Slamdunked By Love (One on One #2) (7 page)

“Not long.”

“Too long. A man should never let a beautiful woman wait.”

Since Caitlin didn’t think Brady had any idea she was out here, she wasn’t sure how to respond. “Thanks, but I’m okay.”

“Give me a second. I have something I want to discuss with both of you.”

He did? “Uh…”

But he was already gone, slipping inside the locker room, leaving her alone with Elise, who was openly eyeing her and Christian. Great. She forced herself to smile. “Elise, this is my brother, Christian.”

“Hello,” she said in that cool voice of hers.

“Nice to meet you,” Christian returned politely.

“You, too.” Her phone rang. “Excuse me. I have to take this.” She put the phone to her ear and strode away. Christian turned to Caitlin, his eyebrows raised. She shrugged.

The door to the locker room swung open. Dale clapped his hands. “Everyone, can you join us inside? The players are decent.”

Caitlin wasn’t sure she wanted to go into the inner sanctum of the locker room. She sure as hell didn’t belong there. But left with no choice, she filed in with the other family members, friends, and team employees.

Along with the players, the room was filled with reporters and a few cameramen from the local news channels. In the middle of the carpeted floor, a circular Stampede logo dominated. She zeroed in on her pretend boyfriend, who was indeed dressed. The thought of Brady Hudson with only a towel wrapped around his waist to protect his modesty threatened to warp all her brain cells. Good thing she hadn’t walked in on that. She would’ve slipped in a puddle of drool. Not that the blue sweater he wore helped her predicament much. The wool contoured to his broad shoulders, wide chest, and biceps. The man was built.

His brow lifted in query. She smoothed her features the best she could. Lord only knew what he’d read on her face. Good old-fashioned lust, probably.

The other friends and family went to stand next to their loved ones, so she did the same. Christian, as was his way, hung back, to take in the scene. “Hey, Brady,” she said. “Good game.”

His lips lifted in a brief smile. “Thanks. Winning was the only option tonight.”

“Yeah, I gathered that based on the way you played like a man possessed.” She moved in closer and whispered, “Do you know what’s going on?”

His large hand landed at the small of her back, sending a flash of heat radiating up her back. He leaned down, his breath caressing her ear, the sound of his deep voice sliding through her like melted chocolate. “Hey back. Not a clue.”

They turned their attention to the middle of the room where Dale stood on the logo. Obviously used to being the center of attention, he practically preened. “As you all know, there is nothing I value more than family. I loved my wife with all my heart before she passed away. My daughter is an important part of the Stampede family, as are all of our employees from the ball boys to the general manager. That includes the players. A couple of weeks ago, we acquired the best point guard in the league. And because he quickly realized there is no woman quite like a Dallas woman, he scooped up Caitlin, who I’ve chatted with a few times. I’m a great judge of character and know Brady chose well.”

All those eyes that had been trained on Dale were now centered directly on Caitlin and Brady. His hand tensed against her back. Where was Dale going with this? The sinking feeling in her stomach told her she wouldn’t be thrilled when he was done with his speech.

Dale clasped his hands together, an entirely-too-pleased-with-himself gleam entering his eyes. “So what better way to welcome Brady and Caitlin to the Stampede family than by including them in the annual team cookbook? As you all know, it’s my pet project. My restaurants and food were my passion before I bought the Stampede, and I love sharing that passion with our fans. Where’s Nick? Nick is the team’s official photographer,” he said to Caitlin. “Oh, there he is.” He called out the man’s name and waved him over. The photographer carried an intimidating, professional-looking camera in his hand. “Now kiss Caitlin like you mean it, Brady. We need a shot for the cookbook. Nick’s the best in the business. He can do better than some camera phone photo.”

The urge to bolt slammed into her with the force of a tornado. Not that she could since she was finding the process of breathing to be almost beyond her abilities at the moment. Forget about actually moving. All those nightmares she had about being the center of attention? They were coming true at this very moment. She wasn’t asleep. She was very much awake. And very much the center of attention. She estimated there were about seventy-five people in the room, which meant there were one hundred and fifty eyes on her.

Did Dale really expect them to reenact
Seven Minutes in Heaven
in the middle of this room? Judging by the expectant look on his face, the answer was a resounding yes.

Stiffly, her muscles protesting the entire way, she turned and looked up into the eyes of the man she’d dragged into this fiasco with her. Thankfully, she didn’t detect imminent murder in his eyes. His face was blank. Not great, but better than murder, she supposed. He didn’t speak, curling a strong arm around her waist and drawing her closer. He lowered his head. Her eyes fluttered closed as she rose on her toes to meet him halfway. The soft press of his sculpted mouth against hers didn’t last long. A second at the most. It didn’t matter. The riot of sensation that rampaged through her system attested to that. Her lips tingled, begging for more.

No. She stepped back out of his hold and forced her lips upward. “There you go, Mr. Templeton.”

He harrumphed. “You call that a kiss? I know you can do better than that. We all do. We saw the picture.”

Had she said this was getting out of control? Now
this
was getting out of control.

“You call that a kiss, Hudson? My dog gives better kisses than that,” Victor called out.

“You need lessons, man? I’d be happy to step in with your lady and show you how it’s done,” Tilly taunted.

Brady glared. “Like hell.” He hauled Caitlin against his chest and laid one on her. A full assault that bombarded all her senses. His hard body plastered against hers. The taste of him, slightly minty, the way he used his lips and tongue to entice, then demand a response from her enthralled her. Her hands landed on his arms, and she held on to enjoy the ride. His scent, so delicious, so Brady, wrapped around her. The kiss was thorough. Better than she remembered. She’d tried to tell herself that the kiss on the bench wasn’t as great as she’d thought it was. She’d been right. It was better.

Loud cheers finally penetrated her consciousness. Slowly, Brady ended the embrace. By the skin of her teeth, she held back the whimper that threatened to spill from her lips. She gulped in oxygen. Brady’s eyes were no longer blank. The hunger for more was easy for her to read. Especially because she felt the same way. Although the kiss was everything she could have wanted, she wanted more. Everything he had to offer. And that was the most dangerous thought of all. She shouldn’t want more. Couldn’t want more. It would end in disaster—especially since she was using this fake relationship to get closer to his coach.

Dale tapped her on the arm, giving her an excuse to turn away from the scorching look in Brady’s eyes. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“Show’s over, Dale,” someone called out, walking over to join them. Mack. How had she missed his presence? Probably because she’d been so caught up in Brady she hadn’t thought to look for him when she’d entered the room. Not good. He was supposed to be her priority, not Brady. “I’m sure you got what you needed,” Mack said to Nick.

The photographer tapped his camera. “Believe me, I did. Ten times over.”

Mack scanned the room. “I’ll see everyone tomorrow.” In other words—dismissed. Someone called Mack’s name, and he headed in that direction before she could gather her thoughts and talk to him.

Brady turned back to his locker. Awkwardness filled her pores. What was she supposed to do now? At least the other people in the room were returning to their own conversations and had stopped staring at them.

“I guess I’ll see you later,” she said to Brady’s back. She moved to head back to Christian, who was observing everything in the corner with a wry smile and standing next to Elise, who did not have a smile on her face.

A strong hand landed on her arm, halting her progress. The electric spark that raced up her arm let her know who had stopped her.

“Where are you going?” Brady’s face had once again turned expressionless, but his voice still worked wonders on her. His touch, too.

She turned, breaking his hold, immediately missing the connection. “Home.”

“How did you get here?”

“I came with my brother. He drove.”

“I’ll take you home.”

Twenty more minutes in a tiny space with Brady? She didn’t think she, her hormones, or her senses could take that. “That’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.” He leaned in closer until there was definitely not enough space in between them. “How would it look if my girlfriend was seen leaving with someone else when I’m more than capable of taking you home? I can hear it now. Trouble in paradise.”

Oh. Good point. Damn logic.

She went to relay the change of plans to her brother. Brady joined her soon thereafter. She made sure the introductions were short and sweet. No need to give Christian a chance to make any comments he’d no doubt think were hilarious. A minute later, she was headed out the locker room. With Brady at her side.

In the hall outside the locker room, they passed Lance Maguire, who took the opportunity to lean in and whisper, “Nice show. Dale’s found the son he never had.”

Brady, to his credit, never slowed.

The mood in his car could best be described as tense. She still hadn’t recovered from the kiss. She felt off-kilter. Heart racing too fast. She’d felt way too much for someone she shouldn’t. A kiss that was still rocking her world. Being next to him. Smelling him. Remembering how it felt to be in his arms. None of that was helping her state of mind. “Why did you kiss me like that?”

Brady’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t kiss you like my great aunt Bertha again, could I?”

“No, but it was still too much.”

His eyes clashed with hers. “This whole charade is too much. This isn’t what I signed up for.”

“It’s not what I signed up for either!”

“This arrangement was supposed to get the guys off my back so they didn’t think I was trying to get in good with Dale by dating his daughter. Now he’s making a big deal about it in the middle of the locker room in front of everybody.”

Caitlin shook her head. “Now you’re concerned about what they think?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” A thread of steel had entered his voice.

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

“No. Speak your mind. Don’t go shy now.”

“Your teammates don’t know what to think of you. Maybe you should open up to them.”

“I’ve got this,” he snapped. “We have to play better. We don’t need to be bosom buddies off the court.”

“Like Tom Hanks?”

He blinked. “What?”

“
Bosom Buddies
. You know, the eighties sitcom. He dressed up in drag so he could live in an all-women’s apartment building.”

“Huh?”

“It’s true. My mom made me and my brother watch reruns when we were little. Look it up on YouTube. I wonder if it’s on Netflix or Hulu? The premise sounds dumb I know.”

A note of incredulity entered his voice. “Are we really talking about this now?”

“Better this than you biting my head off.”

Brady pulled into a parking space at her place and turned off the car. He didn’t make a move to get out of the car. Neither did she. He stared out the windshield for a few seconds, then turned to her. “I’m sorry. I’m under a lot of stress right now. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

She saw the truth in his eyes. She longed to touch him, to offer comfort. But that wasn’t her place. She didn’t want it to be her place, right? Right. “Apology accepted. I’m sorry for lashing out at you.”

“Apology accepted.” He reached out to brush aside a strand of her hair, his eyes searching hers. “Where do we go from here?”

“Do you want to quit?” She held her breath.

Brady dropped his hand to his side. “No. This is still the best way to keep Elise at arm’s length.” A brief smile touched his lips. “The guys can’t complain I’m after her after that public display.”

The relief rushing through her was embarrassing in its intensity, but only because she needed Brady to gain access to Mack. That’s all it was. “Okay.”

“I know I’ve put you in some awkward positions, and you haven’t bailed yet. Thank you. It means a lot.”

The compliment surprised her. Warmed her. “You’re welcome, but don’t forget you’re helping me, too. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His voice, so deep, so alluring, made her long for things she shouldn’t.

She forced an upbeat tone in her voice. “Guess that settles it then. We’ll keep on faking it.”

His dark eyes pierced hers. “Yeah. Faking it.”

Chapter Five

“Y
ou sure about this?” Noelle asked.

Caitlin didn’t need to ask for clarification. “Yes, I’m sure.” Mostly sure. No. One hundred percent sure. “Yes. Brady will be perfect.” She ticked off points on her fingers. “He has an edge to him. He’s not afraid to offer his opinion. People know who he is. He’s an unexpected choice, so people will tune in to see what he has to say.”

Noelle was shaking her head. “Unexpected is one way to put it. I asked Tate about him. I thought it was funny and cool that he helped you out and y’all ended up being gossip fodder, but after what Tate said, I’m not so sure anymore. He doesn’t sound like the kind of guy you want to get mixed up with.”

Caitlin threw up her hands. “I get that your fiancé is Mr. Sports Talk Show Host who always has an opinion, but good grief. Brady’s not in the mob. He’s a basketball player!”

“With a reputation for not getting along with players and team officials. Fighting. Demanding special favors. There’s a reason he ended up getting traded. I don’t want someone I can’t count on. My show is designed to help people, not be a showcase for jerks. I’m not in the shock-for-ratings camp.”

As her friend listed his faults, faults she was well aware of and had catalogued herself, Caitlin started to feel defensive. And protective.

“I know that, Noelle, and neither am I,” she said with a calm she didn’t feel. “You know that. But I do want this launch to go well. Syndication is as important to me as it is to you. You’re not the only one with something on the line here. And I think, no I
know
, he’ll be great. I can keep him in line. Besides, you’re being too hard on him. I’ve met him, talked to him. Yes, he can be volatile.” The fire in his eyes when she’d followed him after the run-in with his teammate at casino night would be forever etched in her memory. But so would the vulnerability in his voice when he asked her to be his pretend girlfriend so he could avoid a potentially explosive situation. His admittance that he was under a lot of stress. “But another word for volatile is passionate. You’re the psychologist. You know that appearances can be deceiving and that people often have hidden depths. Give him a chance. A real one.”

Noelle studied her. Caitlin met her gaze unflinchingly. Her best friend finally nodded. “Okay.” She crossed her arms and squinted. “I’m still not happy you promised him the gig before discussing it with me though.”

Caitlin grinned. Things were going to be okay. “I know, but I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”

“Which is why I love you. Still…”

“Still what?” Had she read Noelle wrong? Did she have more convincing to do?

“Are you sure pretending to be his girlfriend is a good idea? I’ve thought about this and the potential for things to get out of hand is astronomical.”

Caitlin shifted uncomfortably. “How so?”

“You could fall for him. He could hurt you. Someone could find out it was a ruse. All of the above.”

“Not going to happen. Any of it. I’m not interested in him that way.” She couldn’t be. The potential for heartbreak was too great. “He needed something from me, and I needed something from him. Easy peasy.”

Noelle’s face scrunched up. “Yeah, but I’m worried.”

“Don’t be. I’ve got it covered. This is going to work. He’ll be radio gold and I’ll be…”

Her friend sent her an arch look. “What?”

“The best producer I know how to be and the best fake girlfriend to ever walk the earth.” Caitlin held up a hand. “Within reason.”

B
rady walked into the studio and immediately zoomed in on Caitlin. She was standing in the back of the room, but that didn’t stop him from finding her. She offered up a small wave. He made a move toward her, but another woman stepped in his path. She held out her hand. “Hi, Brady. I’m Noelle Butler. It’s nice to meet you.”

She was a pretty woman, no doubt, but his eyes kept straying to the woman behind her. He took Noelle’s hand for a brief shake. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Brady Hudson, and I’m ready for whatever you throw at me.”

She chuckled. “Follow my lead and you’ll be fine. The show comes back in five minutes. I’ve been teasing your appearance for the past hour, so the audience is pumped to hear what you have to say. Let’s get you situated. You’ll need a microphone and headphones.” She pointed to a chair a few feet away. “You can sit there.”

As he was settling in the chair, Caitlin made her way over to him. “Hey, Brady. Thanks for coming today.”

“Worried I wouldn’t show up?” he asked, his lips curving in a teasing manner.

She held up her hand, her forefinger and thumb about an inch apart. “Maybe. Just a little.”

“Aww, come on. I always meet my commitments.”

“You seemed a little nervous when we talked about it.”

Had he? He thought he’d covered it up well. How did she see what no one else did? “Pssht. I don’t get nervous.”

“Really?” She grabbed his hand and held it up to his face. “What’s this then?”

“My hand.”

“Your shaking hand.”

He moved fast, standing and twisting his palm so he cradled hers and drew her in close. Her scent, the same scent that had been haunting his dreams, drifted up to him. Peaches. He loved peaches.

Dale had thrown him off his game last night with his ridiculous demand, but nowhere near as much as Caitlin had. Her mouth. His eyes lowered. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was wearing the same lipstick she’d worn in the locker room. Gloss that outlined plump lips. The memory of the taste of those lips taunted him. He’d kissed his share of women. None of them had ever affected him like five-foot-two Caitlin did. Her lips parted, drawing in shallow breaths.

“Excuse me.” Someone cleared her throat. Noelle.

Damn, they weren’t alone. What was it about Caitlin that made him forget all about time and place? Was this pretend dating thing a good idea? He needed a clear head if he was going to accomplish his goals and get his career back on track.

But Caitlin was different. Sweet. Honest. Not interested in pumping up his ego in order to get something from him. She was genuinely interested in him and wanted him to succeed. When was the last time he could say that about a woman? Anyone, really? It didn’t matter. It didn’t? No, it didn’t.

He stepped back and turned to the show’s host. “Yes?”

Noelle’s gaze drifted down to where he still held Caitlin’s hand in his. Which was fine because they were pretending to date.

“Show’s about to come back,” Noelle said. “I’ll introduce you, then I’ll read a letter sent in and you can give your opinion. After that, we’ll take a few calls.”

Brady forced himself to let go of Caitlin. “Okay, let’s do this.” He took the headphones Caitlin handed him and slipped them on.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be great,” she said with that upbeat smile of hers.

“I know.”

“Ahh, there’s cocky Brady.” She laughed and took up her position across the table. She started fiddling with buttons on the sound board, her lips pursed in concentration, totally in her element. A few seconds later, she gave a signal to Noelle, who leaned closer to her microphone.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Noelle Butler, and if this is your first time listening, I’d like to welcome you to
Noelle Knows
. I hope you’ve enjoyed the first hour of the program and gotten the chance to know a little about me and the show. Hit us up on Twitter and Facebook and tell us what you think.

“As we launch this new chapter of the show’s life, I thought it would be great to have a special guest to celebrate. You’ll get to hear what I think every day, but it never hurts to hear the male perspective, so please welcome Brady Hudson. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Brady is the point guard for the Dallas Stampede. So, Brady, how are you doing today?”

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m not sure quite what I’m doing here, but I’ll do my best.”

Noelle laughed. “Well that’s all we can ask of you. So let’s get to our first letter. It comes from Maria.” She held up a piece of paper. “Dear Noelle, my fiancé and I aren’t on the same page about our wedding. I’ve been married before and want a small, intimate affair and don’t want to spend a lot of money. This is his first wedding, and he grew up on the fairytales we all did and wants to throw a lavish party. Help! What do I do?”

Noelle glanced his way before answering. “Thanks for writing, Maria. I can’t help but wonder if you two have different philosophies about money in general, but you didn’t write about that, so we’ll stick to what’s in the letter. Before I give my opinion, why don’t you tell us what you think, Brady?”

He shifted in his chair. Game time. He couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Caitlin. She sent him a thumbs up. “Put me on the spot right off, huh?”

“The only way to do it.”

“Look, Maria, you have to see this from his point of view. If he proposed, he’s probably head over heels in love and wants to show you off. Most men don’t propose marriage on a whim.”

“So she should give in to his wishes?”

“If she loves him, yeah! Women always should.” He held up a hand when Noelle’s lips tightened. “Kidding. Kidding. Maria, you and your fiancé should come up with a budget separately that details how you envision the wedding. Sometimes writing things down helps you to see things more clearly. Exchange budgets and then
talk
about them. Where can you give in a little? Where can he? What are your must-haves? Are there things you can do on your own or know people who can do it?”

Noelle nodded. “I’m impressed, Mr. Hudson. Are you a wedding planner on the side?”

He chuckled. “No, just a brother who’s watched two older sisters get married.”

“I don’t have much to add to Brady’s advice,” Noelle said. “I’m a big proponent of compromise and coming up with something that will make both parties happy. There is a happy medium. You two have to commit to finding what that is. This is a good test for you before you get married. Things won’t get any easier just because you say ‘I do.’”

Brady settled in his chair. Okay, yeah, he could do this. Noelle had approved of his advice, and he was never short on opinions.

“Caitlin—my producer for those of you new to the show—tells me we have a lot of calls. I’m assuming they’re your fans, Brady, so let’s get to them. Daisy, do you have a question for Mr. Hudson?”

“Absolutely, Noelle,” the caller said. “Congrats on your syndication. I’ve listened to the show in Dallas from the beginning, which is why I had to call in. Brady, I heard you had a new girlfriend and her name is Caitlin. Is that the same Caitlin who produces this show?”

Brady’s eyes skated toward Caitlin. Her doe eyes had gone even bigger. “Daisy, you’re smart and fast,” he said. “Yes, I’m dating Caitlin, and yes, she is the producer of this show.”

“Yes! I love being right. So tell me how you two met. I want to hear from Caitlin as well.”

“I like you, Daisy,” Noelle said. “You speak your mind and ask for what you want. As you know, Caitlin doesn’t like to talk on the air that much, but this is a special occasion, so I think she’ll be okay.”

Based on the look on Caitlin’s face, Brady wasn’t so sure.

C
aitlin struggled to keep her frustrated growl indecipherable. Daisy had bamboozled her way on to the show, claiming she wanted to ask how she could tell if the new guy she was dating was really into her. And now the other woman was demanding to hear details of her and Brady’s personal life.

Brady, for his part, looked unruffled as usual. Hmmph. He was used to being the center of attention. She was not. He loved it. She did not.

But at this point, that was neither here nor there. This was live radio, and the show must go on. “Hi, Daisy,” she said as pleasantly as she could. “What was the question again?”

“How did you meet Brady?”

“It’s not an exciting story, I’m afraid, but my car broke down, and Brady pulled over to help.”

Daisy squealed. Right into Caitlin’s ear. She winced.

“How romantic,” Daisy said. “So he is a gentleman. Don’t hear that much about him in the media.”

Caitlin glanced at Brady, who’d perked up at the compliment. “He has his moments.”

“Thanks for calling, Daisy,” Noelle said. “Who else do we have on the line?”

Caitlin rolled her neck. Hopefully, Daisy would be the only caller to ask about her and Brady. Except she’d been doing this too long to actually believe that. People were nosy.

“What do you like about each other?” the next caller asked, proving her right.

“Wait. I’m supposed to
like
something about my boyfriend?” she joked, ignoring the way “boyfriend” tripped off her tongue so easily. “I’m kidding, of course.” She studied the man who’d starred in way too many of her dreams of late. “Brady is…” Hot. “Dedicated. Driven.” His eyes were laser-focused on her, like he could see directly into her soul. Like he dared her to try to hold any secrets from him because it was impossible. He would find them all. She remembered how he’d pulled over to help a stranger. “Kind.”

“So what you’re saying is that he’s practically perfect?”

“Yes,” Brady said into the microphone, his eyes laughing.

“Um, no,” Caitlin said. “He’s not Mary Poppins. He has his faults. We all do.”

“Like what?” Brady scoffed.

“Arrogance comes to mind,” she said drily.

“You say arrogance. I say confidence,” he said, playing up to their invisible audience.

Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Whatever, dude,” she said.

“You had your turn. Now it’s my turn,” Brady said.

“Bring it. After all, I
am
practically perfect in every way.”

“Really?” he asked. “Well, let’s see. I like that you aren’t afraid to speak your mind. You’re always looking out for others.”

“Thank you,” Caitlin said. The compliments warmed her. They probably shouldn’t have. He had to say something nice about her, but he didn’t sound like he was making it up. Still, she couldn’t let the compliments go to her head. She could never forget her history. Or her mom’s.

“But you have faults like we all do,” he continued. “You’re stubborn. You don’t accept help easily. Independence is great, but sometimes you can use the support. We all can.”