Don't Stop Believing

Lacey

Lacey

Hanson Bell was a man who knew he was good looking and used that knowledge to get what he wanted. He had an arrogant grin and a swagger about him that came from an overdose of self-confidence and a history of being told he was more than good enough.

“I’ll leave the two of you to talk,” Thompson said, after introducing us.

If he had noticed that Bell’s attitude was different than usual, he didn’t let anything on. I had a feeling that the two of them had just had a talk, though. He held out his hand again, and I shook it. He shot a glance at Bell that I couldn’t read. A reprimand? A warning? Then he left the office.

When the door closed behind him, I was aware of Bell and his ego, and how small the office was with the three of us crammed in here together. I knew what I was doing, though, and if there was one thing I didn’t step aside for, it was someone’s pride.

“Right,” I said. “We have a lot to do if we’re going to get you sorted out by the time you hit the field again.”

He raised one eyebrow at me. His smile was off-balance. I assumed it was his game face, and I wasn’t talking about football.

“You look like just the person to sort me out.”

He looked me up and down, his grin unfaltering.

“I can tell we’re going to have a lot of fun.” He leaned into me and said in a whisper, “It’s what I do best.”

His breath brushed the skin on my neck, and I shivered. When his eyes met mine again, I nodded briskly. I didn’t want to let on that he was getting to me. I wasn’t going to fall for his antics, even if he was one of the hottest guys I’d ever seen. He looked even better in person than he did in the photos.

“Your innuendo isn’t lost on me, Mr. Bell.”

I opened my phone and pulled up the image of him leaving the hotel with two women. Turning the phone to him, I cleared my throat.

“And I’m up to date with your idea of fun. This is the kind of thing that will drag you down, and I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

He didn’t look as shocked as I had hoped for, but the grin had disappeared and he looked irritated.

“What I do with my free time should be my business.”

“If you want personal privacy, you’re in the wrong career.”

He shook his head. His initial approach had evaporated. Thank God. Bell was so much more attractive in person, and I could only stay serious for so long when there was s****l tension like this.

He sat down in one of the chairs, elbows on his knees. His arms were big, and inked up. The sleeveless shirt he wore showed them off beautifully.

“I don’t need this, you know that, right?” he said. “This… image makeover thing you’re supposed to be giving me.”

“What you need is to get back on the team and stay there.”

“I managed it without anyone until now.”

“You’re suspended,” I pointed out.

He rolled his eyes. Oh boy. When he wasn’t putting forth his ridiculous charm, he seemed to have an attitude like a teenager. What fun. But I couldn’t help but want him. Despite myself, my panties dampened and my p***y clenched itself tight in between my thighs.

I wouldn’t do it, I told myself. I wouldn’t let this guy drag me down career-wise, no matter how good-looking he was.

I didn’t sleep with my clients. Ever.

Looking back at his strong body and handsome face, I had to remind myself of that fact again. It didn’t stay in my mind as long as I had wished. Instead, it was pushed out by thoughts of Hanson pushing himself into me, filling me up and making me beg for more.

Don’t do it, Lacey, I told myself.

I knew I was strong enough to withstand this cocky player. I just wasn’t so sure that I wanted to.

Chapter 8