Page 21 of Cocky Player

And she was a liar.Her phone had been out here the whole time.

“You know,” I started, pausing until my anger wouldn’t come through in my tone.“Sometimes, men do actually like to be gentlemen when the night is over.Sometimes not, but lying is a sure way to start off on the wrong foot.”

I gave myself quick applause for the playful but strained tone, and yet this time, Brenna’s blush was fierce.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…this is all, well, new.As you know.”Her shrug was adorable as adorable could be.

“I know.But I did enjoy it.”It fucking blew my mind and my body was still warm.Shehad blown my mind, her willingness, excitement, her nerves mixed with fortitude and the sounds she made when she came.

Goddamn it.What in the hell had I gotten myself into?

“And I’m looking for a repeat.Hand me your phone.”I held out my hand and waited while she decided.If she didn’t want my number, it’d be over.I’d have a beer or six and forget about how this girl, this innocent angelic creature, rocked me off my heels quicker than an opponent’s safety.

She nibbled her bottom lip and pulled her phone back out of her purse.“I really liked what we did, too, you know.”

“I’m pretty sure my neighbors know it as well,” I teased.She laughed then and it was that mixture of sweet and sultry, making my dick take notice.Yeah.It was probably best she was leaving.I sent myself a text so I had her number and programmed my name along with my number and handed it back to her.

“Text or call when you’re ready to learn more.”

Ten minutes later, she was in a Lyft, I was back inside, drinking a beer, not getting a single hour of decent sleep because the scent of her definitely lingered along with the memories and images of Brenna’s body.

Nine

Brenna

“Brenna.”

I jerked away from the blurry computer screen in front of me to find Shelly, newly promoted manager of the public relations department and my new boss, eyeing me warily.From the widened eyes and arched blonde brows peaked into points on her forehead, I assumed it wasn’t the first time she called my name.

“Yes, Shelly.Sorry.”I dipped my gaze down to the computer screen, only to see my screensaver with the Rough Riders Logo bouncing across the screen.“I was…um…”

“Daydreaming,” she supplied and her lips pressed together like she was fighting a smile.

There was no point in denying.It was Friday, days since I’d been touched by Connor and he was still the first thing I thought of in the morning, the last thing I thought of at night, and invaded all the moments in between.

My cell phone had become my most hated possession.Obsessively checking to see if he texted me.Equally obsessively opening it while debating texting him.Yet other than my sisters and family and Gina, there were no other texts.

“I’m sorry, so so sorry.”I pressed my hands to my desk and stood.My dad might have given me this job, one I was barely qualified for, but I was determined to do well at it.I had plans to move up, and move on.I’d taken this entry-level position as my father’s only way to keep me close and protected, but I wanted to do such a good job that I could easily find employment someday of my own merits.

“It’s okay,” she said and pressed her palm to the high wall of my desk separating us.“It’s Friday afternoon.A little bit of daydreaming is to be expected and you’ve had a long week.”

It wasn’t so much the weekend I was thinking of, but her upcoming appointment.

Connor Quinten was scheduled to be in any moment.And how was I supposed to react to him?Blasé wasn’t in my repertoire, or at least it hadn’t been before.Between the memories and the uncertainty of how to respond to him, my mind was a jumbled mess.How in the world was I supposed to hide the longing and desperate need formoreI would surely feel when I saw him?

“Of course, Friday.Any plans?”

“My youngest has a football game tomorrow but other than that, just the usual.”

“That sounds lovely.”Her three boys were adorable.Her husband brought them in earlier in the week for lunch on his day off from a tech company.“Joey plays tackle?”

“Like a pro,” she bragged with a gleam in her eyes that showed how proud she was of her kids.

“Well, I wish them all the luck.Was there something you needed from me?For your appointment with Mr.Quinten?”

She laughed softly, shaking her head.“You’ll have to begin addressing these men as your equals, Brenna.Most of them come to us, groveling and needing assistance when they’ve done something stupid.”

I didn’t know what Connor’s appointment with her was about.What had he done that he needed to meet her?

---