Page 12 of Wild Card

Relief swept through me.

“Okay, I’m going to let you take off the blindfold once I step out of the room. E should be here any minute, okay? If there’s any issue whatsoever, there’s a panic button on the wall.” He turned my body and stretched out my hand until it was covering a dime-sized button.

So fucking strange.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“Have fun tonight,” he said teasingly before opening and shutting the door.

I pulled the blindfold free and began gathering as much information as I could. I stood in what looked like a bedroom. There was a queen-sized bed covered by a dark blue comforter, and the shade over the window matched. There was a side table with a lamp, textbooks, and what looked like a phone charger base.

I spun, taking in the posters, the chair with a few stains on it, and the small mini fridge. Definitely a team member’s bedroom.

I fidgeted with the blindfold, unsure what to do. I wasn’t planning on actually sleeping with this guy tonight, but I hadn’t considered how exactly I was going to get out of here without doing the deed.

I didn’t have time to contemplate any further as the silver handle turned and the door began to swing open.

Chapter Six

My eyes were gluedto the door as light from the hall leaked into the room. My heart thumped painfully in my chest as my rash decisions began to catch up with me in one rapid motion.

What in the fuck am I doing?

A broad shoulder shuffled through the entrance, followed by a head of dark hair. He was tall, lean muscle that was trim and corded, easily seen under his tee. Narrow hips flared into long, strong legs covered in dark denim that was stuffed into dark brown boots. They gaped like he hadn’t had time to tie them—that or he just hadn’t taken the time to.

A pair of mossy eyes landed on me. They froze, forcing his entire frame to go rigid, as if the sight of me had literally stopped him in his tracks. My stomach swirled with butterflies as I watched him shut and lock the door. His gaze heated as it moved down my frame, slowly taking in the sight of me. I tried to calm my breathing, but whoever I had assumed would show up tonight, it wasn’t anything compared to the man who stood in front of me. There was a rawness about him, a piece of stone that was probably perfect and wonderful on the inside, but his outside was rough and unwelcoming. An invisible piece of corded rope strung taut between us, growing tighter with every second he stood and watched me in silence.

Suddenly, he blinked, which seemed to snap the bond between us. He moved with prowess and a fierceness that made me want to back up a step, but the way his eyes devoured my curves and cleavage told me if I hit the bed, this was all over. He’d fuck me, and I’d be that girl who literally gave her body up for a story.

I stood my ground as he edged closer, my breaths moving in and out of me in tiny bursts.

Oh my god.I was going to hyperventilate.Are my armpits sweating more than normal? God, this whole thing was a horrible idea.

His heavy-lidded eyes dropped to the silk bandana I still stupidly held between my fingers while a tic feathered his jaw. It felt like he was imagining what he’d do with it if he had enough time.

I gulped air, my throat as brittle and dry as a scouring pad.

“Taylor, right?” he asked in a silky, smooth tone.

My brain froze.Shit.Of course, right. Yes. I was Taylor tonight.

“Yep, that’s me, but I’m not sure who you are…” My voice came out breathy and flirty, which was good. Definitely good, but my tongue darting out to wet my lips was absolutely unintentional.

His eyes tracked the movement, those mossy green orbs glossing over.

He cleared his throat, nearly shaking his head as he replied. “I’m Elias. You can call me E if you want.”

There was something about him…he didn’t feel like an Elias, but what did I know? I hadn’t watched a single baseball game my entire college career. I was so far removed from the sports scene that I honestly didn’t even know the team had an official name. I had just assumed it was called RFU Baseball, but I was here for this exact reason: to gather information.

Leaning forward just a bit, I lightly said, “Okay…um, so what position do you play on the team?”

This would help. If I knew what position he played, I could start tugging away, question by question until I had more info on these games.

He clicked his tongue, stalking closer. “Isn’t that something you should already know? I mean, you were chosen to be here, and you don’t even know what positions we play?”

Shit.

Yes, a girl who was likely to be a superfan would absolutely know those things. I felt my face heat as the feeling of failure crawled up my neck.

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