Page 59 of Third Strike Smitten

That’s okay. I’ll keep trying. At some point you won’t be able to resist me and you’ll change your mind.

Me

And what exactly do you think changing my mind entails? Those mozzarella sticks you once promised me but never delivered?

Killian

Oh, Coach. I have much more creative ideas than mozzarella sticks. But if those will do it, I’ll DoorDash them to your place right fucking now.

I shift in my chair, suddenly very aware of the silence in my apartment. Tara won’t be home until morning, and the thought of being alone with these messages sends a shiver down my spine that I try desperately to ignore. It’s not that I think sleeping with Killian is a terrible idea from an attraction perspective. God knows, the man has the body of a beast, and I’m certain he knows how to use it. I’m just not sure it’s a good idea from a mindset perspective to get intimately involved with the man I’m fake dating. Lines will cross, things will get messy, and I can’t have that happening as we get further into the season.

Besides, I know he’s only saying these things because he’s alone and horny. The poor guy hasn’t seen any action since we made our agreement.

Damn.

What if my one big ask of no sex while we’re together does more harm than good to him? What if he’s so used to having a regular schedule of sex that this throws him off his game? What if his game suffers and it’s all my fault?

I consider my response. The wine has definitely loosened something in me, but I’m not drunk enough to make a decision I’ll regret tomorrow.

Me

If you’re trying to make me feel guilty, it might be working.

Killian

I would never try to make you feel guilty. I’m just being honest about my current state of mind. And my current state of mind is very...focused on you.

I set my phone down and press my palms against my warm cheeks. This conversation is veering into dangerous territory, and part of me wants to steer it back to safer ground. But another part—the part that’s been replaying those kisses in the stadium hallway for days—wants to see where this goes.

Me

You know I can’t change my mind about this, right? We made an agreement.

Killian

I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t think about it. You’re a good kisser, Isla. Any man would be crazy not to be thinking about it after the fact. So don’t hate me if I try to persuade you with my devastating charm and quick wit. And possibly a foot rub. I give excellent foot rubs.

I laugh, shaking my head at his persistence.

Me

You’re relentless.

Killian

It’s one of my better qualities. How many men have you kissed?

I blink at the question, my fingers pausing over the keyboard. Where did that come from? We were talking about foot rubs and now he wants to know my kissing history?

Me

That’s a pretty personal question, Haynes.

Killian

We’re fake dating. I think I’m allowed to be curious about the woman whose lips I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. So...how many? Or rather, how many do I have to kill?

I take another sip of wine, considering how to answer. The truth is embarrassing but fuck it. We’re not a real thing so what does it matter anyway?