Hart of the Matter (A Love of the Game Novella) by Shayne McClendon

didn’t let her go.  “You never dance slow songs with me, Hart.”
    “I’m dancing this one with you, Bailey.  Stay with me.” 
    Licking her lips, she nodded and relaxed in his arms.  The only word that entered his mind was victory and he laughed at his years of stupidity running from this woman.
    Who in the fuck would run from her?
    They danced.  Slow songs and fast ones that gave them the opportunity to explore each other’s bodies.  The chance wasn’t wasted. 
    His hands roamed the soft skin, firm curves, and top of the taut ass he remembered well from the one night he’d allowed himself to touch her almost a decade ago.
    For two hours, Hart danced with Bailey until he couldn’t think straight anymore.  His entire brain was focused on his need for her.  He was so hard it bordered on pain. 
    They were covered in a sheen of sweat and rapid breaths panted between her pillowy lips.  Bailey was five-six.  In her heels, she was about five-ten.  At six-five, Hart was still several inches taller, so when she pulled him down to whisper in his ear, his large hands flowed easily to grip her ass. 
    The joy caused from the feel of her firm cheeks under his palms was exceeded only by her words.
    “I don’t care what happens tomorrow but you will fuck me tonight, Hart.  You’re not going to work me up and leave me aching for you again or I will never forgive you.”  Then she turned her face and kissed him. 
    Hart had to lock his legs to keep from dropping. 
    Bailey’s tongue licked lightly over the crease of his lips and he opened for her, his hands tightening on her ass in reflex.  Her hand on the back of his head held him to her, as if she worried he’d try to pull away. 
    Something he’d done so many times before.
    Another slow song started and they swayed while they kissed, her hips twisting lightly under his hands to the beat.  They tasted of oranges and tequila, flavors that would forever remind Hart of this moment, the first time he kissed Bailey and meant it with everything inside himself. 
    The inside of her mouth was hot silk and her full lips moved sensually over his own until he wanted to take her right where they stood.  When she sucked his tongue to the rhythm of the music, Hart felt it all the way to his cock. 
    Lifting away, he slid his palm along the back of her neck and stared into the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen.  She looked wary, as if any moment, he’d put on the brakes. 
    He’d done that to her.  
    Wanted and teased her, ultimately rejecting her like a coward instead of being the man she needed.  The man she deserved.  The man she loved .
    How many years he’d wasted.  How much pain he’d caused. 
    “I won’t hurt you again, Bailey.”
    She didn’t say anything so he kissed her again, taking full control, devouring her mouth as she ground her hips against him. 
    Bailey was meant to be his.  He didn’t know why he ignored that message for so long.  Every cell in his body was tuned to her as it had always been and he finally listened. 
    To his mind, his body, and his heart. 
    He led her from the dance floor and out of the club.  They held hands as they returned to the restaurant where they’d left Hart’s SUV.  It was shocking how good such innocent contact felt. 
    Holding out her palm, he placed the keys in it and opened her door.  She climbed in and he enjoyed the glimpse of her smooth thighs while she adjusted the seat with a sigh. 
    “I have to move the seat forward like a foot.”
    “You’re short, Bailey.”  He dropped a light kiss on her lips, closed her door, and went around to the passenger side.  She stared through the windshield for a long moment. 
    “Are you sure, Hart?”  She was giving him an escape route… again .
     

Chapter Eleven
     
    Tugging her lip between her teeth, Bailey nodded and put the truck in gear. 
    They were a block from the restaurant when Hart started touching her.  He leaned over the console,