Page 6 of Blocking Her Love

Ah shit. What did my expression expose while I was thinking about Sean? I need to be careful. I don’t know where the hell this sudden attraction came from but I can’t let it affect me, the team, or my coach-player relationship with him. Bring it in. Wrap it up. Put it away. Sean is my coach and a friend. Nothing more.

That determination lasts until we hit the dance floor. Even though at first the three of us dance together, eventually Mayamoves off and returns to our table. This allows me to admire Sean’s moves and his appearance.

I’d been speechless when he exited his room at the rental. Since we spend most of our time on the beach or in training, there haven’t been that many occasions for him to wear something other than baggy gym shorts. Tonight he’s wearing khaki slacks and a loose, button up, short sleeved shirt. Okay, it’s a wildly patterned Hawaiian shirt but he sure wears it well.

And I’ve never seen him seriously dance before. The man has some smooth moves that catch the eyes of many of the women there. I dance a little closer until our bodies are nearly brushing as we move. From deep in my mind a little voice is saying to those watching women, ‘back off, he’s mine’.

At a lull in the music we join Maya at the table. There’s something bothering her but she shakes off my questions. Finally she tells us she’s not feeling well and, insisting she’s fine and doesn’t need our help, heads back to the rental.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t go with her?” I ask Sean.

His expression shows concern then resignation. “Pretty sure. I’ll talk with her tomorrow. See if I can get her to open up about what’s bothering her. Until then… how about another dance?”

One dance turns into two and then more. We dance closer and closer until he wraps his arms around me on the crowded dance floor and our movements slow. Thankfully the next song is appropriate for this kind of dancing and he keeps me pressed against him as we sway to the music. I have one hand at the back of his neck, the other pressed over his heart. Even with the pulse of the music I feel it beating rapidly.

His head tilts forward and his breath stirs the hair around my ear. “Thank you for following your coach’s orders, Ellie.”

My eyes drift closed. Right now I’d follow his orders for just about anything. If I issued an order, I wonder if he’d… “Kiss me.”

His muscles jerk and afraid he’ll move away, I curl my fingers in the front of his shirt. “Ah, Ellie,” he whispers. “Not here.”

Not here? What does where we are have to do with anything? “Yes, Sean. Here.”

“You are a bossy woman.”

“When I know what I want.”

“What do you want?”

How obtuse can the man be? I’ve already said it. I’ll repeat it slowly, so he understands. “I. Want. You. To. Kiss. Me.”

At that moment the music ends. The crowded dance floor begins to empty. Jostled by the other dancers, I step back and sigh. The moment’s gone. I’m not sure how much of what I feel is disappointment, and how much is relief.

There’s only regret in Sean’s expression as he takes my hand and we exit the dance floor. Probably a good thing the song ended when it did. We don’t need complications, not this close to a competition. Not ever. I allowed the moment and what I imagined to color my demand. Kissing Sean would not be a good thing.

Although his kiss might make me feel really good.

Shoving the wishful thought as far away as I can, I decide the evening is over and turn toward Sean to tell him it’s time to go home.

“Ellie!” a shrill voice squeals. “What are you doing here?”

Oh god. I know that voice and the mess of a woman who comes with it. I certainly never expected one of my college teammates to show up here. After taking a deep breath I paste on a smile and turn. “Karol, I could ask the same about you.”

Karol crowds close to us, the liquid in her glass sloshing over her hand. Looks like she’s been here, or at some other bar long enough. “It’s so great to see you. Where’s Maya? I thought you two were inseparable.”

I’m not going down that road. She’d tried to spread a rumor that Maya and I were lovers in college. That got knocked down fast enough but I still don’t have a clue what she thought she was gaining with such low handed tactics. She was a good enough player with okay stats and plenty of playing time.

Sean answers in my silence. “She’s at home.”

“Oh that’s good,” Karol giggles. “I’m sure she can’t keep up with… the rest of us. You know?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sean says with cold distain. “We need to go now.”

Karol immediately clutches his arm and stands way too close to him. “Oh, don’t leave now, Sean. Now that I know you’re in town, maybe we can renew our acquaintance.” She walks her fingers up to his shoulder then taps his nose. “I’ve missed you.”

Sean rolls his eyes. “You’re drunk. Go home, Karol and sleep it off.”

“Aww, don’t be that way. Come with me. You can make sure I… make it to bed. I’ve always been more fun than that cold fish.” She indicates me with her glass, spilling whatever it is she’s drinking on me.

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