Page 22 of Racing Heat (The Forbidden Heat #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

~CASSIE~

For whatever reason, he takes forever to come out of his car. I try not to read too much into it. From his subtle movements, it looks like maybe he’s on the phone. So, I mess around on mine, waiting for him to exit the car.

The door opens and he slides out of his car. I smile at the sight of him. He’s an attractive man, and he looks so good wearing those black running shorts and a tight gray T-shirt. Jase looks back at me and crooks his finger, motioning for me to come out of my Jeep. I smile and hop out.

“Are you gonna come here, love?” he asks.

I walk over to him slowly, looking around the local park.

I’ve never been here before. It looks like the walking path might go all the way around the park, as far as I can see.

There are some runners and dog walkers heading around the path.

It looks like there are three soccer fields and a basketball court off in the distance.

“Which field are you on?” I ask him.

“The one with my mates.” He points over to the first field, where a small group of man are gathering. They’re stretching and chatting with each other.

“How many per team?”

“Seven. We plan seven-on-seven because we can’t get any more than that to show up,” he tells me, looking back at his mates as he calls them.

“Do you need someone to fill in and help? I have my cleats in the car. I could go get them and head on over to the pitch with you,” I tease him.

He shakes his head, laughing, “Do you really think that you playing soccer with a bunch of us for pickup is a good idea on your day off?”

“Well, this asshole who helps coach me had me out there kicking balls around almost an hour ago,” I remind him.

He shakes his head and steps into my space. His voice drops to a husky low. “You had fun out there.”

I smile. “I did.”

If I moved a fraction of an inch, our lips would be touching. I want that so bad, but I’m not sure if I should.

“Well, that’s good, but if anything happened to you out there, Coach Watts would never forgive me. Not that we would tell him how it happened, but I can’t let you take the risk. They don’t exactly play nice.” He taps my nose with his fingertip to punctuate his words.

“Okay, fine. But I do see some women over there, so I think I should be able to play.” I whine just a bit, hoping that he gives in and lets me play. It would be fun to play soccer with him, I think.

“That won’t be happening, love. None of them are signed with the Blaze.” He smiles at me, watching me closely. “It would be nice to have you out there with me, but I would be too distracted, making sure you weren’t getting hurt and watching that ass move around in those bright yellow shorts.”

His hand comes around my backside and squeezes my ass. I yip in response.

“I’m going to set you up over there”—he points to a shady spot— “and you can enjoy watching me work all around the pitch for a change.”

“I think I might like that.” I decide to be bold, and I close the distance between us, capturing his lips in a kiss. Just when he starts to deepen it, I pull back and he groans. My smile grows.

“You’re killing me, love,” he rasps out, leaning back so that he can see my face.

“Just wanted to give you something to think about while I watch you play,” I tease.

“Oh, I’ll be thinking about nothing but you while I’m out there.”

“I should hope not.” I make my way toward the field.

He comes jogging up beside me. “Why is that?”

“Well, aren’t you trying to impress me with your keeper skills? It would be really hard to do that if you were so distracted.”

He scoffs behind me, and I turn and shoot him a wink. “Oh, come on, your ego is not that bruised. Let’s go before you’re late for your game.”

Jase comes up beside me and grabs ahold of my hand. “I’m not late yet. We could hide off in one of these trees somewhere. See what I can find.”

I flush when he mentions going off into the woods. “Not the worst idea but not the best. I think the back seat of your car was a better option.”

“Really, why is that?” He drops his hand and wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer.

I settle into him and look up. “Because I think we might get caught here. More people, more public, and we’re being good at sneaking, so let’s not break our streak.”

“Yes, ma’am. No getting you naked out here in the park. Maybe we can fix that later.” He brushes his lips against my neck, and it sends goose bumps down my back.

“Oh really? What else did you have in mind for the day?”

“I was thinking we could get some lunch after this and, maybe if you’re in the mood, I drive up the coast with you later tonight.”

“What’s up the coast from Tampa?” I ask him. “If I’m remembering my geography, there isn’t really anything up the coast from us.”

“Clearwater is up the coast. We can go there and get some dinner. I found a great place when I was exploring,” he tells me.

“I think I’d like that. Really looking to spend a lot of time with me today, aren’t you?” I ask him, glancing over to catch him smile and chuckle.

“Well, I thought about how daft I was for taking you in the car, and that maybe I should try to do some things right. I thought you might enjoy the gesture,” he says with a shrug. We stop a few feet from his friends, facing each other.

“I would love that. I think it sounds like a great day. Thank you for thinking of it. And for the record, I have no concerns with the way we hooked up last night. In my opinion, it was the perfect ending to the perfect day. I scored in more ways than one.” I shoot him a wink and start walking away from him.

“I see some bleachers over there. I’m going to go make some friends with the players’ husbands and wives. ”

“Enjoy!” he calls after me.

“Have a great game,” I call in return.

I head over to the bleachers and chose the top row so that I have a back rest, then I watch him talk to some of the other players.

He slides a bag off his shoulder and pulls out his goalie gloves.

They’re red and black; must be his gloves from Manchester.

If I remember correctly, those are his old team’s colors.

He pulls out a red pinny and pulls it on.

Jase high-fives and fist-bumps some of the guys and girls. It looks like he knows them pretty well. I peek down at my phone and see that I have a text from Mac.

Mac: Hey, won’t be home tonight. I hope that’s okay. I’m heading to Danny’s for the day

.

I smile and shake my head. Mac always makes sure she checks on me before she runs and hides away with Danny. I appreciate that she does it. I know she feels guilty about spending time with him from time to time, but I love this for her. She’s found someone who is good for her.

Cassie: Have a great night. Thanks for checking in.

I send a kissy face emoji and wonder if I’ll ever be able to send her a text about Jase like that.

Or if the four of us could ever hang out together.

Mac and I weren’t big on dating in college; most of our time was spent focusing on soccer and studies.

I didn’t think I would start anything with anyone here in Tampa.

Mostly because I only hang out with the team.

Not much of a chance to meet anyone. But there came Jase.

I can’t quite pinpoint when I started to notice him as more than Hendrix’s coach who she would complain about from time to time, even though deep down I think she enjoyed how much he pushed her.

He’s made her a better keeper. At some point over the last few weeks, something changed.

I noticed the strong jawline. The sexy way he says things with his accent, combining our American words with his English ones.

That’s the bonus of Danny spending so much time with Mac—when we all hang out, so does Jase.

It allowed me to see him differently. I’m glad Danny brought him into this circle.

The whistle blows and I see they actually have a man dressed in a yellow ref shirt.

It’s almost like it’s a real game. I just assumed they refed themselves, but they’re very official.

I smile seeing him standing there all strong and tall in the box, waiting for the ball to come his way at any moment.

I hope the teams are well matched. I’d love to see what he can do.

I don’t have to wait long. The ball is shot long, and a fast runner takes it down and attempts to slam it into the back of the net.

Jase just puts his arms above his head, like he’s getting ready to reach a high shelf, and snags it.

It looked so effortless. The ball is punted down the field.

I don’t focus too much on how far it goes.

I’m focused on how his leg muscles flex when he kicks the ball, the grunt it looks like he lets out when his foot connects with the ball.

A few of the people around cheer for the striker on Jase’s team to take it to the goal. I find myself clapping along with them when he shoots. The other team’s goalie is good too, because he catches it. He’s not as graceful as Jase, but he’s good.

Jase comes running up to me at the half.

“Are you doing okay?” he asks, drinking from his water bottle.

“I’m good. You’re looking good out there, keep.”

“Thanks!” His brown eyes shine when I compliment him.

“It’s fun to see you out here like this,” I admit to him. “I’m sure you were even more amazing when you played professionally.”

“You mean like you?”

“I wasn’t fishing for a compliment,” I tell him.

“I know you weren’t.” He leans in, squeezing my thigh. “But I wanted to give you one. You going to make it through another half, or is the sun getting to you?”

“I’ll be good.” The whistle blows. “You better get back at it. You know, earn that lunch you’re taking me too.”

He winks at me. “You just assume that I’m feeding you food. Maybe I mean for you to be the meal.”

With that, he heads back to the team and takes his spot in the opposite goal.

His back being to me now, I can’t get a view of the way his muscles flex when he punts.

Or see the expression on his face when he’s grabbing a ball or calling out to teammates.

But I get a nice view of his toned ass. It looks like you could bounce a quarter off it.

Or grab him with both hands and use it to pull him deeper inside me.

The thought of it makes my thighs clench together.

The game comes to a close. I think his team won by a goal or two. It was hard to keep track. I was too busy watching him move… and his ass.

“Great game,” I tell him when I finally see him.

They had a team huddle after the game. I think it’s cool that he has something like this.

A way to keep him connected to the game.

I can’t imagine how I would feel if my dreams were suddenly shattered, and my career was over.

I’m thankful it brought him to me, though.

“Thanks.” He wipes his brow with the hem of his shirt, and I catch a peek of those abs.

His stomach is so toned and he’s so lean.

He has that V that makes girls go stupid.

The one that I was pretty sure didn’t exist on any men other than underwear models and actors. I want to trace my tongue along it.

“Hey, you okay?” He’s staring hard at me, shirt still lifted, giving me that tasty little view. But I’ve been caught looking.

“I am now,” I say with a wide smile.

“Enjoying the view?”

“I think it’s pretty obvious that I am. You can take your shirt off if you want to. You have to be pretty hot from all that running.” I note the way his gray shirt is dark with sweat in some spots. That’s what he gets from running around in this Sunday afternoon heat for over an hour.

“You know, love, I just might do that.” He hands me his bag and over his head it goes. “But you gotta promise me that you won’t ogle me all the way to my car.”

I take in the view of his toned arms as I step in front of him and walk backward so that I can get a full view of him. Amazing. Sweat runs down his toro. His defined abs and pecks on full display for me. It’s enough to make a girl thirsty. I stumble back a bit, and Jase moves quickly over to me.

He holds on to my forearms to keep me up. “You okay?”

I shake my head, sure my face is bright red. “Yeah, I’m good. Just a good injury to my pride.”

“I think you’re cute. And I like that I have that effect on you.” We reach his car, and he goes to the trunk. “But I think I should put a shirt on before you injure yourself.”

I shake my head and watch as he covers his body with a light blue Blaze shirt.

“Follow me to lunch?” he asks.

“Sure. More fish and chips?”

He laughs. “No, I thought we’d go for slice of pizza before we head home for showers. Together or separate, your choice.”

I giggle. “Well, because all of my stuff is at my place and so is yours, we can get ready separately.”

“I thought you just said my stuff was at your place,” he teases me.

“Not what I meant.” I shake my head, still smiling at him. How can I not with the way he’s grinning back at me? “Lead the way.” I walk backward to my car.

“You might want to turn around so that you don’t stumble, again.”

“You have your shirt on. I’ll be fine.” I stick my tongue out at him before climbing into the Jeep.