my arms, even brushing through my hair.
I did the same.
Rory was a firecracker without the fuse—too polite to light herself. I’d strike that match for us, hoping for a sparking delight and not to have this mistake blow up in my face. This was trouble. Danger. And I liked it.
She was my best-friend’s sister.
A lifelong friend.
A woman carrying another man’s child.
It didn’t matter. In that moment, she’d chosen me. Parted her lips and groaned my name. Rory touched me, caressed me, and, in her own excitement, led me back until my ass struck one of the trainers’ tables.
She pinned me.
What man in his right mind would try to get away?
I hungrily devoured any kiss she offered. Her sundress wrinkled in my hand. She’d said she wasn’t wearing panties.
Was it worth jeopardizing our relationship to find out the truth?
Yes.
No.
I inched the dress over her hips, one fistful at a time. Higher and higher, until the warm flesh of her thigh brushed my fingertips.
It was enough to drive a man mad…if he had any mind left to shatter.
For once, the concussions spared me. My mind rejected everything but the promising heat that pulsed from the hidden slit between her legs.
I’d imagined it enough, fantasized about this very pleasure in my shower while struggling under the icy blast of the water. It never eased the strain of my principals, morals, and desires.
But now she was here. Waiting for me. Her every secret within my grasp. All it’d take was a single touch, a rolled finger striking a most forbidden spot. I could cripple her. Turn her pants into gasps. Transform the frustrated ache into a moment of deserving pleasure.
I had to touch her. Had to feel that wetness against my skin. Had to obey my own fantasies and savor the heat and slickness and silken petals that tormented me these past six weeks.
My hand tickled over her thigh without a single breath of protest from Rory. She gripped me, tight, but she didn’t move away.
She pressed against me instead.
I stroked her clit, a tiny little button that trembled because of my touch.
Amazing.
She wanted this. Wanted me. Wanted more.
A touch wasn’t enough. I circled with my finger, pressing hard against that perfect spot just to hear the tremble in her voice and savor the heat pulsing from her slit. Rory gripped me, her fingers tangling in my shirt as she struggled to remain standing.
What sort of gentleman was I?
I had a table. A desperate woman. A waiting slit.
And I needed to see her, to study and taste and delight that dangerous place of no return.
I tensed to move her, but Rory jumped as if I had clocked her instead.
She pushed me away, brushing her dress over her thighs.
I frowned. “What—”
Rory grabbed my cheeks, inadvertently slapping hard against my head. I saw stars, but, when I opened my eyes, she was there. Staring. Eyebrows arched high.
“Your pupils look good.” She spoke too loudly. “Yep. You’re gonna be fine.”
What the hell?
I blinked a split second of utter confusion, but the door banged open, and an army of eight-year-olds invaded the locker room. Lachlan bounced them around on a tour of the practice facility, exhausting the few camp counselors desperately trying to keep the kids from climbing through players’ lockers.
Rory plastered a fake smile on her face and greeted everyone.
“Hi there, kids. I’m Doctor Merriweather!”
The children screamed in unison. “Hello, Doctor Merriweather.”
“I was just…checking over a patient,” she said.
The campers didn’t care, but Elle wasn’t buying it. “Right. Just playing doctor, huh?”
I hopped off the table. “Thanks, Doc. I’m feeling a lot better.”
Rory groaned. “Why do I doubt that?”
“Second trimester?” Elle asked.
What the hell was this magical trimester? And why did it embarrass Rory so much? She ducked away from Elle and Lachlan and raced to the door.
She was embarrassed.
Terrified.
Running.
That figured.
I raced after her before Rory attempted to wall-flower herself straight into the foundation. I chased her to the hall, but she wouldn’t look me in the eyes.
“Rory,” I said. “It just got a little out of hand.”
“No…I’m pretty sure I got into your hand.”
“You’ll get no complaints from me.”
She didn’t want to hear it, couldn’t even look at me.
Christ, what had I done?
“I think you should help Lachlan out. The team’s supposed to mingle with the kids.” She stepped away. “I’ll go see if the medical team needs me.”
“Rory, wait.”
She slipped away without another word.
Great.
I couldn’t let myself get distracted like this, not when I had a hard enough time keeping my head in one piece.