I start half-jogging, half-limping up the driveway to collect my badly behaved animal. I raise my hand to wave at the mysterious person as I make my way, and he waves back. The walk seems endless as my legs and hands begin to sting with pain. As I near the two of them Boss starts running my way and I bend down to grab his leash when he reaches me.
“Dang it, Boss, you know better than that. Bad dog.”
I can’t help chuckling as he responds by licking my face and smiling at me. With Boss in tow, I walk towards the mysterious man but realize he is definitely not a stranger. He is Austin Black, the one and only drop-dead gorgeous Austin Black.
Austin is the consummate All-American boy. Every girl wants to be with him and every man wants to be him. Austin was drafted by Boston three years ago and after this past season is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and the league’s leading passer.
Austin is six feet five inches of swoon-worthy perfection. He wears his light brown hair just long enough to run his hands through and his eyes are a deep blue that remind me of the ocean. His strong features and delectable dimples shine when he smiles that megawatt smile. Today he is dressed in black jersey workout shorts and a tight gray team t-shirt that shows off his rippled body.
As I finally approach Austin, I apologize for Boss, “Sorry he disturbed you, Boss rarely takes off like that. In fact, he has never done this before. I hope he didn’t cause you any trouble.”
His rugged beauty takes me back as I try to stop rambling.
“He was no trouble at all; I will always welcome four-legged visitors and their gorgeous owners,” he says with a friendly smile.
I return his smile with a shy one of my own. Disarmed by his presence I mumble, “Well thanks for catching him, I better get us home.” I grab Boss’s leash and we turn to walk back to the street.
“Wait, hey wait,” I hear him call, as we are halfway back up the drive. I turn to see what he is yelling about and notice he is steps away from catching up to us so I stop.
Looking at him in confusion, “Did I forget something?”
I can see him studying me as he replies, “Don’t I know you. Aren’t you James Carter’s agent?”
Well shoot, I was hoping he wouldn’t recognize me, especially given my current state of dishevelment. We met by chance once when I was visiting James at the team facility.
I extend my hand and reply, “Yes, I am. Rylee Ash. It is nice to meet you again Mr. Black.” I see him glance at my hand with pause and I realize it remains covered in blood. I am making an all-star impression today, I think to myself.
I pull my gravel-covered gesture back as he says, “Why don’t you come up to the house so we can clean-up those scrapes.”
Ordinarily I would refuse help from an almost stranger but since it is almost a mile back down to my house and the throbbing in my knees is getting worse I accept.
“Thank you, I really appreciate this,” I say as we walk towards the house.
“Well, I can see why you call this big man, Boss. I doubt anyone can control him when he sets his mind to something,” he says while taking hold of Boss’s leash.
I chuckle at the bizarre situation, “No he is like a force of nature when he wants something, but he will usually listen. I mean that is why I spent a small fortune having him trained.”
Reaching the front steps, I notice a large bowl of water as Boss just helps himself to it. Austin must notice the confused look on my face as he explains, “Once he stopped chasing that cat I figured he might need a drink.”
Well, that makes sense I think to myself. “Thank you that was very thoughtful,” I reply sweetly.
I am surprised when he leads Boss into the house and then just lets him loose. “Come on Rylee I remember seeing the first aid kit in the kitchen.”
I am in awe of this house, it is even nicer than I would have imagined. The entry boasts a high ceiling and exquisite marble columns. I catch a glimpse of the living room on the way into the kitchen, and it has exquisite hardwood floors. The kitchen is stunning with top of the line stainless steel appliances. The counters are black marble with red accents in the backsplashes. It looks like a chef’s wet dream in here.
After locating the first aid kit Austin walks over as I am ogling his space. He places his hands on my either side of my waist lifting me up to the sit on the edge of the island. I feel like an errant like a child. His touch sends a jolt through me I swear jump-starts my heart. I no longer feel like a child. He has awoken parts of me I left for dead years ago. Oh boy.
He removes my shoes and socks with finesse before placing my feet in the sink. He then pours antiseptic over the gashes in my knees. The germ-killing liquid is like fire against my broken skin. As I wince from the burning sensation, he wipes the dried blood off my shins. Completely mortified I try to take the rag away from him but he declines with a playful slap of my wrist.
“So Rylee tell me besides being drug around by your dog what do you do for fun?”
He cleans my palms and removes the gravel chunks further igniting the desire I feel for him. Trying to ignore the feelings engulfing my system I reply, “I don’t. I work and workout that is all I time for these days.”
The sensation of his hands on me, even in this clinical way, has my body responding in a myriad of inappropriate ways. The butterflies in my stomach, lump in my throat, and raging want between my thighs tell me he is trouble. He is simply playing the white knight to my damsel in distress and we all know how those stories end. That ending is why I will have to end this beginning.
Once he seems satisfied with his cleaning he pulls out two boxes of character Band-Aids, making me laugh. He holds them up with absolute delight on his face. “So what will it be Scooby and the Gang or Darth Vader,” he asks with mocking humor.
I cannot believe a grown man has not one but two boxes of character Band-Aids in his first aid kit. “Scooby for sure, he seems like he would be better suited for this job,” I say with sarcasm and a slight eye roll.
Pulling the strips from the back of the bandage, he gently places several across my open wounds. My skin tingles with every touch of his fingers. I cannot believe I am sitting here while Austin Black bandages me, what a strange turn of events.
“You are right; I think Scooby fits you well. All done, gorgeous.” Did he call me gorgeous? As he removes his strong hands from my near trembling legs, I suddenly miss them and the feelings they stimulate. Austin Black is capable of being my kryptonite.
As he bends over to retrieve a bottle of water out of the fridge, I cannot help checking out the amazing view. I would love to get my hands on that ass. Jesus, Rylee snap out of it before he catches you drooling. As I am staring at him, I do not even notice when he looks back and asks me a question.
“Huh, I’m sorry what did you say?”
With a smirk on his face he replies, “Oh nothing important, you can resume objectifying me.” I am beyond embarrassed he caught me checking out his perfect ass so I attempt to cover.
“I was doing no such thing, arrogant aren’t you,” I retort in disgust. Although I feel myself blush as the lie leaves my lips.
“Rylee, why are you embarrassed I have been checking you out since you walked up.” And just like that I have got to get out of here, it seems the physical attraction is mutual. I can’t take the chance with a man like Austin. He has already proven he has innate powers over my traitorous body.
Our fingers graze as he hands me the bottle of water and I can’t help fantasizing about having my way with him right here in his pristine kitchen. Looking up I find myself locked into a powerful gaze coming out of the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen. I could lose myself in the depths of those irises for hours. I am certain if I looked into them long enough I would be hypnotized and willing to submit to his every desire. Hell, I am ready to consider that option now.
Deciding I had better stop this situation before it goes any further I try to hop off the counter only to stumble into his arms. My legs have obviously tig
htened up on me and the stiffness makes it hard to pry myself away from him. If I were the least bit inclined to pursue a romantic relationship or fling I would stay in these strong arms forever.
However, I am the self-proclaimed ice queen of abstinence and this man definitely has the power to melt my fortress. With the miniscule amount of self-resolve I have left I withdraw from his arms and steady myself, “Austin thank you for everything, I really appreciate it. I am sure I will see you around since you are in the neighborhood.” In the neighborhood, Rylee, come on even you know that is word vomit.
I begin my retreat out of the kitchen before I can ramble anymore. “Wait, Rylee why don’t you stay for a little while. I will order lunch and we can hang out.” His slight southern accent is about to crumble my resolve. It is just so damn sexy.
“Austin, it looks like you have plenty going on here with your moving in and all, maybe another time ok.” There that wasn’t too harsh or rude, I applaud myself.
“Please Rylee, I have nothing to do here the movers are just about done, and then I will all alone in this big old house with nothing to do,” he says with his best sad puppy face. I cannot help smiling but maybe harsh or rude was the way to play it.
I am trying to figure out a tactful way to say no again, when he pleads, “I am not trying to get in your pants, although I wouldn’t turn it down. However, my mama raised me better than that. I just want a friend to hang with. The only people I know around here are my teammates, coaches, and other organizational staff. I would like to have one person in my life I do see at work.”
Upon finishing his statement, I see a flash of sadness in his dreamy eyes and it is like a dagger straight to my heart.
“Okay Austin, but why me? You can’t possibly have trouble meeting people.” I would love to give in and be his friend, in more ways than one, but I know being close to him would test my sexual restraint daily if not hourly.
I see bewilderment and intrigue in his eyes before he explains, “Why you? Well, for starters you are the first person I have met that I am fairly certain wants nothing from me. Well, besides my medical expertise and dog catching skills.”
That earns him a little giggle and a smile. The truth is, I don’t want anything from him, well except for all of him all over me. That right there is why you cannot do this Ry; you can’t even control your thoughts around him.
Interrupting my thoughts he continues, “Most people only see me as Super Bowl MVP Austin Black, and couldn't care less who I really am, and that gets lonely Rylee.” He emphasizes the MVP part with air quotes and I suddenly feel sorry for the man who I would have thought had it all.
Shit! What kind of monster would I be if I denied that heartfelt plea? It is also true I could use a few more friends or a friend outside of Jeremy’s inner circle. Turning to face him, I look into his penetrating gaze and extend my hand, “Ok friend what do you suggest we do now.”
I am shocked when he uses my hand to pull me to him, “Brothers don’t shake hands,” he hugs me tight.
I can’t help laughing, “You did not just quote Tommy Boy.” He looks impressed that I knew the quote.
“See Rylee I knew we were made for one another, I have never met a girl who knew that line.” Great, not only is he insanely gorgeous, but he also has a wicked sense of humor, I am officially screwed!
“All right funny man, I have to go home to shower and clean-up. I should also consider acknowledging my brother and his latest playmate before I take off.”
He raises his eyebrow in question, “Playmate?”
I nod my ahead affirmatively, “Yeah, J goes through girls like most people go through socks.”
He simply shrugs his shoulders, “Not my style but I know a lot of men that way.”
We agree he will go pick up lunch while I run home. He also insists on dropping Boss and I off at home due to my recent injuries.
Chapter 5
Looking forward to the rest of the day, I am smiling inside as Boss and I make our way through the front door. Not paying attention to anything else, I shut the door and hang up Boss’s leash before I hear a blood-curdling scream. The scream is followed by a thundering bark from Boss scaring me half to death.
I take a deep breath and turn around to see what is happening. Much to my surprise, I find the mysterious t-shirt clad blonde wielding a spatula like a sword towards Boss. As my fear subsides, I cannot help laughing hysterically at the situation.
This pisses blondie off as she screeches, “Who the hell are you? You and your beast better get out of my house before I call the cops.” Tears are now falling from her big brown eyes.
All I can manage to respond between fits of laughter is, “Oh lord please call the cops, I am sure they will love this.”
J comes running down the hallway still dripping from a shower, I assume, and I know I should feel bad for the girl, but she is in no danger. Boss is calmly sitting three feet away from her waiting on the snack he always gets after returning home. I eye J carefully as he takes in the situation and then asks, “What the hell is all the screaming about.”
My laughter now subdued I explain, “Apparently your friend here is going to call the police on Boss and me for breaking into her house.” I emphasize the word her for added effect.
“She also seems to believe that spatula will protect the two of you from my beast, as she referred to him.” Well, that did it the laughter has returned, I mean really a spatula that dog probably outweighs her by at least 50 pounds.
After surveying the situation, J joins my laughing fit before being interrupted by blondie. “Jeremy, you are not seriously laughing. This beast could kill me and she won’t call him off,” she screeches in a high-pitched wail.
I look to J with a smirk, shrug my shoulders, and feign innocence. I try to maintain a straight face he explains, “Kasey, meet my sister Rylee this is her house. As for the beast that is Boss. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
He bends down looking straight at my big animal, “Come here boy, I’ll get your snack.” Boss hops up and bounds over to J who pats his head and grabs a bone from the jar tossing it to him. Boss trots over to his bed in the corner and begins gnawing on the bone.
With a roll of my eyes, I mumble, “There the world is safe again.”
This has been one hell of a morning so far, but I think I preferred the sexual tension in Austin’s house to the uncomfortable tension in here.
I give Jeremy a big smile, “Hey, I didn’t know you would be here this weekend.”
I decide ignoring the angry female in the kitchen is the best way to go. I swear if she were a cartoon character, the top of her head would shoot off and steam would blow from her ears. He pulls me into his signature hug then looks to his friend and tells her to go put on some clothes. Finally, I do not need to see any more of that girl than I already have. She hasn’t left much to the imagination and I do not need the mental image of why she is dressed that way.
After she storms off in a huff, he releases me while running a hand through his hair, “I can’t believe you did that to Kasey.” Ah, blondie has a name.
Shaking my head in exasperation, “J honestly we did nothing to her. Boss sat down in his usual spot and she panicked. I can’t help the fact she didn’t know that she is staying in my house. That my dear brother is on you. After all I didn’t threaten anyone’s dog with a kitchen utensil, that is poor manners,” I laugh hoping to keep the situation light.
“You are right, I am sorry I should have told her, forgive me,” he gives me his best puppy dog face.
“Always, you big moron.”
Reality settling back in, I realize I need to go get ready since Austin will be back to pick me up soon.
“Hey are you going to be around later, preferably without your friend. I have plans this afternoon. Oh, and don’t worry I will take Boss. I don’t want her taking a whisk to the poor dog.”
All right, I have played out the kitchen utensil joke, but I had to throw one more out for the heck of it.
He looks at me quizzically before asking, “Where are you off to that you can take Boss? You had better not be going to work on a Sunday.”
J gets on me all the time about my lack of social life and tendency to overwork. He thinks I should be out clubbing and making friends like he does. Well, probably not exactly in that fashion. I am sure he would blow a gasket if I paraded different men through here the way he does women. It is a definite double standard, but not one I care to challenge.
Glancing over my shoulder with a wink, I head up the stairs towards my bedroom before yelling back, “Nope, not work.”
I race through the shower, throw mousse in my hair, mascara on my eyelashes, and call it good. Austin and I are just going to be friends; I don’t need to go all out. Plus, I figure if I don’t feel sexy he won’t see me that way.
I decide to wear a comfortable pair of dark blue jeans and my favorite concert tee. The t-shirt is red and white, with a v cut out at the neck accented with rhinestones. It is snug, but still comfortable. After slipping on a pair of red tennis shoes, I am satisfied. I grab a hair tie and my Red Sox cap before heading back down the stairs.
“Come on Boss, let’s go make a friend.”
As I step off the last stair, I notice Austin’s white pickup pull into the driveway. I hustle over to the closet to grab Boss’s leash and as I find it, I sense the closet door closing.
“I will lock you in there if you don’t tell me who is waiting for you outside,” J says playfully while pushing the door into my shoulder.
“Dammit Jeremy Cole, I am going to hang out with a friend, don’t make a thing of it.” That came out angrier than I had intended. I know J is only looking out for me as he has always done since our parents died.
“Sorry Ry, I was just messing with you but now you have piqued my curiosity. I will leave it alone for now if you promise to hang with me tonight. It seems like I haven’t seen you in months.”
Not Enough: Is love ever enough? (The Enough Series Book 1) Page 2
