I climb in and slide across the smooth leather seat.
Fascinating.
I would’ve expected two bucket seats.
Instead, we’re set up for sitting right next to each other.
Duncan joins me, and soon, we’re on our way. Thighs touching. Shoulders touching. Auras touching.
“Good road trip?” he asks me.
“Won more than we lost.”
“Always a bonus.”
“It’s been a harder year.”
“Losing the heart of a team will do that.”
He’s not wrong, and it’s nothing we’re not aware of on the coaching staff. Especially when we’re asked questions constantly during our media availability times about how missing Cooper is affecting the team. “It’s a team sport but it’s so critical to have the right blend of personalities and skillsets. Missing just one…”
“It’s a big one.”
“We have a new heart.”
He lifts his brows.
“He doesn’tknowhe’s our new heart, but I think everyone around him is starting to recognize it.”
Duncan shifts closer. “Think that was intentional?”
“A good leader trains their replacement.”
It’s supposed to be a hint for Mr. Captain, but if he picks up on it, he doesn’t let on.
Instead, he hits me with a hard question right back. “You being trained?”
I shake my head.
It’s better for me to stay where I am and work on improving my relationship with the team itself than it is for my ego to lead me into fucking up the head coach position for the team.Especiallyin a year when we’ve just lost one of our biggest and most consistent stars.
“You’re sure,” he says quietly.
“More sure by the day.” The more I’ve thought about it, the more I know it’s not my time yet.Yet. “I make a difference where I am. And I still have some work to do on me.”
He holds my gaze.
I want to kiss him.
I want to slide into his lap and kiss him until I can’t breathe. I want to feel his arms around me, feel his erection poking me, taste his mouth, feel his freshly shaved face, and lose myself in letting go.
In trusting him with my body.
The way I used to.
But if I kiss him—if we do this—I’m committed.
We won’t be secret this time.
