Wicked Games (Denver Rebels) by Maureen Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

“You know what I meant. I’ve heard that he’s, like, a total manwhore. He sleeps around a lot. But…well, you’re not his usual type.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know,” Nadia muttered.
    When the crowd showed no sign of dispersing, the university’s event coordinator came to Reid’s rescue. Accompanied by a campus security guard, she good-naturedly reminded everyone that they were there to learn more about the colleges and universities represented at the fair.
    After wishing Reid good luck on the new season and promising to watch every game, the fans moved on with their autographs, grinning ecstatically.
    Reid chatted with the event coordinator and security guard for a few minutes. When they left, he returned his attention to Nadia with unerring focus.
    “Have dinner with me.”
    She stared at him. Say what? “Dinner?”
    “Yeah. Dinner.”
    “I can’t,” she blurted. “I mean, I can’t leave. I’m working.”
    “What time does the fair end?”
    “Not until nine. Then I have to stay and help break down the booth.”
    Reid glanced down at the TAG Heuer watch encircling his thick wrist. “I’ll wait.”
    Nadia shook her head. “I don’t think—”
    “You can go,” Emily interjected.
    “What?” Nadia swiveled her head around to stare at her. “No, I can’t.”
    “Why not? It’s been a slow ass night. No one will notice if you take off early.”
    “That’s not the point. I shouldn’t just up and leave you.”
    Emily waved off her concern. “It’s no big deal. Karl’s meeting me here so we can go out for drinks. He’ll help me break down the booth.”
    Reid grinned at Nadia. “See? Problem solved.”
    Frowning, she motioned for him to follow her behind the booth.
    Instantly she realized her mistake. The booth backed to a long wall, and the space between both was very narrow and tight. Too tight.
    Her heart thumped against her ribs as Reid stood over her, practically cornering her against the wall. He was so big, so brawny and masculine. Her senses were flooded with his intoxicating scent, heat and pure man.
    She stared up at him, breathless. “Why are you here?”
    “I came to see you.” His deep voice brushed over her like heated silk, touching her everywhere, slipping into every part of her.
    She had to swallow before she could speak again. “What do you want?”
    “I want to have dinner with you.”
    “Why?”
    He smiled. “Because I think you’re beautiful, and I’d like to get to know you.”
    Her heart rate skyrocketed. She nervously licked her lips and then lifted her chin. “I’m not one of your puck bunnies.”
    “I know.” He looked her up and down, the pleasure in his eyes unmistakable. “I wouldn’t be here if you were.”
    Her pulse quickened, her lips parting to accommodate faster breaths. As the air between them sizzled with pure sexual awareness, it was all she could do to keep from lifting her hips toward him, into him. She’d never been so massively turned on in her life.
    “Reid—”
    “Dinner, Nadia. That’s all I ask.”
    Her eyes traced the dark stubble on his jaw and then lowered to his wide chest while she wrestled with herself, hormones warring with common sense.
    Finally she lifted her gaze to his and nodded, surrendering against her better judgment. “I’ll have coffee with you.”
    His eyes glinted. “Not dinner?”
    “No.” Her voice was firm. “Just coffee.”
    He searched her face a moment longer, lips twitching. “Coffee it is, then.”
    She nodded, trying to be brisk and businesslike. “I know a place nearby. We can walk there.”
    A slow, sexy smile curved his mouth. “Let’s go.”
     
     
    She took him to a café around the corner from the university. She’d gone there several times for the excellent chai latte and free Wi-Fi. The pumpkin chocolate chip bread wasn’t bad either.
    Reid held the door open for her, then followed her inside. Her face heated as heads turned in their direction and eyes widened in