Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(17)

“Tough break. My turn.” Tell performed some fancy dribbling maneuver around her. Stopping beneath the basket, he took the shot.


Nothing but net.


“And the crowd goes wild.” Tell spun a circle, pumped his fist into the air, then passed her the ball.


Okay. She could do this. No sweat. She lobbed the ball at the basket and it dropped in. She must’ve had a surprised look because Tell laughed when he high-fived her.


He snatched the ball and lined up at the free throw mark. He bounced the ball four times and then let it fly.


Swish.


Dammit. She’d never make that shot. Georgia felt Tell move in behind her at the free throw line; his breath tickled her ear. “Don’t forget. It was four bounces before the shot. If you don’t do it exactly right, you’ll earn a penalty.”


She faced him. “That’s not in the rules.”


“There’s one thing you oughta know about me, sweetness. I make up my own rules.”


Tempting to break the rules just to see what he’d do. But Tell probably expected that. She dribbled four times and sent the ball into the air, only to watch it bounce off the rim.


“And she earns an ‘H’. Better luck next time.”


For the next two shots, Tell remained in the same place at the free throw line. He aced both baskets, which added an “O” and an “R” to her score when she missed both hers.


Tell slam-dunked the next one.


“Now that, Tell McKay, is just plain mean. I’m short. I need a ladder to make that shot.”


“Or some help.” He handed her the ball. “Hold on.”


“What?” barely squeaked from her mouth before Tell wrapped his arms around her thighs and hoisted her up. “Omigod, I weigh too much for you to be lifting me.”


“Bullshit. Now dunk that ball in the basket.”


Using both hands, she slammed it in the hoop. She released a loud whoop and kept her eyes on Tell’s as he allowed her to slide down his body slowly enough that every hard inch of his upper torso pressed into her thighs, belly and chest.


When they were eye to eye, Tell muttered, “You’re just so goddamn tempting I can’t help myself,” and snared her mouth in a kiss.


Tell McKay kissed the daylights out of her. Even after he finally let her feet touch the ground, Georgia still had that floating sensation.


“I could get used to seein’ that dazed look every time I kiss you.”


“I could get used to you kissing me like that,” she shot back. “But I know what you’re doing.”


“What?”


“Cheating. Trying to keep me off-balance.”


“Yep.” He flashed an unapologetic grin. “And I’m even gonna let you take the next shot.”


“Only because you believe I won’t make it.”


He walked backward with his hands out. “So prove me wrong.”


As Georgia scooped up the ball, she had a brilliant idea. She dribbled the ball until she reached the free throw line. Then she turned around.


“Georgia, what are you doin’? You’re facing the wrong way.”


“I know.” With her back to the basket and her feet spread wide apart, she swung the ball between her knees and threw it over her head. She spun quickly, watching the ball hit the backboard, sloppily rimming the bucket before it dropped in. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She skipped toward Tell, taunting, “In your face, McKay.”


“You think I can’t do it granny style, hot lips?”


“I’m sure you can. Just as I’m sure you’ll make a crack about preferring to do it doggie style.”


“Guess you’ll find out, won’t you?”


Georgia cooed, “I’m game for that right now.”


Tell let the ball drop. He stalked her, but it wasn’t like she tried to get away. He bent down and slapped his hands on her ass. “Jump up and wrap your legs around my waist.”


“But—”


“Do. It. Now.”


That bit of bossiness coming from him was hot. Soon as she moved, he lifted her, keeping a firm grip on her ass. Georgia emitted a little yelp, clutching his shoulders as he walked her backward until her upper body rested against the steel post.


His intense blue eyes were riveted on hers before he dipped his head. She expected fire the instant their lips touched, but Tell kissed her without hurry. Keeping the kiss soft, sweet and slow. As if he had all the time in the world to explore her mouth, to tease her tongue with little sucks and bites. To drive her to the edge of lust and hold her there for as long as he damn well pleased.


She tangled her fingers in his hair, drifting into a fuzzy state of pleasure. She couldn’t blame the heat building between them on the sun. Just this man.


They only broke the kiss because someone whistled.


Tell’s forehead met hers. “Damn.”


“My thoughts exactly.”


“What are we gonna do about this, sweetness?”


“I have a couple of ideas. Explicit ideas.”