Grayson’s face darkens. Anger and frustration and sadness all flicker through his eyes. It’s a hell of a combination to see. His jaw is clenched tight and the muscles in his face work angrily. “I don’t accept that,” he says, and throws the ball to the ground. Just like that, my face is in his hands, his body is pressed against mine, and he’s kissing me all over again.
This time I don’t stop him. I couldn’t if I wanted to. My body is weak to him. He kisses me with a passion and intensity that I’ve never before known.
Breaking from my mouth, he presses his forehead to mine. “How can you be sorry for kissing me when it feels like this?” he asks, brushing his lips over mine. “I want you. You want me. We can make this work.”
I open my eyes. “How? Because I can’t see a way we can work.”
“Take yourself off the case. If you’re not the one prosecuting me, then there’s no problem.”
“I can’t do that,” I say, shaking my head. I have to see his case through. And if what I overheard earlier is true, then Ben, my boss, whom I once admired, might be trying to set Grayson up for a big fall for his own gain. Financial and political. And if I’m not there, I don’t know who will stop him.
“I’m the assistant state attorney,” I tell Grayson, pretending that’s the only reason. “I don’t get to pass off cases.”
Exhaling, he brushes his lips over mine and says, “I want this with you.”
I wrap my hand over his wrist. “I know.” I want this, too. “I don’t see—”
“Don’t say it.” He cuts me off with his lips. “Just…don’t say it.”
I murmur my assent, letting him kiss me softly.
When we break apart, I take a small step away, needing space to try to clear my muddled thoughts. Grayson catches my hand, like he’s afraid I’m going to run away.
I let my eyes drift over the field.
“Have you been training all day?” I ask, trying to lead us away from this thing that’s happening between the two of us.
“Yeah. I’ve been out here all day, practicing. I love being on the field. Having a ball in my hand.”
I understand that feeling. Except I love being in court, putting the bad guys away.
Pulling his hand from mine, he picks the ball back up from the ground and throws it clear across the field.
“Wow. I can see why they pay you the big bucks. You have a hell of an arm on you.”
“Football is the only thing I was ever good at. If I can’t play anymore…then I don’t know what I’ll do,” he says, and there’s a sadness in his tone that pulls at my heart.
“So why risk it all and take drugs to the club that night?” The words are out before I can stop them.
He doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t say anything. Just stands there, motionless. And even though my question was valid, I feel like a bitch. A little part of me feels like I’m using him—but of course I know I’m not.
I want to know what he’s hiding, because nothing about him being caught with those drugs makes any sense to me. I want him to open up to me. Too bad the direct-attack tactic doesn’t work with Grayson. I’m learning that very quickly.
I step up close behind him. “I could never throw a ball that far,” I say softly. “I’ve watched you play in games and I don’t know how you do that, get it all the way down the field with your accuracy.”
“Years of practice. Hours spent on the field, in all weather.” He picks up another football from the ground. “Here, I’ll show you how to throw.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I take a step back. “I’ll be terrible at it.”
He chuckles low. The sound makes me smile. “You won’t be terrible.”
“I’ll embarrass myself. I’ve never been good at sports.”
“I’m going to teach you how to throw a football.” He holds the ball out to me. No argument in his voice. It’s a demand.
“Fine. But you’d better not laugh at me,” I say, taking it from him.
“I won’t laugh, I promise,” he says as he comes to stand behind me. I’m aware of every inch of his nearness. My whole body is on alert. “Okay, so this is what you have to do to throw a perfect spiral.”
“What’s that?” I ask, glancing at him over my shoulder. He’s a lot closer than I had realized. So close that I feel his breath on my cheek as he speaks.
“It’s the type of pass the quarterback throws. The ball moves through the air, spinning like this,” Grayson says, as he turns the ball in slow motion. “The whole game revolves around the perfect pass. This is it.”
“Okay.”
“So, hold the ball with a good, firm grip. Place the tips of your fingers on the laces. That’s right,” he says, guiding me. “You need a little gap between your hand and the ball.” He moves it into position.
My breath catches at his touch.
“Perfect,” he says. “Now lift the ball high on your chest. That’s right. Relax your shoulders and let your arms hang loose.” He presses his hands down on my shoulders.
Having him touch me like this, while standing so close to me…it’s torture.
The best kind of torture.
“Okay, now put your feet shoulder-width apart. Good, that’s right.” He praises me as I move my feet into position. “Now put seventy-five percent of your weight on the back foot.”
“Seventy-five. That’s very specific.”
“I’m a specific kind of guy,” he says, grinning.
I feel that grin like a soft caress between my thighs.
“Now,” he says as his hands go to my hips, “as you move through your throw, shift your weight from the back of your foot to the front.”
He rocks my body forward, demonstrating, and his hips press into my ass.
I feel something very significant prod me in the butt and I have to hold back a moan.
“You got that?”
“Mmm-hmm.” I dare not speak because I’m afraid I’ll say something I shouldn’t.
He moves to my side. I almost sigh with relief. “Okay. Now,” he says, “when you throw, you’ll draw a circle with your elbow like this.” He moves my arm, keeping his hand on my arm while he shows me. “Let the ball roll off each finger, starting with your pinky, so your wrist rotates. Your index finger should be the last thing to touch the ball as it leaves your hand. That’s what generates the spin. Got it?”
“Got it,” I say.
“Okay, so come back on your heels. That’s it,” he says, standing behind me. “Now, bring your weight forward, drawing that circle with your elbow, and then rotate your wrist as you throw.”
The ball leaves my hand, going farther than I can normally make it go. It’s even spinning, though it’s a little bit wobbly. I admire my throw, but it’s nowhere near as perfect as Grayson’s was.
“I did it!” I shout as I turn to face him, beaming.
“You did good,” he says. He reaches up and tucks a stray piece of my hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my cheek.
I’m around 99 percent sure that he’s going to kiss me again. And I really want him to. But then I hear the ringing of a phone.
Grayson lets out a frustrated sigh. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell.
He frowns at the screen and then answers the call.
“Tyler…wait, what? Hold on. You’re where? Jesus Christ, Tyler!” There’s a sigh before Grayson says, “I’ll be there in ten minutes. Yeah. Yeah. Just wait until I get there.
“Shit!” he curses, slamming his cell back in his pocket.
“What happened?” I ask, touching his arm to bring his attention to me.
“It was my brother, Tyler. He’s been arrested,” he says, meeting my eyes. “Drug possession.”