Down and Dirty by Christine Bell Page A

shoulder, letting his gaze travel the length of her before he walked out. “By the way, you might want to turn the heat up in here. You look cold.”

Chapter Four
    Cat glared down at her traitorous nipples, clearly visible against the teal cashmere. At that moment, she couldn’t determine whether it was the incidental contact or the earthy scent of his cologne that brought the memories rushing in, but damned if she didn’t have the sudden urge to drag him back into the kitchen and see if the countertops were as sturdy as they looked.
    But for him to call attention to it? What a bastard. And she was the one who needed to grow up?
    “The game’s starting,” Galen called from the living room.
    She straightened her shoulders, pasted a smile on her face, and scooped up a basket of chips and a bowl of dip. After a quick nipple check, she called back, “Coming!” and went to join them.
    It took a couple hours, but eventually, she was actually able to enjoy herself. For the first half of the game, she’d been on edge, waiting for Shane to slip up about their indiscretion or embarrass her somehow. But aside from his comment in the kitchen, he’d acted like everything was normal. Maybe he really was going to let her off the hook that easily.
    Once it was apparent he’d decided to behave, she settled in, allowing herself to relax and soak up the warmth of the crackling fire. That was nice. Galen never used to light it.
    She peered around the room and noted that, in the past few months since she’d moved in, Lacey had really lent the place a warm touch all over. Cat had seen it at points, in transition, but seeing it all come together was something else. The soothing earth-toned walls and honey-colored hardwood floors made the living room feel like the welcoming great room at a ski lodge, compared with the almost sterile feel of the white walls and serviceable furniture Galen had preferred. It was nice and inviting. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if her brother liked the new look or if this was another one of those compromises that people in relationships did for their partner.
    She was stretched out on the recliner in the corner, nursing her beer and contemplating that, when the smack talk got loud. This was the best part of football season, and she was as loud as the guys, name-calling and whooping it up. The Patriots were up by fourteen, and Galen had his sights set on Shane.
    “I can already taste the lunch you’re going to have to buy me tomorrow when the Pats log this win. But, man, don’t feel bad. There’s always next week. And Eli’s such a good quarterback. Did you know, he’s the third-most-famous quarterback…”
    “…in his family,” Cat deadpanned, as was expected of her. Her brother stuck his hand behind him from his perch on the beanbag chair in front of her for a low five, and she complied with a laugh.
    “Say what you want, but he’s a come-from-behind kind of guy,” Shane said, from his seat on the couch next to Lacey, eyes glued to the set. “Anything can happen.”
    “There you, go, Shane. That’s some team spirit,” Lacey said. She didn’t really care for football much, but she tended to join in on the jabber anyway, and always in support of the underdog. Another reason Cat loved her so much.
    “I don’t know. He’s doing a lot of scrambling in the pocket. Maybe your O-line should start thinking about waking up and buying him some time?” Galen piped in.
    Shane tipped his head and shrugged. “If a guy really knows what he’s doing, he doesn’t need a lot of time.” Was it her imagination, or had his voice gotten deeper? “He makes the most of the time he’s given.”
    Galen spouted off about benefits and detriments of a quick-fire quarterback, but Cat stayed silent, suspicious eyes on Shane. He took a pull from his beer, his gaze still locked on the TV, in spite of the commercial break. A long moment later, she finally decided that he was actually talking football and