Love in Lockdown

Playing with the Player

Paige's body was exhausted, but it had also been humming all day. She felt restless. While she had been content with ignoring her attraction to Nate, he was determined to provoke her with it. His arrogance left her breathless. She hated arrogant men. Didn't she?

She desperately wanted to sleep, but her body needed a release, and for the first time in so long, she wanted someone in her bed. Relationships had never been a priority for her. She had tried, but they required too much compromise, too much bending of herself to please the other person. Instead she kept to casual relationships, short lived yet satisfying encounters, but even they had started feeing too hard.

Sighing and softening her body further into the sheets, she slid her hand between her legs, her fingers pressing against her c**t, making the tension in her core even tighter. Her mind instantly went to Nate and his body pressed against hers in the stairwell, only this time he did not let her go. She let herself indulge in the embellished memory as she worked her hips up in time with her fingers.

Closing her eyes, she thought of Nate. His hands in her hair, his mouth against hers, his hips spreading her legs as he lifted her up against a wall. It was no longer her hand she imagined between her legs, but his, expertly lifting her to a peak before letting her fall into a wave of pleasure.

Sated, Paige closed her eyes.

She wanted him more than she had ever wanted a man before. The idea of being locked in the hotel with Nate for two weeks felt overwhelming. He was interested in her too, but she was sure for him it was just a game, a way to pass the time.

Paige pulled her hair back into a low ponytail and flicked out the lamp. She was caught up in lust, she had been alone for too long, focused on her work and supporting her father. Pulling the blanket up to her chin she gave in to sleep.

Paige's hoped her eyes didn't look as puffy as they felt as she waited for Alicia at reception. She hadn't slept well, plagued by dreams of her mother before she died, and of her father walking through long hospital hallways alone. Players were wandering through reception on the way to the restaurants, occasionally looking over to smile hello.

She didn't want to wait too long and run the risk of seeing Nate. She was mentally exhausting herself flitting between wanting to see him, and wanting to avoid him.

She was about to give up waiting when someone hip tapped her, almost knocking her into a nearby chair.

'Sorry Paige. You're easier to topple than you look!' Alicia laughed as she reached out and helped steady Paige, who playfully slapped her on the upper arm.

'I was in another world. Ready for a coffee?'

'Always!' Alicia replied dramatically as they headed for the staff dining hall.

A group of players walked out of the elevator in front of them and Paige's neck prickled with awareness as Nate stepped out and immediately locked eyes with her. As she looked into his dark green eyes she realised her desire to avoid him due to a lack of trust that she would be able to resist him.

His eyes darkened as he let a slow smile lift his lips. Paige's body tightened. She drew her shoulders back and kept her eyes locked to his, not wanting to betray how affected she felt. He was too forward, and nothing about how he was staring at her was playful.

'Morning Paige.' Nate gave her a final once over as he kept pace with his team mates, leaving Paige frozen and Alicia gaping after them.

'What was that?' Alicia whisper yelled as Nate disappeared from the foyer.

'Nothing.' Paige sighed, relaxing her body. She had to talk to him, this had to stop. The rules were clear from both hotel and team management, staff and players were not allowed to interact. There was no point in indulging in their attraction.

'Didn't look like nothing Paige. He was looking at you like you were dessert.'

'I need coffee before I can delve into that situation.'

'You find seats and I'll make the coffees! We both know I'm faster,' Alicia said as she practically skipped off.

Paige settled into her favourite couches by the courtyard and Alicia appeared moments later.

'Okay spill,' she said, curling her legs underneath her.

Where to start. Paige's mind instantly went to Nate, leaning against the door, his toned arms bare in a loose singlet over baggy sweatpants as he looked her over from head to toe.

'What, are you thinking about? You should see your cheeks!' Alicia almost squealed.

'Why do you enjoy my embarrassment so much,' Paige whispered shouted back, trying not to laugh.

'Because you are always so controlled. It's fun to see you ruffled.'

'I think Nate feels the same way. He seems to enjoy rattling me. Nothing has happened, but he acts like it could... even though it really can't.'

'How did this start? Is he making you uncomfortable?'

'No. He was the guy who stopped the players from hassling me at check in. And he helped me find some baby medication one night.'

'Seems you made an impression,' Alicia teased. 'He is so gorgeous, and the way he was looking at you before...' Alicia mock fanned herself, making Paige laugh.

'I have to stop this right?'

'Well, yeah. Paige, you are queen of following rules.'

'I know. It's just...' Paige's chest squeezed with the realisation she didn't want to stop whatever it was she had with Nate. She wanted more.

The reality was staff were not permitted to interact with the guests, especially the players, under any circumstances, and with most hospitality staff members currently unemployed with little to no hope of their chosen industry bouncing back, she didn't want to join their ranks over a lusty crush.

'Ok, I feel like you need me to be the bearer of reality here Paige. He is one of Australia's top AFL players and is most likely a player. You are not a fling kind of girl, and no fling will be worth losing your job over. There are no secrets in this place.'

Alicia words washed cold over Paige's fantasy. 'You're right. Thank you, I needed that.'

Alicia winked, lightening the mood before launching into the latest kitchen gossip. The restaurant staff always had the best drama.

Paige half listened, as she planned what to say when she confronted Nate. The sooner the better.