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“Thanks,” I mumble, grabbing a slice and sitting across from him.

Eli’s gray eyes flick to mine, and his smirk deepens.

“Good shower?” Eli asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

My face flames as I focus on my pizza, pretending not to hear him.

This is going to be a long night.

Chapter 12

The table is quiet except for the occasional clink of silverware and the buzz of the TV in the living room. Coach is focused on his pizza, going on about strategy for the game, but I can’t think straight. Not with her sitting there, two seats down, refusing to look at me. Her face is still red. Probably from having her first orgasm. I grin to myself, already planning all the shit I’m going to do to her.

Fuck, I shouldn’t have ripped her panties. I should’ve slid them off her slow, let her beg for it. Now they’re in my pocket, burning a hole through the fabric, and I can’t stop thinking about them or her. Is she wearing anything under that dress now?

“So, Eli,” Coach says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “What’s your plan for Saturday? You’ve been watching the tapes, right?”

I nod, sitting back in my chair like I’m completely unaffected. “Yeah, I’ve been going over them. The defensive line’s weak on the left. I was thinking we could exploit that with—”

Her fork clatters against her plate, and both of us look over at her. Princess. She’s flustered. When her eyes glance at me, I already know she’s mine.

“Sorry,” she mutters as she reaches for her fork.

I smirk. She likes me.

“As I was saying,” I continue, glancing back at Coach, “if we focus on the left, we could get an early lead.”

Coach nods, chewing thoughtfully. “Good eye, Grayson. I like that. You’ve got instincts. I’m happy to have you on the team, son.”

“Appreciate it,” I say, glancing at her again. She’s nibbling on the crust of her pizza, staring at her plate and then stills. She looks up at me, and I grin at her dad who is already calling me son. I’m fucking loving this. “It’s a big opportunity, Coach. I’m gonna give it my all.”

“Good.” Coach grins, pointing a finger at me. “I expect big things from you.”

I nod, but my focus drifts back to her. She’s pretending not to notice me, but she’s still red as she reaches for her glass of water. Cute.

“You okay over there?” I ask, my voice low.

Her eyes snap to mine, wide, her cheeks flushing deeper. “Yeah,” she says, her voice tight.

“Okay,” I say, smirking as I reach for another slice of pizza. “Wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable that I’m here or anything.”

Her gaze sharpens, but she doesn’t respond, just takes a long sip of her water.

“She’s fine. I bring some of the team home to talk strategy. She’s used to it,” Coach says as he winks at her. “We’ll go over the plays again tomorrow. I want to make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

“Sounds good,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

Sienna clears her throat. “I’m gonna head to my room,” she says, standing abruptly.

Coach waves her off without looking up. “Sure thing, kiddo.”

I watch her go, the sway of her hips in that little dress almost too much to handle. She disappears up the stairs, and I take a deep breath, trying to focus on anything other than the fact that she’s probably not wearing anything under that dress.

“Thanks for dinner, Coach,” I say, standing and stretching. “I should probably head out.”

Coach nods, getting up to walk me to the door. “Thanks for stopping by, Grayson. We’re glad to have you on the team.”

“Means a lot,” I say, shaking his hand. As he turns his back to me to pick something up from the ground, my eyes land on the spare key hanging on the hook by the doorframe.