Love at the 20-Yard Line

by Shanna Hatfield

  Now that he was alone with Haven, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and lose himself in a fragrant, loving embrace.

  The way she glared at him, though, indicated that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He sat on the opposite end of the couch, leaned back, and looked at her.

  “Wanna watch TV?”

  “Not particularly,” Haven said in a clipped tone. She had no idea what was wrong with Brody, but he definitely wasn’t acting like himself. She wished she’d never let Allie talk her into buying that stupid dress let alone wearing it out to dinner. Things with Brody hadn’t been the same since the moment he saw her try it on.

  “Have any projects for work you brought home with you?” he asked, knowing she often brought the remnants of her workday home to finish.

  “Nope.” She wished Brody would move a little closer, at least put his arm around her. He hadn’t even given her a hug since he arrived.

  “Want to go for a walk?”

  “Not really,” she said, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she blurted out what she was thinking. “If I in some way offended you Saturday, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I did, but whatever it was, I didn’t mean to. I’ll never wear that awful dress again.”

  Stunned by her outburst, Brody stared at her in shock. Once he processed what she said, he scooted across the couch, pressing against her side.

  “Don’t make any hasty decisions. You looked amazing in that dress. I’m sorry I went all cavedweller on you while you were wearing it.” Brody buried his face in her hair and inhaled the scent that was so ingrained in his senses he could smell it when he was alone in his apartment in the middle of the night.

  Haven turned tear-filled eyes his direction, making his heart ache. He couldn’t do tears. Not big, roll-down-her-cheeks tears.

  “I’m sorry, Haven, for acting distant the last few days. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just had some stuff I needed to work out in my head.” His thumbs brushed away the tears from her cheeks.

  Sniffling, trying to keep from crying more, Haven nodded her head. She slipped her arms around Brody and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

  “Forgiven?” he asked. She nodded against his chest.

  She tipped back her head and smiled at him with a watery gaze then pressed a soft kiss to his chin. He took that as all the encouragement he needed to kiss her the way he’d imagined doing since he walked out her door Saturday night.

  All thoughts of anything beyond kissing Haven flew out of his head and his lips met hers in a fervent blending that eventually left them both breathless.

  Haven opened her eyes and looked at Brody. Every nerve in her body tingled as he gazed back at her with those rich, dark eyes. She’d watched him around others enough to know he generally kept shutters over them, blocking the world from seeing into his heart. With her, though, he opened up and let her glimpse his soul.

  “Maybe we should go for that walk.” If they stayed on the couch, she could be in big trouble where Brody was concerned.

  “Good idea.” He stood and gave her a hand, then waited as she grabbed a sweater in case it cooled down outside before they got back. After she stuffed her keys and phone in her pockets, they strolled down the street in the direction of Brody’s apartment.

  He didn’t think hanging out there was any smarter than staying at hers, but there was a park close by. It would be a good place for them to talk for a while.

  “How are things going with the team? It seems like you’re having a great season,” Haven said, seeking a safe topic of conversation.

  “We are having a great season. Usually it takes a while for new members to mesh, but we all fit together and play together really well. It’s a good group of guys.” Brody discussed his upcoming schedule with her. After the away game that weekend, the team had a bye week where they wouldn’t play any games.

  Haven invited him to go out to the farm with her, if he wanted. He quickly agreed then asked her about some of her client projects.

  “I was just thinking, Brody, if you want to generate some good publicity for the team, and the guys were up for it, you could do a football camp for the local high school kids. Don’t you have another bye week later in the season?” Haven asked as they reached the park and headed toward a set of empty swings. “I’m sure the local news outlets would be all over it and you’d be helping the kids at the same time.”

  “That’s a great idea. I’ll mention it to the coach.” Brody understood why Haven excelled with her work. She was creative, smart, and resourceful. “Any other ideas for the team?”

  “Not at the moment, but if I think of any, I’ll let you know.” She was quiet for a moment then glanced at him, curious. “Do you have a list of your corporate sponsors?”

  “There’s a page on the website that lists them all. Why?”

  “Just thinking.” Haven appeared distracted as she took out her phone and typed in a message.

  “What are you doing?” Brody tried to see what she was writing, but couldn’t make it out when she kept turning away from him.

  “Sending myself some notes so I won’t forget.”

  “Forget what?” Brody waited until Haven sat on a swing before taking a seat on the swing next to her.

  “I’ll tell you later.” She slid the phone back into her pocket.

  “How about now?”

  “So, what else is new with you?” she asked, changing the subject and still trying to distract her thoughts from Brody’s tempting lips and strong arms. His scent drifted around her and she breathed it in, savoring every whiff.

  “I talked to my mom this morning. She insisted I send her a photo of you.” Brody snapped a photo of her with his phone before she could refuse.

  Exasperated, she frowned at him. “Good grief, Brody. At least let me comb my hair before you do that. I’ve probably got stubble burn on my chin from our kissing session at the apartment. What will your mother think?”

  “That you’re sweet and pretty and wonderful,” Brody said quietly, reaching out a hand to stroke over Haven’s head.

  “You have a habit of saying the nicest things.”

  Her soft smile turned his heart into a mushy mass in his chest. “Only because they’re true. You can ask Marcus. I don’t tell him he’s pretty or sweet.”

  Haven laughed and pushed back in the swing, making it soar forward when she lifted her feet.

  “What else did your mom have to say?”

  “Not much. She… um… gave me some advice about a problem I’ve recently encountered.”

  “Oh? What kind of problem? Is there anything I can do?” Haven continued swinging back and forth while Brody watched her.

  Although Brody knew his mom was right and he needed to tell Haven how he felt, this wasn’t the right time. He didn’t want her to think he was expressing his feelings because of how she looked Saturday night. He wanted to be clear she understood what he felt for her had very little to do with how she looked and everything to do with how she made him feel.

  If he told her he loved her now, she’d think it was because of the way Allie dressed her up for their date. Despite the fact she’d nearly driven him mad with longing that night, it wasn’t why he wanted to be with her.

  The best way to show her he cared was to spend time with her and get to know her better. When the time came to tell her he loved her, she’d know he was sincere.

  For now, though, he needed to quit acting like a dork or she’d know something was up.

  He got off his swing, stepped behind Haven, and gave her a big push, making her laugh as she soared upward.

  “Do it again, please,” she called over her shoulder before she came back toward him.

  He grinned and pushed her for several minutes before she challenged him to an obstacle course of sorts.

  Since no one else was in the park, Haven tried to utilize as many pieces of the playground equipment as possible as she made the
rules. They had to cross the monkey bars, race across a balance beam, work their way over a chain climbing wall, jump over the teeter-totter then whoosh down the slide. The first one to reach the bottom of the slide would receive the title of winner.

  “So, what’s my prize when I win?” Brody stretched then shook his arms to loosen his muscles.

  “Who said you’re gonna win, football man?” Haven removed her sweater then set it with her keys and phone near the bottom of the slide. “You’re going down, big guy.”

  “Is that right? You and whose army is taking me down?” Brody’s threatening look only made her laugh.

  “Me, so you better stop talking and start running.” Haven raced toward the monkey bars. She was halfway across when Brody caught her, his long arms able to cross much faster than her shorter ones. When he tried to pass her, she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. Surprise made him lose his grip and fall.

  “You have to get across without touching the ground or it doesn’t count,” she said, swinging across the far end, then running for the balance beam.

  She’d barely taken two steps when Brody grabbed her around the waist and slung her over his shoulder, carrying her across. He set her down then leaped toward the climbing wall, his long arms and legs giving him a definite advantage as he scurried upward. Near the top, he almost fell off when his feet didn’t want to work.

  Somehow, Haven managed to tie his shoelaces together.

  “You’re such a cheater!” Unable to move forward with his shoes laces in a knot, he hung by one hand, reached down and worked until his laces were free. He hurried to finish his climb and drop down the other side. By then, Haven ran toward the teeter-totter. He would have passed her, but she stuck out a foot and tripped him.

  He rolled in the grass before coming to his feet with a growl.

  “You are in such trouble, doll.” He ran at top speed toward the slide. He tried to grab her foot as she climbed in front of him, but she kicked at him while pulling herself upward and swooshed down the slide.

  She raised her arms in the air and performed a victory dance. He slid down and sat at the bottom of the slide watching her antics.

  “Remind me not to race against you again. You cheat and you’re mean. You do know I need this body in working order to be able to play football.” Brody held a hand against his chest and did his best to look wounded.

  “Did I really hurt you?” Abruptly, Haven stopped her dance and knelt in front of him, looking at him with concerned eyes. “I’m sorry, Brody. I’m used to playing with my brothers and I didn’t mean to…”

  Brody silenced her with a kiss. When he pulled back, they both smiled.

  “I think you need to kiss all the wounds you inflicted and make them better.” He held out a scraped elbow.

  She placed a soft kiss there and offered him a saucy grin. “Any other boo-boos?”

  “Right here.” Brody pointed to the back of his hand. She kissed the spot. “And here.” He indicated a place on his forehead.

  “Anywhere else?” Her heat-filled gaze caused a spike in his internal thermometer.

  “Yep. You missed this spot.” He pointed to his lips.

  She gave him a skeptical look, but pressed her lips to his. When she did, Brody picked her up in his arms and settled her across his lap. Lost in each other, they stayed on the bottom of the slide, kissing, until dark settled in and Brody knew he needed to walk Haven home.

  “Come on, cheater-girl, let’s get you home.” He set her on her feet and picked up her sweater. Holding it for her, she slid her arms into the sleeves then grabbed her keys and phone. She took his hand and they strolled back to her apartment.

  When she unlocked the door, Brody knew if he stepped inside to kiss her, he wouldn’t want to leave. Instead, he kissed her fingers and gave her a look that conveyed what he felt for her in his heart.

  “Good night, Brody,” she whispered, closing the door behind her.

  “I seriously doubt it,” Brody muttered darkly, walking back to his apartment. Sleep wouldn’t come easy.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bright sunlight peeking around the edges of his blinds flickered in Brody’s face, drawing him from his dreams.

  Not quite ready to leave behind his visions of Haven, he stretched then rolled over. Her scent lingered in his nose, her voice echoed in his ears, and he could feel her soft skin beneath his fingers.

  Wide-awake, he finally opened his eyes and got out of bed. He shuffled to the kitchen and dug through the fridge for something to eat, but ended up pouring a bowl of cereal. Slowly eating soggy corn flakes, he looked around and decided to clean his apartment. He tried to keep things somewhat orderly, but the furniture needed to be dusted, the floor hadn’t seen a vacuum for weeks, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d cleaned the bathroom.

  After starting a load of laundry, he picked up anything that could be considered garbage and filled a large bag. He set it by the door then went to work on the bathroom, did a second load of laundry, and vacuumed every surface of the floor that was visible. He used one of his dirty Tshirts to dust the furniture. The kitchen sink received a good scrubbing and he wiped down the counters, at the extent of his cleaning abilities.

  He took a shower, shaved and slapped on some aftershave, then tousled his hair. After pulling on a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt, he folded his clean laundry and put it away then gave his apartment a critical appraisal. It didn’t look too bad for a single guy who didn’t really care if it was clean most of the time.

  Brody picked up his keys and phone, shoved them in his pocket, and grabbed the garbage bag on his way out the door.

  He walked toward Haven’s thinking about how much he’d enjoyed seeing her the previous evening. Since it was the week they didn’t have any football games, they hung out with Marcus and his date.

  The four of them went out to eat at a popular Mexican restaurant, then went back to Haven’s apartment after dinner and played Pictionary. Haven and Brody trounced the other couple so thoroughly, Marcus said he wouldn’t play with them ever again, so Haven played a movie and they watched it before everyone called it a night.

  Marcus sent him a text after he got home saying his little “doll” was sure sweet. It made him happy to know his best friend liked his best girl.

  He crossed Haven’s parking lot and tapped on her door. She wasn’t expecting him until later that afternoon, but he had something he wanted to do with her before they met Hale and Abby for dinner and a concert.

  It didn’t take long after meeting Haven for him to realize she loved to read. She had a bookcase against one wall by the kitchen filled with books and he’d seen her using an electronic reader on more than one occasion.

  He shouldn’t have been surprised when she opened the door with a paperback in her hand, unaware of who stood in front of her until Brody reached out and grabbed the book away.

  “Oh, hi.” She smiled at him with warmth in her eyes, pleased to see him.

  “What are you doing answering the door like that?” Brody stepped inside and closing the door behind him. He set her book on an end table and stared at her. “What if I’d been a vampire or a serial killer or who knows what? You need to pay attention.”

  “I was, I just… it was…” Haven released a sigh. “What am I supposed to do, beat somebody over the head with my umbrella?”

  “No. You can’t just open the door like that. If it were someone intent on doing you harm, you’d have already let him into your home. You can’t go around oblivious to what’s going on. You’re going to learn to defend yourself. Go change into some workout clothes,” he ordered, not leaving any room for argument, although it didn’t stop her from trying.

  “Maybe I don’t want to.” Stubbornly, she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Maybe I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you wearing those jeans and that blouse. I guarantee you’d much rather wear comfortable clothes.”

  Haven stood her ground, giving hi
m the glare that made her coworkers jump into action without question. On Brody, however, it didn’t seem to faze him at all.

  “Go change,” he growled, taking a step toward her.

  She ran into her bedroom and slammed the door but soon emerged wearing a T-shirt, yoga pants, and running shoes.

  “You know you’re a bully, don’t you?”

  “Fully aware of the fact. Now, move it.” He opened the door and took her hand, looking to make sure she had her phone and keys, then shut the door behind them.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as he led her out to the street and started walking in the direction of his apartment.

  “My place.” He tugged her along behind him.

  “Why?” She wondered what Brody had planned. A thundercloud had settled on his face and he hadn’t even tried to kiss her since she opened her door.

  Although she’d been looking forward to spending the evening with him, she wasn’t in the mood to put up with his surly looks and bossy attitude.

  However, curiosity to see Brody’s apartment spurred her onward. Hale’s apartment was generally clean but sometimes messy while Tom’s was always a smelly disaster. She hoped Brody’s would be more like Hale’s.

  Brody hurried up the steps to his apartment, unlocked the door, and motioned for her to precede him inside.

  Haven glanced around, surprised by the clean and orderly state of his apartment. She breathed deeply, inhaling Brody’s scent.

  “Very nice. I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks,” he said, shoving his living room furniture around until he had a large open space on the floor.

  “Take off your glasses and set them with your phone and keys over there.” He motioned to the coffee table he’d just pushed against the counter dividing the kitchen from the living room.

  “Fine, but I still think I deserve to know why you made me change and marched me over here like some drill sergeant.”

  Although she couldn’t see distances or do computer work without her glasses, standing just a few feet away from Brody, she could see him perfectly fine. From his tousled hair and square jaw to his long legs and the muscles that bulged beneath his shirt, the sight of his masculine form made her cheeks heat.