“Naked, rolling in Jell-O?” he asked mildly, referring back to his conversation with Sawyer.
“Yeah, about that.” She smiled slightly, then dragged her spoon through the chili. “Thanks for standing up for me with Sawyer. I think he struggles with this whole concept. You know, a female not sitting down and shutting up when he gives them a dirty look or two. I’m off script, and it scares him.”
“Maybe if it scares Sawyer, it should scare you too,” he said quietly.
Kat absorbed that for a moment while she tasted the chili for the first time. He watched as her eyes closed after the first warm sip, and she relaxed. It was physically evident in every inch of her body. Her shoulders dropped, her eyelids lowered, her mouth lost the tight, aggravated, pinched look. Everything in her made the slide from tethered anger to simple relaxation.
“It’s good,” she said after a minute. “Good chili.”
She likes my chili. Michael smiled into his bowl and took another bite.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Kat debated asking Michael to take her to work out again but decided to make use of the equipment downstairs in the main fitness area. It was definitely more comprehensive than some apartment workout rooms she’d seen in the past, but not nearly enough for her. But for a day between harder workouts, it would do. What she really needed was a court. Her rackets in her hand, a full cart of balls at the ready, and an entire hour to serve at cones or just to hit the shit out of the ball and watch the fuzz fly.
That, she was pretty sure, Michael could not deliver. But it did remind her she needed to e-mail Peter and get his advice on finding a temporary coach in the area.
On her way back up to her apartment from the second-floor workout room, she got a text from Michael.
Where are you, and why do you never answer me when I knock on your door?
She smiled, then sent him a selfie from the elevator.
He responded ten seconds later.
My door is unlocked.
Bossy. But she could handle that. Instead of passing his door to head to hers, she knocked once on his and pushed it cautiously open. “You rang, Manny?”
“Stop calling me that.” He walked out from the kitchen area carrying a bottle of water. She froze, looking at him, unsure what to do with this new information.
He was dressed in a sweater that was formfitting but not tight and matched his hazel eyes, dark jeans and simple brown shoes. The white edges of a collared button-down shirt peeked out at the wrists and collar. His hair was combed but not gelled or anything fussy.
He looked amazing. And completely different from any other way she’d seen him.
That must be why it was throwing her for a loop. It was unexpected.
“Going to the prom?” she asked, leaning on her crutch of sarcasm to get her over the hump.
Don’t think about humping. Not when he looks lickable.
He narrowed his eyes in question, then looked down at his outfit. “No, I’ve got a charity thing to go to.” He popped the cap off the water and took a swig. And gave her a fantastic view of his freshly-shaved throat. God, that was sexy, in a really weird sort of way. She still liked the scruff, but that… was pretty delicious.
“Don’t you guys always wear your uniform or something to events? Staying true to the team brand or whatever?”
“I misspoke. It’s a planning meeting for an event, not the event itself. Come with me.”
She blinked. “Beg pardon?”
“I see you already worked out. I had practice early this morning, so I’m done. All I have is this meeting. Come with me.”
“I… I’ll get in the way,” she started to protest, but he shook his head.
“No, you won’t. Go change and come with me. If you’re good,” he added with a wicked grin, “I’ll show you around town a little. I know you’re bored. I would be too.”
The offer was a generous one. She debated for a few seconds, then said, “Can you spare twenty? I want to rinse off.”
He checked his watch, then nodded. “Twenty. Hustle.”
She did, and was knocking on his door again after nineteen. Luckily, she hadn’t had to wash her hair, which saved time. When he walked out, pocketing his cell phone and keys, she gestured down. “Am I okay?”
“It’s just a meeting, but yeah.” He hadn’t even looked. She grabbed his arm, waited until he turned and actually looked. And felt a feminine thrill of satisfaction as he looked a little longer than strictly necessary at the dark slacks that she knew made her butt look good, white blouse and heels. The heels gave her an added few inches so she was nearly eye level with him.
Okay fine, she was still a few inches off eye level. But closer anyway.
“Yeah, you look fine,” he finally said, but his voice was suspiciously raspy, like he’d choked it out.
She walked beside him to the elevator, waiting.
“I think I need a car.”