Page 87 of Player
I cross the ground floor before freezing at the entrance to the room. My heart starts pounding wildly against my ribs.
I shake my head. He can't be here...
His dark gaze finds mine, and the air crackles between us. This connection that has linked us since we met flares up again, and I feel like it's actually gained in intensity.
"Hello, Dixie."
His warm, deep voice rolls over my skin, making me shiver. He stays on the other side of the room, waiting for a reaction from me that's slow in coming.
"What are you doing here, Player?"
My voice is harsh. He keeps his fists buried in the pockets of his jeans. He's wearing a leather jacket over a black t-shirt, and he looks downright hot.
I could slap myself for thinking that! For fuck’s sake, this guy fought with my brother.
"My suspension is over. I'm back at OMU," he informs me.
I cross my arms over my chest. "Good for you."
Silence falls between us. The least we can say is that communication isn't our strong suit, at least not the kind that requires words. Our bodies, though, know exactly how to get along.
"And you needed to come all the way to Alabama to tell me that?"
He raises an eyebrow and his lips curve into a sexy smile before he answers, "After hearing so much about this place, I wanted to visit it."
"You do know classes start again on Monday? That doesn't leave much time for sightseeing."
Player tilts his head to the side without taking his eyes off me. I wish I could read his thoughts, because right now, I don't understand what he's doing in my parents' house.
"I came to apologize, Dixie."
He could have announced he was giving up women for the rest of his life and it would have shocked me just as much. I'm left speechless, but I pull myself together, and mockingly reply, "You? The great Player, ladies' man, world-class jerk, you're coming to ask for forgiveness?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
I shift my weight from one foot to the other.
"You're not exactly a model of virtue, Player."
The tip of his tongue moistens his lips, and I can't help feeling desire for him. At this moment, he's drop-dead gorgeous. My stomach reacts, but I ignore this inappropriate response. He moves toward me, and I resist the urge to back away. When his cologne envelops me, I'm forced to lower my eyes so as not to betray the desire within me.
His voice is warm when he speaks to me. "I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I hurt you, and not just physically."
His fingers trace over my cheekbone which is almost healed, the remaining bruise hidden by some foundation.
With a motion of his index finger, he makes me lift my head before he gazes into my eyes.
"I never should have gone so far with you," he continues. "I didn't take you seriously when you told me you were a virgin." His voice catches in his throat, mine is so tight that I'm unable to swallow. His gaze passes over my lips before he looks away. "There's something different about you, and I couldn't resist the temptation. But I'm unforgivable because I knew better than you."
I let out a small ironic laugh. "Maybe when it comes to sex, but for everything else, you were just as clueless as I was."
My heart beats strongly, and I feel my cheeks heating up. For once, I'm the one showing a bit of arrogance.
"You've never loved a woman, Player." He remains stone-faced, but I know I'm right, so I continue, "So yes, sexually, you knew exactly what you were doing, but for the rest... you got caught off guard. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me you had already formed an emotional bond with a woman before me."
His gaze searches mine before he responds, "It doesn't matter what I feel or don't feel. I'm here to apologize, and now that I've done that, I'm going to leave. I'm sure your boyfriend iswaiting for you at the table, and I don't want to fight with him again."
He moves around me and takes a few steps toward the exit. By the time I decipher his words, he's reached the door.
