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

will fight dirty to get it.  I make no apologies for who I am.”
    “You shouldn’t.  I like the person you are.”  It was the truth.
    “Thanks.  You know, Lexie is the only child who has ever liked me, which is still shocking, and she has me wrapped around her finger.  Other than that, I have few weaknesses and the ones I do have frustrate me to no end.”
    “I’m dying to know your weaknesses, Bailey.” 
    She turned down the road that led to his house and quipped, “Upper body strength…”  
    “Seriously, tell me.”  His voice was serious but so familiar.
    Sighing softly, she told him, “Late night charity commercials kill me.  I see pictures of starving kids and give them what I make in a week.  Which has put me on the list of every charity in the world.  It got so bad at one point that I had to ban myself from television.”
    Hart laughed.  “That old guy in that little hovel of a village gets me, too.  Jesus, it is brutal .  My accountant was floored when I gave him my receipts last year.”  Bailey grinned.  “What else?  There has to be more than little Powwow in Eastern Timbuktu that gets to you.”
    “Ice cream, I fucking love it.  I could eat it for dinner and I have.  Of course, I punish myself the next day but at the time, it is so worth it.”  She moaned and Hart kissed her shoulder.
    “Any others…?” he asked her.
    “Not many.  We’re here alive, woot woot.” 
    She put the truck in park and handed him the keys.  He took them, got out, and came around to open her door while she grabbed her phone and wallet from his console. 
    Swinging her legs around, he lifted her off the seat.  Bailey thought he’d set her down and when he didn’t, she wrapped her legs around his waist. 
    With a big smile, he shut the truck door and carried her up the front steps.  Inside, he locked up, armed the security system, and carried her in the direction of his bedroom. 
    “I need to shower, Hart.”  He snorted and she quirked her brow.  “I’m dead serious.”
    “Hmm…you are girly, aren’t you?”
    “Hell yes!  I just danced for hours.  I’m gross.”
    “Bailey, you could never be gross.  Okay, but I’m joining you.”  With that, he walked into the bedroom that was considered hers for her visits.  “I know you need your stuff .”
    In the connected bathroom, Hart leaned into the large shower stall and turned on the water.  Setting her on her feet, he dropped to one knee and took off her heels.  Kissing her thigh, he stood up and smiled at how much shorter she was. 
    “You are so itty bitty feminine, Bailey.” 
    She stuck out her tongue and pulled her tank top over her head.  That wiped the smile right off his face.  Tossing it to the bathroom counter, she unzipped her skirt and tossed it as well.  Pulling the clips from her hair, it fell forward over her shoulders.  Wearing a gold lace bra and matching panty, she was positively stunning. 
    * * *
    When she removed them, Hart stopped breathing.  Hands on her hips, wearing nothing but a delicate gold anklet, she stared at him.
    Her skin was like honey all over.  Other than the luxurious fall of dark chocolate locks that fell to her mid-back, there was not a hair on her body.  Full breasts with pebbled dark pink nipples, flared hips, firm but not cut, and curvy in all the right places. 
    “Would you like me to turn?”  Bailey gave him a sarcastic half-smile.
    “Oh lord, would you?”
    She snickered and turned in a circle for him.  Bailey’s ass was a firm little bubble leading to tight thighs and calves.  His hands itched to explore every inch of her. 
    As she turned to face him again, she tried to hide the fact that she was a little self-conscious.  He saw it anyway because he’d spent a lifetime watching this woman.
    “I’m getting in.  It takes forever to wash my hair.  Join me whenever, Hart.” 
    With that, she walked past him and paused for a kiss.  He slid his hand along her neck