Unsportsmanlike Conduct

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1ONE YEAR LATER

The church bells rang gleefully though the warm summer air. Gia squinted and pushed her hair out of her face. The sun glared in her eyes; its rays poured in through the colorful stained-glass windows. It was a warm Sunday in August, the church beautifully decorated with light blue and white flowers. The organist played an upbeat melody while the church choir sang. Soon everyone joined in.

Gia stood at the church altar. What a beautiful day for a baptism. She didn't know the hymn, so she just smiled. Neither Kat nor Kris sang so she didn't feel bad.

When she looked back at Tyler, warmth surged through her body. He stood in the pew, so handsome in his suit and tie. She couldn't wait to run into his arms once the ceremony ended. He caught her watching him and smiled a small, shy grin.

Seriously, my boyfriend is hot in a suit.

It was a day full of joy and peace, the priest reminded everyone when he spoke. Yes, it should be all about baby Ian but without Tyler beside her she was a ball of nerves.

She hadn't seen Patrick in a year, hadn't even thought about him and now did her best to avoid his heavy stare. Standing here in front of her friends and family, she felt dirty and wished she could erase that night from her memory. It had been a terrible mistake--insanely poor judgment on her part.

"What name have you given your child?" the priest asked.

"Ian James," Kat and Kris said together.

Gia sighed. Those two really were perfect for each other. She peered at Tyler out of the corner of her eye.

She had kept her distance from Patrick for the last year. She didn't go to games or team functions. Tyler understood, even though she felt bad leaving him on his own. But she couldn't be around Patrick.

Gia heard the priest say something about bringing Ian up in the church faith. She drifted off into her own thoughts. I hope he doesn't ask me about church. I can't even think of the last time I went to mass except for a wedding.

He continued to talk, telling some sort of a personal story. But she could only concentrate on Patrick. A year had done nothing to absolve her attraction.

She turned her attention to Kat and Kris holding Ian. She wanted that love of a lifetime. She adored her sister's husband, Kris. He was kind and sweet and downright handsome. He had made her feel at home since the day they met. Kat won the lottery with him.

She missed the family functions. But this last year she just couldn't be there when Patrick attended.

Family gatherings at Kat's house were tricky to get out of. Luckily, her work schedule had solved the problem. But how long could she do this dance?

Today was the exception; she was here for Ian.

The priest’s voice brought her attention back to the sermon.

"Are you ready to help the parents of little Ian in their duty as Christian parents?" he asked Patrick and Gia.

"We do," they answered.

He began to ask questions that needed only a nod as an answer, or she grunted a yes when she heard Patrick do so. I’m surely headed to hell for being this uninterested in mass. Is this going to be over soon?

She stared blankly at the priest as he made the sign of the cross on Ian's head.

Why did Kat have to make them both the godparents? Not that she wasn't honored to be that adorable little munchkin's godmother, but to be paired with Patrick again? Being stuck as his partner at their wedding last year had been bad enough. Why not Tyler? Or even Matt? Of course, she knew the reason why. Patrick was Kris's cousin. More than a cousin, they were like brothers.

So here they both stood at the altar as godparents.

She didn't have to look at him to know his eyes were on her. Her body was hot and her pulse raced. She hated her reaction anytime he was in the vicinity. Gia started to sweat, her body hot and clammy. Please don't let me get pit stains on my favorite dress shirt. Doesn't this place have air conditioning?

She smoothed her white blouse, diverting her attention to anything but him. She counted the pipes behind the organ, studied the design in the carpet and counted each gray hair on the priest's head. But without looking, she knew he still watched her. Why wouldn't he stop? And why was no one else sweating?

She tried to not think about the night that got her into this mess. That horrible mistake that almost cost her Tyler. For the last year, the mere thought of Patrick made her sick to her stomach. Now here she stood, hot and dizzy. She took a deep breath and tried to slow her heart rate, but it just made her more lightheaded.

Poor, sweet Tyler sat in the second pew. He needed a haircut. His brown hair curled around his eyes as he grinned at her. He was the ideal boyfriend and also her best friend. Gia loved his smile. His teeth weren't perfect, but she didn't mind. He refused to get an implant to replace the missing one on the bottom. In all honesty, Gia thought it made him look more rugged, sexier.

She wore the honor proudly: girlfriend of the Tyler Kidd, the young captain of the Pittsburgh Renegades. Every girl wanted him, and she had him. How could she have been so stupid to do anything to almost mess that up? Once he forgave her, she swore to never hurt him again.

She took a breath and did her best to ignore Patrick's wandering eyes. She gave her full attention to the priest, occasionally sneaking a peek at her adorable nephew, Ian. If she learned anything from movies, you only get one perfect love. Patrick can look all he wants, but he won't affect me. It was only s*x, and it will never happen again.

Yet Patrick affected every ounce of her soul. She could feel the warmth of his sexiness from across the altar. This was bad. Why didn't lightning strike her where she stood?

She did her best to avoid looking in his direction. If she made eye contact, even for a second, he would flash that wickedly sexy smile at her. The smile that made her insides goo and her legs weak. Knowing that would make his smile even cockier.

"Gianna," the priest's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, "and Patrick."

She moved closer to Kat, who held Ian. She looked up as the priest spoke and accidentally met Patrick's gaze. Dammit!

She could see the fire in his eyes as he stared through her. Her blood warmed. It turned her on. She didn't want her body to react like that, but it did. Why won't he just stop? After all, he’s in church for God's sake … well, probably not the best choice of words.

His icy blue eyes and arrogant smile locked onto her. She looked away and let out a sharp huff. This game was tiresome.

Gia should have paid better attention to the priest, but her mind continued to wander. She heard the priest say her name and ask Kat to hand her little Ian. In a fog, she heard the priest ask for Patrick to stand beside her. Patrick smiled ear to ear as he moved close to her. She just rolled her eyes. Too bad his closeness made her heart race and her lady parts tingle.

She desperately counted the seconds until this was over. Patrick tried to slip his hand around her waist. How dare he? Her body felt on fire. No way in hell could she let him know that she almost melted at his touch. Instead, she shook him off and shot him a nasty, pointed look.

He was bad for her in so many ways: a flirt, a player and childish compared to Tyler, who was mature, responsible and sweet. And safe. So why did Patrick make her feel like she couldn't breathe? But it didn’t matter, she wouldn't let Patrick keep her from this honor.

The priest blessed little Ian and his godparents, Gia and Patrick, asking them to help raise Ian in his religious life. She loved Ian, loved being Aunt G. Her focus now on Ian, she held the little guy close. He was warm and cuddly. Her heart rate slowed. He looked so perfect in his little white outfit. He was the spitting image of his daddy, such a handsome boy.

The priest asked her to hold Ian over the basin as he poured holy water on the baby's head. Gia loved watching him; the little guy was amazing. He usually never cried, he just looked at her with those big brown eyes. He sure had his papa's eyes.

She held him over the bowl. His little body squirmed, "Don't worry little buddy, I won't drop you. I promise," she whispered to him.

He didn't like the holy water one bit. He let out a squeal as it dripped down his head. Gia couldn't take seeing him so scared. She pulled him to her chest and held him tight.

"It’s okay, buddy, Aunt G has you." She bounced and swayed ever so slightly until he relaxed in her arms.

She never knew a baby could make you feel so calm. For a moment, she consoled and cuddled Ian and forgot all about Patrick. She only felt the warmth of Ian's little body against her; the way he squirmed in her arms until he found a comfortable place to lie. Her lips brushed against his head with a gentle kiss.

"Aunt G, can I have my baby back now?" Kat asked after a few moments.

"Oh, yeah, sure." Gia got lost in the little guy's softness and never heard the priest end the ceremony. "Sorry." Her face burned as she handed Ian back to Kat.

At least it was over. She could go to Ty now. Gia began to walk down the steps from the altar and felt a hand run across her lower back. He really thinks he can just wrap his arm around me in front of Tyler? She quickly wriggled out of his grasp and shot him a glare. Patrick was a game. He flirted with her; she ignored him. End of story.

Gia made a beeline for Tyler. She needed to put some distance between them.

"Hey, cutie," Tyler said. He placed a loving kiss on her forehead. "Did I tell you how adorable you look today?"

"Yes, but you can tell me again." Gia had on stylish black dress pants, black heels and a tight white dress shirt. She loved this shirt with its snug sleeves and extra big cuffs that came to a drastic point like the collar. The arms were long; the cuffs hung past her wrists. The fabric fit snugly around her tiny middle.

He moved her hair out of her face as a few strands fell in her eyes.

"Beautiful ceremony." He pulled her close.

She smiled at him and snuggled closer to his strong, warm body. His manly scent surrounded her, calmed her. This was her favorite place to be.

She never understood why he forgave her. He only said because he loved her. She didn't deserve him after her betrayal, but he never saw it that way. He just moved on.

"Gia, where'd you go?" Kat called from the altar. "C'mon, we need you for pictures." Her sister, looked remarkable for just giving birth to Ian a month ago. She wore a flattering, black jump suit with a halter top and heels that sparkled with rhinestones. Kat's long, dark hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail, a few strands curling around her face. During church, she wore a short black blazer to cover up. Since being with Kris, Gia had watched her sister really come out of her shell and turn into a beautiful, confident woman. She never would have worn rhinestone heels before Kris. Hell, she probably wouldn't have worn plain black heels. Kris leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Kat's lips. He brought out the best in her sister.

Gia groaned as she half-smiled at Tyler. "I'll be right back."

The photographer took one of Kris and Kat with Ian. "Okay, now the godmother and godfather, slide in on either side of mom and dad."

Okay, not so bad.

"Nice! Okay, now the godparents. Just you two. Hold Ian together." His instructions were clear, yet her feet didn't dare move.

"But look at Ian, so peaceful, are you sure you don't want another with Mom and Dad?" The photographer had just taken a picture with the three of them, but she would do anything to avoid standing close to Patrick.

"Oh, he'll be fine. Here." Kat slid Ian out of her arms and directly into Gia's. She shoved her into place right beside Patrick, while shooting her a quick glare. "Aw! You guys look so sweet. What a great picture!"

"Looks good, hang on one second while I switch lenses," the photographer said and started to fumble with his camera.

Oh for the love of Pete, Gia thought.

Patrick moved closer to her while the photographer figured out what lens he needed.

"Hey there, handsome," he cooed to the baby. Ian wrapped his little hand around Patrick's finger just as the photographer was ready.

"Okay, all set. Say cheese!"

Gia smiled and before she could say cheese, Patrick slid his free arm around her waist. Taken by surprise, her breath caught, but she was able to keep the smile through the picture.

"Baby girl, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he whispered. His facial hair brushed seductively against her jaw.

His voice rumbled in her ear, putting her body in hormonal overdrive. A quick vision of his muscular, n***d body slamming into hers, flashed through her mind. Her mouth went dry and she stumbled a bit.

"Whoa, watch it there, short stuff," he mumbled.

Finally getting her wits about her, she puffed out her chest and put on her attitude. "Really?" She quietly snarked. "That revolving door of girls isn't enough for you?" She tried to keep her voice low so only he could hear her.

Patrick shook his head as a cocky smile slipped across his delicious lips.

"Pig ..."

"You know you like it, sweet thing. Don't tell me you haven't thought about me while you're knockin' boots with good 'ol Ty ..."

She tried not to give him the satisfaction of an answer him but somehow the words escaped her lips anyways. "Touché." She wanted to punch him for touching her. His hot touch burned right through her clothes; her girly parts dampened as her mind raced with thoughts of his hands wandering to more intimate places.

Ian still had Patrick's finger, so she couldn't pull away. Her warm body and wobbly knees brought back memories of that night. She took a deep slow breath to get back her control. Patrick = bad, Tyler = good. Now, concentrate on Tyler and walk away.

"Okay, Mom and Dad come on back in. How about the grandparents too?"

She posed for pictures with her family but could feel Patrick's stare the entire time. He was tall, muscular with short wavy hair dusted with dark and light hues. His icy blue eyes could make any woman's panties drop. A shiver ran down her spine. Why am I even thinking about this?

Without giving his ego the fulfillment of a glance, she played with her hair and flipped it in his direction. Before that fateful night, she actually liked him hitting on her.

The first time she met Patrick had been at a pool party; she pranced around Kat's in her little black bikini. It had been a thrill, knowing that he watched her, and it was exciting. His eyes on her had made her heart race. Really, how can someone excite you and make your skin crawl at the same time? His attention was so addictive, she craved it. She soon realized they were playing a dangerous game.

She ran her fingers through her hair and tossed it in his direction again. She avoided him for an entire year because this would happen. She worried one night wouldn't be enough for either of them—it might have been the best s*x she ever had.