Game for Tonight (6 page)

“Flynn.” She whispered his name against his lips, and he paused, lifting up so he could stare down at her. “Are we really going to be…okay? When we go back to work?”

He watched her, his brain scrambling and trying to come up with something to say. But what? How could he predict if they were going to be okay or not? He had no clue, having never been in a situation like this one before.

Tonight with Aubrey, so far, had been pretty spectacular. Could this really continue, though? Could they be together like normal people who don’t care about each other beyond a working relationship during the day and then spend their nights getting naked together? Did she want to continue on like that?

Did he?

“We’ll be fine,” he finally said, though his words didn’t seem to ease the worry lines on her forehead. “I’m a big boy—”

She snorted, cutting him off. “Isn’t that the truth?”

A chuckle escaped him. “And you’re a big girl. We’re grown-ups. We can handle this.”

“I can if you can,” she said solemnly as she reached up to trace his bottom lip with her finger. “But we can’t tell anyone.”

He nodded. “No one.”

“This is our secret.”

“Our secret,” he agreed, nipping the tip of her finger with his teeth.

She smiled and lifted up, her mouth right at his, her breath warm against his lips as she spoke. “So we need to play nice.”

“I always play nice,” he said, his hand curving around her breast, his thumb brushing back and forth across her nipple.

Her breath caught in her throat, her lips falling open just as he was about to kiss her. “Well, maybe you should start playing dirty,” she murmured before he took her mouth in a deep, hot kiss.

Just before he proceeded to play dirty with her for the rest of the night.

Chapter Five

“An emergency lunch?” Willow Cavanaugh sat down across from Aubrey at the little deli that was a few miles from the Hawks stadium. Close enough for Aubrey to dash over to but far enough that no one else from the Hawks franchise would eat there.

Besides, it was almost two o’clock. A late lunch had been on the surprise agenda, since she’d been swamped from the moment she’d gotten to work, earlier that morning. Thankfully, Willow had been in town, free—and most likely curious—so she’d readily agreed to meet her.

Aubrey was in desperate need of advice. And she had no one else to turn to. She wasn’t local, so she hadn’t really gotten a chance to make new friends beyond the people she worked with, and she worked mostly with men. She thought she could call Willow, Nick Hamilton’s girlfriend, a semifriend. Maybe coming to Willow in her time of need would bring them closer together.

God, she didn’t know. All she knew was her mind was spinning and had been going on a continuous loop since she’d been with Flynn two nights ago. And she hadn’t really talked to him since.

Two. Nights. Ago. When she’d taken his virginity.

God, it sounded sordid in her head. She couldn’t imagine what it might sound like if she said the words out loud. How would Willow react? Would she laugh? It was kind of crazy, thinking the very hot, very gorgeous Flynn had been a virgin. She could still hardly wrap her mind around it. Why had he held on to it for so long?

And why, when he finally gave it up, was it to her? She didn’t think she’d ever taken someone’s virginity before.

So the night had been a first for the both of them.

Ugh.

After many adventurous hours of exploring each other, they’d finally, reluctantly gotten dressed, and Flynn had taken her to the stadium so she could pick up her car. Like a gentleman, he’d walked her to where it had been parked, looking adorably rumpled in a pair of blue sweats with the Hawks emblem on them and a Hawks T-shirt, his hair a mess, stubble on his cheeks.

She’d grabbed his face like a starving woman and kissed him. Muscular men in sweats shouldn’t be allowed to roam the earth. They were her kryptonite, her crack, her addiction. Those sweats rode way too low on his hips, and when he’d first gotten out of the car, he’d stretched his arms above his head, offering her a glimpse of that washboard stomach.

Dead. DOA. Her brain cells had exploded one by one, and all she’d been able to think about had been how she could convince him to get in her car so she could take him back to her apartment.

Hadn’t happened, though, much to her disappointment. She’d kissed him. He’d smiled and touched the tip of her nose with his finger, whispered her name along with a sweet good-bye, and then headed back to his car.

He’d waited for her to pull out of the parking lot before he’d followed after her, turning right when she’d turned left. Talk about lonely. Talk about a depressing drive of shame home. Is that what they called them? It felt like a drive of shame. As in, a shame they couldn’t keep up what they’d been doing for a few hours longer…

“Hey.” Willow snapped her fingers in front of Aubrey’s face, startling her. “Earth to Aubrey. I think I was losing you there for a minute.”

“Sorry.” She shook her head, feeling stupid for letting her thoughts drift yet again to Flynn. She hadn’t seen him once since their encounter. Two days, when usually they saw each other almost every day. But he’d been given Monday off, and she’d been so busy today, fielding calls and press interviews and whatever else, she’d hardly left her desk.

“What’s going on?” Willow asked softly, probably offering a kind smile to offset the snapping fingers she’d just thrust in Aubrey’s face.

Willow made her nervous. She was prickly. She was sweet. She was fiery. She was friendly. She’d kept poor Nick on his toes, but Aubrey had a sneaking suspicion he’d probably deserved it.

“I need advice,” Aubrey finally said, pushing her plate away from her. She’d taken two bites of the turkey half sandwich she’d ordered and already she was full. More like full of nerves.

“What about? I’m going to guess men, because I’m probably the only female you’re close to since you’ve started working for the Hawks. Or Sheridan, but she’s working,” Willow said, digging into her sandwich as though she was a starving woman. “And lately she’s been feeling under the weather. Don’t know what’s up with that.”

“Right.” Aubrey had heard that, too, about Sheridan, but she couldn’t worry about Super Perfect Couple, Jared Quinn and his wife. She needed to focus on her problems. “I hope she feels better soon.”

“Don’t worry about her. She has Jared to nurse her back to health.” Willow waved her hand and took a sip of her drink. “Tell me what’s wrong. Let Mama Willow help you.”

Aubrey laughed and picked up a potato chip, eyeing it suspiciously before she set it back down. She knew something was wrong if she didn’t want to eat potato chips. She loved nothing more than munching away on thin-cut, fried potatoes coated with grease, especially when she was stressed-out. “Something…happened a couple of nights ago, and I need to talk to someone about it.”

“With Flynn?” Willow asked casually.

Shock coursed through her. Damn it, how did Willow know? Did they all know? God, had Flynn said something…?

“What? Nick told me. He tells me everything.” Willow smiled, a dreamy sort of glazed look in her eyes. God, that look made Aubrey incredibly jealous. “You can trust me, though. I won’t tell Nick any of this.”

“Yes, you will,” Aubrey said dully, her appetite really leaving her now. She should’ve never called Willow. Having Nick between them was too risky. For Willow, her man would trump Aubrey every single time.

“I swear.” Willow held up her hand as if she was some sort of scout. “I’ll say we had lunch, shared a bit of girl talk. And if he gets nosy, I know how to distract him.”

The smile that crossed Willow’s face made Aubrey throw a wadded-up napkin at her. “Hey!” Willow laughed, dodging it just in time.

“You’re so happy it’s disgusting,” Aubrey muttered.

Willow’s laughter faded, and she tilted her head. “Okay. Confession time. Tell me exactly what happened. I know something’s up with Flynn. Nick mentioned when he came home last night that Flynn had a hard time focusing during practice.” She rested her forearms on the edge of the table, her expression earnest.

Aubrey took a deep breath and then let the entire story pour out of her. From the moment Flynn kissed her at the restaurant to the early morning hours Monday, when he drove her back to the stadium.

She skimmed over the sex stuff but fed Willow enough details so she knew what had happened. Yeah, Aubrey’s cheeks felt as if they were going to catch on fire, they were so hot, but once she started rolling, it was as though she had no control over her words. God, she really hoped Willow held true to her promise and didn’t tell a soul this story. She didn’t want anyone to know, didn’t want Flynn thinking she’d gossiped about their night together.

“So, tell me,” Willow said casually once Aubrey finally shut up. The deli was mostly empty, since the lunch crowd was long gone, and Aubrey hoped like crazy Willow wouldn’t be too loud. “Is it true?”

Aubrey glanced around, making sure no one was near. God, she was paranoid. “Is what true?” she asked, her voice low. Low as in, keep it on the down low.

Willow leaned forward, her gaze razor sharp. “That Flynn was a virgin?”

There went Aubrey’s cheeks, up in flames and burning like a wild inferno. “God, Willow, keep your voice down.”

Willow fell back against her chair, the smile on her face telling. “So, he was. I’m guessing he was still pretty good?”

“I cannot answer that question.”

“That clinches it for me. I’m sure he knew just how to handle himself in the sack.” Willow shook her head with a wistful sigh. “He sure is pretty. And so big. I like his arms. Don’t ever repeat that to Nick. He’d get insanely jealous.”

Aubrey felt insanely jealous. Willow was gorgeous, rich, and sophisticated and confident, while she was just…Aubrey. A struggling assistant publicist, who worked hard to get that next promotion, a break, whatever, half the time feeling in over her head.

“I won’t repeat it,” she mumbled. No way would she tell Flynn Willow liked his arms.

They were
her
arms. Sort of.

“So you haven’t talked to him since you two did the deed, huh?” Willow shook her head. “That can make for an awkward next encounter, I take it.”

“Yeah.” Aubrey sighed, twirled a lock of hair around her index finger, like she was prone to do when she was nervous. “I don’t want to be one of those whiny females who wonders what’s wrong and why won’t he talk to me, text me, call me, or whatever, but, come on.”

She hated feeling like this. Told herself from the beginning it was going to be for only one night, and look at her. Acting as if she wanted more, which she so didn’t, but…okay fine, she was a liar. She did want more. Nothing serious. Just fun. A few naked sessions with Flynn Foley held the promise to chase the stress away.

Willow studied her quietly for so long that Aubrey started wiggling in her chair, waiting for her to say something. Anything, for God’s sake, just to break the tension. “He likes you.”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “That’s all you have to say? I tell you I took his…” She leaned across the table and lowered her voice to the softest whisper. “You know, and that’s all I get? He
likes
me?”

“Simmer down, girlfriend. I’m leading up to what I need to say.” Willow cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes, striking a thread of fear inside Aubrey’s heart. She leaned back in her chair, waiting for what would no doubt be a verbal blow. “Nick’s been complaining since you started working for the Hawks that Flynn’s had the hots for you. He wondered why the boy would never make a move.”

“It’s not allowed, remember? Dating is against company policy,” Aubrey pointed out. “Not that it’s stopped us. He made a move, got what he wanted, and now nothing. Nada. Zip,” Aubrey muttered.

“Maybe he’s just busy. He had a day off and then came back to practice, and boom. You know they’re working everyone overtime, getting them prepped for the game. Yeah, I know he’s second string, but they play them, too. Everyone’s got to stay on top of his game. Who knows what could happen?” Willow shook her head. “I’m guessing you’re worried for nothing. All twisted up over it, thinking you did something wrong or whatever, and I bet he’s fine. Just playing it cool. Or more like being a typical guy and oblivious to the fact that you’re quietly freaking out.”

Willow was probably right. She’d been so wrapped up in her own thoughts, and he probably wasn’t even aware of her uncertainty. They hadn’t seen each other. She was speculating—the last thing she should be doing.

“So what do I do? Let it play out and see if he ever talks to me again? Wait for him to possibly get traded and then maybe we could see each other?” A long-distance relationship sounded far from ideal.

“Is he getting traded? How awful.” Willow made a tsking noise. “But if he does, he’ll be better appreciated somewhere else, don’t you think?”

Again, pure speculation on her part. She really needed to learn how to keep her mouth shut. “It hasn’t been confirmed.”

“The rumor has been batted around more than once.”

“‘Rumor’ being the key word,” Aubrey added.

“Whatever.” Willow waved her hand. “He’s definitely going to talk to you again. He has to talk to you. You’re his publicist. And speaking of that, I really hope no one saw the two of you together.”

“No one did,” Aubrey said quickly. “I’m sure of it.”

“I hope so.” Willow sent her a pointed look. “He’ll come around. Just be patient.”

She was sick of being patient. She’d been patient her entire life. Now that she’d had a taste of Flynn…she wanted another. And another after that, too. “I hate that word,” she muttered.

Willow laughed, the witch. “Everyone does. And, hey, there’s nothing wrong with playing hard to get.”

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t run up to him and demand an explanation?” Aubrey was joking, but really, she felt at a complete loss. She had no idea what she should do, how she should approach him. She got tense just thinking about it.

“Absolutely do not demand an explanation,” Willow said emphatically. “Men don’t like demands, especially this early in the game.”

“Game? I’m not trying to play any games. Doesn’t he get that enough in his job?” Aubrey’s shoulders slumped, defeat settling over her. She was letting him get to her.

“Come on, dating is a total game. You just need to be a savvy player.” Willow snapped her fingers, as if she’d just come to a world-stopping realization. “You know what the problem is?”

Aubrey sat up straighter. If Willow solved all of her Flynn problems right now, she’d probably drop to the floor and kiss her new friend’s feet. “What? What is it?”

“Flynn absolutely does not know how to play the game.”

“Well, duh.” Aubrey blew out a harsh breath. “He’s terrible at the game.” Though he was really good in bed, she had to give him that. He knew just what to do with the sex part, and she wasn’t sure if that was natural instinct or what. But socially? As in dating?

The guy probably didn’t have a clue.

“It’s because he’s not an expert at the game. As in, he lacks experience.” Willow paused. “Or so I’ve heard and observed. He’d rather argue field strategy than talk to a pretty girl.”

Ugh. So true. If he was completely enamored of her, he should’ve come around her office by now, right? More likely, he was avoiding her because they shouldn’t be seen together, considering their relationship would be frowned upon. “I’m overthinking this, aren’t I?”

“Completely!” Willow looked at her as if she’d finally figured it out. “Don’t stress it. Easier for me to say than do, but I really think you need to just relax and wait for him to approach you. Let him come around to being the conquering male. They love that sort of thing.”

“I suppose,” Aubrey muttered.

“Come on.” Willow’s voice lowered, and a sly smile appeared. “You’ve got to give me more details. He rocked your world, didn’t he? That’s why you’re so stressed-out.”