“I hope that’s a good thing,” I murmured.The waiter dropped off the check. I added a generous tip and signed my name just as a group of college students stopped at our table and asked to take a selfie.
“I’ll take your photo,” Keelie offered.
“Thanks!” a tiny girl with a bubblegum-pink pixie cut chirped. I smiled politely, annoyed at the interruption but putting on my best face for the fans—they were the reason I got to play the game. No reason to irritate them or give my reputation another hit.
As the group moved away, clearly excited, I held up a hand, stopping the pixie girl’s retreat. “Would you mind taking a picture of us?”
She grinned. “Hell yeah, I will. And I’ll like it on social when you post it and tell everyone I got to take the first picture of Cormac Bouchard with his girlfriend.”
Keelie’s eyes went wide at that, so after I handed the bubblegum girl my phone, I slid my arm around Keelie’s waist—something I never did with fans—and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Breathe, Keelie. It’s not that horrible a thought, is it?”
She looked up at me, a small smile on those plump lips. “I think anyone would be proud to claim you as their boyfriend.”
“Luckily, there’s only one lady I want.” I tapped her gently on the nose and turned to face our photographer. She must have pressed the button because she handed me back my phone. “You two are so cute,” she gushed. “Thanks for letting me document that.”
“Um, sure,” I said, pocketing my phone.
Keelie said goodbye in her soft, honey voice. Bubblegum girl waved and took off after her friends, all hands and elbows as she gestured back at us.
“What was that about?” Keelie tipped her head back.
“Not sure, but it looks like more fans are going to come up now. I better walk you to your car.”
Keelie chewed her lip as she picked up her box. This time, I rested my hand on the middle of her back as I walked a step behind her out of the restaurant, my chest puffing with pride.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said. She side-glanced at me.
“It was my pleasure.” I’d never meant the words more. When she stopped at her Prius, I bent down, intending to brush my lips against her cheek…and get that next date.
She rested her hand against my chest, her expression serious. “I think I gave you the wrong impression earlier—about how far I wanted to go tonight. That girl…she got me thinking.” Keelie blinked up at me, her cheeks bright red. “I’m not ready to rush into something, no matter how great it could be.”
“That’s okay,” I said. Disappointment mingled with relief. “I haven’t dated, even considered being serious about a woman in…” My words trailed off.
Shannon had told me she planned to attend the game this weekend and wanted to go out to dinner. That needed to be sorted because now I didn’t want to see Shannon. She’d made her choice, and I needed to move on. The way I’d initially planned to. Maybe that would be with Keelie. That thought made my heart gallop.
“Oh. I understand.” Keelie ducked away.
Chapter7
Keelie
“No, that’s the thing,” Cormac said. “You don’t. I…I’m attracted to you. I haven’t felt this way in years. Maybe ever. Until now, I hadn’t been able to see a future for myself, but then you walked into the arena, and I couldn’t look away from you.” He seemed both resigned and frustrated by the fact—like he wasn’t sure what to do with the attraction between us.
Something eased its grip on my chest as pent-up tension seeped past my lips. “If it helps, I like you, too.” My face flamed.Way to go, Keelie.You sounded as young as your students.
Cormac studied me for a heady moment before he tipped my chin up and brushed his lips against mine…once…twice…thrice. I sighed, my body humming with pleasure from the whisper-soft caress.
He pulled back, his expression filled with raw hunger.For me. This sexy, powerful man wanted me. My heart fluttered at the surrealness of it all.
“Your number?” he asked, his warm breath tickling my cheek.
I rattled it off, and he sent me a text—my phone vibrated in my purse.
“Text me when you get home?” he asked.
I nodded, too overcome to speak. My emotions bloomed brighter. This man’s intensity mesmerized me. I wanted more—of him, of this feeling he evoked.
“You were the best part of my day, Keelie.”
