“Amber Carrington, I think I’m in love.”
Chapter Six
He wanted to slap a palm to his forehead. Out of all the things he could have said—Great shot. Where’d you learn to kick like that? Color me impressed—he’d had to go and spew some kind of cheeky pick up line. One he would have used in his old days.
You daft cow. That wasn’t how he wanted her to think of him. Some famous playboy athlete who would say and do anything to score with a woman. Way to start off on the wrong foot.
He was right, too. Amber’s gray eyes widened and then blinked. Mila, on the other hand, hid her head in her husband’s shoulder, her snort muffled.
Seth ran a hand over his head. If he backpedaled, would it only make matters worse?
He’d never really cared what people thought of him before. And the world had a lot of opinions of him, he knew. They weren’t exactly silent about them. Social media posts. Newspaper headlines. Sports announcers. His life was public fodder, but he’d always believed he could leave their judgments out on the pitch.
Amber folded her arms across her chest and gave him a calculated once-over.
Sodded, daft cow. For some reason he cared what this woman thought. She was…enchanting. Only minutes in her presence and she’d cast some sort of spell over him. There seemed to be an aura about her, although he didn’t care for that word. But there was an innocence. A fresh, untouched innocence that drew him like a parched man to a gentle spring.
The moment their gazes had collided, something had happened. What that something was—too soon to name. It hadn’t been a lightning strike or an electrical current. No, the feeling was more subtle than that. More like a gentle nudge. Interest that stood up and paid attention.
Almost like the first time his foot had connected with a football. Something in him knew he’d found that special thing that would become immensely important to him.
“I’m sure you say that to all the ladies.” Her brow cocked, almost mocking him.
His lips tipped. Pure, but equal part moxie. Not to mention a leg that could kick a ball into the corner of the net. An intoxicating blend, to say the least.
He sandwiched the ball between his hip and forearm. He’d never been at a loss for words when it came to women. A flirty compliment, a well-placed wink. His nerve endings hummed beneath his skin, a witty, bantering comment on his lips that would be sure to make her flush with pleasure.
Is that the man you still are?
No, but he’d be hanged if it felt near impossible for the tiger he’d been to change his stripes. He sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Old habits die hard.”
She blinked again, looking like he’d caught her off guard by his admission. That was good, right? He didn’t want her to label him with a title that didn’t fit him any longer. Even if that was still his natural M.O.
“That was a great shot, by the way.” The words he should have said to begin with finally left his mouth. “How’d you learn to kick like that?”
When she grinned, her whole face lit up. “Three older brothers will teach a girl a lot. Like how to dribble a ball, both basketball and soccer. I can also throw a mean spiral.”
He clutched a fisted palm to his chest. “Will I be coming on too strong if I propose now?” Okay, so he’d changed, but maybe notcompletely.Besides, he didn’t think there was anything in the Bible against a little innocuous flirting. And their banter was harmless. He wouldn’t let it lead it to the same destination it had in the past.
She held his gaze for a beat then laughed. “You’re funny.”
“Don’t encourage him.” Ben shook his head but grinned.
Mila turned her attention to her wristwatch before patting her husband’s arm. “The meeting with the board of directors starts in ten minutes. We must be going.” She swung her gaze to Amber. “You will be okay?”
Amber hid a yawn behind her hand. “Of course.”
“Gut.Yasmin can answer any of your questions, but I think you and Seth will have plenty to discuss.”
Ben leaned down to kiss Amber’s cheek goodbye European style, and Mila did the same to Seth. With her lips an inch from his ear, she whispered, “This one will not need her older brothers to rip out your heart if you hurt her.” A kiss punctuated her threat before she stepped away with an elegant smile on her face.
He’d volunteered at the center before, so he’d had plenty of time to get to know Mila and Ben. The two directors may look like sweet humanitarians, but mama bear and papa bear would more adequately describe them. And apparently Amber had been adopted as one of their cubs.
Good. She was far from home and family and friends. She needed people who would look after her. But they didn’t need to fear him. He wanted to hurt her as much as he’d want to hurt a puppy, which was not at all.
He gazed down at Amber, his attention caught by the wisps of dark blond hair curling around her neck in the breeze.
When presented with a beautiful, spellbinding treasure, a person shouldn’t handle it roughly, smashing it open. They should be gentle, carefully unraveling each of its mysterious layers. And that’s how he saw her. For some reason, he had just been presented with a precious gift.
