Jude. I hate that I dragged you into this.”
“You didn’t drag me. I wouldn’t have had you do that alone for anything, even if someone offered me another five years of football.”
“You mean it?”
“I said I’d take care of you. I mean it. You’re worth it, Rory. You know that.”
I didn’t, but I was starting to believe it. And whether that was right or wrong, I needed that bit of hope to keep me going.
I leaned over, kissing his cheek. He smirked.
“No one was around to see it,” he said.
“I was.” I kissed him again, softly. “And I’ll never forget it.”
9
Jude
This woman got more beautiful every day.
It was torture.
I went to training camp, and she was there.
I came home, and she was there.
I went to sleep, and she wasn’t in the bed, but I couldn’t get her out of my head.
And now, I met her at a Rivet’s charity event. My awareness was definitely raised…but not for the charity.
Rory greeted me outside the practice facility, shrugging as she showed off a form-fitting peach sundress. She peeked at me from beneath a wide-brimmed straw hat and smiled.
“How’s this dress look?” She spun. “Be honest.”
I loved her in it. I imagined her out of it.
And then my eyes focused on where she pointed—her lamp. Well, her bump. Rory’s tummy was suddenly visible in the right clothing.
I hated myself for the thoughts I’d been having of this woman. I once considered myself a gentleman. A good friend. Someone she could trust.
Friends didn’t lust. I imagined desires that didn’t belong to me, and words she would never whisper. Like she didn’t have enough problems. Like she wasn’t stressed and scared and completely vulnerable. She depended on me.
I couldn’t think with my cock, but I couldn’t answer with my head.
“Wow,” I said.
“I knew it.” Rory groaned. “I’ll toss my lab coat over it. Maybe no one will notice.”
“No. You look—” I stopped myself before I said something stupid, like incredible or sexy or ball-bustingly beautiful. “Smart.”
Her expression fell. “Oh. Well? Best we can hope for now.”
“No, it’s a good smart.” I wasn’t risking her tears. “You look good. The hat is an…interesting choice.”
“If we’re gonna be out in the sun all day, it pays to be cautious.”
“Can I pay you to take it off?”
“This hat cost me forty bucks.”
“I’ll pay you double to forget you own it.”
Rory smirked. “Out of all the clothes you’ll pay me to take off…you aim for my hat?”
“Don’t tempt me. I’ll trade a signing bonus for your panties.”
“Tough luck.” Her eyebrow rose. “Those aren’t for sale.”
“Why not?”
She twirled again, running her hands over her hips. “Not wearing any.”
If it wasn’t a concussion dropping me, it’d be a stroke. I waited for the blood to circulate north again.
It didn’t.
“Rory Merriweather.” I practically growled. “Since when are you so naughty?”
“Since this dress got a little tight and showed panty lines.”
That was considerably less fun. “I don’t believe you. The Rory I know wouldn’t dare leave the house without panties.”
“You’re trying to bait me into showing you.” She winked. “The Jude Owens I know would never be so forward.”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think?”
“And maybe this isn’t my first time going commando.”
“Around me?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know…”
“I would. Very much.”
Rory teased with a wink so tempting it hit like a blow to the head. “Maybe if you’re good at this event today, I’ll let you in on a couple more secrets.”
“Good secrets?”
“The best secrets.”
“Dirty?” I grinned.
“Absolutely filthy.”
“You got a deal,” I said. “I’m yours to command.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I’ll demand back rubs before the day is out.”
I could think of worse ways to spend my night. Hell, it’d be the best part of my day, if not my summer. While nothing was as exciting as winning our three exhibition games, earning Rory’s giggle thrilled me as much as a first down.
It also hurt less. Rory was quiet, unlike the grating roar of the crowd. She didn’t blind me like the pulsing of a headache. Rory offered me a strange peace.
I could either try to figure out what those feelings were…
Or I could train harder on the field and overcome the headaches and other issues.
I chose to focus. This season was the most important of my life. I had to dedicate myself one hundred percent to the game to not only win, but to stay healthy.
But pretty smiles with rose-scented teases didn’t keep me in the game. Rory was sweet. Beautiful. Fun. Was that what I had