Page 36 of The Player I Can’t Pick

She lets out a slow breath before nodding. That’s all I need. I cup her cheek and press my lips to hers. The kiss is explosive from the first touch. I tilt her head and deepen it, pouring everything I can’t say into it. If she won’t let me tell the world she’s mine, then I’m damn sure going to make sure she knows how I feel. When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard.

Her eyes stay closed for a second before she opens them. “Guy…”

I brush my thumb across her swollen bottom lip. “I’ll keep this between us for now.”

Relief flashes across her face. “But don’t confuse a secret with something casual, Nicole.”

Her eyes widen. I hold her gaze. “You can call this whatever you need to call it while you figure things out, but I know what it is to me.”

“What is it?”

I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “More.”

She stares at me, and for once she doesn’t argue.

I open my door and walk around the truck before she can stop me. When I pull open her door, she gives me a look. “I thought we agreed you weren’t walking me inside.”

“I’m not.”

I take her hand and help her down, then pull her into my arms right there beside the truck. Her arms wrap around my waist. “I’ll see you tonight,” I tell her.

She nods against my chest. “Tonight.”

I kiss the top of her head and force myself to let her go.

She walks toward the hotel, and I stay exactly where I am until she disappears through the doors.

Then I look down at her white hair tie still wrapped around my wrist. She wants this to be a secret. Fine. But casual? Not a fucking chance.

CHAPTER 14

NICOLE

I can’t stop smiling. My dad threw a no hitter, and Guy hit three home runs. The whole stadium is going crazy as the Jasper Bears celebrate another win on the field. I’m watching both of them when Guy looks up into the stands straight at me. I can’t stop myself from waving excitedly.

He winks and waves back.

My stomach flips. He disappears toward the dugout, and I turn my attention back to Dad as everyone on the team congratulates him. He may be a veteran, but tonight he pitched better than ever. I’m about to head down toward the tunnel when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and instantly smile when I see Guy’s name. You coming over?

God, I want to. Last night was amazing, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it all day. But I’ve also spent the entire day reminding myself that I need to take this slowly and protect myself. I will not become another woman on Guy Brody’s list of conquests. I can’t.

I type my response into my phone. Congratulations on your three home runs. I can’t come over. I’m eating pancakes with my dad.

I send the message and stare at my phone waiting for a response, but nothing comes. Disappointment hits me harder than it should. I shove my phone back into my pocket and head toward the tunnel to wait for Dad. I know him well enough to know he’ll refuse to spend much time in the interview room. I get there just in time to see Guy signing a couple of shirts for fans before Coach grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him toward the media area. I’d hoped to congratulate him in person, but I don’t have time to dwell on it because Dad is walking toward me.

I throw my arms around him. “Congratulations, Dad. What a game. That was amazing.”

He winces slightly. “Thanks, honey.”

I pull back and put my hand on his shoulder. “How bad is it?”

He gives me a small smile. “Nothing pancakes won’t fix.”

I roll my eyes. “You probably need an ice bath or for the trainer to work on your shoulder. I can wait.” Normally, he would insist it can wait, so when he nods, I know he’s really hurting. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant in two hours.”

“Hour and a half,” he says. “I’m starving.”

I laugh. “Fine. An hour and a half.”