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  She needed to leave before he embarrassed her further. “You know, I just remembered I was supposed to feed my neighbor’s cat.” She grabbed her purse from under the table and popped up, gesturing to everyone to stay seated. “Mittens needs her medication too, so I’m going to have to run. See you Monday.”

  Gigi practically sprinted to the door, thankful that L.R. had delayed Pete with some question about insurance.

  Sean was stoked. They’d won. It had been a close game, but his team had pulled it off. When the final whistle was blown, he hadn’t thought he could’ve felt prouder, but when he’d seen Gigi smiling in his direction, something had swelled inside his chest. And now, remembering how delectable she’d looked had his dick swelling too. Luckily, the boys were gone. Sean swung his duffle over his shoulder, waved to the custodian on his way out of the locker room and headed across the lawn toward his car.

  He was experiencing the first sense of relief he’d felt since they’d lost their opening game. Tutoring Butch had helped, although he was pretty sure they were going to have to continue intermittent sessions throughout the season. Al Matthews had smiled and given him a thumbs-up when the team had run past. And Gigi had seen his players perform well. Things were looking up.

  Sean pulled out of the parking lot and made the decision not to stop at the nearby Dairy Queen where many of the players and fans would be celebrating. Although some of the boys had invited him to join them, this was a time for them to celebrate with their families and peers. One of his assistant coaches had asked if he wanted to grab a beer, but he’d declined that offer as well. Now that the game was won and he’d seen Gigi, Sean couldn’t be content celebrating with Gordie Schoeburg.

  The past few weeks had been grueling and he deserved to kick back. He’d head home, pop one of his own beers and pretend he wasn’t wishing that Gigi was with him. Naked.

  Stopping at the last traffic light on his way out of Newtown, he spotted a familiar beige Taurus pulling out of a side street a block ahead. When the light changed, he eagerly closed the distance between his car and the sedan. After following Gigi home the previous evening, he knew her license plate number. It was her. She must have made a stop after the game. Had she met up with Tony Walters again? The thought bristled along his nerves like a wire brush. He shoved the unpleasant thought away.

  Then another came to mind. At this time of night, the stretch of country road between Newtown and Greenville was dark and barren. He was glad fate had brought him up behind her. What if she developed car trouble? This may not be LA or New York City, but rural Ohio wasn’t immune to violent crime. He made up his mind to see her safely home.

  Gigi checked her rearview mirror, wishing there was some way to determine whether the car behind her was Pete’s. There was only one direct route between Newtown and Greenville, so the fact that the car had been there the entire way shouldn’t have been a huge reason to worry. It would probably pull off when they hit the city limits.

  But two minutes later and within the city limits, the same headlights followed her. Her spine tingled; and she hated the uneasiness running through her. Respected it, but hated it nonetheless. That respect, however, had her turning right down a side street she didn’t need to take. She applied a bit more pressure to the accelerator. When the trailing car turned behind her and sped up, her anxiety kicked up a notch. To fear. She turned left and blindly rooted in her handbag for her phone. She grasped it and pressed 9-1-1, explaining to the dispatcher that she was being followed. Satisfaction gave her a much needed bit of courage. Even if Pete could talk his way out of this, he’d know she meant business.

  She wound her way back to Center Street and headed home, describing her route to the dispatcher. Gigi was relieved to hear that a cruiser was close by and on its way. As she pulled up in front of her apartment, she saw the flashing lights in her rearview mirror. The car that had been following her pulled to a stretch of unlit curb about half a block away. Still nervous, she sat and watched events unfold through her mirrors.

  Johnny Martin, one of Greenville’s deputies and a high school classmate, got out of his cruiser. In the darkness, she recognized Johnny by the outline of his bulk. As he made his way toward the driver’s side of the car, his headlights revealed his hand poised over his holster.

  Wow, that was intimidating. The driver’s door opened, and Johnny pulled his gun and took a defensive stance. There was a pause, where Gigi assumed words were exchanged. Boy howdy, was Pete going to be embarrassed if this made it into the local paper’s police summary.

  Johnny must have ordered Pete out of his car, because first a head and then a pair of broad shoulders rose from the driver’s side.

  Then the ice cream in her stomach curdled.

  Chapter Eleven

  Pete’s not that muscular.

  When the man stepped away from the car with his hands in the air, the police cruiser’s lights reflected off his blond hair.

  Oh, shit!

  Gigi threw open her door, jumped out and ran toward the men. Johnny was gesturing with his gun for the man to turn around.

  “Johnny, no!” She continued to run even though both men were now looking in her direction. “I’ve made a terrible mistake.” Thank goodness, most of this area was retail and commercial property. Fewer residents to peer out their windows at the crazy woman running down the street flapping her arms as if attempting a take off.

  Johnny’s gaze flipped back and forth between Gigi and the stalker who really wasn’t a stalker. Thankfully, Sean remained frozen, with his hands still above his head, but his forehead was creased in frustration.

  “I was explaining to the officer I was a coworker following you home to make sure you arrived safely.” His forcibly even tone wound her nerves tighter than jeans straight from the dryer. He probably wished he’d never laid eyes on her.

  “It’s true, Johnny.” She took a step toward her old friend and gestured for him to put the gun down. “Sean works with me. When I thought I was being followed, I freaked out a little and called 9-1-1. My imagination just got carried away.” Gigi hoped Sean would forgive her for embarrassing him this way.

  Johnny holstered his weapon but shot Sean a distrustful look. “Why didn’t you tell Gigi you were going to follow her home? You scared her half to death.”

  “I happened to recognize her car in front of me.” Sean turned to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I guess since I followed you last night, I thought you’d recognize my car.”

  “All I could see was a pair of headlights.” And she couldn’t tell one model of car’s from another.

  The sound of crackling, followed by a dispatcher’s rapid words came through the radio attached to Johnny’s shoulder. “You sure everything’s okay?” he asked Gigi, pausing with the mike near his mouth.

  “It’s fine, Johnny. But thanks. I’m sorry for the confusion.” She approached Sean, showing her friend she had no fear of this man. Johnny turned and spoke into the mike as he headed back to his cruiser.

  Embarrassed beyond belief, Gigi hesitated before meeting Sean’s gaze. He was either going to tell her she was a total idiot or that he was for wanting to help her. But as he shut the driver’s door and closed the distance between them, he made neither claim.

  Instead, he enfolded her in his arms. “I’m sorry I scared you. I should have known you couldn’t distinguish my car from any other in the dark.” His warm breath on the top of her head made her scalp tingle.

  Thank God, he wasn’t furious. She relaxed into him, exhausted from her fear and the horror of her mistake. “It’s okay.”

  Her head fit under his chin. He was the perfect height for snuggling. He felt so good, nestled against her so perfectly she didn’t want to move. Ever. Ignoring the mantra that echoed somewhere in the far recesses of her brain, she tilted her face up. Without consciously intending to do so, she placed a gentle kiss on his Adam’s apple, then licked her lips, savoring the heat and salt of his skin. Mmm.

  More.
Reveling in the taste and feel of him, she returned her lips to his throat.

  “Christ, Gigi.” When Sean’s mouth slowly rained warm kisses down the side of her face and across to her mouth, Gigi stopped thinking.

  The sound of the police cruiser passing reminded Sean why it would bad form to throw Gigi on the hood of his car and rip her clothes off. He’d have to limit himself to simply kissing her. He started softly, but after what could have been minutes or seconds, her responsiveness zapped his best intentions. Her arms circled his neck while she pressed her body so snugly against his that not even air could have passed between them. Her intoxicating scent filled his nostrils and for the first time, he fully appreciated the power of the olfactory sense. His hands traveled in opposite directions, one down to cup her sweet ass and the other up her neck under the fall of her hair, angling her head for a deeper kiss.

  She must have read his mind because her lips parted, inviting him in. Sean didn’t hesitate. Their tongues swirled and stroked, and he growled with pleasure. He’d imagined kissing her so many times, both before and since that first kiss in her office. Imagined how she’d taste and how he’d feel. The reality was more fantastic than anything he’d conjured in his mind. She tasted of mint and warm chocolate--sweet, creamy and so delicious he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop until he’d devoured every bite.

  Beep, beep, beep. The staccato car horn jolted him from the kiss. Instinct had him pushing Gigi against the car and placing his body between her and the danger of the approaching vehicle.

  “Jeesh, get a room you two.”

  “Go for it, buddy.”

  The good-natured guffaws from the carload of teenagers had Gigi hiding her face in his shirtfront.

  Relieved there was no real danger, Sean skimmed one of his hands up and down her arm in comfort. “So, are you going to invite me up?” If she didn’t, if those little rodents had caused her to change her mind about the wisdom of those kisses, he was going to hunt them down and strangle each one of them.

  She pulled back and looked up at him, her expression one of both embarrassment and arousal. “Of course. I owe you at least a beer for the trouble I’ve caused.”

  Within seconds, he’d locked his car and pocketed his keys. He walked Gigi to her car to grab her purse and then followed her up the stairs to her apartment, admiring the view of her ass in her skin-hugging jeans. She set her purse and keys on a small table just inside the front door and closed it behind him.

  “I hope light beer is okay. Or I have some caffeine-free diet soda.” She walked ahead of him into the kitchen with its black-and-white motif and small café table and two chairs. The room smelled like his mother’s sugar cookies; he spotted a large scented candle in a jar. When Gigi bent to reach into the refrigerator, her pretty ass taunted him again. His arousal pressed against his fly, and he hoped to God that her invitation was for more than a beer. She pulled out two bottles, and Sean twisted the top off the one she offered.

  “Would you mind?” She extended her bottle, and he opened it, then put both caps into the tall trashcan he spotted between the fridge and the wall.

  She gestured back out into the hallway. “We can sit in the living room. It’s more comfortable.” When he waited for her to lead the way, she squeezed past him, her butt grazing his thigh. He wanted to grab her right then, but the living room did sound like a better place to take up where they’d left off outside. And he had every intention of doing so.

  Gigi switched on a shaded floor lamp, bathing the large room in a pale golden glow. As he looked around, Sean was taken aback by her furnishings. Since she dressed so stylishly, he’d expected her to have trendy, modern pieces. Or, if she didn’t have much money to spend on outfitting her place, maybe an odd mish-mash of styles. But he should have known not to pigeonhole Gigi.

  An antique secretary, looking like something Margaret Thatcher would sit at for penning correspondence, nestled between the two front windows. A classic styled sofa covered in a small navy pattern rested against the left wall with two ivory upholstered chairs facing it. In the center of the seating area was an oriental rug topped with a cherry coffee table. A pair of matching end tables on either end of the sofa held crystal-based lamps.

  “Wow. This is not what I expected.”

  Gigi looked at him, her brow hitched. “Just what did you expect?”

  “I don’t know, maybe a few Ikea pieces or some chrome, glass and leather. Myself, I go for Early American garage sale.”

  Her smile told him she wasn’t insulted.

  “Hell,” he continued, “I’ve got a beanbag chair and a futon, both left-overs from college, in my living room.”

  She tapped her temple with her index finger. “But--and I’m going out on a limb here--I predict you paid enough for your television to buy a whole room full of furniture.” She took a sip of her beer, waiting for his response.

  “Busted.” He hadn’t expected her White House style surroundings, but she certainly had him pegged.

  “And for the record, I didn’t buy all this.” She walked further into the room. “I inherited it when my grandmother went into hospice a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.” Although he felt bad for mentioning bringing up sad memories, her answer made him realize he knew very little about Gigi’s personal life.

  She turned back toward him, a cheerful expression on her face. “No, no. I have awesome memories of Nana, and if anyone can raise some hell in heaven, I bet it’s her.”

  Gigi’s sense of humor and brilliant smile suddenly reminded Sean how lonely he’d been since the move. While he had no regrets, at times he missed his family and hometown friends.

  “Have a seat.” Gigi perched on one end of the sofa, her left leg curled underneath her right thigh.

  Taking her choice as a good sign, Sean chose the sofa as well. Privacy, soft lighting, a beautiful woman--this evening was officially the best one he’d had in months. Taking that kiss into account, make that years.

  “Congratulations on your win tonight.” Her smile was enough to illuminate the room even without lamplight.

  “Thanks. Both teams played a good game. I’d like a bigger point spread next time, but other than that, I’m pretty pleased.” He took a long swig of beer and then turned his body toward hers, hitching his knee up on the sofa. So, do you have other family in the area?”

  She finished a sip, then twisted to set her beer bottle on a coaster on the end table behind her.

  “My brother and his wife live here in town. He’s an attorney. My father and stepmother are here a large part of the year but winter in Arizona.”

  She unconsciously toyed with the hem of her sheer green blouse, and Sean allowed himself to momentarily study her breasts.

  “How about you?” she asked.

  He met her gaze, and she gave him a grin that said she’d caught him.

  “Heidi said you moved to town this past June,” she continued. “Do you have family or friends here?”

  She’s talked to Heidi about me. A good sign. “Actually no. My folks live in Akron, and a lot of my friends have scattered across the country. No brothers or sisters.”

  “What was the allure of booming Greenville, Ohio then?”

  She chuckled, and he imagined her doing the same thing during some lighthearted foreplay. His jockeys seemed to shrink and he fought the urge to adjust himself.

  “The head football coach position at Newtown. I’d been an assistant coach for a few years and thought I’d like the challenge of being in charge.” He was learning quickly that being the boss had both pros and cons. “I didn’t want to live in the same district I teach in, though. Makes it easier not to have to teach the neighbors’ kids.”

  “I completely understand.” The depth of her gaze intensified, those emerald green irises darkening as her pupils dilated. Whether her reaction was from arousal or something else, he didn’t much care. And he didn’t want to wait. Not that he didn’t enjoy getting to know Gigi, but being alone here with
her had the embers she’d flamed with that kiss at a full burn.

  Sean set his bottle on the table behind him and reached to grasp the back of her neck. He shifted forward and pulled her mouth toward his. She let him, meeting him halfway. He feasted on her lips, her tongue. God, she tasted good. At her moan of pleasure he wrapped his other arm around her lower back and pulled her completely against him, falling backwards on the couch so she lay on top of him. The mating of their mouths went on and on, wild and hot, their heads twisting one way and then another in an attempt to deepen the already consuming connection.

  The pillowy feel of her breasts flattened against his chest brought out primitive urges and a possessiveness he’d never experienced. He suppressed a feral growl and his hands slid down to squeeze the cheeks of her ass. Another of her moans vibrated through him and she ground her hips against his arousal.

  Jesus, I’ve got to slow this down before it’s all over. He’d never expected to find himself making love to Gigi, and he damned well wanted it to last. He put his hands under her arms and dragged her up his body until her breasts were level with his mouth. She straddled his belly as he took one distended nipple into his mouth, cloth and all. Although he’d only suspected, his tongue confirmed that she’d opted not to wear a bra under the two layers. She grabbed the armrest above his head for support.

  “Ohmigod, Sean.” Already she was rocking her pelvis against him as he tugged with his mouth. The aroma of her perfume had nestled in her cleavage and he inhaled deeply, wanting to imprint the scent, along with the moment, in his memory.

  He switched his attention to the other breast and began lifting her blouse and spaghetti-strapped top from the back. He paused long enough to whip them over her head. She pulled them over her hands and tossed the fabric on the floor while Sean’s mouth found her nipple again.