Page 41 of Offsides

“It doesn’t have to be rule-breaking related,” he said, trying to ease whatever anxiety she might be feeling. He could tell she felt put on the spot, and that was the last thing he wanted. “Anything at all. Something you’ve never eaten, a place you’ve never been, a sexual position you’ve never tried.”

That last suggestion earned him a laugh, Theo closing her eyes and shaking her head at him in disbelief. Her shoulders relaxed as she playfully pushed him away, her long legs kicking softly to move her closer to the shallow end.

“I’ve never had calamari. I know it’s supposed to be amazing, but it freaks me out,” she said after a long moment of silence. Leaning up against the pool wall, she arched her back, showing off her beautiful breasts, her nipples pebbled from the cool air. Cowboy sucked in a breath, enjoying the view. Fuck, was she stunning. A split second later her eyes flew open, and she quickly sank back under the water, realizing just how on display she was.

"Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that. What if someone saw?”

“So what? I saw you.”

“You’re different.”

A blush crept up her cheeks, the guilty look from earlier returning. Cowboy moved in closer, drinking her in as her eyes darted away from him. Placing a hand on either side of her, he pushed up, the water not quite reaching his hips.

“Am I now?” he asked, leaning in so that his forehead was all but touching hers.

“You know you are,” she countered.

“I like being different in your world, Theo. You’re different in mine too.”

Theo swallowed hard, the muscles in her long neck contracting, making him want to kiss her there. Hell, he wanted to kiss her everywhere.

“I hope that’s a good thing,” she said, her eyes wide with concern.

“Very. I wouldn’t be naked in a pool with you otherwise.”

“You get naked with a lot of people?”

Cowboy considered the question, wanting to make sure he answered it properly. He had an idea of what she was getting at, but he didn’t want to assume. There was a trust building between them, and he didn’t want to lose that.

“Depends on how you define ‘get naked.’ I have no problem hanging out au naturel, just ask Gunnar. He’s seen more of me than he’s probably ever wanted to. But like this?” He gestured back and forth between their bodies. “I have to trust someone to do something like this.”

Theo’s breath caught, a slow nod paired with another hard swallow. She was starting to understand what he’d been trying to tell her. The question now was whether she was feeling the same.

“So, have there been a lot of…”

“I’ve had my share. If you want a number I could—”

“No, I don’t need a number.”

“What about you? Can I ask about your history? Little miss ‘I don’t do fun’…did she make time to date? Or has there only been Tim?”

Theo flinched. “Can we never say his name again?”

“Consider it a four-letter word.”

“And no, there hasn’t only been him. I’ve dated others, I’ve…” she trailed off, biting her lip.

Cowboy nodded in understanding. He didn’t need her to continue. He didn’t need a number; none of that mattered to him. What mattered was knowing that she trusted him enough to let him into that part of her life, even if she was embarrassed by it. Although, if this continued, he was not going to let her be embarrassed about anything that happened between them. But one thing at a time.

Leaning in, Cowboy lowered his head, searching out her mouth. He’d been dying to kiss her all day, and he wasn’t sure that he could wait any longer. Taking his time, he inched closer, drawing out the moment.

“Vegas,” Theo said, her abrupt outburst throwing him for a loop.

“Pardon?”

“I’ve never been to Vegas.”

Cowboy stepped back, his brows furrowed in confusion. Theo had never been to Vegas? How was that possible? With all the sporting events—and sports betting—that happened out there, he’d just assumed that everyone involved in this industry had been. Hell, he’d assumed every adult had been at least once.