Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Nicole smiled at Ariana and watched her go up for the perfect jump shot.
She was beautiful. To say Nicole had a thing for athletes wasn’t entirely accurate.
The shape of a woman and how they moved had always been an art form to her.
It didn’t matter if they were tall or short, big or small, she appreciated the flow and every woman had a certain flow about them.
Ariana was graceful, powerful, and rhythmic all at the same time.
She was stunning to watch and Nicole had caught herself stopping to stare several times instead of trying to keep her from scoring.
They had been grabbing each other and laughing along with playing basketball.
When she touched Ariana and felt the strength of her muscles and softness of her skin it sent all kinds of sensations through Nicole’s body.
“Did I do something wrong?” Ariana rebounded the ball and dribbled over to Nicole.
She smirked and shook her head. “You know what’s sexy?”
“Besides confidence and your voice?”
Nicole chuckled. “Yeah, besides those two.”
“Hit me.”
“Your fucking legs.” Nicole could see the surprise on Ariana’s face. She reached down and gripped Ariana’s thigh with one hand. “Muscles are beautiful and you have them.” She pulled her hand away and noticed a hint of redness on Ariana’s cheeks.
“You should wear shorter shorts,” Nicole suggested. “It would distract the other players and to the hoop you’d go.”
“Oh yeah? Would it distract you during a game?”
Nicole laughed. “You won’t distract me, I’ll just talk about your legs.”
“You wouldn't!" Ariana exclaimed.
Nicole raised her brows and chuckled. “If I talk about your perfect jump shot you’ll know I’m really talking about your sexy legs.”
“Mmm, I think I’m with Shealyn,” Ariana replied. “You have the perfect jump shot.”
Nicole knew Ariana had her eyes on her when she took a shot or dribbled. Could she be thinking the same thing Nicole was? “Yeah, I elevate all of three inches when I shoot.”
“What did you say about your legs?” Ariana mused. “They aren’t as springy.”
Nicole chuckled. “Or as strong.”
“Yeah, but you see, Nic,” Ariana said, moving closer, “it doesn’t matter how high you jump. You still made your shot over me.”
Nicole grinned and took the ball from Ariana. She raised her arm to block Nicole’s shot, but she jumped up and let the ball go.
As it went through the hoop Ariana turned around and grinned at Nicole. “See what I mean.”
Nicole shrugged. She knew she could still play, but was never and never would be the caliber of Ariana.
“Let me tell you what’s sexy,” Ariana said.
“Oh?” Nicole raised her brows.
“The way you dress,” Ariana said.
“What! I don’t dress sexy.”
“Hold up,” Ariana said, retrieving the basketball. “You could wear anything and I’d think it’s sexy because I know the voice. But seriously, when you call a game you’re on camera, for what, maybe five minutes?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Ariana shook her head and whistled. “What you do with those five minutes, Nic.”
Nicole felt the heat in Ariana’s stare and she didn’t look away.
“Whose cheeks are turning red now?” Ariana bounced the ball. “That outfit with the pants and vest distracted me! You always dress so sharp, professional, and sleek. You command respect and it’s breathtaking.”
“Breathtaking.”
“Yes! It’s stunning.”
“Ari,” Nicole muttered. The way they were looking at each other was not how Nicole looked at any of her friends. She took a deep breath, tore her eyes away from Ariana, and knocked the ball out of her hands.
She dribbled around her and went to the hoop for a layup.
“You are so fucking tricky!” Ariana laughed.
Nicole needed to put distance between them and lighten the moment before they did something that would really put their friendship in jeopardy. When she met Ariana’s gaze she could see the moment had passed.
“So I may have told Stuart that we are friends, but he knows all about discretion,” Nicole said, changing the subject. “Have you told anyone?”
Ariana shook her head. “No, but Cameron knows we occasionally text. She won’t tell anyone. My teammates, Rae and Nia, saw me texting you the other night before they went out to dinner. They thought I might have someone new because of the smile on my face.”
Nicole raised her brows, part of her was happy to know she made Ariana smile like that, but the other part was worried this fledging friendship would be discovered.
“Don’t freak out,” Ariana said. “They didn’t know it was you. They think it’s a hookup. However, Cameron assured me if I had someone new I could count on her to keep it quiet.”
Nicole sighed loudly.
“Please don’t be upset,” Ariana said. She reached out and squeezed Nicole’s shoulder. “No one knows and no one will.”
Nicole nodded. “We have to be careful, Ari.”
“I know and I have been.” She smiled. “I may have everyone thinking I’m some kind of slut if they keep catching me smiling at your texts.”
Nicole chuckled. “But I know that’s not true.”
“Not at all.”
Nicole watched Ariana bite down on her lower lip and a tightness pulled deep inside her. This woman. Nicole stopped the thoughts she could feel forming in her head. Friends. Basketball buddies. “Okay, ready to watch last night’s game?”
“Yes!” Ariana exclaimed. “I’m interested in your process and I’m sure you’ll have a tip or two for me.”
Nicole narrowed her eyes at Ariana. “I’m beginning to think you’re only in this for my basketball brain.”
A slow, sexy smile appeared on Ariana’s face as Nicole folded her arms over her chest.
“You’d be incorrect, Professor Neal,” Ariana said. “I think you’re a very interesting woman and I learn something new every time we’re together or talk.”
Nicole scoffed. “And what did you learn today?”
“That perhaps I should consider a uniform change.”
“What?”
“Shorter shorts.”
Nicole laughed. “I’m learning that you have an appreciation for fashion.”
Ariana gasped. “You should walk the tunnel before games like the players do!”
“Oh no, no, no.”
“Yes!” Ariana’s face shone with delight. “You’d put everyone to shame.”
“Most of the players don’t like me now. Imagine how that would go over.”
“Nonsense,” Ariana said. “I’ve never heard anyone say a negative word about you and Shealyn. They know you’re fair and honest.”
“Have you walked the tunnel yet?” Nicole went over and picked up her bag and the water bottles. She handed Ariana’s to her.
“Not yet,” Ariana said. “You know the fashionistas on my team. I’ve been all business, but maybe I’ll think about it for our next home game.”
“When players show up in sweats it makes me think they don’t put much thought into what they’re wearing.
We’re all in this together and want the league to thrive.
I know not everyone has a brand but we’re all professionals.
Is that how you want people to think you dress for work? What kind of message are you sending?”
“Yeah, I get what you’re saying,” Ariana replied. “I have not gone to work in my sweats yet.”
Nicole chuckled. “What did you wear for your first game? It was opening night and you were at home, wasn’t that a big deal?”
“Yes and I thought about it. I did not dress up, but I wore a pair of my favorite jeans with a throw-back T-shirt. I knew I would be overly excited for the game, so I wore my jeans to be comfortable and I wore the shirt as a way to honor and respect all of those players who came before me. Without them I wouldn’t have this opportunity to do the thing I love and get paid for it. ”
“Ah, I love that, Ari.”
“I’m not saying I won’t show up in sweats some day.” Ariana chuckled. “Now that you mention it, maybe I’ll do something special for my next game.”
“Let’s see, you’re away. You’re 3-0, what should your outfit say when you walk in?” Nicole asked as they leisurely walked toward the elevator.
“Hmm, I would want to make a statement that says just because we’re not at home doesn’t mean we’re not the best team in the league. We are!”
“There’s that confidence.”
“It’s all about the team, Nic.”
Nicole pressed the button for the elevator and smiled at Ari. She was so talented and knew it, but yet she was humble. There were so many things to like about Ariana Villa.
“Maybe I’ll select a few outfits and send you pics. You can give me your opinion on them.”
“I’m no fashionista, but I’d love that.”
The elevator doors opened and they walked inside. Ariana grinned. “I’m ready for my tour.”
They walked into the apartment and Ariana put the ball on the couch while Nicole went into the kitchen.
“You’re in the living room,” Nicole said from the kitchen. “It’s small, but just right for me.”
Ariana looked around the space and her gaze fell on the scene outside the windows.
She could imagine sitting on the couch with Nicole, a game playing in the background on the TV, but neither of them paying attention to it when they could enjoy this view together.
One corner of her mouth raised in a smile as she imagined different scenarios playing out in this room.
Nicole walked in from the kitchen. “I can see you’re thinking about something,” she said tentatively. “Are you going to share?”
Ariana’s smile grew as she met Nicole’s gaze. “I’ll use the wrong word and probably offend you, so I’ll tell you how this room makes me feel.”
“Go on.”
“This room makes me want to grab a glass of wine or a beer or maybe a Diet Coke, sit on the couch and talk about whatever we find interesting at the time. It’s comfortable, inviting and unpretentious—just like you are right now.”
“What do you mean? Am I pretentious in my job?”
“No, you’re professional. But here you can relax and be yourself.”
“Okay, I’ll accept that as a compliment. Thank you.”
Ariana breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Nicole. “Good, because I think this is a great room. Do you sometimes replay games in here?”
Nicole nodded. “Yes. The couch is more comfortable than my office and I use my laptop for statistics and notes.”
“I get that,” Ariana said, gazing around the room. “I’m a gamer and most of the time I play in the living room on my couch, especially when Cameron isn’t there.”
“Obviously this is the kitchen,” Nicole said, walking back into the space.
Ariana smiled and looked around. The counters were uncluttered and wiped clean. She wasn’t surprised because Nicole presented herself as anything but a slob. “Do you cook much?”
“Sometimes,” Nicole replied. “I don’t eat out all the time, but it’s hard to cook for one.”
“Yeah, I don’t eat out all the time either.” Ariana could feel Nicole’s eyes on her and shrugged. “What?”
“Oh, I can see what you’re picturing now. You’re in the living room on the couch smiling while I’m in here preparing us a meal.”
“No! Not at all. I’d be in here helping you.”
“Do you cook?”
“Sometimes.” While they were on the roof Ariana had enjoyed the playful touches and grabs that were part of the game.
As she gazed at Nicole now she missed those opportunities to feel Nicole’s soft skin under her fingers.
She tilted her head and said, “Maybe I could cook for you someday or we could cook together. Friends do that.”
Nicole smiled and nodded.
Ariana exhaled another relieved breath.
“Why are you so nervous?” Nicole said as they walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
“I don’t want to say the wrong thing and this be the only time I’m here.”
Nicole stopped and turned around. “I know that the risk is on me here, but you understand and respect that. I’m not going to end this; I want it too, Ari.”
Ariana felt the nervousness leave her body. Yes, she wanted to be Nicole’s friend, but she wanted so much more. Nicole had already said that wasn’t possible and Ariana respected that. It didn’t keep her from imagining them together though.
“You don’t have to be nervous. You’re not nervous in games, are you?” Nicole asked.
“Sometimes, but I’m usually just excited to play.”
“I want you to be yourself and feel comfortable here.”
Now Ariana wasn’t sure all the nervousness was gone. She knew Nicole wanted her here, but Ariana had a few jitters that Nicole caused by just being near her.
“Let’s go down to my bedroom and we’ll finish in my office,” Nicole said. “That’s where we can start the game.”
Ariana followed her into the room and once again took it in.
“This is where you were snooping earlier,” Nicole teased, walking around the bed.
“I was not snooping,” Ariana protested. “I did notice the artwork, but I didn’t get a close look. May I?”
“Of course,” Nicole replied. “As I told you on the roof, I love the female form. Those two prints were done by an author whose books I read.”
Ariana had been gazing at a woman depicted in a seated position gazing over her shoulder at the viewer. The soft lines of the woman’s body were sensual and provocative. She turned to Nicole, not sure she heard her correctly. “An author sketched this?”
“Yeah, I’m a big reader and love sapphic fiction and romance. One of the authors I like to read is also an artist. She occasionally makes prints for her readers.”
Ariana turned back to the prints and stared. “These are…”
“Yes?”
“They’re seductive and,” she paused, “beautiful.” Ariana could feel Nicole standing beside her.
“But you like them?”
“Very much,” Ariana said softly.
They stood side by side gazing at the print for a moment in the quiet of the bedroom.
“In here is the bathroom,” Nicole said.
Ariana walked over and stepped inside. “Wow, this is nice. I love the walk-in shower.”
“Yeah, that bathroom sold me on this place,” Nicole said. “Thank goodness for Kate.”
Ariana chuckled. “Have you said anything to her about…”
Nicole shook her head. “I know what she would say.”
Ariana raised her brows but didn’t say anything. She imagined Kate would point out that Nicole was being reckless and not thinking of her career. But was she?
“Let’s go to the office and watch a little basketball.”
“Are you going to grade me?” Ariana asked, trying to get her thoughts off the prints and the images they conjured in her mind.
“Don’t your coaches do that?”
Ariana nodded. Nicole’s opinions on how she played meant more to her than her coaches and she still wasn’t sure why.
“I don’t do grades, Ari.”
Nicole smiled and Ariana met her gaze. She could fall into those pretty brown eyes and stay.