Chapter 6
Knowing that he’d left unsatisfied, she wasn’t sure he’d ever call her again.
She’d been incredibly disappointed when she hadn’t heard from him by Friday afternoon, but then his assistant arrived with the alternate ticket just before her last lecture.
The ticket’s arrival had given her hope that he intended to see her again.
He texted her early in the day on Saturday to say that he wouldn’t text while working, but wanted to see her after the game. She was so very glad.
The game was exciting. Her seat was very near the sidelines among the players’ friends and families.
Their incredible enthusiasm was infectious, but so was their upset when the quarterback suffered a hand injury and left the game.
The score, which had been in the Wolves’ favor, reversed yet again.
Everyone was tense, and there was much questioning of Dean’s judgment since he’d elected to put in a sophomore who’d never played in a big game before.
The young man took a bit of time to find his way, giving up possession of the ball twice without getting them into scoring position.
The defense, however, kept the other team from putting points on the scoreboard.
When the new quarterback finally found his momentum, he completed several great passes and led them downfield to a touchdown and a victory.
The crowd was wild with triumph, and she saw Dean’s and Lamar’s smiles as they congratulated the team.
She began to receive his texts soon after. The first one said that his starting quarterback’s hand was worse than expected.
He may need to go to hospital to see hand surgeon. If so, I’ll go with him. Hang tight. Will text again when I know more.
She waited, the stadium clearing out. She really wanted to see Dean, so she sat patiently.
Trainers going over films. Head to security office. I’ll either pick you up from there or one of them can escort you to your car. I don’t want you walking through deserted structure alone.
All right, she texted back, but then took a call from one of the post-docs about his research, so she remained where she was to talk to the young man. The phone beeped several times as she spoke, but she was engrossed in the discussion so she didn’t interrupt him.
Without realizing how much time had passed, she finally checked her messages again.
Hand broken in two places. Going to hospital. Disappointing news all around. Am going to stop by security office to see you.
Then he’d texted again. Where are you? Am at office. No one’s seen you.
Another text because she hadn’t answered. Are you all right?
She grimaced. She hadn’t meant to worry him. She should’ve interrupted the research conversation. Sorry. No need to worry. I was taking a call. Will head there now.
Surgeon meeting us in the ER. I need to get going. Give me your location. I’ll send security to you.
No need to worry. I’m actually going straight to my car. I’ll text that I made it there safely.
Not what we agreed, Meghan.
I know. Sorry!
He didn’t respond, but she ran into him as she left the stadium.
“Dean?” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you make it to your car,” he said. “Where is it?”
She flushed. He’d waited. And he might miss the specialist.
“I didn’t mean for you to—”
“Let’s keep moving,” he said, waving for her to lead the way.
It was a twelve-minute walk to the car, despite the fact that they hurried. When he put her in the car, he resisted her attempt to thank him and didn’t accept her apology for holding him up.
As she pulled away, she saw him head back to the elevators.
She shook her head, regretting that she hadn’t tried to find the security office while on the phone with the post-doc.
The campus was relatively safe, but he obviously wasn’t comfortable with her wandering around in the dark after waiting for him.
It was a difficult situation all around.
She texted him two hours later.
How did the ER visit go?
They’ll operate tomorrow. His mom’s coming from out of state tonight.
When he didn’t send another text, she chewed her lip and finally sent another one herself.
I really enjoyed the game. Thank you for the seat change. Sorry again for slowing your progress to the hospital and that one of your players was injured. Please call when you have free time. Hope to see you soon.
Glad you enjoyed the game, but I don’t think we’ll see each other again. Take care of yourself.
She froze, staring at the screen with her heart sinking. It took her several moments to get over her shock. Then she texted, Can we talk about this?
Long day. Let me sleep on it. Will text tomorrow to let you know one way or the other.
Was she willing to wait to find out what he decided?
Was she willing to let it be all his decision?
It took everything she had not to call him outright and demand that they settle things, but she finally calmed herself down enough to pause and see it from his point of view.
He’d wanted things from her that she hadn’t been willing to do.
He’d gone home aroused and unsatisfied, but had still been enthusiastic about seeing her.
Then when his player was injured, she’d ignored his texts, making him wonder if something had happened to her and she’d made it difficult for him to leave.
Had he missed talking to the hand surgeon?
If the player’s parents were out of state, it meant the boy would’ve been alone to talk to the specialist. He’d probably really wanted his coach there to advise him.
If Dean thought that Meghan’s attendance at the game was more trouble than she was worth, he’d have been justified.
Finally she texted, All right. Sleep well.
Meghan was on his mind whenever he wasn’t actively engaged with team business.
The memory of her soft mouth and soft body haunted him.
He hadn’t been interested in anyone in a long time.
And the way she looked at him, so sexy and sweet, made him think there were things she’d let him explore with her.
The thought of her incredible ass under his palm, of her full tits and their nipples between his teeth…
His cock turned to stone and ached every time he pictured her in bed with him.
She was smart and accomplished, and she dropped her gaze when he stared at her too long.
There was so much more he wanted to know about her.
If she was actually like the impression he had of her, there was a lot more he’d enjoy doing to her.
He didn’t want the opportunity to slip away.
On the the other hand, she had to understand there were times when she needed to do what she was told.
Especially when there was an injured player in the mix.
Dean had picked up Tyson’s mother Rachel from the airport and stayed with her during the delicate operation to repair the bones in the young athlete’s hand.
His mother had been sick with worry. There had been reason to believe that Tyson would be drafted into the NFL and would get a lucrative contract. Now none of that was certain.
Dean drank a cup of coffee and was glad when Lamar arrived.
Rachel went immediately to him and began talking animatedly.
Lamar managed to say things that made her laugh and relieved the tension.
He had a way of telling people what they needed to hear, even if it wasn’t always the truth.
The thing with Lamar, though, was that the guy was so charming no one ever held it against him if his optimism was proven wrong.
All they remembered was the way he made them feel.
The surgeon came out and was encouraging, saying that the procedure went well. Tyson had already woken from the anesthesia and was asking to see his mom and his coach.
Dean shook the surgeon’s hand and thanked him. He was the top hand surgeon in the state and always made himself available to them when a player had an injury. It was the one saving grace.
When they joined Tyson in his room, Rachel and Lamar were all smiles and encouragement.
“What did he say, Coach?”
“That it went well,” Dean said.
“You believe him?”
“Yes.”
“You think I’ll play again? As good as I did?”
“I think there’s a good chance.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Dean put a hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed.
Tyson nodded. “Thanks for being here today. Knew you would be.”
Dean nodded. “Get some rest, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Dean said his goodbyes to Lamar and Rachel and left. When he got to his car, he checked his phone. No texts from Meghan. He’d said he would text her, but he’d thought she might get impatient and text him first. He couldn’t decide whether he’d have been happier if she’d texted or not.
He didn’t bother texting. Instead he called.
She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
She had a gorgeous soft voice. It matched the rest of her.
“It’s Dean.”
“How are you?”
“Fine. You?”
“I’m all right, too.”
“You wanted to talk. Anything you’d like to say?”
“Well, I’ve apologized several times. That doesn’t seem to be enough to satisfy you.”
His eyes narrowed. This conversation had his attention. The word satisfy especially interested him. “It’s important to me that if you agree to do something, you do it.”
“Or suffer the consequences?” she asked.
His muscles tightened, hunger starting to burn. “Exactly. Though for some broken promises the only consequences would be an end to the relationship. There are some kinds of drama I won’t tolerate.”
“Like wondering whether I’ve been abducted on the way to security when you’re in the middle of a player’s medical emergency?”
“Exactly.”
“I should have ended the call about my research and answered your texts. I didn’t realize that you might get worried when I didn’t answer. It was really inconsiderate of me and unfortunate all around. I’ll do my best to prevent that from happening again.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
After several moments of silence, she asked, “So, will I see you again?”
“Yes.”
“Should we talk about when?”
“Tomorrow and the day after are no good. Thursday or—”
“How about tonight? Have you eaten? I could meet you somewhere. Or you could come over again.”
He smiled, more pleased than he would’ve admitted that she wanted to see him right away. “It’s been a long tense day, and you and I have things to settle. It might not be in your best interest to invite me to your house tonight.”
“I don’t think either of us will get what we really want unless I do.”
“What is it that you really want, Meghan?”
She didn’t answer, which made him smirk. He could picture that red blush spreading from her cheeks to her throat and chest. And that reminded him of the blush he wanted to put elsewhere.
“Is telling you over the phone required?”
“No. I’ll be there soon.”