She stared. “Um, it’s not like you’ll be coaching them 24/7. We all have jobs, you know.”
“Do you want me to help them?”
“If I say yes, does that mean I owe you another favor?”
He took her hand under the table and held it, stroking her fingers and palm. She melted on the spot, so turned on, and oddly touched he wanted to spend more time with her. She also watched the devious expression take over his features, turning him from handsome to undeniable.
“Hmm. I do think this means you owe me another favor.” He uttered an evil laugh.
She wanted him. “Fine. But we need to go home now.”
“Ah, I see we are once again thinking along the same lines.” He tugged her with him. “Team, Marlie has convinced me to help you sweep the playoffs before Christmas. So despite the Reynolds men and their cheap threats, I will help you to achieve victory.”
Everyone scowled at Marlie’s brothers.
Will scowled back. “What?”
“Thank Marlie for getting me to help you,” Damon said to Will.
For that alone, she wanted to kiss him.
“Thank him, Will,” Tad yelled.
“Yeah,” Sabrina said and grinned at Marlie.
“Wait. Who invited the enemy?” Lee asked.
“Can it, Lee. I know where you live.”
He muttered under his breath.
Will finally mumbled a thanks, the team cheered, and Damon readied to leave with Marlie.
She gave Jeff a knowing grin and heard his whistle as they walked out the door.
On the way back to her place, she felt jittery, knowing what awaited her once they stepped through her door.
To get her mind off it, she asked, “Exactly how hard did my brothers grill you?”
Damon sighed. “First it was about how great the game went and would I consider coaching them through the season. Then it was all about ripping off my arms and breaking my other knee if I fucked with you. But trust me, I didn’t tell them I was already fucking you.”
“Damon.”
He grinned at her before focusing on the road again. “They love you. I like your family.”
“Yeah? I liked your sister.”
He groaned. “Just ignore everything she said.” After a pause he asked, “What did she say?”
“Just that if I broke your heart, she’d break me.”
“Sounds like Grace.”
Marlie had liked the woman. “Is it true you don’t really date? That you had your only crying jag over a girl in high school?” His cheeks turned pink, and she gasped. “Wow. That was true.”
“Hey, I’m not just a hunk of manliness here. I’m a real man.”
“Right.”
