Page 24 of Penalty Kick

“A, ummm…” He searched for the correct word in English. “A kindness…manners…”

“Courtesy?”

“Sí.”

Pressing the button for the elevator, she turned to look at him. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“I had fun tonight.”

“So did I.”

“I wasn’t expecting to.”

“I am aware.”

Dash took a step closer to her, closing the gap between them. There were only a few inches of space between them now, more than close enough for him to reach out, wrap his arm around her waist, and tug her against him. But he held back, enjoying the anticipation that was building.

“I am sorry I underestimated you.”

Shrugging one shoulder, he took another step, his eyes locked with Talia’s. He could hear the rhythm of her breathing change, the quiet of the lobby surrounding them, and it was like lightning in his veins. His dick twitched just thinking about her pretty pink lips, their softness, and how they would feel against his. From the look she was giving him, he was pretty sure she was thinking the same thing. Leaning in a little more, he stopped, his mouth lined up with her ear.

“Want to make it up to me?” he asked, voice low and husky.

Talia nodded, almost imperceptibly. If he hadn’t been so close to her, he wasn’t sure he would have even noticed. Rocking back, he locked eyes with her again, holding her gaze. Her beautiful hazel eyes were so full of emotion, and he felt every one way down deep. Talia Whitmore might just be the death of him.

Kissing her softly on the cheek, he whispered, “Be my date for Carnival.”

Before Talia could respond, the elevator dinged. That was his cue. Walking backward toward the front door, he gave her one last wink.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Be my date for the carnival…

Dash’s words had played over and over in her head all night. As had him testing out the Tricky Licky. Walking into the Thai place that was around the corner from her apartment—her and Gunnar’s go-to lunch spot—those words wouldn’t leave her alone.

He’d walked away before she could answer him, still in a stupor from him being so close to her. So close and not kissing her.

Not that she wanted him to kiss her. She didn’t. She wasn’t interested in him, at least not like that. Nothing more than friends. Felicity was right; there was nothing wrong with liking the attention from him. And she liked that—a lot. But that was where it began and ended. There was too much on the line—namely the Renaye dual degree program—and she’d seen firsthand what happened when you took your eyes off the prize. Especially for a guy.

Yet, she couldn’t get Dash out of her mind.

Gunnar stood, pulling her into a hug, same as he did every week when they met for lunch. While things had started out somewhat awkward between them, they’d quickly fallen into a rhythm that was uniquely theirs. The only thing he may have contributed to her upbringing was the genetic material, but there was no doubt that he was her dad. She saw so much of herself in him. Whether it was a facial expression, her sarcasm, or the willingness to try any and all weird foods, she’d long wondered where those things came from. No one else in her family shared them. The answer was now sitting across from her, and she loved that they had found each other.

“You’re moving around pretty good on those things,” Gunnar said, nodding at the crutches as he slid into the booth. “Armpits hurt yet?”

Shifting so she could prop her booted ankle up on the bench, Talia shrugged. “Yes. I didn’t realize armpits could hurt. Thankfully I get to ditch them tomorrow. Avery tried to convince me to keep using them until you guys get home, but that’s not happening.”

“Just be careful. Or better yet, you could come with us. That way Avery could watch over you.”

Shaking her head no, she gave him an appreciative smile. Traveling with the team was fun—like a weird little family vacation, since everyone in her life was somehow involved with the team. But she had work. Plus, a little distance from Dash might not be the worst thing at the moment.

“And miss an away game shift? No way. Tips, like, triple, during away games. She said I would be fine as long as I wear the boot, so I will wear the boot and everything will be fine.”

Gunnar nodded. She knew that he respected her need to be independent and support herself, even if he and Felicity had the means to do it. It had been a battle at first—Felicity wanting her to be able to focus solely on classes and getting her education—but Gunnar had put it to rest, taking Talia’s side and helping Felicity understand why Talia needed to do this for herself. Just one more way the two of them were alike.

“How did last night go?”