Page 81 of Racing Heat

“Well, this felt like an in-person conversation that we should have quickly. You know, before the game.”

I nod. My throat goes dry. Fuck, she’s going to end this. Dread settles into my chest like a weight that threatens to crush the life out of me.

“I just wanted to say that avoiding you wasn’t the right decision. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I was a little pissed and then busy. Then I felt stupid for not contacting you or being so short with you, so I avoided. It’s what I do—I’m an avoider.”

She shuffles from foot to foot, looking nervous. It’s adorable.

I get up and close the distance between us. I’m careful to keep my hands to myself because I’m not sure who could walk in.

“I’m so glad to hear you say that, because I was going over so many situations in my head about how I ruined this. I shouldn’t have challenged you like that. Maybe my tone was off and wrong. I’m sorry it upset you. I can be very direct when I coach. That wasn’t about you and me.”

She nods. “I was being stubborn. Mac told me as much the other night.”

“Does she know?”

“No. As far as I can tell, Danny hasn’t told her about us.”

“Is there an us to still tell her about?” I hold my breath until she says the words that feel like they’ll give me life or death.

“I would like there to be, yes.”

I grin. “Good. That’s what I was hoping for.”

“Good,” she replies. “I should get back down there. I just wanted to settle this before the game. It was bothering me, and I didn’t want the distraction.”

I’m relieved to hear her say that. It would have worried me all game, and I would have read into every look in my direction or move she made, making it hard to have my complete focus on the game and my job. I reach out and run a fingertip along her arm.

“I’m glad you came up here.” My fingers itch to do more touching. I want to put my lips on her body, but I can’t.

“Me too.” She leans into my touch. “This is dangerous.”

I nod in agreement. “You’re going to have to be the one to leave. I’d keep you here all day if I could.”

“You wouldn’t. You’re too much of a professional for that.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. But it’s still temping. You’re so very tempting.” I enjoy the way her cheeks flush at my words. “You should go while I still have enough restraint to let you leave.”

“Okay, I’ll go,” she says, but she doesn’t move.

I look behind her to see if anyone is in the hall, but we’re too far in and I can’t tell. The windows across from my office show a nice view of our field. There are a few girls gathering.

“Team is arriving,” I tell her, and her shoulders lift in a slight shrug. “My resolve is slipping.”

“I would love to find out what happens when it’s fully gone,” she teases me.

“I can show you later, but right now”—I step closer to her so that our chests are almost touching, dropping my voice to a seductive low— “I need you to get that cute ass of yours downstairs and get ready for game day.”

She giggles and takes a step back. “As you wish. I guess I can’t…”

“Can’t what?”

“Kiss you senseless before I leave you.”

I smirk at her. “You could…but you shouldn’t.”

Cassie moves so that she’s back in front of me. “There’s that word—shouldn’t. We shouldn’t touch. You shouldn’t fuck me. When are we going to stop worrying about what we shouldn’t be doing?”

I chuckle and shift on my feet. “When we’re truly alone and in a safer place.”