Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(14)

Barrett went home and did some work on his computer, then took a short nap. It had been a long workout day, and he knew going out with Drake meant it would be a long night of partying. If he got lucky, maybe he’d be up all night with a smoking-hot woman.

After he grabbed something to eat, he got dressed and headed over to Club Skye, one of the hottest clubs in Ybor City. The parking lot was jam full of cars, but he and Drake often frequented the club and had VIP status, so he left his keys with the valet and since he knew the folks at the door, he didn’t have to wait in the lines. Drake had texted him that he was already inside at a VIP table, so he found his best friend, unsurprisingly having already accumulated about five women at the table, along with Steve Mittman and Mean Man Taylor.

“What took you so long?” Taylor asked. “You have to stop and get a pedicure?”

Barrett laughed. “Yeah. Make sure I’m all pretty for the ladies.”

One of the women, a cool redhead, slid up and put her hands on his shoulders. “You look pretty enough to me.”

The women here were always forward, anxious to be seen with a football player. Most of the time it suited him just fine. These women knew what they were after, and there were no games involved.

“What’s your name?” Barrett asked.

“Raquel. And you’re Barrett Cassidy. I’m a big fan of the Hawks.”

“Nice to meet you, Raquel.”

Barrett took a seat next to Drake and the guys. Raquel had decided to sit on his lap. He didn’t have much of a problem with that. She wore a short, barely there dress that slid up her perfect thighs, so he rested his hand on her butt while he and the guys talked football.

Tunes were rockin’, the hard liquor was flowing, and it was a good night. They all went out on the dance floor for a while, and Barrett was treated to Raquel’s moves.

She had plenty of them, which included her cupping his crotch and squeezing his dick.

Then she draped her arm around his neck, ground her * against his cock and talked dirty in his ear.

And he didn’t have a hard-on. What the hell was up with that? He’d only had one whiskey, so it wasn’t as if alcohol was affecting him.

He could have Raquel either in the private area of the VIP lounge or out in his SUV if he wanted her. He could take her home and he knew they could have a good time together. She’d made herself more than available. But for some reason, she left him cold. Maybe it was because his thoughts kept straying to someone warmer, with liquid amber eyes and curves that kept him up at night.

Try as he might, despite Raquel’s roaming hands and killer body, his mind was firmly on Harmony tonight.

Which was all kinds of wrong, but there it was.

He stayed about two hours, then leaned over and told Drake he was heading out.

Drake frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Got an early meeting with my attorney in the morning, so I can’t be hungover.”

Drake nodded. “I’ll see ya.”

Much to Raquel’s disappointment, he had to tell her he was heading out—alone.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he walked out of the club and to his SUV.

He normally got into the club scene, and while he’d enjoyed hanging out with the guys, the women just weren’t doing it for him tonight.

Maybe because only one woman was doing it for him.

And he had to find a way to get her out of his thoughts so he could go back to life as normal.





Seven





Barrett spent most of Saturday trying to talk himself out of going over to Harmony’s place.

In the end, he couldn’t figure out a legitimate reason why he shouldn’t go that wouldn’t make him look like a total wuss. So he decided he’d suck it up and do it. They could be friends. She was going to be working with him, so this was as good a time as any to get used to being around her.

He got into his SUV, turned up his radio and hit the highway.

He did the grocery shopping first, then drove out to her place. When he’d last come here with Drake, he’d paid no attention to where they were. Now he took the time to notice the community. Pretty nice complex with a good view of the water. He could see why she chose this location.

He parked and grabbed the grocery bags, walking the short distance to her door. He rang the bell and waited.

She didn’t answer.

He frowned and rang the bell again.

She finally opened the door, wearing a yellow and white sundress that was tight on top and full at the bottom and made him notice her body in ways he had no business noticing.

“Hey,” she said with a smile. “I was on the phone. Sorry it took me so long.”

“Not a problem.”

“Come on inside. It’s hot out there.”

He walked in, thankful she had the AC cranked up. “Feels good in here.”

“It’ll feel even better once you have something to drink. You can unload those bags on the counter.” She led him past the small living area.

He stopped and peered into the bathroom.

“Got it painted, I see. The green looks good.”

“Thanks.”

“So, whatever had you upset is out of your system now?”

Her lips quirked. “Yes.”

“Good to know.”