Stone

I’ve learned that it’s not difficult to get Savannah off topic. Keeping her there requires a little more skill, but tonight I’ve managed relatively well. At least we made it through dinner without going over the logistics of Operation: Keep Jason Stone in the Friend Zone.

But now, as I walk her to her car, I get the feeling she’s going to turn this right back around to business. I’m not exactly sure what her motivation is here, but I don’t think either of us can deny that there is an attraction that’s getting more and more difficult to fight.

“You’ll be at practice tomorrow, right?” she asks when we stop in front of her Mercedes.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And then the team’s travelin’ on Saturday.”

It wasn’t phrased as a question, but I nod anyway.

“And a game on Sunday.”

“That’s the plan, sure,” I say, taking another step closer just to see what she’ll do.

Not surprisingly, Savannah backs up until she’s practically molded to her car, her eyes fixed on my face as I stare down at her.

“Stone?”

If I’m not mistaken, this beautiful woman keeps glancing down at my mouth. It doesn’t help me resist the urge to kiss her, that’s for damn sure.

“Hmm?” Now I’m looking at her mouth.

“What are you doin’?”

I’ve noticed that her drawl has been significantly thicker than usual tonight. I’m not sure if that’s because she’s relaxed or nervous. I hope it’s the former. Although, the idea of me making the take-charge Savannah a little nervous isn’t a bad thing.

I meet her eyes. “Nothing. What are you doing?”

“Are you…?” She licks her lips and my dick jumps. “Are you gonna kiss me?”

“Was thinkin’ about it,” I murmur, leaning in a little closer.

It’s almost completely dark, but thanks to the parking lot lights, we’re far from concealed. And that means someone could be watching us. That someone could even be a reporter.

I know that should bother me, that I should consider who it is I’m about to kiss, but I can’t seem to care. I haven’t known this woman that long, but I can safely say that kissing her again has been on my mind since the first night I had her mouth on mine. Quite frankly, I’m not sure how I’ve resisted so far.

“Why?”

I meet and hold her gaze. “Do you not want me to?”

“I…don’t know.”

I like this girl. I like her honesty. I definitely like the fact that she’s so damn sweet, almost innocent. It’s a far cry from the women who latch onto me without even knowing my name.

Without thinking, I lift my fingers to her chin and tilt her head back a little more. As I lean in, my breath lodges in my throat, and I swear my heart double thumps in my chest. Hard.

“Savannah,” I whisper, my lips brushing hers. “If you don’t want this, you should say so now.”

She doesn’t respond.

“Once my mouth’s on yours again, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop.” Not that I’m going to turn back now. Not unless she tells me to.

“I’m not sure I’ll want you to stop,” she whispers back, her lips edging closer to mine.

Damn, this woman is going to make me lose control if she’s not careful.

I allow my lips to press against hers. Her gasp has my heart doing a fucking mule kick against my sternum. And when she kisses me back, her lips parting slightly, I put my hands on her hips while my tongue slides over her bottom lip.

I manage to keep some space between us, despite the fact I want to crush her to me, to feel every inch of her warmth against my body. I don’t give a damn who’s watching.

A soft moan escapes her and that’s all the invitation I need. It takes superhuman strength to keep the kiss slow and gentle when I want nothing more than to devour her. To strip her right here and sate the ever-growing lust that has consumed me since that first night.

When I pull back, we’re both breathing hard, and her hands are clutching my shirt. She drops her forehead to my chest and I automatically wrap my arms around her, sliding my palm over her hair.

If I could hold her right here for the rest of the night, I’d be doing just fine. And that’s not something I tend to think about. Fucking a woman, absolutely. Getting her naked and beneath me…yeah, that’s never far from my mind. However, when it comes to Savannah, I find myself wanting more than merely sex, more than a simple fuck, more than…Put it this way, I find myself wanting a whole hell of a lot more period.

I know what we’ve done is against every rule in the book, but God help me, I can’t resist this woman. I don’t want to. And the truth is, I’m pretty damn good with self-restraint.

Well, I was until I met Savannah Andrews.

I could stand right here for the rest of the night, holding her against me, inhaling her sexy scent, but unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen.

When Savannah pulls back, her bright green eyes lift to meet mine. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do with you, Jason Stone.”

A smile curves the corner of my mouth. “Anything you want,” I tell her. “Anything at all.”

She shakes her head, but smiles. “I need to go. But I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Saturday?” I’m confused.

“I’m travelin’ with the team, remember.”

I frown. No, I don’t remember that. Not that I’m disappointed by this news, just a little shocked.

“Unless you think it’ll affect your game,” she says quickly, stepping completely out of my arms. “If that’s the case, I’ll tell my father it’s a no-go.”

Her father. Right.

Savannah’s going to provide her PR expertise, keep the reporters in line, although, I’m still not sure I completely understand the end game there. I haven’t been hounded by them yet. Not to the point that I can’t handle things on my own.

“It won’t affect my game,” I tell her, although I’m not entirely sure that’s true. Right now, it’s easy to be in the zone because I know what the end goal is. However, when I think about Savannah, the end goal wavers and changes somewhat, and for once in my life, football isn’t the only thing on my mind. “And I’d like you to be there,” I add.

“Really?” She looks genuinely surprised to hear that.

Leaning down, I press my forehead to hers and rest my hands on her hips again. “What am I gonna do with you?” I ask, using her words.

“This is such a bad idea,” she says softly, but there’s no conviction behind her words.

“Trust me, I know.” I smile and go for complete honesty. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see it through.”

Savannah

Jason Stone is not at all what I expected him to be.

And holy moly can the man kiss. Like a freaking dream. Or a romance novel hero. His lips are so perfect, eager, yet controlled.

In fact, I can now attest to the fact that the first time I kissed him wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t something I made up in my head. It’s as perfect—if not more so—than I remember.

Of course, I know this because I’m kissing him once more, unable to help myself. When he says stuff like that, I can’t resist him. Although I’m one hundred percent certain this is going to get us both in trouble. If for no other reason than it’s going to affect our business relationship.

When his big, warm hand cups my cheek, I sigh against his mouth, but manage to pull back.

“I really should go,” I tell him.

I mean, we are standing out in public, making out like teenagers in the parking lot of a local hangout. At some point, someone is going to recognize him and this is going to be all over the Internet.

Neither one of us needs that.

“Okay.” His voice is deep, gruff. So damn sexy.

“I’ll see you on Saturday,” I tell him. “I’ve already got a seat on the team plane, so I’ll be there if you want to talk…about, you know, work.”

He instantly frowns and I know that’s not what he’s thinking. Truth is, neither am I. However, that is the reason I’m here, the reason he’s here. And at some point, we do have to find a way to turn this back to a business relationship. I seriously don’t think this is what my father had in mind when he came up with this absurd plan. Then again, if my father knew I’d slept with Stone, he damn sure would’ve been laying out an entirely different plan.

“Or, we can talk about other things,” Stone says, his eyes glittering. “Like what you look like in that cheerleading outfit.”

Yep, this man is going to get me in some serious trouble. I can see the heat in his eyes, and I know it’s reflecting in mine as well.

“We’ll talk about everything. Except that.” I manage to extricate myself from his grip. His hands fall to his sides and I smile. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

He nods, then steps back out of the way when I open my car door. Like the gentleman I’ve learned he is, Stone waits until I’m in before closing it. He doesn’t move, so I roll down the window and peer up at him.

When he leans in and presses his lips to mine, I inhale sharply and give in to the overwhelming urge to kiss him senseless. Because there’s a little more privacy in the car, I grab his head and hold him to me as I slide my tongue against his. I don’t pull back until he groans roughly against my mouth.

“You’re dangerous for my sanity,” he whispers. “Very dangerous.”

Ditto.

“Good night,” I tell him, then start the car and put it in reverse. If I sit here any longer, I’m going to do something incredibly stupid.

Like invite him back to my place and although that would sate some vital urges, it’s the last thing either of us needs.

In fact, some separation would do us some good.

“Good night,” he says, then backs away from the car.

I pull out quickly, fearful I’ll change my mind.

By the time I’m on the highway, I’m trying to come up with an excuse not to go to Green Bay with the team. I know I need to be there because I’ve already set up the meeting with the reporters and I need to be there to oversee them. But if I’m not careful, those few kisses—incredible, mind-blowing kisses—are going to lead to something more and we’re going to be right back where we started from. Since we’ve both admitted that relationships aren’t in our futures, there’s already an expiration date on our…friendship.

“Mixing business with pleasure is wrong,” I repeat over and over as I drive.

My brain seems to get the gist, but my body isn’t listening. In fact, the more I think about that kiss, the hotter my internal temperature gets.

“Ugh. What the hell have you gone and done?”

---

Two hours later

Stone: What are you wearing?

Savannah: Oh, you know. Nothing.

I know I shouldn’t play this game with him, but for whatever reason, I can’t help myself.

Stone: You should send a picture. Let me assess your hotness factor when you’re naked.

Savannah: You’ve seen me naked.

Stone: Right. I have. So, why not send me a pic to refresh my memory.

Savannah: Can’t send a pic right now, I’m busy sexting with another less attractive guy. He asked for a picture first, so I figure it’s only fair to send them in the order in which the requests were received.

Stone: Funny girl. You better not be sending anyone else naked pictures of you. At least not until I get them first.

Savannah: Is that so?

Stone: Yes. I need to approve them beforehand.

Savannah: What makes you think I want your approval?

Stone: Considering we’re not at all attracted to one another, I figured it was the least I could do. As your friend. You know, it’s completely platonic. I swear.

Savannah: Platonic? I think you got that word confused with perverted.

Stone: Maybe. But in the end, does it really matter?

Savannah: Good night, Stone.

Stone: Good night, Savannah.

---

Ten minutes later

Stone: Don’t you dare send naked pics to anyone else.

Savannah: I promise, I won’t. If I ever send a naked pic to anyone, I’ll get your permission first. I promise.