Part 11 (2/2)

Shay shook her head. ”I think my trip to Boston was a one-time thing.”

She didn't realize Nate was standing behind her until he spoke. ”You got that right. That trip was before I knew about you and Janik being an item. You're benched now, Shannon. I can't risk you fraternizing with one of the star players in the hotel. He needs to be focused on the game.”

”Why don't you worry about your own job and stop hara.s.sing Shannon about hers, Dumas.”

All three of them jumped as Brody and Shane Devlin stood behind the trainer, both men with their game faces on.

”I'm not hara.s.sing her, Brody. I'm just doing my job as her supervisor to ensure she sticks to her a.s.signed duties. As far as I know, sleeping with the players isn't in an intern's job description.”

Shane Devlin's legendary reflexes weren't underrated. His arm was out and restraining Brody before Shay could bat an eye.

”If you want to leave this room with all your teeth in your head, Dumas,” the quarterback said, his tone brokering no argument, ”go find the rest of your staff to supervise. I'm pretty sure this is Shay's day off.”

Nate smirked at the two players. ”Unlike you players who only have yourselves to look after, I have a staff of twenty to supervise and to keep out of any hanky-panky. It's a lot harder than it looks. I don't tell you how to do your job, Devlin. Don't tell me how to do mine.”

Brody mumbled something profane as he took another step toward the trainer. Nate put his hands up. ”Save the testosterone for the field, fellas. I'm out.”

Shane didn't remove his forearm from Brody's chest until Nate was clear of the commissary.

”That p.r.i.c.k's really starting to p.i.s.s me off,” Brody said.

”Yeah, too bad he's the best trainer in the league or none of us would be able to put up with him.” Shane walked over and kissed his niece, Emma, on the top of her head.

”He's a t.u.r.d, Uncle Shane,” Emma giggled.

”I'll second that,” Brody said, oozing his wicked charm at the teenager. ”Emma, can I borrow your tutor a moment?”

Emma nodded, her face spellbound by the impact of Brody's smile.

The power of Brody's charm on people never ceased to amaze Shay. As they made their way out of earshot, she felt her own heart speed up. The Blaze dress code required that players travel in their Sunday best and Brody cut a fine picture dressed in a charcoal designer suit and silk tie. His blue dress s.h.i.+rt made his eyes more vibrant. If clothes made the man, Brody would be ruling the world in his current state of dress.

The charming grin faded as he turned to speak with her. His eyes were weary and Shay couldn't help but express concern. ”Brody, is everything okay? Your blood sugar isn't crazy again, is it?”

He shook his head. ”No, I'm just annoyed at that . . . t.u.r.d.” Laugh lines fanned out from his eyes and his mouth relaxed. ”At least he'll be with us, where he can't bully you.”

Relieved, Shay stepped closer so as not to be overheard. ”Don't worry about me. Just make sure you stick to the schedule, eating what I wrote down for you every couple of hours, and you'll be fine.”

The corners of his mouth turned up as his hands spanned her hips, pulling her closer. ”Just in case, you'd better keep your phone with you at all times.”

Shay studied the perfect Windsor knot of his tie, her fingers resting on the soft wool of his suit jacket. Their bodies had once again unconsciously ended up only inches apart. ”As long as you hold up your end of the bargain.”

He sighed. ”You'd just better hope it works, because I'm not doing this a second time.”

His fingertips slipped inside the waistband of her jeans and she released her own breathy sigh as he gently traced them along her skin.

Need coursed through Shay; the need to find the snitch so she could prove her innocence. Then she'd be able address her other pressing need, the one constantly pulling her into Brody's arms. She didn't want to consider her plan not working. Just as she didn't want to consider that Brody's attentiveness was just an act. It felt way too real, not to mention way too good.

”It has to work,” she whispered. Looking up, she studied his face, the desire she saw reflected there nearly made her weep with frustration. Her attention focused on a movement over Brody's shoulder as Nate made another pa.s.s through the commissary, obviously hoping to catch her alone. ”Maybe if we're lucky, Nate will be the snitch.”

Brody chuckled. ”That would be too easy. Besides, as irritating as his att.i.tude is, Devlin is right, he is the best in the business.”

”Well, he's back for round two.” Irritated, Shay tried to step out of Brody's arms, but he held her firm.

”Then we should give him what he expects,” he said before he captured her lips in a slow, searching kiss.

Shay didn't bother resisting. She'd been desperate for him to kiss her again since the other night. But this kiss wasn't like the hungry exchanges they'd had before. This time, Brody kissed her as if he had all the time in the world. Heat simmered through her as he slowly explored the inside of her mouth with his tongue. His palm seared the skin on her back where he held her to him.

The scent of his woodsy cologne teased her nostrils as she tugged on his lapels in an effort to s.h.i.+ft her body closer. She whimpered deep in her throat as the edge of his arousal nudged against her. Breaking the kiss, Brody gently caressed her cheek.

”Whoa there, Texas.”

Shay's chest hurt, her pulse was beating so erratically. Embarra.s.sment and frustration flooded her and her eyes couldn't seem to focus. She tried to break contact with his body, but his fingers dug into her back.

”Shh,” he whispered, sounding a lot like her father did years ago when he needed to gentle one of his horses. ”It's okay.”

Except it wasn't okay and Shay couldn't seem to quiet the maelstrom in her belly and everywhere else below her waistline. Brody put two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. She sucked in breath at his anguished expression.

”Aww, Shannon,” he groaned before wrapping his hand behind her neck and pulling her mouth in for another kiss.

This time he brought the heat. Pleasure shot through her as she molded her body to his, her fingers searching for skin beneath the soft cotton of his dress s.h.i.+rt. All recollection that they were standing in the corner of the Blaze commissary fled her mind until a female voice behind Brody sifted through her fog of pa.s.sion.

”Oh my.”

Brody swore as he broke the kiss. His hands steadying her shaking body, Shay stepped back to put some distance between them. With a ragged breath, she yanked down her sweater, trying in vain to hide the flush she was sure covered her entire body.

”Umm, Brody, you should probably come up for air. The buses are getting ready to go soon. You don't want to get fined.” The stylishly dressed woman standing beside Brody was having a difficult time suppressing a grin of amus.e.m.e.nt.

”s.h.i.+t.” Brody's voice sounded like Shay felt: wrung out. He turned to the woman and she gave him a smug smile. ”Shannon, this is your fairy G.o.dmother, Julianne Connelly, better known as JV Designs. Jules, this is Shannon.”

Julianne extended her hand, her amber eyes dancing.

”Everyone calls me Shay,” she managed to eke out as she shook Julianne's hand.

Julianne contemplated her a moment before nodding. ”Shay it is. And can I say that I am thrilled you and your sister are not identical twins. Dressing a trophy isn't much of a challenge. Did anyone ever tell you that you have the body of a cla.s.sic runway model?”

The only one who'd ever commented on her body had been her Meemaw and that was to tell her she looked like a gangly boy.

”We're going to have lots of fun with those legs of yours.” Julianne winked at Brody and he groaned.

”Just remember, Julianne, that you're on my team and not my mother's.”

Julianne linked her arm through Shay's. ”No, Brody. I'm on Shay's team.”

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