Going Deep Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

by Virna DePaul

  “Full responsibility, Zoe? Really? Because I think it was my tongue in your mouth.”

  She flushed. “Yes, well, I initiated the kiss and I hadn’t even been moved in for 24 hours.”

  “You initiated it and I returned it whole heartedly. I’m damn glad you kissed me, Zoe. I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the moment I first saw you.”

  His bold statement filled her with pleasure, but only momentarily. “Well, you didn’t and for good reason. Because we’re working together, and we really need to stay as professional as we can. That means as much as I appreciate your offer to let me stay—”

  “Why?”

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “Why do we have to keep things completely professional when we’re obviously attracted to one another? There’s no official rule against a trainer and client hooking up, is there?”

  “I have a rule against it. Because my career is important to me, this job is important to me, and if lines get blurred, things will be awkward at best–just think of how we started this session—or contentious at worst. I don’t want to take the chance that something goes wrong between us personally and you decide to let me go or worse, bad mouth me to the entire Savannah Bootleggers organization.”

  “I wouldn’t do that,” Gabe gritted out.

  “I don’t think you would, but sex changes things, Gabe. You can’t deny that. There’s also the fact that I don’t have casual sex. And given you just moved here and your focus is obviously football, I’m assuming you’re not looking for any kind of commitment. Am I wrong?”

  Gabe stared at her, looking like he wanted to continue arguing, but then the air seemed to go out of him. “You’re not wrong. Football is my priority. It has to be. More importantly, I will never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable, Zoe. So please, don’t move out because of what happened. You can trust me.”

  But could she trust herself? She wasn’t sure. “Gabe…” she began, her indecision in her voice.

  “We’ll keep things professional between us. Nothing more,” he said, his expression now blank, as if he was already compartmentalizing her into her proper place: trainer only, no kissing, no emotion, no anything. And even though she’d just been telling him that’s how it should be, she found she hated the idea.

  Zoe bit her lip. “Well, it doesn’t just have to be completely professional between us. We can be friends, can’t we?”

  He actually looked like that was the last thing he wanted, but he nodded gamely. “Of course.”

  “Then why don’t you finish up that set of burpees and tell me what you think of your new teammates.” Gabe was so great, giving her another chance to prove that she could handle things the way she was supposed to without throwing herself at him. So things had gotten a little out of hand last night. So what? Maybe now that they’d cleared the air, talked about how things were going to be between them, things would be fine.

  Gabe sighed, then started doing burpees again. He didn’t speak for a while, but eventually he said, “Most of the guys on the team seem decent. Kyle Young introduced himself.”

  “Ooo, Kyle Young who married Princess Arabella of Salasia. That Kyle Young?”

  Gabe snorted. “The man’s a GOAT and that’s what you focus on? As the daughter of Kip Reynolds, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Zoe snorted. “As the daughter of Kip Reynolds, I know that Young is the Greatest Of All Time because last season he had 50 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns, and he was ranked first in total touchdowns for all players. He earned the MVP of the League in his second year and since he took over as starting quarterback the Bootleggers have made the playoffs for the past five years, and of those they won 2 Super Bowls. But knowing all that, I still think it’s pretty cool that he married a princess, mostly because I heard the odds were against them and to win her over he basically stormed a palace.”

  Pausing again, Gabe put his hands on his hips and grinned. “Ah, so what you’re saying then is that you, Zoe Reynolds, a woman who almost made me cry after our first workout, are a romantic at heart?”

  “I almost made you cry?”

  He held up his index finger and thumb to show a small space between them. “This close.”

  She laughed. “Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet, Murphy. And yes, I suppose I am a romantic when it comes to the idea that a man would be willing not just to climb mountains but even fight an unbeatable fight to win the woman he loves.”

  “Huh.” Gabe tilted his head and stared at her with assessing eyes. “Have you ever felt that way about anyone? That you were willing to fight an unbeatable fight for the one you love?”

  Zoe thought of the three serious boyfriends she’d had, and while she’d cared for them, she hadn’t ever told them she loved them. “I hope to have it one day. After I’ve got my life sorted out. Have you ever felt that way?”

  He shrugged. “I was only ever serious about one person, and it turned out Renee liked the money that came with being an NFL player, but not the sacrifices that went with it. It was all for the best, though.”

  “Right. Because football is your priority,” she said, no judgment in her voice. Everyone had their priorities and falling in love wasn’t always one of them. It wasn’t for her, either. She had to fix her financial situation. Spend as much time with her father as possible. Get Iron Maiden back on track. It was no different than Gabe’s career goals. “It won’t be long before you’re established here.”

  “I hope not. Either way, I’m not sure a love like you’re talking about actually exists. But I do know I’d die for my sister. That if I could have saved my parents, I would have died to do so. So maybe it does.”

  Staring at him, Zoe saw once again how his eyes darkened with grief when he talked about his parents. She felt that same grief over the slow loss of her father, a man who had loved her but who had always seen his own family, Zoe, her mother, and her brother included, as second best to football. He’d never said it, but it was apparent in the family celebrations and school functions he’d missed. While they’d started to get closer as adults after he’d retired, Zoe had been busy building her own life, and then her father’s illness had begun.

  Her heart ached with regret, both for Gabe and Murph’s loss of their parents, what she’d never have with her father again, and also for what she’d never even have the chance of having with Gabe.

  He deserved the kind of love they’d been talking about and maybe one day he really would find it.

  It just wouldn’t be with her.

  She cleared her throat. “Well, why don’t we cool down and then I’ll let you get on your way.”

  After their shaky start, Zoe and Gabe settled into a routine. She trained him six days a week, doubling up on two days, and often stopped by his practices to see him play. In their first week alone, he made visible improvement to his range of motion and response time, which caused him to high-five her one day and dub her the GOAT of physical trainers. In turn, she continued to push him plenty, but sometimes he wanted to push even more and she had to rein him in.

  Zoe made a point of buying her own groceries, and even picked up some for Gabe and Murph, too. She’d also asked Gabe to deduct some of her training fee to help defray the costs of her staying with them, but Gabe had flatly refused. (“What cost? The bedroom was empty and we’d still be running the A/C, so forget it”). She was incredibly touched by both his and his sister’s generosity.

  When they weren’t training, their friendship progressed, as well. Zoe had never grown so comfortable with someone so quick, but it was easy given that Gabe was funny, easy to talk to, and except when it came to his football career, extremely easygoing. They’d often hang out together, eating meals, watching movies, even taking walks around his beautiful neighborhood. Sometimes Murph joined them, but mostly she was gone, doing her sports agent-y things and only showing up to pick up items of clothing, shoes, and other personal items, wave to them, and take off again.

 
; Of course, Gabe was insanely busy with practice, and Zoe had a busy schedule herself, what with helping out at Iron Maiden, visiting her father, and seeing her brother, but she enjoyed her time with Gabe immensely. Sometimes, however, it was a curse, because the more time she spent with him, the more she liked him.

  And the more she liked him as a person, the more attracted she was to him as a man.

  At first, she’d found herself avoiding touching him as much as possible during their sessions, but when she realized what she was doing she was ashamed of herself. She needed to touch Gabe in order to correct his positioning or to provide resistance during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching, which helped create more flexibility in a variety of muscles. So she’d forced herself to stop holding back, and if it meant the two of them sometimes stared at each other a little more longingly than they should, then that was just tough luck. They never addressed their continuing attraction out loud, however, almost as if doing so would open a Pandora’s box of lust, and when they hung out together in their off time, she made it a point to keep a slight distance between them. No more snuggling too close on sofas—she always sat at least a cushion away or even better in his huge armchair while he sat on the couch.

  “Opening Day is in a couple of weeks, and that means Cut Day’s coming, as well,” Gabe said one day after they’d just finished up a training session.

  She was surprised by the hint of tension she’d heard in his voice.

  Cut Day was when every team’s general manager, head coach, assistants and scouts reviewed the team’s roster, reducing the number of players to fifty-three. Every guy on the team anxiously awaited this day to see if they still had a job or if they had to go looking for work somewhere else. But Gabe had just been picked up by the Bootleggers and he was one of the best players in the NFL, even with his injured shoulder. Surely, he wasn’t worried about being cut, was he?

  Before she could ask him, Gabe continued. “With Cut Day so close, it’s beginning to affect performance. To boost morale, Coach has arranged for a big shindig at someplace called Patricia’s by the River. Have you heard of it?”

  “It’s supposed to be amazing. So the idea is to share a great meal, get to know your fellow teammates a little better, and hopefully, everyone will relax?”

  “That’s right.”

  “When is it?”

  “Friday night. But I’m not going.”

  “Why not?”

  He shrugged. “It’s not mandatory and Murph’s got plans. I’ll just hang out here.”

  Zoe knew what he was doing. She’d seen it over and over again at practice. How he kept himself apart from his teammates. Refusing to get close to anyone. She didn’t have to be a psychologist to know that he was stung by the Noise’s decision to let him go and was trying to protect himself. She hated that he was hurting. Isolating. As not just his trainer but the friend she was becoming, she wanted to help him rebuild his life here, which meant getting him in tip-top physical shape, but also getting him to relax his guard around others. He was such a great guy and he deserved a balanced life. Football could be his priority, but everyone needed connections. Besides his sister and herself, he didn’t appear to have anyone else.

  An idea formed in her head, and before she could second guess the wisdom of it, she blurted out, “What if I come with you?”

  Gabe stopped in the act of drinking from his water bottle. “I thought you said we needed to keep things professional.”

  “We do. We are. But we’ve become friends and this wouldn’t be a date. Other guys will be bringing people along with them, won’t they? Managers, agents, mothers…”

  “I suppose so.” He narrowed his eyes at her, clearly faking suspicion, obviously teasing her. “So what would you get out of it?”

  “Do I have to get something out of it?”

  “In my experience, no one does something for nothing.”

  Well, that was certainly cynical, she thought, and didn’t seem consistent with the man she’d gotten to know the past few weeks. “How about I get to go to Patricia’s, a five-star restaurant with a six-month waiting list? Plus, I get to spend the night with a friend.”

  His eyes grew heated at that, and she cursed herself for her seemingly unending supply of unintentional sexually-charged innuendoes. “Tell me the truth, Zoe. Is that all we are?”

  Surprised, she stared at him, fumbling for what to say since they’d already gone over this, but knowing in her heart why he was asking. Because as much as they’d been building their friendship, the chemistry between them was always there.

  At her prolonged silence, he shook his head. “Never mind. Forget I said that. I think I lost some brain cells with that last workout, you pushed so hard. Kidding!” he said when she started to protest. “You know I like it hard, peach.”

  Ugh. Now she was back to having sex on the brain.

  “Anyway, thanks for the offer,” he said. “And you’re right, we are friends. So yes, let’s go together. But only because I was such an asshole to you the first time we met and I can make it up to you with some good food and maybe more than that.”

  Even though she was still rattled by his questioning their friendship and saying he liked it hard, she let it go and smiled. “Um, I think you’ve already made it up to me by not being an asshole the past couple of weeks, paying me a great salary, and letting me live in your amazing house. But what do you mean by ‘good food and more than that’?”

  “I mean, you can have some of the most stellar food in all of Savannah, or so I’ve heard, and maybe you can make a few connections at the same time, maybe bring Iron Maiden more business.”

  “Gabe, that isn’t why I suggested going,” she said.

  “I know. But you’re a great trainer, Zoe. Why shouldn’t you network with other football players after you’re through with me?”

  The notion of being “through” with him when they’d barely begun working together made Zoe’s heart ache a little. Murph had guaranteed her six weeks of work, but was Gabe thinking of not continuing with their sessions afterward? Because while he wouldn't have to train as often or to the degree he was now in the long term, and while she wouldn’t need to stay at his house, she was hoping he’d want to continue working with her indefinitely.

  And not just because of her job. Not just because she needed money.

  Because she knew she’d miss Gabe, miss his friendship.

  But what could she say? Do you not like me enough to keep working with me? She’d sound pathetic. She was giving him the best she had as a trainer. If that wasn’t good enough for him in the long run, then so be it.

  “I don’t know, Gabe. I offered so I could help you have a good time, not—”

  “Chickening out on me, peach?”

  Funny how she’d initially bristled at the nickname that now filled her with pleasure upon hearing it.

  Being with Gabe was a pleasure, period. And if their time together really was limited, why shouldn’t she enjoy it while it lasted?

  Excitement sizzled through her. They might not be going on a date, but she would still get to spend the whole night with Gabe. “You’re right. Okay, Friday night it is. Thanks, Gabe.”

  “Thank you, Zoe. For offering to go with me Friday. For being a great trainer. And for wanting to be my friend.”

  Chapter 11

  Friday night, when Gabe heard the click-clack of heels coming down the hallway, he knew he was about to witness a heavenly sight. Zoe Reynolds was a gorgeous woman, no doubt, but the goddess walking toward him was out of this world. Her dark green dress gathered at her waist, accentuating her lovely shape, and a pretty brown braid crowned her head, tucking into the nape of her neck. Dangly earrings gave her a touch of elegance.

  Point blank, Gabe Murphy would be the luckiest man at the event tonight. If he didn’t make people talk over his performance on the field, he’d make them talk over his plus-one.

  “Wow. Damn…”

  “Too much?” She struck a
pose. “I feel like I should go back and change into the jumpsuit I was considering.”

  “Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare change anything about how you look right now. You’re perfect.” He smiled then held out his arm and she curled her fingers around his bicep. Whatever body lotion or spray she wore made her smell like a summer forest.

  “Perfect for scarfing down the best food in town maybe.” She gave him a coy smile, and those dimples of hers popped out to break his heart.

  “You can eat whatever you like. Me, I have a strict diet to stick to, or else my trainer will bust my ass.”

  “Really? She sounds like my kind of trainer.”

  “She? No, no, I’d never use a female trainer,” he said totally deadpan. “They can’t do the job as well as a guy can. Too dainty. Not enough grit. Besides, women are only good for one thing…”

  He could tell from the boomerang eyebrow cutting into her forehead that she was about to punch him. Quickly, he added, “Ruling the world, of course. What’d you think I was gonna say?” He led her outside to the driveway and opened the passenger door of his four-month-old Porsche 911 in midnight blue.

  She stepped in, running her hand over the tan leather. “Whoa. Where’d you have this thing?”

  “Garage, along with my Harley and Yamaha.” He loved his bikes and car, even though he rarely had the time to go for rides on them simply for the joy of it. “I’ll take you out sometime.”

  “Oh, God. I’m terrified of motorcycles, so we’ll see.”

  The night was considerably cooler than it’d been during the day, now that they were nearing September, but thankfully neither he nor Zoe had mentioned her moving back to her place when the heat wave died down. He couldn’t wait to feel the tiniest bit of fall in the air, so he could drive with the top down. He wouldn’t do it now—no way would he ruin Georgia Peach’s hair.

  In the car, he asked her if she’d ever worked with another professional athlete, and to his surprise she named a few pro football players.

  “They didn’t keep you on?”