Playing with Fire - A Sports Romance by Lydia De Luca Read Free Book Online

kiss, his warm lips against my throat that always comes when he has me like this, when he’s crossing the line between attentive bartender and caring friend. He’s giving me an out. If I don't want to answer, I can draw away from his touch and he’ll drop the subject, no harm done.
    But tonight I don't want to drop it. As much as I want to forget, and Mitch’s body against mine certainly aids in that mission, I feel inclined to talk.
    “I’ve talked to his friends,” I tell him.
    Mitch kisses my throat again, then pushes me away, spins me around, and pulls my back tight against his chest. With his hands clasped to my hips, he nuzzles my neck once again. “Did you ask about him?”
    “I didn't have to. They seem to be obsessed with him.”
    “Like someone else I know.” Mitch takes a quick step back as I spin to face him. He stands with his hands raised at his sides. The grin on his face makes me want to slap him. “I know, I know, darlin’. Not obsessed.”
    I narrow my eyes at him for a moment before grabbing him by the collar and pulling him back to me.
    “Not obsessed,” I parrot.
    “Just longing for the best sex of your life.” He nuzzles my throat again as I press my body against his. I'm glad for it. Otherwise he’d see the flames igniting my cheeks. I silently scold myself for ever saying anything to Mitch about my wild ride with Corey.
    Before I can answer, the song ends. Mitch holds me close, smoothing his hands over my backside, then pulls away so slow it leaves my body wanting. His deep brown eyes are full of mirth as he sees me shiver before him. Dancing with Mitch is better than sex with most of the men I've been with.
    Mitch takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles before leading me back to the bar. After refilling the drink of one of his other customers, he leans on his elbows on the bar in front of me.
    “So what did his minions have to say about him?” He smiles, and the lights above the dance floor shimmer in his eyes.
    I chuckle and take a sip of my beer. “Cromwell seems to think he’s God’s gift to women.”
    “I'd say he feels the same way about himself.”
    “Quite possibly,” I agree. Although, I have to admit, I almost believe it’s true. “And Rodriguez…”
    When I don't continue, Mitch chucks me under the chin with his finger. “Rodriguez?”
    I shudder, trying to get his words out of my head. “For such a small man, he sure has some big feelings.”
    Mitch laughs but doesn't pry. After a moment, he takes his leave to wait on a group of customers that came in.
    I’ve pulled nearly all the guys from the team in to interview them for their updated bios. There are only a couple left, Corey being one of them. I can't bring myself to face him. It’s been four weeks since we were together, and each day that passes makes it harder for me to talk to him.
    I was thrilled when Cromwell let it slip that Corey went on a date with Tanya from reception when she came down last week. I thought maybe he’d moved on, that we could forget what happened between us. But not even an hour later he was flirting with Lauren, one of the team’s assistants, and all my hopes came crashing down again. I'm not sure how I'm going to face him now. I need him to be with someone else. I need to have that pressure removed. Otherwise, lives could be ruined.
    “Sweet mother of…”
    I glance up at Mitch and find him staring with wide eyes across the room. In fact, all the guys at the bar are looking the same way. I frown and follow their gazes and realize what has come over all of them.
    The woman standing at the door looks like a cross between a movie star, a lingerie model, and a Playboy Bunny. Her flowing brown hair has perfect honey-blonde highlights. Her olive skin is tanned to perfection. And her short black dress hangs off her breasts and hips in a way that looks classy and at the same time leaves little to the imagination.
    The men in the room collectively take a deep breath. But