happen.”
“Yes, it is.” The steel in his voice was unmistakable. “I’m
going to win, Jocelyn, because you want me to. I can smell the lust in your
pores.” Warm breath on her neck fanned the flame engulfing her spine, traveling
at breakneck speed to her womb.
Somehow she ripped free of his touch, those fingers still
stroking her breast. It took every ounce of her control to not pull him in the
corner and strip him bare . She had to get away. Instead of pissing him
off and sending him packing with her gambit, she got more Jared. Time to
regroup and figure out next steps, this was not over yet. Not by a long shot.
“Don’t bet on it. We’re done here.” Her voice cracked, but
she pulled it together to strut out of the office to the elevator and didn’t
look back. Jared could find his own way out.
She’s going to drive me insane , Jared thought even as
he admired her long-legged stride, the curve of her tight ass bunching against
her skirt as she walked away. What the hell happened here tonight? He’d
been thrilled to learn Jocelyn lived here. Instead of welcoming him, she’d
ducked behind a brick wall of an attitude and wasn’t coming out without a
fight.
At least she was a worthy competitor. Although he’d won
tonight, she’d revealed her strengths. Sharp, quick-witted, she thought beyond
the obvious, to what came next. The boys’ team was in peak condition. The town
needed to take sports to the next level—additional championship teams. No one
else had realized that. His adrenaline spiked at the thought of a good fight.
His battle with Jocelyn Wade was going to be a doozy.
Chapter Six
Summer merged into fall. The aroma of newly fallen leaves
spiced the air. Kylie started high school. True to her promise, Jocelyn
developed a plan to raise money for the girls’ soccer team. Daily life settled
into routine, the nights unraveled into madness.
Images of ice-blue eyes darkened with desire, tight
abdominal muscles that rippled underneath her fingers and clenched rock-hard
when he came, that musky, male smell, the heat of his mouth on her skin had her
buzzing the vibrator nightly. Tonight felt worse than usual. The new dildo
she’d snagged in desperation just couldn’t give her what she needed—the
ferocity Jared gave in spades. When the clock inched over to 5:00 a.m., she
woke Kylie and dragged her out for a longer run, hoping a demanding workout
could cure what ailed her.
Dressed in shorts and tank tops in deference to the Indian
summer lingering over Madison, Jocelyn and Kylie jogged to the high school
track for their morning run. After they had two miles under their belts,
another runner sprinted alongside them.
“Morning, ladies,” said Jared with a smile. “I haven’t seen
you here before.”
“Damn,” Jocelyn said under her breath. Not the way she
wanted to start the day.“We usually run later. Jared Wyatt, this is my
daughter Kylie. Kyles, Mr. Wyatt is the new athletic director and coach of the
girls’ soccer team.”
Kylie smiled shyly and then looked at the ground, increasing
her pace to inch a few steps ahead of the adults.
“Nice to see you out of a business suit. No pocket for your
phone either,” Jared said.
“I work hard. I’m not all about work. There’s a difference.”
She sped up to Kylie, unwilling to get caught in the battle of the snarks
before breakfast. It only took seconds for Jared to reach them.
Teeth gritted, Jocelyn ran around the track neck and neck
with Kylie and Jared. When he accidently bumped her thigh, she flinched and
stumbled on the toe of her sneaker. Propelled forward, she hurled her shoulders
back, bent her knees and tightened her thigh muscles, regaining her balance
enough to prevent her from sprawling to the ground. She snarled a warning to
dissuade anyone from asking how she was doing.
Several laps later, Jared broke the silence. “Kylie, you’re
a superb runner but you’re holding back. If it’s okay with your mom, I’d
C. Dale Brittain, Brittain