Page 26 of The Illicit Play

Turning back to me, she puts on a bright smile and shrugs. “No one wants to date a study nerd like me.”

Yeah, right!

A study hottie like her. Guys are probably lining up around the block.

Fisting my hands in my pockets again, I resist the urge to reach out and touch her, pull her to a stop, cup those pretty cheeks and assure her that any guy would be lucky to have her.

Even just one date with this woman would make a guy’s year.

I mean, come on.

She’s one sexy siren.

Images of her naked body flash through me, and I force myself to move a step away from her.

She seems to notice, her eyebrows flickering with… aw, shit, is that a frown?

What’s she thinking right now?

“Well, thanks for the assist, Newman.” She gives my arm a soft slap. “I’ll catch you later.”

“Do you need a ride home?”

“Nope.” She’s already walking away from me, slipping her hands into her jacket pockets as she checks both sides of the street before darting across.

I watch her go, willing myself not to run after her, make sure she’s okay. Wily wouldn’t mind me getting her home safely. That’d be cool, right?

You have a PT session in twenty minutes. Do not run after that girl.

With an irritated frown, I spin back the way I came. I probably have time to go and finish buying those first-aid supplies, but after the way Kevin treated Blake, I’m inclined to shop elsewhere. They have the best supplies in town, but I’m pretty sure there’s another pharmacy near the hospital that’s well stocked. I’ll drive out there tomorrow and get organized. Only one week to go until spring break.

All I need to do is get through my last assignment, two tests, some light football training… and then I’ll be a free man.

Free to get back to nature and get my head on straight.

CHAPTER 9

BLAKE

Holy shit, that was close.

If Grady hadn’t been there, I would have been totally busted.

But when he moved in front of me to argue with the store manager, it gave me the chance to slip that polish out of my pocket and tuck it behind the boxes of tissues on the shelf behind me.

Damn, what a thrill.

I’ve never been so close to being busted before.

Letting out a soft laugh, I shake my head, reliving the moment.

Oh man, the way Grady growled and told Kevin to get his hands off me…

Talk about sexy.

And sweet. No other guy has ever protected me that way before. Other than my brother, which is completely different.

Grady is so fire. Trying to play it cool when we walked out of the store took everything out of me.