Love of the Game Read Online Free

black—was plaited in a single braid that hung to the middle of her back. High cheekbones, gentle chin, intense chocolate eyes.
    His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as he fumbled around for the right words. While he’d never been a glib playboy, he’d never had problems talking to women.
    Until now.
    He wished he had time to regroup. Fully think about his decision. He considered telling her he needed a shower before they got into it, but she looked as if she knew a stall tactic when she heard one.
    Her eyes settled on him, at once both infinitely gentle and determinedly tough. The sun came through the window, bathing her in a halo of yellow light.
    Looking at her, he thought about the time he’d been hiking outside Durango with Dylan before he’d gotten sick.
    It was November, after baseball season was over, but before the snows really set in. They had crested the ridge together and saw a startling mix of orangeand purple and blue. They were so surprised by the sight they’d stood with their mouths hanging open, their booted feet stopping simultaneously in the crisp frost. In that moment—as in this—the view stirred something in him that he couldn’t fully explain. Stunned by the play of shadow and light, he desperately wanted to take a picture, capture her on his cell phone. Solidify the image so he could review it later and see if he could figure out why she was so extraordinary.
    If only she wasn’t so damn sexy. Even dressed in the unattractive uniform of chinos and polo shirt, she exuded ripe sensuality. Why couldn’t she have been middle-aged and plain? Or better yet, a guy.
    The sun shifted, a cloud moving over, and the moment broke. A ping of loss stabbed him, and for no good reason, he felt as if he’d missed out on something important.
    â€œWell,” he said and then repeated, “Well,” because he’d forgotten what he’d planned on saying. “Where do we go from here?”
    â€œYou start resting.”
    â€œYeah.” He pressed a palm to the back of his neck. “About that—”
    â€œBacktracking already?” She stepped to the side, as if standing directly in front of him was too intense.
    â€œI’m not a big fan of taking it easy.” He watched her from the corner of his eye as he picked up his foot and tied his shoelace, pretended he wasn’t watching her.
    â€œYou’re conflicted,” she said. “It’s understandable. And it’s clear you’re very physical.” She raised one eyebrow, shot a glance at his biceps.
    â€œStraight up.”
    â€œHumble too.”
    â€œAnd lovable.” He grinned. “Don’t forget lovable.”
    Kasha snorted.
    â€œI’ve amused you?”
    â€œGreatly. Now back to rest and relaxation.”
    â€œGood old R&R.” He cocked his head, perplexed by the sensations surging through him—lust for sure—but there was something more. Something rich and mystic he could not remember experiencing before. “What does that look like exactly?”
    â€œYou really don’t know?” she murmured in an I’m-not-believing-this-guy tone.
    â€œAre we talking about sleep in?” he blabbered to keep from analyzing his feelings.
    â€œThat could be an option if you’re not getting enough sleep. But you don’t want to oversleep. That’s just an excuse to avoid your problems.”
    â€œProblems? I’ve only got one problem. My screwed-up shoulder.”
    â€œWhat about the issues that got you in this shape in the first place?”
    â€œIssues?” Axel scowled, rotated his arm. “I don’t have any issues besides the shoulder.”
    She smirked. “You wouldn’t be where you are if you weren’t an overachiever tackling the world as a contest to be won.”
    â€œIs that right?” He leaned in closer.
    â€œIn my observation,” she went on a bit primly,