I rolled my eyes.
Me
He’s annoying.
Ember
Don’t forget, handsome.
I closed my phone and shoved it in my bag before she could send me another text. I adjusted my laptop bag over my shoulder and headed for the exit. My feet paused once they reached the door. As my luck would have it, Nate was right there, leaning against the doorframe like he’d been waiting for me. His dark gaze swept over me. It was intimidating and probably the same look he gave his opponents on the field.
For a moment, neither of us moved. The hallway hummed with distant voices and maintenance carts squeaking along the floor, but all the noise seemed to fade into a distant blur. He was tall, so tall that I straightened my posture to hold his gaze. His quiet stance was throwing me off, and I could feel my nerves getting the best of me.
“Good to see you again, Ms. Hendrix. Although I almost forgot what it was like being on the receiving end of one of your interrogations. Have you ever considered easing into the hard questions instead of going straight for the jugular?”
Clearly, somebody’s feathers were ruffled.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I’d rather be direct and not throw softball questions. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I figured you would appreciate that.”
His mouth twitched. “I’m starting to think you enjoy making me uncomfortable. I’m not sure if I should be concerned or impressed.”
This was the exact reason why I couldn’t go easy on him. He was used to charming his way out of everything. He needed to understand that it wouldn’t work on me.
I took a step back, trying to put a little distance between us. “You know I’m just doing my job, right?”
“Yeah, but it’s funny how your job involves making mine harder.”
I lifted a brow. “You’re the star quarterback. I think you can handle a little pressure.”
He tilted his head slightly and crossed his arms. “I can handle it. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Of course, he didn’t like it. He was used to reporters treating him with kid gloves and kissing his ass.
“I don’t play favorites. Everyone gets the same questions. I’m sorry if you were expecting special treatment.”
His gaze dipped down to my mouth. “You might want to save some of this post-game charm for the other players.”
I narrowed my eyes, feeling the tension grow between us. Every interaction with him felt like a verbal tennis match, with neither one of us interested in backing down. “I’m not treating you any differently. You’re getting the same version of me everyone else gets. It’s called being fair.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try not to take that personally.”
“Please don’t. This isn’t personal. I take my work very seriously.”
He eyed me up and down. “You’re as ruthless as I remember. Sometimes you make me regret showing up at the press conferences.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said, feeling a blush take over my cheeks.
“It wasn’t meant to be one.”
Then he pushed off the wall and sauntered away, leaving me standing there, watching him like an idiot. My heart wasbeating so fast that I had to remind myself that it was just a conversation.
The man was smug and confident, and he somehow managed to get on my nerves. I wasn’t one of those women who were easily impressed. So why the hell was I smiling?
Damn him.
CHAPTER 2
NATE
