Chapter 7
Taylor
I should’ve known that Harper would be someone that would change my life.
I was serious after our first workout session when I told her that I’m not a fuckboy.
I never have been, despite the way others in my profession are viewed.
I’m pretty sure she’s always known that about me too.
But after that workout session and me going in for a kiss like that, I had to be certain, even if I did cover it up with my usual charming wit.
Now I’m sitting here like an asshole, waiting for her to call me because, after that move, I think the only way to drive my point home that I’m not interested in a one-night stand is to let her be the one to come to me.
It’s been a full twenty-four hours since I had my mouth on hers. Twenty-four hours too long.
What’s taking so long? I know she wants me too. I could feel her eyes on me the entire time we were working out. I could practically feel the heat coming off her pussy when I was spotting her during her attempt at a deadlift.
She was supposed to text me by now. Fuck it. I’m tired of waiting.
Me: Hey Harps, how’d that cold shower go?
Harper: Horrible. Didn’t work to cool down anything.
Me: Oh, really now?
Harper: So, when’s our next workout?
Me: Well, if your muscles are still sore from the last one, we should probably wait a bit.
Harper: You’re really earning that nickname, Taylor the Torturer.
Me: I never do anything half assed.
Harper: Oh trust me, I want you to put your entire ass into our next workout.
Fuuuuuuck!
What is this woman doing to me? How am I supposed to keep this up for another workout? Is that what she expects? Because what I want more than anything is to get behind her without the gym, without the deadlift, and thrust into her balls deep over and over.
I get another text, but disappointment sets in when I realize it’s my teammate, Drew Elliott, and not her.
Drew: Were you planning to come to practice today?
I look at the time on my phone. I’m almost a half an hour late to practice and that never happens. Shit, I hope they don’t think I’m avoiding them after that disaster of a press conference.
Me: Yeah, I’ll be there in a few. Lost track of time.
Drew: We’re starting without you.
Me: See you on the field.
He doesn’t answer back. I grab my gym bag and head out, putting my phone on silent. If Harper does answer me, I can’t let it be a distraction. I need to concentrate on practice right now. Thoughts of making her come can wait.
My teammates aren’t happy about that asshole reporter bringing up the linebacker getting around me on that one play. They feel like the press forgot about the good things everyone else did just to be able to get one over on me and push questions about my retirement.
I reiterate once again that I’m playing through the season. Now these people have my teammates doubting me too? I can’t fucking believe this. I do my best to get them to focus on practice with me instead of what the press might say next.
All the while, I can’t get Harper out of my head. I put my phone on silent, and now it’s in my locker. Although that doesn’t stop me from thinking about the pulsing between her legs when I kissed her and all the ways I could see how our bodies would fit together so perfectly.
This game has been my whole life for so many years. I played in high school, college, and on this team for my entire adult life so far. I know I’m slipping up. Yet I can’t imagine turning my back on these guys, on this life, to do something else.
I may be heading past my prime for professional football, but I still have a good sixty or seventy years left on this earth. That’s a long time to do nothing at all. It makes me think of Harper all over again. Yeah, I want to fuck her. That’s not all this is, though.
Harper is someone I can talk to about anything.
I’ve seen her at parties and she’s so personable with everyone.
Until yesterday, I would’ve gone on believing that her talking to me was her doing her job to entertain people.
I know it’s more than that after kissing her.
I feel like she’s someone I could fall for. Hard.
Hell, I might already be falling for her.
How do I do that without scaring her off?