Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“If you get on your knees, begging isn’t what you’ll be doing.”
His gaze pins me to my seat, daring me to move. His green irises shimmer in the light and are filled with an unspoken challenge. I’m not often speechless, but I have no comeback on the tip of my tongue.
Holy fuck.
A part of me, the part that hasn’t had sex in over four months, wants to drop to the floor and make him prove it. My core clenches at the thought of having his dick in my hands, then in my mouth, and then shoved deep inside me as I come all over it.
But the other part of me, the one still barely in control, puts a halt to it.
I’m not here to complicate my life even more. I’m here for one thing. I need to get it and leave.
“While I’d love to make you put your dick where my mouth is, so to speak, that’s not why I’m here,” I say with as much confidence as I can muster. “I came here to see if you’d play pickleball with me. If that’s a no, then fine.”
I start to stand but am stopped with a carefully lifted brow.
“You know I’ll do it,” he says. “I would’ve done it even if I didn’t get the pleasure of teaching your ex a lesson.”
I grin. “He really needs to be taught a lesson. If you smashed him in the face with a ball three or four times, it might not be enough.”
Jory chuckles. “So what am I getting out of this, anyway?”
“I don’t know. What do you want?”
I know exactly what crosses his mind. Men only smirk like that when they’re imagining one thing.
Finally, he sighs. “I want you to tutor Gus. Every hour of practice is an hour spent sitting with him and working through his math packet. That puts you in complete control of your time and investment.”
I would’ve done that for free. “Deal.”
“I need to take a cold shower,” he says, adjusting himself. I make a point not to look at his groin. “Then we could meet up at the park and get a game or two in.”
This is music to my ears.
I exhale a sigh of relief, feeling the throb in the back of my neck ease. If all goes right, this might end up being a better fit than Adam, anyway.
“I’m trusting you,” I warn, getting to my feet. “Please don’t bail on me.”
He stands, towering over me, yet his gaze holds mine tenderly. Despite the softness, there’s a ferocity in his green eyes that makes me feel safe. That makes me believe whatever he’s about to say.
“You have my word,” he says, smiling. “Now get out of here and meet me at the park in an hour.”
“You got it.”
I toss him a wink as I head for the door.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Jory
“What are we doing, boss?” I ask, swinging open the gate to the pickleball area.
Markie faces me, a grin on her lips and a hand on her hip. “I hope you’re not being facetious.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I plop my water, keys, and phone on the bench next to her bag. “I texted Gus that I’d be here for a while, so I’m at your disposal.”
“Great. I’ve already warmed up. So, you should go ahead and stretch out so that you don’t pull a muscle.”
I don’t know whether to laugh at her or shut up and do what she says. Surely, she knows that I understand the benefits of stretching before a workout.
“Just to be clear,” I say. “You do know that I’m a professional athlete, right? Like this is my literal job.”
She smirks. “I told you, rugby boy. You’re in my office now.”
“Actually, I believe the part of the court that you’re standing in is called the kitchen.” I laugh at the look of surprise on her face. “But sure, I’ll call it whatever you want.”
She drags her eyes from mine and turns away from me, picking up her phone. I did a quick warm-up before I left the house, so I’m ready to rock and roll. But God forbid she thinks I’m not taking this seriously, so I do a few stretches and calisthenics for her edification.
Besides, it gives me a couple of minutes to have an unobstructed view of her ass.
Our back-and-forth earlier at my house was unexpected. Sure, we’ve had a connection since the moment I met her. But I truly didn’t think our interactions would reach the level they did today. She was honest with me, told me about Jasper, and answered my questions even though I was a little concerned it might be too personal for her. Yet she trusted me.
And that cleavage. Fuck me.
Yet it did, and it’s all I can think about.
“All right,” I say, bouncing on the balls of my feet. “Let’s go.”