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“I didn’t think you would turn around.”

“I didn’t think I would either.” My eyes narrowed.

What was the feeling running through my body? Defeat? Anger? Anticipation? I closed my eyes. Luke had set me on edge and we were completely clothed. There was an electric source that trickled from his body. No matter what I did I was drawn to it. Angry or not.

“Sit.” He patted the leather seat and I did as he commanded.

I felt tiny, dwarfed by the huge pieces of furniture and Luke’s big frame. He was tall even when he was sitting.

“I’m sorry about the press attack.” His hand landed on my knee. “It wasn’t my idea, but I went along with it.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to spend time with you.” His hand inched farther up my leg, and I couldn’t help the fire that spread between my thighs.

“You could have done that without the cameras.”

“And I was going to. We had that planned before the paparazzi showed up. After you left this morning, I had a meeting with my new PR consultant. Charlie says I have to rebuild my image. I think our meeting at the gala last night was the inspiration for the whole thing. You could help change the public’s perception of me.”

“But it’s only perception, right? You aren’t actually interested in becoming a different person.” I didn’t know how I could sound so hostile, while at the same time my body was firing with want for him. His fingers dug into my skin.

“I never said I wanted to be a new man.” His voice deepened. “I play football. I want to play football. This is the condition I’ve been given if I want to stay a Warrior.”

I gasped when he shoved my other leg to the side and began to stroke the inner fabric. But I didn’t stop him. I sat listening, talking, and soaking in every stroke.

“And using me seemed like an acceptable price.” I ignored that in this moment I was using him. Draining every sexual thrill I could from his hands. My body syphoned every shred of lust rolling off of him.

“I was going to see you anyway, Alexa. The press was called in by PR. And they could have followed us if they wanted to. It might have happened anyway. I was going to kiss you like that no matter who was watching. I couldn’t keep my hands off you.”

“But you led them down there. They knew exactly where we were going to be.”

“Fuck, Alexa. I’m sorry. I had to do it.”

My breath hitched when his fingers crawled to the center of my legs and tugged at the zipper on my jeans. He was crazier than I thought if he had any expectation of sex right now, because I was absolutely not going to … Oh shit.

His hand dove between the lace on my panties and the denim of my jeans. I wiggled, giving him more room to explore.

“Had to?” I gasped the words.

“Yes. Had to. You have to get it. Football is my life. I can’t do anything else. I am the Warriors QB. You have music. I have football.”

His fingers strummed over my clit and my eyes rolled back as my lashes fluttered closed. I tried to force down the sudden fire burning in my core.

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“I fucking hate to admit it.” He gnashed his teeth. “I have to do what they want until I’m off probation with management. Good guy image all the way for now.”

It was hard to think while he made my body want everything physical and erotic. He held me in a haze so that I only cared about raging screams and toe-curling orgasms that were gifted by his one-of-a-kind cock. I realized how alike we were. I had the image he needed. And he had the attitude I wanted. He had lived free and wild. He didn’t care what people thought. I wanted that so badly.

I tried to breathe slowly, letting his fingers work my clit with perfect precision while my last remnants of sanity held on.

“I get it,” I whispered. “I get it, Luke.” I sighed this time with a mixture of understanding and desire. I did understand him.

“Good,” he whispered. “I want you to get it. I want you to get everything I can give you right now, baby.”

I was falling. Falling into his hands. Forgetting that I tried to walk out. Forgetting that two minutes ago I was livid and ready to punch him. All my body knew was that Luke Canton delivered on his promises.

“I think we should fuck until you feel better about everything,” he growled in my ear, pushing a thick finger inside me.