Page 13 of Then Came Love
“Once again, I’m not flirting. I’m just stating a fact.” He handed her the ball. “Come on, beautiful. Show me how you handle the ball.”
She rolled her eyes, but she was enjoying the banter, and she began dribbling.
“A’right. Looking good. You’ve got it.”
“That’s because I’m standing still. I can’t dribble and move, and I can’t shoot worth a darn.”
“I don’t believe that. Let’s see you take a shot.”
She turned toward the basket, feeling ridiculous as she aimed and threw the ball. It arced high and dropped several feet in front of the basket. “I told you I suck.”
“You definitely did not use that word.” Those dark eyes hit hers, full of desire. “But it’s good to know.”
Her cheeks flamed, and she looked for his father as Jax retrieved the ball, but the grill was closed. Clint must have gone inside. Jax carried the ball over, and she said, “You know I’m engaged.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that rock on your finger.”
“Then please stop stating facts like that.” It makes it hard to keep my own thoughts in line.
“As you wish.”
Wow, that was easy.“Thank you, and I told you I was horrible at sports.”
“You aren’t. We just need to make a few minor adjustments.”
“Like having someone else throw the ball?”
“I think you mean shoot the ball, and no. You’re going to do it.” He handed her the ball and moved behind her. His chest pressed against her back as he reached around, putting his hands on hers.
“What are you doing?”
“Showing you how to hold the ball. Focus, Lawler. Your hands are small, so you want to sort of cup the ball with this hand and guide it with this one…”
As he talked about finger positions, traction, and pushing with one hand while guiding with the other, she could barely concentrate past the feel of his warm, hard chest against her back and his enticingly masculine scent.
“They didn’t teach it like this in gym class.” And my gym teacher sure didn’t look like you.
He laughed. “That’s probably why your form needs help. The right partner makes all the difference.”
She looked over her shoulder at him, and the amusement in his eyes brought a smile.
“Stop checking me out and pay attention,” he teased.
“You’re too much.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
Stifling a laugh, she leaned back. “Jax.”
“Careful putting your body all over me like that.”
She futilely tried to glower over her shoulder, but she couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re impossible.”
“With a ring on your finger, you’re right. But without one…I’m very possible.”
Her jaw dropped.
“Focus, will you? Geez, you’re always flirting with me. Look at the ball.” He waited as she turned her head, his warm breath skimming over her neck. “When you take the shot, bend your knees a little, and then push off.”
He held her hips, pushing her down so her knees bent around his, and then they rose together. He was gentle, yet firm and in control, and it was such an intimate position, her mind tiptoed down a naughty lane and she got hot all over.
“Okay, Lawler, you’ve got this.”
He stepped back, and a rush of cooler air washed over her. Come back…
“Take your time, practice the move, and remember, the power comes from your shooting hand—the other is just guiding the ball.”
She was all revved up, and he expected her to get the ball in the net? She closed her eyes, trying to center her thoughts, but she could still feel his hands on her hips, his chest against her back. The heck with it. She opened her eyes and shot the ball. It flew in a straight line to the basket, hit the backboard, circled the rim twice, and dropped through the net.
She squealed and leapt into his arms, both of them laughing as he spun her around. When he stilled, their eyes collided with the heat of a thousand suns, turning their laughter into heavy breathing. Their lips were a whisper apart, their hearts thundering to the same frantic beat. In his arms, she felt on top of the world. The urge to kiss him was so strong, she could barely breathe. But she had to breathe. She had no business wanting to kiss him.
“Jax” fell apologetically, painfully, from her lips just as “Jordan” fell from his, mirroring her emotions as he set her on her feet.
The patio door opened, and his mother said, “Dinner’s ready.”
Coco bounded inside.
