Page 21 of Strong Side
While he’s gone, I take a good look at myself in the mirror. I wonder what he sees when he looks at me. I feel like I’m fairly … common. I’m not short, but not tall either. But next to Casey and his six-feet-two size, I look much shorter. I have long brown hair. I have hazel eyes and long eyelashes. I never have to wear mascara because of it, which I love. And I’m not exactly the girl who dresses up to go out or go hang out with friends. I dress mostly like I do now. Comfortable. I have leggings and a cropped long-sleeved T-shirt that hangs off the shoulder a little. Not much fills out my sports bra, but that’s okay with me.
Casey walks back in a few minutes later with two washcloths and two sparkling waters in hand. “There were exactly two left!And Charlie saved me from having to knock on their door since she wasn’t answering my text.”
I watch him in the mirror as he stands behind me, then reaches around to place the cans and the washcloths on the counter. He’s got to be the handsomest guy I’ve ever seen. And, yes, I’ve known this all along. My best friend isveryattractive. Yet, from the day we formed our bond, that moment when I realized the friendship was stronger than any other feelings that existed, that attraction became a moot point.
“Is your phone still in your pocket?” he asks, looking over my shoulder.
I nod.
“Take it out. I have an idea, but I have to know if you trust me first. Do you trust me?” He’s not smiling, but there’s a heated look in his eye.
“You know I trust you.” I pull out my phone and lift it up for him to grab, but he doesn’t.
Instead, he reaches behind his neck and pulls his shirt off. Defined arms and abs for days. He tosses it on the counter between the two sinks. He leans in closer, and I can feel the heat coming off his body.
“Lift your phone and take a pic of us in the mirror when I say. And at any time, if you’re uncomfortable, tell me, and I’ll stop.”
“Okay,” I breathe, my body tingling with an odd sense of anticipation.
He wraps one arm around my waist, his skin on mine. Then he brings his other arm across my chest, but above my breasts. When I look at his face in the mirror, he’s watching me back. He’s so close that I can feel his heated skin against my back and his light breath tickling my ear.
The longer we stare, the faster my heart beats. There’s no way he doesn’t notice.
With his eyes locked on mine, his hand on my chest starts to slide lower. “You good?”
I literally couldn’t speak right now if I tried, so I just give a slight nod.
When my eyes start to move to watch his hand, he whispers in my ear, “Eyes on me, pretty girl.”
My gaze snaps back to his, and when I feel his hand cup my breast, I take a deep breath in. It might sound lame, but this is probably the sexiest moment I’ve ever had.
He lifts his brow in question, and when I give him a soft smile, he says, “Now.”
I tap the button on my phone once, twice.
He lifts his head from behind my ear, but his hands take their time drifting across my skin. I nearly grab his hand and put it back on my breast, but I don’t. Because watching his hands move across my body feels just as good. He places a kiss on the back of my head and steps back, dropping his hands to his sides.
He clears his throat. “Should we put on the masks?”
Before he moves from behind me, I see him adjust himself in the mirror. Maybe he’s just as affected as I am.
I look at my own face in the mirror, and I look like a puppet. My mouth is practically hanging open.
I close my eyes and shake my head to bring me back to task. “The masks. Right. Yes.”
He doesn’t laugh at my awkwardness. He turns his head from the mirror and looks at me, so I follow. When our eyes meet, he gives me a soft smile. When I return it, his smile widens, and he taps the counter.
“Okay then. Let’s do this.”
But I’m not sure if he’s talking about the masks or us. Either way, I’m ready for it.
CHAPTER
NINE
CASEY
We have a home game today.It’s the first time slot of the day, and we’re on national TV. All of our games our televised, but ours is the game of the week. And with us being the reigning national champions, there’s a certain amount of pressure that goes along with the expectation to have another great season.
