On the Fly (Crimson Romance) by Katie Kenyhercz Read Free Book Online

got up as well and lifted his arm, frowning at the deep cut. “I guess we’re neighbors in Diamond Cove. Which street do you live on?”
    Amusement glimmered in eyes turned green-gold by the sunlight. “Desert Shore Drive.”
    “I’m on Desert Palm; I’m closer. Come back with me, and I’ll fix you up. It’s the least I can do.”
    “I think I can … ” He seemed to be in the middle of a protest, but he paused and studied her. The weight of his X-ray stare put her chest in a vise, and she got dizzy, forgetting to breathe.
    “Sure. I guess I could do that. Thanks.”
    Jacey could only nod, and she realized she still held his arm when he looked down, drawing attention to it. “Oh, sorry.” She released it and pivoted away before he could see the blush in her cheeks.
    • • •
    Carter blew out a long, slow breath as Jacey coasted a few feet ahead of him. He liked watching her skate. Her hips swayed side to side with each step, her movement fluid, almost sensual. His body, in bad shape from Nealy’s killer practices, was pain-free thanks to the adrenaline of rolling around with his hot boss — even though it involved unforgiving pavement and blood loss. It should have hurt, but he only felt her smooth, soft skin pressed to his, her body, so small and delicate, folded against him. And he liked it.
    He closed his eyes and tried to push the thought away. They last time they’d spoken things weren’t exactly warm and fuzzy. She was his
boss
. If either one of them forgot that for a second, they were both screwed. And not in a good way.
    Smaller trails broke off of the main path like exit ramps to different streets in Diamond Cove, and Jacey led him down the one to Desert Palm. Her street looked identical to his except for the McMansion she stopped in front of. It could house a football field. “You live … here?”
    “I know. It’s ridiculous. My father bought it for himself then left it to Madden and me. We were going to sell it, but there was so much to do with the team that we decided it would be easier to stay for the time being.” She swiped an errant strand of hair behind her ear, slid a hand down the back of her neck. Carter swallowed hard.
    “You live with your brother?” No judgment in his tone, just curiosity. She was already embarrassed, and he didn’t want to push it. Nice that even though she came from money, garish displays still made her uncomfortable. Her brother, though … on the few occasions he’d seen him, the kid screamed immaturity. His intelligence covered it up for the most part, but there was something about him. Carter only hoped Madden didn’t cause Jacey too much grief. The long-suffering look on her face said he might have a history of that.
    “Yeah, but in this place, I hardly ever see him.”
    “I can see how that could happen.” Carter smiled, and Jacey returned it. She looked more at ease, and nodded toward the house before skating up the drive and disappearing around the corner.
    He followed behind, and by the time he stepped into the cool shade of the garage, Jacey had taken off her skates and stood with hot pink socks rolled halfway up her calves. He bit the inside of his lip to keep from smiling. She smoothed a hand over her ponytail and waited at the door as he closed the distance. “This way.”
    She led him through the laundry room to the kitchen. He admired the view. The house wasn’t bad, either. She went up on tiptoe to get the first aid kit from the cabinet over the sink, and he stepped up so that when she turned around, he was right there, nearly flush against her. He couldn’t help it. She smelled like vanilla and coconut and looked so good in those shorts that his brain was no longer in control. She drew in a quiet breath and froze.
    The air conditioning blasted on high, but he could only feel the searing heat between them. What was he doing? He should be angry that this woman seemed hell-bent on bringing down his team. He stepped back and held up his