“Did he hurt you?” he asks softly and before I think better of it, my body melts as I shake my head no. “Not all guys are like that, you know...” His voice trails off as I look up at him. There’s an unreadable expression on his face. Maybe regret? Maybe remorse? Either way, it takes me off guard. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to hear this from, but you deserve better than what he’s offering you.” As much as I love what he just said in principle, my mouth decides to spew sass instead of sincerity.
“Thanks for the ego boost. Especially coming from someone who, if I remember correctly, went to a bar and surrounded himself with women.” I know I’m pushing him, and I know he didn’t actively seek them out, but the sight of all those women around him still bothers me.
“You’re right, but it’s not my fault that the girl I wanted to spend my time with walked away without a second glance.”
If only he knew just how hard that was for me to do.
His hand travels up my arm, his fingers lightly trailing patterns on my skin as I try and hide the blush that’s threatening to creep up my cheeks. His eyes sear in on mine and there’s that pull between us that I’ve been trying to fight, and just as I’m about to lean forward, wanting and needing to know the feel of his lips on mine, Henry comes running over.
“I see you’ve met Josh,” he says, beaming from ear to ear.
Josh is looking down at me with way too much passion in his eyes and when I look back at Henry, he’s oblivious to the tension between us.
“You doing okay?” he asks again, inspecting my eyes and probably seeing the redness there.
I avert my gaze, not wanting him to worry. “Yeah, I’m good. Just needed a second to myself.”
Henry nods, giving me a small smile.
“I need to get back to the field. The first session of the day is starting soon. I’ll see you later.” I turn to Josh, his eyes locked on mine. “It was nice meeting you, Josh.” There’s a spark in his eyes and the barest hint of a smile on his lips as I turn and walk away,
“It was nice meeting you too, Harper.”
I turn back only to watch those eyes turn molten. The farther I get, the more I know that the feel of his fingers on my skin will be something that haunts me until it happens again.
7
Josh
I watch her leave for the third time in two days and I don’t know why I’m standing here, stock-still and not running after her. This girl brings me to my knees every time she’s near me, and I can’t seem to grasp common sense.
My back pocket vibrates, a text coming in but I don’t check it, instead I obsess over the way her cheeks blush that pretty pink color every time I’m near, and the fact that her breath hitches every time my fingers brush her skin. She’s beginning to make me feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time, and I refuse to let it get away. So, I let her go… this time, knowing that I can’t pressure her, or she’ll run farther and farther away.
Once Harper is out of sight, I check my phone and see it’s a text from Will. He’s been my best friend since college and because he has horseshoes up his ass, he’s also my teammate. We spent the first five years of our career apart, him in Colorado, me here in Toronto, and I can’t deny that when I heard the news that he was traded here, a sense of relief washed over me. Will has always been my voice of reason and having him close is always a good idea, especially when King is around causing trouble.
Will: We’re going out tonight.
I glance at my watch and see it’s still morning, so I have time to get my shit together. But as I’m in the middle of texting him back, another one comes through.
Will: With King, so be prepared.
I groan out loud. Going out with King is nothing short of an adventure, and I’m not sure I’m up for that tonight. Will and I are more than happy to stay in, play video games or play some online poker, but with King? I need to be on my A game. That man loves attention, probably more than any person I have ever met, and if he decides that he’s not getting enough of it, he will seek it out by any means necessary.
Me: I’ll be there. Just text me the time and place.
My phone goes back into my back pocket as I make my way back toward Henry’s office. When I first decided to partner with a small business in the area, I never expected it to lead to someone like Harper. From what Henry’s told me so far, she’s pretty much made this place what it is and I can see why he looks at her like she hangs the sun. Hard Ball is unlike anything I have ever seen, and the second I walked in—even before I knew Harper was involved—I was hooked. If I have anything to say, I’ll be spending a lot of time here.
My eyes drift over the open space and spot her instantly. She tenses, sensing my eyes on her as she starts cleaning some of the machines with a towel. Just when I decide to go over there and try and talk to her again, a throat clears behind me.
Henry is a very imposing person, so when I turn toward him and see him leaning against the doorjamb of his office, arms
