The Quarterback Sneak by Liz Matis

cleats
on the concrete floor, pleading with him to return to the lion’s
den. He kept walking. Middleton created the media circus; he could
darn well rein in the rabid reporters too. The sour smell of stale
beer hit his senses as he passed by the entrance to the stands.
Even though beer wasn’t his poison on choice, a craving for a drink
hit him hard.
    And it had nothing to with Hayden. She might
he harder on him than the press, but at least she’d stick to
football, even if it was to tell him he sucked. That he could
handle. Questions about his past left him ashamed. He’d yet to
forgive himself and he never would.
    He didn’t expect to find his fake fiancée
waiting with the wives and girlfriends. But there she was, chatting
with Hannah and Angel. Now there was a turn of events. He’d heard
first hand how nasty Hayden was to Angel last season. Now they were
laughing like best friends.
    She waved good-bye and walked over to him
with a big fake smile plastered across her face. It was a little
creepy. Running back and confronting the reporters seemed less
scary.
    “Hey, babe,” she said as she reached up to
pat his shoulder.
    “Hey,” he said cautiously. Where was the
Hayden that called him a loser? Who hated the use of the word,
hey?”
    They walked to his car. “It’s only the first
game of the season. You’ll get em’ next week.”
     
    “Yeah.” Confused, he slowed up as they
reached his Hummer.
    Hayden kept on to the passenger side. She
turned to face him. “And don’t get me started on the refs.”
    “Okay, did you have a brain hemorrhage or
something?”
    “What? I’m just trying to be a good
fiancée.”
    Suddenly, he didn’t care about the false
engagement. He pulled her into his arms. “Then, I guess I should be
a good fiancé and kiss you.”
    “Like, finally.”
    A soft mewing sound escaped her mouth as he
brushed his lips against hers. The desire to bring out the feline
side of her hit him hard. He wanted her to hiss with frustration
when he wouldn’t let her come, to roar with release when he did,
and then purr her satisfaction as she fell asleep in his arms.
    But they had an audience. He let her go and
nodded to the crowded parking garage. “We have spectators.”
    She looked oddly disappointed. “Good to
know.”
    Liam signed a couple of autographs for the
kids who asked, glad that anyone valued his signature after that
loss. A couple of Hayden’s fans asked for her autograph too. Once
the crowd dispersed, they both slid into his car.
    “Look Hayden, I appreciate the show of
support, especially in public.” He started the car and then turned
her, outstretching his right arm across the passenger seat. “But
you don’t have to boost my ego. When we’re alone, you can be real
with me.”
    “Oh, thank God.” She put his face between
her hands. “Because you totally sucked today.” Then she planted a
big kiss on his lips.
    The kiss she unleashed softened the blow of
her words, but hardened him elsewhere.
    He groaned when she climbed over the console
to straddle his thighs. Grabbing her luscious ass, he pressed her
against his erection. She rocked her body along his throbbing cock
and tightened her thighs against his. The bruising pain from the
beating of the defense and the humiliation of defeat faded until
only one part of him ached.
    She broke away, panting for breath. Her blue
eyes darkened with lust. “You can score with me, Liam,” she
whispered.
    “You’re killing me, Hayden.”
    “That’s the idea,” she said her voice soft.
He held her gaze as she sucked his thumb into her mouth.
    To hell with his stupid vow of celibacy. She
wanted him and he wanted her. Now . Losing himself in her
would numb today’s loss. She’d ease his need for a drink…
    Then she pushed back her hair and he caught
sight of her engagement ring—the diamond that had sanctified a
marriage that had lasted sixty years.
    No woman had ever tempted him like Hayden.
Not even close. But he didn’t