Sarah received a phone call from the speed dating staff. Dan had put her number down on his card. She was relieved she wasn’t the only interested party. They gave her his contact information, but before she could do anything, Dan e-mailed asking her if she’d like to go to dinner that upcoming Friday.

  She couldn’t let the latest kiss she and Sebastian had shared derail her plans to date other people. Maybe spending time with Dan would take her mind off Sebastian. She replied “I’d love to,” hoping the enthusiasm she displayed through the e-mail would translate into actual emotions.

  Chapter Seven

  After the team returned from Florida and an arduous road game, Jon gave the team a much-needed day off. Sarah’s outlook was much improved after sleeping in late. She ate a leisurely breakfast then sat reading the newspaper with Tasha curled in her lap.

  Tasha had taken Sarah’s traveling well and Sarah’s guilt was mitigated a little. Even though, when she was home, she tried to lavish affection on the cat, and Tasha, being the attention whore she was, always let her. With no roaring airport announcements, no hotel beds and no lurching buses, life was heaven on earth. Silence was truly golden.

  After a while, nerves about her date with Dan invaded. She called Marcy for a little pick-me-up speech. Once they exchanged greetings and gave general updates, Sarah took a deep breath. “My first date with that guy I met at speed dating is tonight.”

  “Oh yay! What are you going to wear?”

  “Wear? God, I have no idea.” She’d been so worried about the date itself she hadn’t even considered it.

  “Make sure it’s something you feel confident and sexy in,” Marcy advised, then cleared her throat. “So you decided not to pursue anything with Sebastian?”

  “I guess I have.” The mention of Sebastian made her cringe. With any luck Dan would make her forget how much she wanted Sebastian. A tall order to be sure.

  “Well, you did go out of your own volition to meet other people. Sounds like you’re moving on to me. Are you okay with that?”

  Sarah shrugged, but Marcy couldn’t see her. “I have to be, don’t I? There isn’t any other way.”

  “You make it sound like a death sentence.”

  Sarah rubbed her forehead. “It’s not. It just sucks, you know?”

  “How succinct of you.”

  Glancing at the clock, Sarah groaned. Dan was picking her up at seven, and she wanted to do laundry, get groceries, go to the bank, and stop by the cleaner’s, so she said a hasty goodbye to Marcy before dragging herself out of the house. By the time she returned home, it was nearly six, so she jumped into the shower.

  Putting her hair up in a towel, she went to her closet to pick out something to wear. It had been so long since she’d been on a date she wasn’t sure what to pull out. Her skirts and other dressier clothes had gotten pushed to the back of her closet since she wore jeans or track suits to work. Sarah shook her head at her annoying indecision then decided on a black pencil skirt and a button-down shirt with a tank top underneath.

  It was nice to feel feminine again, though she still wasn’t comfortable in the heels. Tonight and the speed dating event were the only time she’d worn heels in weeks. Using the diffuser, she blow-dried her hair so it wouldn’t stick up like a demented poodle’s.

  Her thoughts skittered back to the accountant she’d met during speed dating and a shudder worked through her. Had he put her number down or had he sensed her disinterest? Never in a million years would she want to hurt someone’s ego, but that guy needed to buy a clue.

  Finished with her hair, Sarah dusted on some makeup. Dan was due to arrive soon, so she flew down the stairs to the living room to make sure she had all the essentials in her purse.

  He arrived a little after seven. Opening the door, she smiled. “Hi, you’re well-turned out.” The man cut an elegant figure in his black suit.

  “Thanks, so are you. Well, that’s an understatement. You’re beautiful. This house is huge! Do you own it?” He reached down to scratch Tasha on her ears and instantly became friends with her.

  Sarah couldn’t help but be impressed. Tasha was a hard cat to get on your side. “Yes, but I rent out part of it. Are you ready?” She picked up her coat, and he helped her on with it. “So where are we going?”

  “There’s a cool tapas bar on Elmwood a colleague I met at a business association dinner told me about. It’s called Toro. Have you been there?”

  “No, but I’ve h
ardly had time to breathe outside of the team. It’s pretty close, though.” Sarah indicated the street to their right, not a thousand feet away from her doorstep.

  “When I mentioned where you live, he suggested this place and I made a reservation, since he also said they get really busy for dinner.”

  Sarah slid into his beige Lexus and relaxed into the seat. It was kind of nice to have a guy who actually planned ahead. Sebastian and his sometimes unpredictable behavior flashed into mind, but she forced her attention back to Dan. He was her date and she should give him her undivided attention.

  They continued with small talk on the short drive to the restaurant, where Dan came around and opened her door. Then they weaved through the Friday night crowd to the hostess stand. Despite the packed restaurant, they were seated immediately.

  After an enjoyable dinner, they strolled down the street peering into shop windows and people watching. The crowd was a mixture of suburbanites out for a night on the town, young couples from the immediate surrounding area out for an ice cream with their children, older people who had lived in the neighborhood for generations, and members of the vibrant gay community that resided nearby. All in all, fascinating company to keep, and Sarah and Dan had much to discuss as they surveyed the landscape.

  Sarah yawned, glancing at her watch. “Oh my!”

  “What’s the matter?”

  His tone was concerned and she hastened to reassure him. “It’s after midnight and we’ve got a pre-game skate in the morning. The coaches and staff usually go in a while before the players do, so I’ve got to be there at eight-thirty.”

  “Let’s get you home then.” Dan held out his arm then led her back to the car.

  When they arrived at her house, Sarah said, “Don’t get out. I can see myself to the door. Thank you so much for tonight. I had fun. Let’s do it again soon.” She wasn’t ready for anything more than a kiss on the cheek, given her conflicting emotions about Sebastian and her ingrained distrust of men. Not since Liam’s attack had she allowed a man to walk her to her door at the end of a date, and though Dan appeared nice, so had Liam.

  Dan smiled. “Yes, let’s do it again soon.”

  “Call me.” Sarah opened the car door and climbed out.

  After making her way up the walkway, she ascended the porch steps, a modicum of peace stealing over her for the first time in a while. She opened the front door before turning back toward the street to wave at Dan as he drove away. She’d actually forgotten about Sebastian as she and Dan enjoyed their dinner, and not constantly thinking about the young hockey player had been very freeing.

  Hopefully Dan had enjoyed himself too and would call. Yawning again, she went into the house and got ready for bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  The next day, Sarah arrived at work to find an e-mail from Dan: I had a great time last night. I’d like to see you again, but I looked at the Storm’s schedule, and dinner is out for a while. How about going to Sunday brunch tomorrow? Let me know. Dan

  Sarah smiled, and was about to write back when Doug came into her office carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

  He grinned at her around them. “These came for you, my lady. Where would you like them?”

  “Put them down on the desk,” she said, blushing.

  “So, anything you’d like to tell me?”

  Sarah laughed. Doug loved hearing juicy stuff. “I met a guy,” Sarah conceded, not sure how much she wanted to divulge. If she told Doug any details, it would become an instant source of gossip fodder.

  “Oh yeah? Where?”

  Sarah sighed. She really didn’t want to tell him she’d gone to speed dating. “I’d rather not talk about it yet. We just went on our first date last night. It’s no big deal.”

  “A flower arrangement taller than I am says it’s a big deal.”

  “When there’s something to say, I will. Until then, we’ve got a practice to watch.” With that, she rose and powered down her monitor. Replying to Dan’s e-mail would have to wait until she was free of Doug.

  Over the next couple of weeks, Sarah continued to date Dan. She genuinely liked him. He was a stabilizing presence in her crazy life. He’d kissed her during their second date, and while fireworks hadn’t gone off like when Sebastian had kissed her, it was still very nice.

  Before a practice in mid-November, after Sarah and Dan had been out several times, Doug wore her down and she relinquished some details. Before long, everyone on the team knew about Dan, including Sebastian, who shifted away from her when she arrived in the video room that same day, the tension emanating from the hard planes of his body in palpable waves.

  Everyone else congratulated her and teased her about how Dan had better be a gentleman or else he’d hear it from them. All through the exchange, Sebastian stared at the wall, his jaw set in a tight line. When he finally met her gaze, Sarah barely held in a gasp at the storm brewing in his eyes.

  She wasn’t sure if it was anger, disappointment, or something else in his gaze, but she felt bad for making him unhappy. That had never been her intention, but she should’ve realized how he would react to the news she was dating someone else. In the back of her mind, she had been aware him finding out might be unpleasant scene, but she’d blocked it out. Sebastian needed to accept it and move on. This was the better way, the safer thing for her to do.

  * * *

  As Sarah left the bench after practice, Sebastian skated over. He had to know what was going on with her and that other guy before it killed him. When he’d found out about it yesterday he’d been determined not to make a big deal, but then all night, the image of someone who wasn’t him kissing and touching Sarah had nearly drove him around the bend. “Can I come see you? I’ve got a couple things I want to run by you.”

  She frowned as if she wasn’t sure of his motives. Smart girl. “Of course. I’ll be in my office whenever you’re ready.”

  As soon as he showered and dressed, he went to see Sarah, closing the door after entering. Her eyebrows shot up as he sat then leaned forward. “So you’re seeing someone, eh?”

  “Yes, but what does it matter to you?”

  He knew damn well his tone was confrontational and wasn’t surprised Sarah had leapt to her own defense, but how could she even ask that question and not expect him to be angry? It irritated him that she continued to deny there was something between them. He stared at her for a moment, letting her squirm a little, hoping she’d feel guilty about the flippant way she was treating him. “So who is he? What does he do?”

  “His name is Dan, and he’s a chiropractor. What’s with all the questions?”

  “I just want to make sure he’s treating you right,” Sebastian hedged, not meeting her gaze.

  “He’s treating me well, and even if he wasn’t, I can handle my own relationship just fine. Was there something hockey-related you needed?”

  “No.” He rose then headed for the door, pivoting as he reached it. “I got all the information I needed.”

  Stalking away, he went to find Rob. It was early afternoon, but he needed a beer. The only thing good about this situation was how Sarah had reacted. If she’d felt nothing toward him, she wouldn’t have had a problem telling him about the guy. The fact she’d bitten his head off meant she wasn’t immune, no matter what she wanted him to think.

  Rob agreed to go to lunch at a local tavern. Once they’d been seated and had placed their order, Rob stretched out in the vinyl-upholstered booth. “So let me guess. Drinking in the middle of the day. You’re upset Sarah’s dating someone?”

  Sebastian grabbed a cocktail napkin and systematically shredded it, not meeting his friend’s all-too-knowing gaze. “I know I have no right to be, but I can’t help it.”

  “Maybe now you’ll find someone too.”

  Tossing the remaining pieces of napkin on the table, Sebastian said, “I don’t want someone else. I want her.”

  “I know, but you can’t have her. We’ve been over this.”

&
nbsp; “And not once have you given me a reason strong enough to forget about her,” Sebastian pointed out.

  “So the fact she works for the team isn’t enough of a reason for you?”

  “No. I still think as long as we kept things quiet, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

  “And I think you’re wrong, but whatever.” Rob shifted in his seat. “Hey, I forgot to tell you. Your mom called. She’s sending another care package. Man, I love that woman. If I didn’t like your dad so much, I’d try to steal her away from him.”

  Sebastian made a face. “That’s my mother you’re talking about.”

  “Hey, I just want her for her cookies.” Rob grinned and rubbed his belly.

  “Figures. Use them and leave them, right?” Maybe that’s what he should do—find a woman to have some fun with.

  “Damn right. Hey, if everybody knows the score no one gets hurt.”

  “Whatever you say, bud. Just don’t talk about my mom like that. Freaks me out.” Would Sarah be jealous if he started dating someone? For his part, he was jealous as hell of this Dan guy.

  * * *

  As Sarah got ready for another date with Dan, she reasoned that after several dates he’d be expecting to sleep with her. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him. She did. He was a nice man, good-looking. There wasn’t much not to like about him. The attraction wasn’t the all-consuming ferocity with which she wanted Sebastian, but there was no help for that.

  One night soon after the realization, Dan took her to dinner and a movie. When he dropped her off she invited him inside. Not surprisingly, Dan was an attentive, gentle lover. The sex was good, but there was no spark and it was hard to keep her mind engaged on Dan and not on Sebastian, who she saw every time she closed her eyes while she and Dan made love. She should have felt bad about that, but overall, she was just happy she’d been able to go through with it without freaking out, as had happened at other times.

  When Scott, the new owner of the Storm, issued an invitation to a Thanksgiving dinner at his waterfront townhouse, Sarah texted Dan to see if he was available. Given their relationship, it was natural that she’d invite him. Besides, she’d be damned if she’d go alone and give Sebastian the impression she was pining for him, even if he was never far from her thoughts, even when she was with Dan.