were shirtless, including Dax.
Oh geez…I forgot how hot he was.
Denise looked at me and then the court. “You’re going to play against those giants?”
“Hey, I can hold my own pretty well,” I argued.
“It’s true,” Charlie said. “She’s quick on her feet.”
Matt averted his eyes. “It’s so hard not to stare…”
“Then don’t not stare,” Charlie countered.
“But I’ve got a man now,” Matt said. “Seems wrong.”
“Aww, that’s cute,” Denise said.
We moved to the bleachers and took a seat, putting down our water bottles and towels.
Denise sat beside me. “Is Dax here yet?”
“Over there on the court with the eight-pack, massive shoulders, and built chest.” I said.
“And you’re just going to play with him?” she asked incredulously.
“That’s the plan.”
She shook her head. “Good luck, girl.”
Charlie stood up and took off his shirt—even though he’d never done that for a game before. He jogged onto the court.
Denise’s eyes immediately went to his frame, watching him as he ran off.
Maybe Charlie was right.
Matt left his shirt on and moved onto the court.
“Are you going to take off your shirt too?” she teased.
“Nah. I’ve got class.” I took a drink from my water bottle and made my way onto the court.
Dax had just finished greeting Charlie and Matt when he noticed me. Over six feet of sweaty muscles, he was perfect. His biceps and triceps were slick and shiny, and his carved stomach was like a washboard. He was easier to tolerate fully clothed. But this…this was rough.
His eyes lightened noticeably as he looked at me, and a slight smile moved onto his lips. He approached me, hands on his hips. “I’m glad you’re playing with us. My team won the game last week.”
“Because I wasn’t here?” I asked playfully.
He shrugged. “It’s an odd coincidence, huh?”
“Or maybe no coincidence at all.” I nudged him in the side with a smile and got ready to play. “Let’s do this.”
We started the game, and Dax wasn’t on me all the time. Sometimes other guys covered me, and they were definitely more aggressive, treating me like another guy instead of the five-foot-five woman that I was.
Charlie was on my team, so we always worked to get open for each other, to get the ball and send it into the hoop. Matt was on the opposite team, so whenever he was on top of me, he kept a respectful distance.
When I made a three-pointer, Denise stood up and screamed. “That’s my girl!”
Charlie played harder than he ever had, dominating the court like it was life-and-death. He broke out in a heavy sweat, his skin shiny and slippery. His fit physique stole the show, his shorts low on his hips.
He was such a show-off right now.
When I got the ball again, Dax covered me.
I almost dropped the ball because the whiff of his cologne was too much, mixed with the scent of his sex. It gave me a sudden flashback of the last time we were together, and I broke concentration just for a second. It was enough to make me lose control of the ball.
But Dax didn’t react right away, like he didn’t want to steal it from me.
I got the ball again and dribbled away.
“I’m open!” Charlie ran back, ready to make a three-pointer.
I passed it.
He jumped in the air and made it. “Yes!”
Dax turned to me, his hands on his hips. “Your plan is working.”
“Sorry?”
He nodded to Denise. “She’s definitely paying attention to him.”
When the game was over, we were all exhausted. Everything was sore, including my ass. My calves burned, and my lungs ached for air.
But Charlie walked it off like nothing happened. He strolled to the bench, dried off with a towel, acting nonchalant even though it was obvious to me he was still showing off. His abs were constantly flexed because he wouldn’t relax whatsoever.
“I didn’t know you were such a good player.” Denise grabbed his water bottle and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He took it and sat down, keeping space between them, either because he was nervous or because he smelled like he’d just worked out.
“What about me?” I walked slowly, practically limping, and then dropped onto the bleachers, sighing because my entire body was sore. “Oh god, I’m gonna die.” I grabbed the bottle and sucked on it like a baby on a nipple.
She chuckled. “You kicked ass too. But Charlie really stole the show.”
He wiped his face with his towel. “I like to play hard.”
Denise wasn’t looking at me, so I rolled my eyes.
“Should we get something to eat?” Matt asked. “If