She points at the number eighty-eight on the front. “It’s your number. Daddy got it for me.”
The daddy in question strolls up, hands in the pockets of his black shorts, andoh my god. My eyes drop to his torso, and I see my number there. Something about seeing Phoenix in my jersey is… well, it’s hot as hell.
He presses a light kiss to my cheek. It’s chaste and quick, but it stirs something inside me, like someone turned on a blender in my nether regions. It doesn’t help that he’s wearing the same cologne he wore on the night we spent together.
“Good game, Jordie,” Phoenix says, his deep voice the sound of every temptation I’ve been trying to forget.
“Thank you,” I reply, tugging at his shirt. “Nice jersey, Daddy.”
Something flares in his blue eyes, but before I can decipher it, Reece pats my face, drawing my attention to her. “You were the best catcher I’ve ever seen, Jordie.”
“Receiver, honey,” Phoenix corrects, straightening the big purple bow on his daughter’s head. The move is so sweet and gentle, the stirring inside me now includes my heart. “Sorry to bother you. I know you’re ready to hit the shower, but Reecie insisted on coming down to see you.”
“Because she’s my best friend,” Reece informs him with way too much sass for her little body.
“It’s fine. I told you to bring her down so we could take a picture together.” I turn to the little cutie. “Would you like that?”
Her bright blue eyes sparkle as she nods. Then she turns into a mini fashion photographer, directing me into a variety of poses while her dad snaps away with his phone. The last one had us both facing away from Phoenix, our thumbs pointing at my name on the backs of our jerseys.
“That’s a good one,” Phoenix says, “but can you get on your knees, Jordie, so I can zoom in better?”
I lower myself, and we do the pose again. “Was that okay?” I ask when he rounds us and offers me his hand to help me up. It’s warm andlingers a bit longer than necessary as he leans close so only I can hear him.
“Seeing you on your knees for me was more than okay, goddess.” Backing away, he allows his eyes to go on a leisurely sightseeing tour up and down my body before fashioning his lips into the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen.
Phoenix picks up his little girl and settles her on his shoulders. She waves at me, unaware of the simmering desire popping between her father and me.
“Bye, Jordie. You did good being a receiber today.”
I smile at her adorable mispronunciation. “Thank you, Reece. Are you coming to the next home game?”
Her curls bounce with the up and down movement of her head. “Uh-huh. We have our own football watching room. It’s that one.” She points to a glassed-in suite near the home side’s fifty-yard line. “Will you wave to me?”
“Of course I will since we’re besties and all.”
The little one beams, and her father’s eyes soften at the corners as he lifts a hand in goodbye. “Later, McNamara.”
“Later, Hale,” I manage to say, though my mouth feels like I’ve been chewing on cotton balls.
Probably because all the fluid in my body has been rerouted to my panties.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Who said I’d regret it?
Jordie
“Turn your head just a little more, Jordie,” Esperanza directs, and I do. “Good. I know that feels unnatural but look in the mirror and see how it elongates your neck.”
Checking out my reflection, I barely notice my elongated neck because I’m too busy admiring how I look in Phoenix’s arms. His hold is firm with one hand on my mid-back, angled slightly down, and our bodies are barely touching. I have to resist the urge to lean into him and enjoy some full-body contact.
“You two are such beautiful partners,” our teacher praises, and my cheeks flame as my mind reverts to another time we werepartnersin a much more carnal way.
Our bodies move fluidly together as we repeat the steps Esperanza and Boris just demonstrated for the class. I keep my frame tight like they taught, and Esperanza nods her approval and moves on to the next couple, Frank and Chasity, who are getting married in a couple months.
“Ow, Frank,” the woman complains as her fiancé steps on her toes for about the twentieth time.
“Sorry,” he replies. “My feet are too big.”
