brow.
Not leaving their date to chance, either. She admired his determination and mentally hash-marked his effort to the plus side of her teacher grading chart.
* * * *
With a date set, Heath headed into the shower and latched the plywood door. A horn toot signaled the girls had left.
Beneath the steam, he lathered his skin. Since he’d arrived in Virginia, sex hadn’t made it into his playbook. He’d spent his free time practicing, learning the team’s plays, and recharging his body.
Jordan reminded him he missed women. His thickening cock refused to be ignored. Hot water sluiced between his ass cheeks. The sensation tightened his balls as he took his shaft in hand.
Heat flooded his groin. Bracing a hand against the wall in front of him, he envisioned her pert and full breasts. How would they taste? He’d love to make her moan as he buried himself to the hilt between her toned thighs.
A familiar tightening gathered in his sac as he erupted in thick streams. He closed his eyes and let the release take him. Leaning against the shower wall, he exhaled as his muscles relaxed. Calm washed over him.
It seemed like forever ago that he felt a true connection with a woman. Of course with his luck, he’d clicked with someone who’d been burned and was twice shy. What asshole had screwed her over? The dick and his ex, Sandy, should team up.
* * * *
Jordan parked in front of the Centerville Café, a place she’d frequented most of her life. She retrieved her cell phone from her bag. No sign of Heath’s jeep. Cursing her promptness, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her clingy top felt too snug and her shorts too short.
Would he show? Probably wondering which personality she’d have today after her freak show on the beach. The guys who had shown interest in her since Richard, she hadn’t given a second thought. Heath’s romantic effect on Jordan had her stumped. She never went for jocks.
A blaring rock tune vibrated from a vehicle pulling into the space next to her.
Heath’s mouth moved in sync to the Shinedown song.
One of her favorite bands.
If she hadn’t known better, she might have thought he chanted a mantra. He definitely wasn’t singing. On the crescendo of the last notes, she stepped out of her car.
He slid from his Jeep and jerked his head in her direction. “Hey, didn’t see you there.”
“We have similar taste in music.” She smiled. His pecs and biceps bulged beneath his Tidewater Tritons football t-shirt. A football fan and obviously already aware of the area’s new team.
“You like Nickelback, too?” He shoved his keys in his shorts pocket.
“Chad’s voice is like sex.”
Heath swallowed. “Noted. Ready to eat? Uh, I mean…”
Jordan giggled.
“Bad girl, you’re taking that the wrong way. Trying to get me all riled up?” He offered his arm.
“Not intentionally.” Impressed by his manners, she clasped his rock-hard bicep.
He blushed through his tan. After opening the door, he followed her inside.
The staff would probably be shocked to see her with a date instead of her parents or GiGi.
* * * *
He followed the hostess and Jordan to a gingham-covered table next to a window.
Homey. He held out Jordan’s chair. Her clean linen scent reminded him of helping his mother hang clothes on the line when he was young. Jordan’s hair had the same copper tints as his mom’s. He sat beside her.
The hostess took their drink orders.
Not sure what to say, he fiddled with the cloth napkin. “Glad you didn’t change your mind.”
“I don’t go back on promises.” Her face brightened in the morning sunlight.
A stocky, black man wearing a chef’s coat approached and smiled. “Jordan, who is your new friend?”
“Heath Lancaster.” He stood and extended his hand.
“Heath, this is Reggie. He’s the owner.”
The man offered a firm handshake. “Your name sounds familiar.”
“I’m new to the area.” Not a lie, but not the whole truth either.
“Yep. And the same face I’ve seen on the Tidewater Tritons’ website. Just read they have you practicing as tight end.” He grinned.
Round-eyed, Jordan leaned forward in her seat.
A second strike five minutes into their meal. He took his seat hoping she’d allow him to explain. “A fan of the team already?”
“I’ve got season tickets,” Reggie said. “And with the big boys on strike, you guys might be the only football we’ll get this season. Enjoy your meal and good luck to you, Heath.” He nodded. “Jordan, thanks for bringing your new friend.”
Wearing a you-lying-shit glare, she plucked her napkin off the table and flung out the utensils. “When were you going to tell me?”
“Judging by the look I’m getting now?” He leaned back, wondering why his being on the Tritons pissed her off. “Never.”
“So, is Dugan on the team, as well?” She crossed her arms.
Thankfully, their server arrived with drinks.
“Give us a minute, will you, Patty.” She smiled and waited until the waitress turned to the next table. Squinting she said, “That pass of his wasn’t off the mark the other day on the beach, then?”
“In his defense, he’s not a quarterback.”
“But he’s been playing ball long enough to aim and fire without knocking someone silly.”
Heath raised his hands in surrender. “Do you have something against football players?”
“No. Only people who try to hide their real identity.” Her gritty tone could have sanded away his beard stubble.
He sipped his iced tea, guessing that would be the same ass who made her hate being called darling. “I’m not hiding anything. But I’m also not broadcasting or bragging about my place on the team because I could be gone tomorrow. Is it wrong to want to meet people on my own merit?”
She glanced over the menu she probably knew by heart. “I can see your reasoning. So while you’re coming clean, are you married or in a relationship?”
Damn big rat in her past. “Never been married or engaged and it’s not something I’m planning in the near future. Haven’t even been on a date since arriving here a few weeks ago for tryouts,” he said unfolding his napkin. “What about you?”
“What’s a date?” She rolled her eyes.
Probably her choice, but he understood a guy backing away from Jordan. A challenging date thus far, but he was determined not to go down in flames after calling her darlin’ and now for being obscure about his career. “What do you do for a living?”
“Guess.” She brushed her hair back from her shoulder.
He visualized the coppery strands fanned over his white sheets. She played sports and probably worked out regularly. A large canvas bag of organized file folders and papers sat on the back seat of her car. He went for a combo. “Teacher? And the way you catch a football, I’d say a physical education teacher.”
Her amber eyes sparkled with mischief. “What was your clue?”
“Maybe I can read minds.”
Jordan smirked as their server