Tackling Love - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,17
and then laugh. “Well, he’s kind of special.”
Right at that moment, Beau gets between us, standing on my foot and drops his ball.
Laughing, we pull apart, and I ruffle his big head. “Want me to throw the ball?” In response, Beau barks and runs a few feet away. I pick up the ball and throw it as far as I can, the movement causing pain to shoot down my arm.
“Jesus,” I groan and rub my shoulder.
“Are you okay?” asks Skye, her brows furrowing.
“Sugar, I’m fine, but I don’t think I’ll be playing tonight.”
“Do you have anything I could rub on it?”
“Yeah, up in the house.”
Skye grabs my hand and takes me back inside. “Where?”
“It’s in the second drawer over by the sink.”
Skye opens the drawer and rummages through all my medicines. “What is all of this for?”
“Past injuries. Current issues. There are vitamins in there, too.”
When Skye finds what she’s looking for, she unscrews the lid. “Take off your T-shirt.”
“I knew it. You wanted to get me naked,” I say with a wink.
“Do it, mister,” orders Skye.
Slowly, so I don’t aggravate my shoulder, I take off my T-shirt.
“Damn,” says Skye with a sigh.
“I take it that means you like what you’re looking at?”
“What’s not to like?” Skye shakes her head and grins at me. “Okay, sit at the table so I can do this.”
“Any excuse to touch me?”
“Oh, Colt, I don’t need an excuse.”
I chuckle and let her small hands work wonders on my shoulder, easing my muscles.
“I like this,” I sigh, contentedly.
“Me giving you a massage?”
“Yes, but not just that. You in my home, in my clothes, even Beau likes you. It feels good, right.”
“I like it, too,” whispers Skye.
My eyes are closed, and I smile automatically. “You should stay here more often.”
“I have a home.”
“Yeah, sugar, I know. But here there are no reporters, no fans… just us.”
“And Beau,” quips Skye.
“And Beau.”
SKYE
Colt didn’t train on Monday night. The team doctor ordered more tests but was satisfied there wasn’t any permanent damage. He went to training, and they dissected the last game. Colt invited me to his home after, but since I’d used a sick day to spend the day with him, it was time to catch up on some work, so I stayed home.
It’s Tuesday now, and the day is over. You know it’s one of those days that never seem to end, instead they drag? Well, that was my day today. The children had a never-ending litany of questions, which isn’t unusual, but today I wasn’t up to it. Tonight I’m going to Colt’s, and I couldn’t wait for the day to be over. As I’m cleaning my classroom, there’s a knock on the door. Turning, I see Tony Wilson, the principal.
“Hey, Skye, how are you feeling?”
“Good, thank you, Mr. Wilson.”
“Skye, I was worried. In all the time you’ve worked here, you’ve never taken a sick day.”
“Yes, Mr. um… Tony. I’m fine, just a stomach thing.” I avoid all eye contact and start shuffling papers into piles.
“You sure you’re okay?” Tony asks, moving further into the room.
I look him in the eye. “Yes, I’m fine. Absolutely fine!”
“Good. Can’t have our best kindergarten teacher sick. After all, the children and some of the staff missed you.”
Tony is staring at me with more than concern. Blushing, I grab my handbag out of the drawer and say, “Thank you for your concern. The children kind of wore me out today. I’m going home for a well-deserved break.”
“Can I walk you to your car?”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I’ll be fine. I just need to rest. See you tomorrow.”
Rushing past him, I practically run to my car. I’ve never looked at Tony like that—he’s my boss. When I reach my car, Colt is leaning up against it.
“Hey, beautiful,” Colt drawls as I get closer.
“Hey, lover.”
“You going to kiss me?” asks Colt with a smirk.
“That depends… is there a tall man with blond hair standing near the entrance to the school?”
Colt looks over my shoulder and nods. “Yes, but what does he have to do with anything?”
“That’s my boss, and he was checking on me as I was sick yesterday. I don’t need him jumping to any conclusions about my personal life. And besides, I told him I wasn’t seeing you.”
“Let me get this straight, you’re keeping me a secret?”
“The school doesn’t approve of us dating… so, yes, from them I am.”
Colt pushes off my car and strides toward the school.
“Colt!”
He turns around but continues walking backward. “Don’t worry, Skye, I won’t