Page 54 of Playing for Possession
“Passionate?”
“Reckless.” At least Ramirez hadn’t been around. We’d probably woken up the cows in the fields. I swallowed and lifted my gaze to meet his. “I’m sorry if I was... loud.”
“You never need to apologize for that.”
My body felt achy and exhausted. “I’m tired. I’d like to go to bed.”
His brooding gaze roved over me. “Can I tuck you in?”
“I can manage. Thanks.”
I got to the end of the landing before he spoke again in an uncertain voice. “Joanie, did I do something wrong?”
“You did nothing wrong. I promise. This just isn’t normal for me. I’ve hardly left my house for nine months.”
He ate up the landing with his long strides and planted himself in front of me. “I get it.” He tilted my face to his with a finger under my chin. “Listen, I know you have this opinion about me, but I’m going to prove you wrong. My life revolves around training. I’m not a player like some of these guys on the team. This feels fast and spontaneous for me too, but”—he cupped my face gently in his hands—“I really like you. Please know that this isn’t normal for me either. I never like anyone.”
I couldn’t help my laugh at his stoic expression. “You never like anyone?”
“People are overrated. But I like you. You’re the exception.”
And I liked him, but this was happening fast. Maybe having sex for the first time was more of a thing than I wanted to admit. A wave of homesickness went through me. I wanted to sleep in my own bed tonight. I wanted to sit on Dad’s couch with Ollieand watchFriendsand listen to him tell me one of his crazy stories from his tour.
Dad always used to say,Never make big decisions at night. Mortimer Fox wasn’t exactly famed for his brilliant advice, but that one rang true. Tiredness fogged my brain. I needed to sleep.
I squeezed Kieran’s hand. “Can we talk in the morning?”
He pressed his lips together. “Is that what you want? You’re sure? Because I can listen now.” He held his hands up in mock surrender. “No funny business. I’ll make tea. I need to know that you’re OK.”
“I’m OK. Honestly.”
He kissed the back of my hand, and his eyes locked with mine. “I’m across the landing if you need me.”
Chapter 25
Kieran
I sat in the tiny courtyard outside the villa eating a buttery flaky pastry that I’d never allow to pass my lips during the season. It was too early to be awake, but I couldn’t keep trying to fall back to sleep. Joanie had run away and locked herself in the bathroom after what had happened on the balcony. In general, running away after sex wasn’t a good sign.
I pushed the plate with the pastry away across the table. I had no appetite at the thought that I’d somehow messed this thing up with Joanie before it had even begun.
“Hi.”
I turned to see Joanie standing in the doorway, looking sweet and wholesome in pink striped pajamas. Her hair fell wild and tousled from sleep.
“Hi,” I said. I pulled out the wooden chair next to me. “How did you sleep?”
She dropped into the chair next to me. “Good, thanks.” She gazed up at the muted mauve and vibrant pink streaks in the sky. “Wow. These colors.”
We needed to talk about last night, but I wouldn’t rush her. I’d let her bring it up. I pushed a pastry across the table toward her.
“Menorca is famous for its sunrises. It’s the first part of Spain that the sun touches each morning,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. Her voice was teasing. “Look at you and your facts.”
“I’ve got more.” I’d been reading the guidebook looking for fun places to take her today. “It’s also famous for mayonnaise. That’s not quite as exciting.”
“I suppose it depends how much you like mayonnaise.”
