Page 32 of Make the Play

Her smile is blinding. “I got it, Knox! I got the job!” She yells so loud that I’m pretty sure Landry heard her at his place fifteen minutes away.

“Hell yes, you did. There was never a doubt in my mind.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She rushes to say it and then shocks us both when she presses a kiss on my lips.

It’s a quick peck. Any other woman and I’d think nothing of it, but this isn’t just any woman. This is Corie, the one woman who is always there, lingering in the back of my mind, at least the last couple of months.

“Sorry,” she says sheepishly.

I don’t say anything because I can’t. My cock is hard because Corie is in my arms, and she kissed me. Her soft lips collided with mine, and accidental or not, I can’t forget that it happened.

Turning around, I leave my bag where I dropped it to catch her and walk to my truck. I take her to the driver’s side, which is hidden by the concrete wall that surrounds the parking lot. Gently, I lean her back against the door of my truck and eliminate any space lingering between us. With her back against the truck, I have better leverage to move one hand to grip her ass, holding her up while the other tucks her hair that the wind has blown out of her eyes and behind her ear.

I stare into those beautiful green eyes as the sparks ignite between us, which they always do. “I’m proud of you,” I tell her. My voice is soft because I want to kiss her again. But I know I shouldn’t.

I can’t kiss her.

Right?

“I got caught up in the moment.”

My thumb traces her pulse at the base of her neck. “I liked that moment,” I tell her. It sounds lame now that the words are out of my mouth, but there’s no taking them back. Besides, it’s the truth. I did enjoy that moment with her.

“I got the job,” she says, her voice hushed. “I don’t know how to thank you.” Tears shimmer in her eyes. “I was stressed out, Knox. I was convinced I would have to look outside of Nashville and move again, and I didn’t want to do that. I don’t want to leave my brother. He’s all I’ve got.”

You’ve got me.

I can’t voice my thoughts. “This is all you, Corie girl. You made this happen. Landry y told you about the job I. I might have gotten your foot in the door, but I know Sally, and she wouldn’t hire you unless you’re the right person for the job.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, shit.” She pushes at my chest, and I have no choice but to step back and release my hold on her, helping her steady her feet on the asphalt below us. I instantly miss her body being wrapped around me.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re at work, Knox. I work here now. We can’t be seen doing… that.” She points behind her at my truck.

“What were we doing?” Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink, and I can’t help but wonder if that color spreads to other parts of her sexy body.

“You were holding me… intimately,” she adds softly.

“We were celebrating.”

“I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. I latched on to you like a spider monkey, and then I kissed you. Oh, my God.” She covers her face with her hands. “Can we just rewind and forget any of that happened?”

I don’t say anything as I watch her. When she finally moves her fingers so that she can peek through, she finds me watching her. I smile and hold out my hand. She stares at it for several seconds before finally dropping her hands from her face and placing one of hers in mine.

“We did nothing wrong, Corie. There is nothing to worry about. Besides, only Rampage personnel are allowed in this lot, and the barriers are here to keep out onlookers.” I nod to the concrete barrier I’m parked next to.

“I don’t want to do anything to mess this up.”

“You won’t.” My tone is firm and resolute as I will her to believe me.

She nods, but I can still tell she’s not convinced. “Landry invited us all over for dinner,” I tell her. “Call Sloane. Tell her to come, too. We’ll celebrate.”

A sexy little smile tilts her lips. “Yeah?”

I nod, sliding my hand that’s not holding hers into the pockets of my sweats. It’s the only way I can keep myself from pulling her back into my arms. My cock is still half hard, and I’m hoping she doesn’t notice, but if she does, oh, well. That’s the effect she has on me. “Your brother mentioned something about chicken on the grill.”

“You know that was just for your benefit, right? He’s totally tossing on some steaks, too.”

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