Playing for Kicks (Play Makers Book 5) (31 page)

“Well, then,” Riga drawled, “as long as she’s
cool.”

It should have been a warning shot, but
instead, Sean cracked up.

And to his relief, Riga chuckled too. “Lucky
for you, I’m stoked. So I’ll give you a pass. Just this once. As
long as you read her the Riot Act. Because if this leaks, it won’t
be
her
head that rolls.”

“Got it, Coach.”

“So . . .” Riga stood and walked around
to Sean’s side of the desk and outstretched his hand. “Nice
job.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

He would have said more. Thanked him more.
But Riga returned to his seat and focused on his computer monitor,
not in a rude way, but just because the man was obsessed with “the
effing game plan,” and clearly had other surprises in store for the
competition.

Awesome.

Without being consciously aware of his
movements, he walked to the parking lot, his head spinning. He had
known this was huge in terms of making a contribution, perfecting
his craft, but it took someone like Riga to see the real
possibilities.

Elevating the game.

His thoughts returned to Tess. Her shift
would start any minute, and even though she had banned him from
Zone D, he couldn’t wait another twenty-four hours to share this
with her.

So he took a chance and called her.

“Sean?” she asked, sounding cute but
efficient.

“Hey, babe. I need a favor.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“I need to talk to you about something. It
can wait, but I’d rather just do it tonight. So how about I drive
up and meet you when your shift ends? I won’t come into the bar,
but we could grab some coffee and talk.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Actually, something good happened.” He
exhaled sharply. “Definitely not an emergency, so if it’s a
hassle—”

“I’ll drive down now. How’s that?”

“Huh?”

“The owner’s here doing paperwork. And he
owes me a favor. So he can cover my shift, no problem. Let’s say
six thirty in the hotel lobby. Does that work for you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted quietly. “It works.”

“Okay, then. I’m on my way.”

Chapter
Nine

Tess used valet parking for once, just in
case Sean arrived at the hotel at the same time she did. Then she
hefted her mini-duffle onto her shoulder, tipped the adorable kid
who accepted her keys, and hurried inside, anxious to see her
buffer boyfriend. Because that voice on the phone—the understated
awe, the hint of amazement—still resonated with her.

Something good happened . . .

Who else but Sean Decker could make such
simple words sound so momentous? She couldn’t even imagine what it
was about. All she knew was, he wanted to share it with her. Not
twenty-four hours from now, but right away.

And damn if she didn’t want to hear it.

She wanted to change out of her Colbee
clothes, but he was early too, and that was even better. Because he
already looked amazing enough for the both of them.

His green eyes sparkled as he strode across
the lobby to her, stopping a full foot away like he didn’t trust
himself to get closer. “Hey, babe. Thanks for coming.”

“It sounded important,” she said
breathlessly.

His gaze flickered to her outfit, landing on
the embroidered name in her chest. “Is this what you wear at the
bar? It’s awesome.”

“I get the feeling
everything
is
awesome to you right now,” she told him with a giddy smile. “I want
to hear it all, but I need to freshen up first. Can you take my bag
to reception? I’ll just dash to the restroom here in the lobby.
Then we can go wherever you want. Although . . .” She eyed the
Ashton’s bar hopefully.

“Yeah, they’re expecting us.” He hesitated,
almost like he was going to kiss her, but instead he took the
duffel and said, “See you inside.”

She dashed for the bathroom, took the
requisite pee, then washed up. Her Colbee shirt had its charm, but
the ponytail had to go, so she brushed her hair, then took a deep
breath, wondering what on earth had happened. He always looked
gorgeous, but that wild gleam in his eyes? If it were anyone but
Sean she’d think he had won the lottery, but money didn’t drive
this guy.

And while she had no idea what
did
drive him, she was about to find out. Or at least get a very sexy
clue.

So she headed back through the lobby to the
bar, where he signaled from a corner table with a smile so
devastating, she wished she had taken time to go to her suite and
change into something sexier. On the other hand, she really
couldn’t wait another minute, could she?

Joining him quickly, she settled into her
side of the booth, then reached for his hand. “Tell me.”

“It came out of left field, that’s for sure,”
he said carefully.

Then he told her about an experience during
the practice in Eugene. His range had improved, although not by
much since it had already exceeded expectations. Not just his, but
frankly anyone’s. But his accuracy? His control? The loft, the
trajectory, the way it sailed through the air as though capable of
staying on course forever.

That
was new. Unexpected. Borderline
dramatic.

“I figured it would come in handy,” he
explained. “But Riga noticed, too. Especially when it happened
again today. And man, did he see it differently.” Sean’s voice
lowered as though revealing a state secret. “He wants to build it
into the game plan.”

Before Tess could react, he added solemnly,
“He said he always knew I could
save
a game, right? A
last-minute field goal. Desperation. Fourth down and out of time.
That’s my job. But to build me in from the start? In his mind—and
in mine too—that’s a whole new ballgame. Pardon the pun,” he added
with a wince.

Tess knew enough about football to know this
was big. Huge, actually. But she could barely focus on that minor
detail compared to the way it affected Sean. Not to mention the way
it
didn’t
affect him. Because he was so completely awed.
Almost serene. Like he honestly didn’t need anything more to make
life complete. And wasn’t that a miracle? Johnny Spurling—whom she
adored—would already be plotting the Super Bowl implications. Her
sister Jill? Attacking the future with gusto thanks to such new and
revolutionary information. Almost anyone would react that way.

But Sean was in the moment. And not just
once, either. First in Eugene when he made the first awesome kick.
Then the next. Then in Riga’s office. And now here. With Tess.

She squeezed his hand. “It’s unbelievable,
Sean.”

“I figured you’d get it,” he said with a
wistful smile. “There’s more to come, obviously. And it could be a
fluke. But I don’t think so.”

“
Once
is a fluke. Twice is destiny.
And meanwhile, it’s just . . . well, wow.”

“Yeah. Especially because . . .” His
cheeks flushed. “Never mind. Tell me about
your
day. I still
can’t believe you came back early just for me. It’s awesome,
Tess.”

“Everything’s awesome,” she teased him again.
“But I want to hear the rest. Please?”

She could see he was weighing it. She even
knew why. Things were great. He was floating on a cloud and Tess
was right up there with him. Did they really need to go to this
other level?

“I can’t let it go,” she admitted finally.
“Sorry.”

He grinned. “Yeah, me either actually. It’s
some weird kind of closure, I think. Because you know I started off
as a quarterback, right? An integral part of the game plan. I
didn’t even realize I missed it, but when Coach Riga said what he
said, it mattered. Bizarre but true.”

“That makes sense, even though for the rest
of us . . .” She smiled ruefully. “When the game’s on the line
and the kicker marches out onto that field and gets those three
points? The points that make the difference between winning and
losing? Well, wow. What a hero. The game plan failed, but there you
are, saving the day.” She fanned herself with the wine list. “Where
were we?”

His eyes had widened, and he didn’t even
respond for a few seconds. Then he said with a soft chuckle,
“Unbelievable.”

“I’ve always been a sucker for the
desperation play. That last-minute field goal? The Hail Mary pass?”
She gave a wistful sigh. “I’m in it for the drama. But you’re
saying it’s different for you. Because you were a quarterback. I
guess that makes sense.” Hesitating, because she wasn’t sure the
timing was good, she decided to ask, “How did that happen? There’s
not much detail on the Internet. One day you were calling the
shots. Then suddenly, you were a kicker. That’s not a natural
progression, is it?”

He signaled the waitress to refill their
drinks—beer for him, wine for her—then admitted, “I always knew I
could kick. But I never told anyone. Because I also had a good arm.
Good vision. Mobility. And to be honest, it was a rush playing QB.
I didn’t want some coach deciding to use me another way. Especially
because I was good enough to take my high school team to the
regional championship. Then I got a full ride to Villanova and
broke multiple records there. I wasn’t the best. Even I knew that.
But by then I had met Murf, and we figured I had what it takes. So
I rode it out, thinking if I didn’t get drafted in an early round
I’d hang it up. Do something else, or take over the ranch from my
uncle since he never really wanted it.”

“But you were drafted in the first round. You
must have been so thrilled.”

“Yeah, it was big. I started at backup,
obviously. Played a few games when our guy got hurt, or if we were
so far ahead it didn’t matter. And I did okay, but no one was
knocking down the door.” He shrugged. “The whole thing had been
such a gift, I could’ve made peace with it. But it
tortured
Murf because—well, you’ve seen how he is. So when he brought his
family out to the ranch for a visit, I showed him the boot.”

She giggled. “You mean: unleashed the
Kraken?”

He grinned. “You joke, but he went nuts. What
I didn’t know was, he and John had been brainstorming how to take
the Lancers to the next level. John wanted a superstar receiver,
which made sense. But when Murf saw me kick, he decided they needed
a top-level kicker instead. And since he’s Murf, he made it
happen.”

“How?”

“The right way,” he admitted. “He talked my
coach into letting me try out as a kicker. Not that the team needed
another one. And they liked having me as backup QB. But the coach
was a decent guy. So he and Murf did the work of converting my
position, then Murf and John convinced the Lancers to give me a
shot. I’ll owe them forever obviously. Especially now.”

They stared into each other’s eyes, caught by
the simplicity of it all. He was right where he wanted to be. Doing
what he wanted to do.

And pumped as hell.

“We should do something,” she said suddenly.
“Maybe a club?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

“I need to change. But I’ll be quick. And the
Mets are fighting for their lives, so we could check on that.”

“Yeah.” He motioned for the waitress and paid
her in cash, then took Tess by the hand and led her into the lobby.
They caught the first elevator, and since they were alone, they
flew into each other’s arms, kissing wildly. By the time they
reached her suite, she knew she had to slow things down. Even
though it was
so
much fun.

“Should I wait out here?” he asked huskily,
his mouth on her neck as he closed the door and backed her against
it, his body grinding hers gently.

“There’s a TV in the bedroom. So come in
there, so I can listen too. While I change.”

“Right.” He trailed her to the next room,
then sat on the edge of the bed and turned on the game, his gaze
moving warily between her and the screen as if waiting for a
sign.

So she tackled him, saying happily, “Just two
minutes. I’m serious, Sean.”

Within seconds he stripped off her Colbee
top, then her bra, and then devoured her breasts as though he’d
planned it for weeks. Giggling, she forced his face back up to hers
and kissed him, moaning as his hands explored her bare torso then
down between her jeaned legs.

“No, Sean,” she warned him, but her own hand,
which was already down the front of his pants, assured him all was
not lost. And apparently he really wanted this, because he quickly
got the message, unzipping his fly and freeing himself then groping
her above the waist again, murmuring her name, kissing her
eagerly.

His erection was long, thick, and hard as a
rock. To her fevered imagination it actually pulsated as she worked
him with long, teasing strokes before getting him off with a
raucous bang that reverberated right through the bed.

His hand tried to invade her waistband again
but she batted it away, reminding him, “No.”

“Come on, baby,” he said in a dazed voice.
“Let me do you. Because, man, that was good.”

“I’m fine. Just settle down.” She bit back a
sheepish laugh and added softly, “You need to kiss me, Romeo.”

“Yeah, for sure.” His mouth found hers. “God,
you’re amazing.”

“So are you.”

He raised himself up enough to stare into her
eyes. “I know you didn’t want to have sex yet—”

“We
didn’t
have sex. So no
problem.”

“That’s how you’re going to play it?”

“Either that, or buffer dating is a failure
and we go back to hanging out.”

“Buffer dating is a
complete
success,”
he corrected her, his tone unusually mellow even for Sean. “Take my
word for it.”

Biting back a laugh, she realized he was
still euphoric from his climax, and while she envied him a bit, she
honestly wasn’t ready to join the party. At least not yet. But
getting
him
off? Just this once? On such an important day in
his career?