Spring Training (10 page)

Nope. He didn’t like it one bit.

Chapter Twelve

Three days later, Garrett sat back in the limo, his mood in the toilet.

The coaches were kicking his ass and he couldn’t remember when his body had ever been so sore. Hell, even his hair hurt. He’d never felt more like a rookie in his life. He was determined to keep pace, to not let the seasoned professionals light his ass up like they did the other rookies. So far, he’d more than proved himself on the field. He’d worked hard for it. But his body was paying the price. All he wanted to do was take a shower and fall into bed.

Neither of which he wanted to do alone.

That led to his next problem: Jessa and her insane need to keep her distance. He glanced across the seat, her profile pensive as she stared out the window. Her jaw set in a firm line, making Garrett wonder if she ached like he did. Not that she’d share if she did. She hadn’t shared anything with him these last few days except this incessant ego-mobile. Not a meal, hardly a look, and most definitely not his bed.

All business.

It was pissing him off. As if what they’d done was a dirty little secret she needed to wipe under the carpet, even though he understood the need for secrecy was, for the most part, to protect him.

One more thing for him to feel like shit about.

She’d ended it with him because Amy knew. He chuckled to himself. If he’d told her Tyler also knew, she’d be on the first plane back to New York. He didn’t know which was worse. Having her in his bed knowing it was temporary or not having her there at all.

Either way, Garrett hadn’t been ready to end things between them.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

He wanted more. He wanted to feel her next to him as they slept. He wanted to wake up with her, to sink into her heat and fuck her as the sun came up. He wanted —

“Garrett?”

— things he shouldn’t want.

Jessa’s face was etched with concern. “You okay?”

He stared across the seat at her. “I’d be better if we were in a regular car,” he grumbled, his piss-poor attitude latching on to whatever it could to feed itself. The guys on the team had stopped giving him grief about his luxury mode of transport, but in his present mood it didn’t matter. It irked the shit out of him.

Her eyes narrowed. “What’s up with you?”

“I’m sick of being schlepped around like a fucking movie star.”

Jessa’s lips thinned. “Okay.”

He snorted. “Okay? That’s it?”

She folded her hands in her lap. Her chest expanded as she drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Are you looking for a fight, Garrett? Because if you are, I’m not your girl.”

“No,” he snapped. “You’re not my girl.” He regretted the words the minute they’d vomited from his mouth. God, what was wrong with him? Maybe he should add a drink or two to his shower and bed plan.

He let his head fall back against the seat. He wasn’t fit to keep company with a pack of wild dogs right now. Let alone the woman he wanted nothing more than to seduce.

Jessa turned to stare out the window. “I’m sorry you’ve had a hard day,” she murmured.

Garrett clamped his lips shut, not responding for fear of saying something else he’d be sorry for.

Silence hung heavy for the rest of the ride to the hotel.

When they arrived, Garrett motioned for Jessa to exit before he followed her onto the sidewalk. They stood, facing each other in awkward silence, and Garrett felt a fist wrap around his heart.

She cleared her throat. “I guess I’ll see you later. I’m going up.”

He wanted to pull her into his arms and smooth away the sadness that shone in her eyes. Before he did something stupid, he jammed his hands into his pockets.

“Night, Jess,” he said as she turned and disappeared into the hotel.

In the past, Garrett would limit the amount of alcohol he consumed during training, but tonight called for a revised schedule. He didn’t have to report tomorrow — thank God — so tonight, he planned to get as drunk as possible.

To that end, he went to his room and made a beeline for his not-so-mini-bar. He bypassed the heavy stuff and grabbed a beer, popping the top and pouring it down his throat as fast as he could swallow. The cool liquid soothed his throat, but did nothing for his tired, aching body.

There was only one thing that would help him with that.

He should go up there. Barge into her room and remind her how he could make her scream. His dick sprang to life at the memory of the sweet sounds she made.

She’d been shy at first, unsure of herself as a woman. Until he’d shown her how much she turned him on, how much he wanted her.

He imagined knocking on her door. She’d open it, her mouth partially open with surprise. He wouldn’t give her time to think. Thinking is what got them into this mess to begin with.

No thinking. He’d take her right there, right inside the door. He’d make her come before moving her to the couch, bending her over the edge, slamming into her from behind where he’d make them both come.

Fuck.

He gripped the edge of the bar, both hands turning white with effort. What was the matter with him? He’d never acted like this before. Focus. That was his game. And he was good at it. When he was on the field, nothing else existed. So why couldn’t he get one tiny woman out of his head?

He needed another drink. He reached, hesitating a moment over the bottle of scotch on the counter. Tempting, but he’d rather have a slight headache than feel like he’d been run over by a truck. He’d stick with the beer.

Moving to the couch, he picked up the remote and turned on the TV. He moved through the channels as if on autopilot, not really caring what he landed on. He propped his legs on the table and rubbed his thighs.

Damn, he was sore. Sitting still was probably the last thing he should to do right now.

And he was still hard.

His phone rang and he cursed when he saw the number. He contemplated not answering. Yeah, after the little fantasy train he’d been ridin’, that wasn’t going to happen.

He drew in a deep breath, not wanting to snap at her again. “Hey, Jess.”

“Garrett.” Her voice was soft in his ear. “I need your help. Could you come up here, please?”

Garrett drained the second beer as she waited for his answer. He didn’t trust himself to be around her. Not in this mood, and not with the wood he was currently sporting. He swiped a hand across his mouth. “I’m not fit for company tonight, Jess. Can’t it wait?”

“No, Garrett, it can’t. It’ll only take a second.”

That voice, so demanding and sexy. It was impossible to resist. Just because he was grouchy, didn’t mean she should have to put up with it. He had self-control, damn it. “I’ll be right there.”

The stairs offered him the means to stretch his already stiffening muscles, as well as allowing him time to get a handle on his libido. It wouldn’t do either of them any good to have him show up with an erection. He reviewed hand signals as he went, counted the steps, anything to get his mind off how Jessa felt when she was under him.

By the time he reached her room, he’d cooled enough to not embarrass himself.

Jessa opened the door and Garrett sucked air through his teeth. Her hair was piled on top of her head, exposing the long line of her neck. He ached to touch the escaping tendrils that framed her face.

Her black silk robe showed off her long legs. One flick of his wrist and that flimsy belt would fall open. Damn. Whatever she needed, she better be quick about it or he’d be hard pressed to keep his hands to himself.

A shy smile spread her lips. “Thanks for coming.”

He shrugged in an attempt to act nonchalant as he moved past her into the suite. The scent of vanilla hung in the air. The soft light from the candles basked the room in a sultry glow. His erection surged back, in full, painful force.

“What’s all this?” Warm fingers entwined with his and he turned to face her. “Jess?”

“Come with me.” The low timbre of her voice lulled him, drew him in. She was his fantasy come true.

She pulled him toward the bedroom. His cock twitched, anticipated their destination. He didn’t want to play games. She’d made it clear where they stood. What the hell had he been thinking to come up here? They’d steal another night, and then what?

“Jess, no. Not like this. I can’t do this tonight.” Even as the words left his mouth he knew they were bullshit. He’d been dying for her for days. He’d take a stolen night over not ever having her again.

Jessa never hesitated. She pulled him past the bed and into the bathroom. Steam rose from the large bathtub, filling the room with a balmy thickness that fogged the mirror.

“Arms up,” she ordered.

Garrett shifted his feet, his muscles already anticipating the water’s heat. He lifted his arms and bent forward to make it easier for her to remove his shirt.

“You’ve been working so hard. I’ve been selfish these last few days.” She dropped his shirt and cupped his face. Her gaze was direct, intense. “I’m sorry, Garrett. It seems I can’t stay away from you.”

Her delicate lips whispered over his mouth and he fought not to take control. He didn’t want to do anything to break the spell she’d woven around him.

“I’ve missed you. Your smile, your hands … your tongue.” The belt of her robe fell away. “I’m going to make it up to you. Tonight, I’m going to take care of you for a change.” She raised a hand to cut off his retort. “No arguments.”

Garrett hadn’t planned to argue. He was more interested in the naked flesh she revealed as her robe slid from her shoulders. “What do you plan to do?”

A rich, husky laugh escaped her throat. “Bath, massage, food. Maybe a little hanky-panky.” She wagged her eyebrows.

Garrett smiled as the dark mood that had plagued him the last few days finally eased off.

“Ahhh, there’s my gorgeous man. I wondered where he went.”

He tried not to make too much of her referring to him as hers, but the words had his heart pumping overtime.

She bent to remove his shoes and socks. Her hair felt like silk between his fingers. He pinched the clip that held it in place and tossed it aside as the mass of gorgeous waves spilled over her shoulders. Her eyes looked up at him, filled with kindness and compassion.

Holy hell, she was beautiful.

Jessa rose up on her tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “I like the way you look at me.”

His stomach rolled as she toyed with his waistband. “How’s that?”

She dodged his mouth and pushed his shorts down his legs. “Like you enjoy what you see. Now, in you go,” she said, pointing to the tub.

“I definitely enjoy what I see. I’m also kind of enjoying this bossy side of you. Aren’t you getting in with me?”

She shoved him forward. “You get in first. Do you need another beer?”

He arched a brow, wondering how she’d known he’d been drinking. “No, I’ve already had enough. But, thanks.” His plan to get drunk was forgotten in lieu of much more pleasurable pursuits.

She nodded and maneuvered him to the tub. He didn’t even try to stifle the groan that escaped his throat as the warm water melted into his skin.

“Is it too hot?”

He scanned her naked flesh. “It’s perfect.”

Jessa tossed a towel on the floor and knelt next to him. She cupped the sides of his head, her fingers massaging his scalp. He moaned with pleasure. “That feels amazing.”

“We’re just getting started.”

As her hands worked their magic, Garrett finally relaxed. His muscles loosened and the weight on his shoulders eased.

Jessa’s hands worked down his neck in tender strokes. She caressed his chest, his stomach. When she reached under the water and took his engorged cock in her hand, Garrett sighed. Her slender fingers wrapped around his length and stroked him from root to tip.

Fucking heaven.

She reached down and cupped his balls. “Don’t you dare come in the bathwater, Garrett,” she admonished. “I still have to wash your hair.”

Like hell. She was ten seconds from being pulled into the tub with him. Five, if she kept touching him like that.

“Saucy wench.” Garrett grabbed her wrists. “Stop playing with my balls, or we’ll have to move to the shower.”

Her throaty laugh vibrated down his spine. She palmed a bottle of shampoo and dribbled it over his head. She was good at this; her skilled fingertips were firm against his scalp as she washed the sweat and grime from his hair.

In that moment he knew he’d do anything, go anywhere for this woman. He was putty in her hands.

“Scoot forward and tip your head back. Time to rinse.”

Relaxed, his mood vastly improved, Garrett slid forward and dunked himself under the water. A few swipes of his hands over his head and he came up, shampoo free.

Water splashed over the edge as Jessa slid into the tub behind him. Her legs circled and came to rest on his thighs. Garrett arched and wiggled his shoulders to caress her taut nipples with his back.

The gentle rasp of a washcloth brushed over him. He bent forward, giving her more room to work as she moved in slow circles, rubbing in a hypnotizing rhythm. She washed his arms, his chest, his stomach. He soaked up her touch, reveled in the feel of her hands on him.

His cock bobbed in protest at being ignored when her knuckles brushed over the patch of hair at his base and then moved away. She was torturing him and he was powerless against her.

“Feel better?”

“Hmm. I’ll say. Almost back to human.” He turned so he could look in her eyes. “I’m really sorry I was such an ass.”

She should be angry. Rail at him for the way he’d treated her. Instead, she placed a gentle palm against his cheek. The compassion in her eyes killed him. He didn’t deserve any of it. Not her or her compassion.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

What was he going to say? That he wanted a relationship with her? That he had no idea how he was ever going to let her go? He wasn’t so naive. Things weren’t that simple. He wished to God they were.

“No. I want to enjoy this moment.”

“It’s early yet. There are many more moments to come.”

He was counting on it. “And I intend to enjoy them all.” A loud knock on the door made Jessa jump. “You expecting someone, princess?”

“I’d better get that.”

She started to rise, but he stopped her. He rolled in the water, turned until he faced her, and pulled her onto his lap.

“Garrett?”

He squeezed her in a tight hug. “I missed you too, Jess.”