CHAPTER 10 #2
He made a face of exasperation, but Scarlett couldn’t help but think he looked cute.
“You do know that if the women get two morning practices on the pitch, the lads aren’t going to be all buddy—buddy with you anymore.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because they’re going to think you’re trying to undermine them as a team.”
“It has nothing to do with that. And it’s not like I’m asking them not to practice at all.
It’s only that the women have other jobs that they need to get to because this job”—she held up her hand and waved it around—“doesn’t pay them enough.
Frankly, I think the men are being a little selfish about the whole thing. What if the tables were turned?”
“Everyone is selfish, but football players especially so. Their entire life revolves around their job, and everyone caters to it, thus creating an environment where selfishness blooms eternal.”
“Well, maybe they need to consider other people.” She checked the ball. “Besides, not everyone’s selfish.”
He snorted and checked the ball back. But Scarlett didn’t start. Instead, she watched Theo until he looked up.
“What?”
“You don’t really think everyone is selfish, do you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
He shrugged, but Scarlett sensed that he had an answer waiting in the wings with how quickly he’d answered.
“It’s human nature, isn’t it? Always wanting the best for oneself, regardless of how it will affect others.”
“Wanting what’s best for yourself and totally disregarding other people’s feelings is a bit of a jump.”
“That’s what happens. People try to get the best jobs or dress in the nicest clothes or get into the best relationships they can, and it’s fine, until something better comes alone. A better job, fancier clothes…”
Scarlett waited for him to finish, but when he didn’t, she did.
“Better boyfriends?” she said. Theo wasn’t smiling anymore. Instead, he gave her a guarded gaze. “Is that what happened to you?”
“Kick the ball,” he said after a moment.
Deciding not to push him, Scarlett kicked to the right, but he was too quick and managed to get a hold of it. Running after him, she couldn’t get around with his arms out, so she kicked through his legs, nicking the ball as it hit the post.
Theo spun around.
“Unfair!” he said, the surprise in his eyes touching on his playfulness once more.
She shrugged. “I told you, you’re not a physical player.”
She jogged out of bounds to get the ball and then came back to twirl around Theo in a sort of dancing motion.
“Say it again.”
“What? That you’re not a physical player?” She let out a chuckle. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed by. It’s simply not one of your strengths.”
But in an instant, Theo kicked the ball at an angle, landing it directly in the net.
“Two against two,” he said, seemingly pleased with himself as he pushed his glasses up again.
“That was a fine shot, I’ll give you that, but”—they checked the ball—“you’re not going to win.”
Pulling out her favorite move, Scarlett rolled her foot around the ball as Theo tried to push her back.
Unfazed, she kicked it backward through his legs and wrapped her arm around his before stepping to the right.
She kicked with all her might, sure that it would land in the net—but her foot tripped Theo, and he reached out, grabbing her shirt in an effort to hold himself upright.
He careened to the side and she tumbled down, falling on top of him.
“Ah!”
Theo landed on the wet ground with a loud thud, and Scarlett fell directly on his chest. She slammed her hands against the ground on either side of him and, half amused, half annoyed, tried to right herself by pushing herself up.
“You got in my way,” she said as she pressed firmly against his chest. It was solid beneath her fingers, and his shirt was wet with rain.
“You tripped me.”
His voice was low and husky, a stark difference from the egotistical, playful tone he’d had a moment earlier.
“I wasn’t trying to…”
But her words faded as she stared down at him. Their faces were close, too close, as she could feel his breath on her lips. Her own breath hitched slightly as her mind registered every part of her body that was touching his.
She waited for him to say something, like “get off me,” or to be pushed off him, but the longer they stared at each other, the less likely separating became.
Scarlett opened her mouth to apologize, but his eyes dropped to her mouth, and she could have sworn he lifted his head a fraction higher.
She breathed in, and the faint scent of mangos and patchouli tickled her nose.
“What cologne is that?” she asked, dropping her head down as she inhaled deeply. She fluttered her eyes, immersed in the delight of finally allowing herself to breathe him in. She exhaled slowly. “You always smell so good.”
Theo’s face was unreadable, but his full mouth was parted and his gray-blue eyes had darkened.
“It’s body wash,” he whispered after a few seconds, his voice somewhat raspy. “I don’t wear cologne.”
“Oh,” she said softly as she studied him.
Scarlett wasn’t sure if it was the fact that he smelled so good, or if it was the rain, or even because her body was fully pressed against his, but a sudden desire to lean forward and press her lips against his came over her.
She wanted to kiss him.
But that wasn’t going to happen. It was asinine. She couldn’t kiss him, especially when he hadn’t ever given her any signs that he was interested in her like that. It wasn’t like he was going to—
Theo’s hand slowly came into her peripheral view, and she held her breath as he moved a damp, wayward strand of hair off her cheek.
The feel of his fingers on her cheek sent a zinging, electrical tremor through her.
His hand stilled and she moved her mouth closer while her heart started to thud painfully in her chest.
His glasses began to fog, and she had the sudden urge to take them off and wipe them clean for him so he could see. Or maybe she’d push them up, back over his short curls, and lean down and—
Oh no. She really wanted to kiss him.
But she couldn’t. They were coworkers, and kissing a coworker was never a good idea. Certainly not after everything that had happened with her last relationship. Not after the absolute mess she had made of things in Portland.
“Sorry,” she breathed, pushing off him—and then she unwittingly kneed him in the groin.
“Ah!”
“Oh shit,” she said as she rolled off him, her butt landing on the wet grass, which instantly soaked her shorts. He rolled onto his chest, forehead pressed into the ground. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Shit. Are you okay?”
He exhaled loudly. “Yeah.”
Scarlett’s hands came over her mouth and, to her humiliation, a laugh escaped her. He cocked his head, glaring at her upside down.
“I’m sorry,” she said, another giggle dropping. “Oh my God, I don’t mean to laugh.”
“And yet here you are.”
He took his glasses off and, lifting the hem of his shirt, wiped them clean.
The partial sight of the V-line at the corner of his stomach and the narrow trail of hair the same color as his beard, lining the center of his abdomen, caused Scarlett to gulp.
She had seen plenty of shirtless men in her life, but something about Theo made her mouth go dry.
“Uh, I know, it’s just… I can’t believe I did that.” She was grateful when he dropped his shirt and fitted his glasses back on his face. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, no. Here, let me help you.” She scrambled to her feet.
“It’s fine, really,” he said, but she hooked her hands around his elbow and tried to pull him up. “Simmons…”
“Come on,” she cooed as he got to his feet. “Geez, I really am clumsy when I’m not playing this game. Sorry about the kneeing you and the laughing. I laugh when I make an ass out of myself.”
Bent slightly forward, Theo glanced over his shoulder and then back at her.
“Ass or not, you won.”
Scarlett leaned to her right and saw the ball sitting on the goal line. She had planned to jump and yell and be the worst sort of winner, but seeing as how Theo was in a considerable amount of pain, which she’d caused, she only gave him a pitying smile.
His brow furrowed, but his tone was light when he said, “Don’t get all meek on me now. You won. You can have your two morning practices.”
Pleased with herself and the fact that she had been able to deliver on her promise, she bounced on her toes. She wrapped her hands around his forearm.
“Thank you,” she said, and before she realized what she was doing, she leaned up and kissed his bearded cheek.
Instantly, she knew she had made a mistake, because the feel of his beard on her face and the scent of his body wash temporarily stunned her. Theo froze, as did she. This was too familiar, too delicious, and when she dropped back, she could see a strained expression on his face.
“I… Thank you,” she said.
He gave her a single nod, seemingly unwilling to speak, and, taking it as her cue to leave, Scarlett took a step back.
Then another and another, until she spun around and hurried off the pitch, though she made a point not to run.
She hadn’t done anything wrong. Right? A kiss on the cheek probably wasn’t the most professional thing, but surely he wasn’t upset about it.
Was he? It was just her way of saying thanks.
Oh God, what had she done?
She had definitely crossed a line, and now she was going to mentally torture herself. What if he made a formal complaint? What if he went to Chard? It would certainly help to get her removed from the Bees organization, if that was what Theo wanted.
Of course that was what he wanted. She had been stepping on his toes and forcing herself into his business since arriving, and now he had the ammunition to get rid of her.
Her phone, which she had left in her shoes in the gear room, lit up as she entered. Kicking off the spare cleats, she undressed and put on her own clothes as quickly as possible. She shoved her feet in her own shoes and picked up her phone. A text from Mr. Wrong Number.
My plans got rained out. You still going out tonight, or you wanna do our movie tonight?
Scarlett’s heart leapt into her throat. There was nothing she wanted to do more than curl up on her bed after a hot shower and watch Some Like It Hot, but she had promised Maxie.
I don’t know if I can get out of my plans…
If you can’t, it’s not a problem. Just thought I’d ask.
If I can’t, would you mind if I texted you all through dinner? I’d much rather get into bed after the day I’ve had.
Rough one?
Ah, let’s say it was a bit more physical than your average office work.
When he didn’t answer right away, Scarlett headed back to her office. She needed to get her things before heading home, but right before she pocketed her phone, a text came in.
You can always text me.
Smiling what she was sure was her goofiest grin, Scarlett shoved her phone in her back pocket and hurried down the hallway, trying to focus on Mr. Wrong Number, instead of replaying the moment when Theo’s hand touched her cheek.