Page 86 of Racing Heat

When I was in goal, I took the losses pretty hard, especially with the goals scored against me. And having our offense notget any in sure would have messed with my head. That’s why I pulled Hendrix out of there. Of course she didn’t like it, but it had been necessary.

The driver texts that my food has been left on the porch. I hurry out there to pick it up. It’s only some pizza from the local pizza place that I’ve heard her and Mac mention so many times. She’s a pineapple and green pepper kind of girl. In the UK, pineapple on pizza isn’t too common. America seems to be pretty divided on it, too. But that’s why she likes it, and that’s what she’s going to get.

I set up the pizza in the center of the table. From inside, I gather plates, plastic cups, a bottle of wine, and napkins. Part of the set up that August had given me was a nice table, chair, and lounge set out there. It’s nice to be able to eat in the privacy of my backyard. A fan hangs from the ceiling, doing its best to help cool it down out here. In the evenings, it’s not so bad. It’s humid tonight, but it would be worse if it was in the middle of the day. The yard is fenced, providing me with some privacy. I only use the yard from time to time, but it’s nice to have the option.

The doorbell rings and I head inside to let her in. I can see the shadow of her through the glass panes in the door. I hurry over and open the door, smiling at the sight of her. She’s wearing a flowy white tank top and a pair of cropped sweatpants. I love how casual and happy she looks.

“Come on in.” I move out of the way, allowing her entrance. “I’m glad you said you’d come over tonight. It saved me the trouble of begging you.”

“I thought I was going to be the one who begged,” she teases.

“The night is young,” I tell her. “I put our dinner out on the back patio. I thought you might be hungry.”

“Thank you. Not sure I deserve a good dinner after that,” she says, following me.

“What did we say?” I ask her.

“That we’re not dwelling on it, or something like that.”

“Tonight isn’t about the game anyway. Tonight is about us having some quality time together without anyone else knowing where we are and what we’re doing.”

She giggles. “And there’s plenty of empty rooms for you to hide my body in.”

“That’s not what they’re for. Although Icouldtake your body in those rooms. Maybe we could work on christening every room.”

“I think I might like that, actually.”

We make our way outside and she stops, looking all around. “It’s really beautiful out here.”

“Thank you. One of the nicer features of the house.”

“You know, you should get some lights and hang them out here around the fence. It would look really nice lit up here at night.”

I nod. “I’ll have to remember that.”

She turns and spots the pizza. “You remembered.” Her hand braces on her chest. “You have a good memory.”

“There isn’t much you could tell me that I’d forget.”

Cassie walks over and gives me a kiss on the lips. “Thank you for taking care of me after the game and with the pizza.”

She places another light kiss on my lips, and I take advantage and draw her in closer. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I feel her sink into me.

Pulling back, she looks up at me with hooded eyes. “Suddenly, I’m not so hungry for pizza right now.”

“Me neither.” I back her up so that she’s resting against the pillars of the patio. I pin her there while my mouth commands her. She moans and pushes into me. I allow my hands to roam up and down her body. She’s soft and curvy. I could do this all night and not tire of touching her.

“Please,” she husks out when I release her mouth.

“Please what?” I smile devilishly at her.

Her blue eyes widen, and her lips jut out in a pout. “Are you going to make me beg for it?”

“Why not? It could be fun.”

“I lost today,” she reminds me, batting her eyelashes at me.

“I know you did. But I thought I already made you feel better about that.”