Chapter 14 #3
The ball was intercepted; Cole was already sprinting to keep up, catching a pass then pivoting on one foot. He took the shot. The ball arced through the air. I held my breath…
Swish.
“That’s game!” someone shouted.
The players on Cole’s team erupted. Cole’s face broke into a grin when he saw me. He jogged over, grabbing a towel from the bench, his chest still heaving.
“You see that shot? Tell me you saw that shot.”
I tried to keep a straight face but gave in, smiling up at him. “You think I came all the way down here to watch you miss?”
He was still catching his breath, looking at me like he wanted to grab me and kiss me but knew better with his whole team watching. “Glad you made it.”
A woman appeared beside him, wearing purple shorts and a black tank top soaked through with sweat. She glanced at me, then at Cole.
“Harper Sutton,” she said slowly. “Right?”
I smiled. “That’s me.”
“Freida Banks, Trauma. You here to see this showboat carry this team?”
“Apparently so.”
Banks grinned. “So, this is interesting.”
“Freida, don’t start,” Cole said, but he was smiling.
“I’m just observing that Cole brought a guest to pick-up basketball. Which he has never done in the history of pick-up basketball.”
One of the other players walked over—tall, built like he spent more time in the weight room than most people spent sleeping. He wore black shorts and a white tank top.
“You brought a guest to watch me play?” he asked, his voice deep and rumbling.
“Harper, this is Jackson,” Cole said. “He’s a fellow in plastics. And don’t let his height fool you. He can’t get past me.”
Jackson grinned, showing perfect white teeth. “Cole should worry about not injuring himself trying to jump over me.”
“Well, I’m here to watch his team win, so…”
“Oh, she’s funny.” Jackson elbowed Cole in the ribs. The sound was dull, meaty. “I like her.”
“Ow,” Cole said, flinching. “I told her I dominate this court. Play along.”
“Can’t. This is too good.” Jackson turned to the rest of the players, his voice carrying across the gym. “Vaughn brought a woman to watch him play basketball!”
The entire team stopped. Seven heads turned to stare.
“Are we…seriously? We’re doing this?” Cole glared at Jackson, who grinned, completely unbothered.
“Absolutely,” said Banks. “This is monumental.”
The team erupted in laughter.
“It be your own people,” Cole groaned.
They ran one more game and when it was over, Cole walked back to the bench, his shirt completely soaked now. He grabbed his water bottle and drained it before he sat beside me.
I felt the heat radiating off his body, could smell the salt and sweat. It was erotic to me.
“Verdict?” he asked, panting hard.
“You are, indeed, good with your hands.”
His brows danced, eyes darkening as he leaned closer. “But you already knew that.”
“Still nice to watch.”
“Wait until we get home.” His hand brushed my thigh, just for a second, hidden from view. “I’m gonna remind you exactly how good.”
Banks walked past with her gym bag. She caught my eye and winked.
The gym was starting to empty. Someone turned off half the overhead lights.
Cole stood, offered me his hand. I took it, let him pull me up.
“Give me ten minutes to shower,” he said. “Then we’re out of here.”
The parking deck was mostly empty by the time we left the gym. Our footsteps echoed as we walked hand in hand.
We reached my car first. I unlocked it but didn’t get in and turned to face him.
“Today was a lot,” I said.
“Indeed.” He stepped closer. “But no matter what happens, I feel like we won.”
“Vincent Cross is terrifying. Glad he’s on our side.”
Cole laughed. “He really is. But right now?” His hand found my waist, pulled me against him. “I’m not thinking about Vincent.”
“No?”
His other hand slid up my spine. “I’m thinking about getting you out of this suit. Been thinking about it since I walked into that conference room.”
“Cole…”
“I know. Down, boy.” He kissed my neck, just below my ear. “The only reason you’re still wearing it is because we’re at work.”
I shivered. His mouth moved lower, teeth grazing my collarbone through my blouse.
“You have no idea what you do to me.”
My hands gripped his shirt, pulling him closer. “Tell me.”
“I’d rather show you.” His hand slid down, cupped my ass, squeezed hard enough to make me squeal. “I need to be with you, inside you, around you. I need you in my bed. I need to feel you come apart under me. I’ve been thinking about you all day and I can’t take it anymore.”
I kissed him. Hard. He pulled me flush against him as he backed me against the car. I felt his length, rock hard against my hip.
When I pulled back, we were both breathing like we’d just run sprints.
“I’m going to drop by my place and grab a bag.”
“Don’t take too long. I’ll be waiting.”
I got in my car and started the engine. Through the windshield, I watched Cole throw his gym bag in the back seat of his Range Rover and climb in. His headlights flicked on.
As I pulled out, I caught sight of him in my rearview mirror, following close.
We were going to celebrate. I knew exactly how and I could not wait.