Play Date (Play Makers Book 3) (23 page)

He grinned. Apparently she wasn’t actually crazy. Just crazy in love.

He could get behind that, couldn’t he? Crazy in love was his favorite goal in life.

He took her into his arms and kissed her in apology. “So we’re right back where we started?”

“Except
I’m
wet. And
you’re
hard. That’s progress, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, leading her to the bed, even though his mind assured him bluntly,
It’s only progress if you’re as crazy as she is.

And maybe he was. But that didn’t mean he was ready to go over a cliff with her.

Did it?

• • •

Rachel expected Bannerman to argue about the condom, but he accepted his punishment cheerfully, and they had a great time after that. Still, exhaustion crept up on her, and she was half asleep when he started laughing. A low, rumbling sound that built quickly into a roar.

“What?” she demanded.

“Any other babe would’ve refused to put out until I groveled. But you’re so hot for it, you just make me wear a rubber.”

“Go watch TV. Don’t you have March Madness brackets to bet on?”

“You know about that?” He stood then pulled her up into his arms. “Come on. Let’s watch the highlights. Then we’ll do it the way God intended.”

• • •

He was like a teenager in love, so hot for condom-free sex she was actually glad he had a party in Portland to draw him off her.

The only distraction was the dead walnut tree in her backyard. She watched him through the window as he stared at it the next morning while she was making turkey bacon and waffles after morning sex, then again after mid-morning sex, and a third time after she whipped up protein shakes with blueberries for lunch.

This time, she went out to the yard to stand with him, and he turned to face her, his tone solemn. “Bad news, teach. I think it’s dead.”

“It’s been dead for two years. I’m waiting to take it out until I decide about the hedge behind the garage. So I can get a combo deal.”

He seemed honestly shocked. “You pay money for yard work? And plumbing? All that stuff? Just flash some skin and guys’ll do it for free.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she drawled, annoyed he could picture her so easily with other guys. Flashing skin for them. And this time, he didn’t even seem to be teasing her. Instead, he was looking at the tree again.

“I still haven’t decided what to plant in its place,” she told him coolly. “My parents had a pomegranate tree, and that’s pretty much my favorite memory from my childhood, so it’s tempting. But citrus would be safer.”

“Did you grow up here?”

“In this house? No, we lived in La Jolla.”

“Are they still there?”

She hesitated, then explained quietly about her father’s successful career and the big, fancy house where she and her mom had lived while he worked day and night. “Then Mom got sick, and he scaled back his hours to take care of her. She got worse, and the expenses started to climb. By the time she passed away, we weren’t just broke, we were in debt. So he sold off everything except her diamond rings, because he knew she wanted me to have them.”

She paused again, but he seemed interested, so she explained about her dad’s new calling, and how he had almost entered the priesthood but had decided to go straight to missionary work as a doctor.

“So as soon as I left for college, he took off for parts unknown. And when I graduated and got my credential, I sold the diamonds and got enough for a down payment on this place. Otherwise, I’d still be renting. Instead, thanks to my parents, I have my dream house.”

He arched a sympathetic eyebrow. “No wonder you’re so screwed up.”

“Vince—”

“Don’t worry, my family’s even worse
. Army
worse.”

“Army?” She thawed slightly. “Did you move around a lot?”

“Yeah, that part was cool. But the old man’s a hard-ass. And Mom’s worse. They’re still mad I didn’t play for Army.”

“Were you accepted at West Point?” she asked, grudgingly impressed.

“Only because they needed a halfback. And my folks had the right connections. But I went for UCLA, so I get an earful every Thanksgiving.” He winced. “Now I want turkey.”

“I’m sure they’ll have lots of food at the party.”

“No doubt.”

She exhaled softly, confused by her jumbled mood. She needed to have a talk with him about unprotected sex and didn’t want to put it off. On top of that, and making it worse, was the accumulation of stupid jokes. All in good fun, of course. And it wasn’t like they had a normal relationship, much less an exclusive one. Still, it seemed outrageous to suggest she “flash some skin” to big strong repairmen and landscapers.

As usual, she reminded herself she laughed at those jokes ninety percent of the time. But she had had enough for one weekend, so she suggested, “Maybe you should get going. In case the weather’s bad over Portland.”

“What about grocery shopping?”

“I can handle it.”

“So you’re kicking me out? Just like old times?” He grinned to show he didn’t mind. Then he took her by the arm. “Give me a good send-off and I’ll get out of your hair.”

• • •

He spoiled her in bed, making her more confused. She even thought about asking him to hang around until the last minute, but she honestly wanted to talk to him about the condoms and was nervous about how to phrase it. Too lightly and he’d turn it into a rowdy joke. Too seriously and she would regret it.

The bottom line? She couldn’t rely on an expired lab report to have unprotected sex with a man she had known for less than a month, much less one who unapologetically slept around from Philadelphia to Portland.

But asking him for a fresh test every Friday? Even to a prude like her that sounded anal.

She was still working it out while she watched from the kitchen as he loaded his suitcase and gym bag into his rented truck. When her phone vibrated, she almost didn’t check it, since the only person in the world she wanted to talk to was standing in her driveway.

Forcing herself to take a peek in case some emergency had come up with her friends or students, she rolled her eyes.

Sean?

Despite her annoyance, she knew it could be about his relationship with Kerrie, so she tried for a friendly voice. “Hi, Sean.”

“Hey, babe. Are you still mad?”

“All is forgiven. How’ve you been?”

“You sound good,” he said pensively. “So I’m going to ask you something. Don’t get mad, promise?”

“I promise.”

“John and Erica get back today. From the honeymoon. So we’re throwing them a party. No big deal, but I know she’d like to see you. So would I.”

She felt horrible for Kerrie, and not much better for herself. “The party is today?”

“Yeah, I know it’s late notice. But don’t take it personally. I’ve had a bad week. Seeing you would make it better.”

“Because we’re friends?” she asked carefully. “Or like a date?”

He hesitated as though stunned. Then he said, “I meant as a friend. But if you want more? Geezus, I wasn’t really thinking that way. Not yet at least.”

She was relieved he wasn’t asking her out, but felt a twinge of foreboding to hear he wasn’t asking her out “yet,” as though he could feel the breakup in his future.

“I’d love to see you, Sean. As a friend, not a date. But some other time. I’m swamped this weekend.”

“Yeah, that makes sense. Of course you’re busy. A beautiful girl like you.”

“Whatever,” she murmured, annoyed that that compliment sounded like a request for condom-free sex, thanks to Bannerman.

Sean continued cheerfully. “Bam’s bringing some of his favorite hotties, so we’ll have a good time for sure. And he’ll be occupied too. Otherwise I wouldn’t even have called you, since I know how you feel about him.”

“I have to go, Sean. Give my best to Erica and John, okay?”

“Thanks, Rachel. I’m glad we’re friends again.”

“Me too. Bye.”

Sean Decker—the gift that kept on giving.

“Hey,” Bannerman said from the doorway. “I’m ready to shove off. Unless you’ve got any last-minute needs.”

She turned to him, trying not to look as hurt as she felt. He was actually bringing his favorite hotties to the party? Meaning she would have been one among many?

Deep breaths, Rachel. This is what you
like
about him, remember?

“Sean just called.”

Bannerman’s expression was guarded. “About the party?”

“Don’t panic, I turned him down.”

“Why would I panic? I
want
you there. You can fly up with me. It’ll be fun.”

Her heart felt like dry ice. “That’s flattering, but I told him ‘no.’ So that’s that.”

“Okay.” He stepped closer. “Did he piss you off?”

“He can’t help himself,” she admitted. Then she eyed him gently. “I know you have to catch a plane, but we need to talk first.”

“Oh, man, I knew it. What did I do?”

She wasn’t sure what she was saying, or even who was saying it, but the words came tumbling out. “You’ve been great. But I’m not a thrill seeker like you. So I need your word on something.”

“Anything.”

“I’m relying on that lab report. So if you have unprotected sex with anyone else after today—”

“I won’t.”

“I’m serious, Vince. If you slip up, that’s fine. I won’t be upset. But you need to tell me right away. You see that, don’t you? Because I’m trusting you.”

He took another step, so close she could feel his breath on her face. Then he said, “I won’t slip up, baby. I promise.”

She could see from his solemn expression it was true. He honestly and truly loved bareback sex. And while other women might offer it, he could trust Rachel—the cautious kindergarten teacher—to be clean enough for him to relax and enjoy himself.

Really
enjoy himself.

And she enjoyed it too, didn’t she? So she told him quietly, “That’s all I needed to hear. I trust you. And you trust me. So it’s all good.”

“Come to Portland with me.”

“You know my policy,” she said with a phony smile. “Bucket list, remember? Luckily, you’ll survive. And Sean sounded terrible. I think he needs a friend.”

“That’s what Erica’s for,” he assured her. Then he seemed to regret the joke. “You’re gonna miss me, right?”

“Just show up next Friday, sheriff. Or I’ll send a posse for you.”

His expression lightened. “So we’re good?”

“Better than good.”

“Cool.” He hesitated. “Do I get a kiss?”

She did what she could, and he made up for the rest, plundering her mouth avidly. “I’m gonna miss you, teach.”

“Me too.”

“I hate running off to a party. But this one’s mandatory.”

“You can’t miss your best friends’ homecoming,” she agreed. “What would they think?”

She wanted to remind him that his favorite hotties were lining up to greet him. Not to mention Erica, the hottest hottie of them all.

Ashamed but too miserable to care, she sent him off with another kiss, then seethed with irrational jealousy as he drove away. But she was sure of one thing at least.

No matter how many women he had fun with this weekend, or the entire week for that matter, he would use condoms religiously. And because of that, he would be thinking of Rachel with every crazy bang.

And as much as she would kick herself for it, she would be thinking of him too.

• • •

She still hadn’t decided what—or how much—she would say to Kerrie about the call from Sean, but as it turned out, it didn’t matter. Kerrie did all the talking for the first ten minutes, and, by the time Rachel got a word in edgewise and agreed to a glass of dry white wine, she didn’t have to decide what to say. It was a foregone conclusion.

Kerrie’s monologue was a painful one. She no longer believed Sean loved her as much as she loved him. Maybe he never would. And Kerrie respected that because she could see the kicker’s heart, while huge, was divided among many targets of affection. His family—who were hands down more loving than Kerrie’s, apparently. The Triple Threat—whom he would die for. The rest of his Lancer teammates. And most of all, Erica.

Sean had told her about the party. How he was sure Erica could provide sound advice. Could help them find a way out of this mess. And meanwhile, he was becoming irrational about the divorce. Completely unreasonable, at least according to Kerrie.

And luckily, he had confessed about extending an invitation to Rachel, although he left out the part where he thought she hit on him, thank God.

“Anyway, we had amazing sex after that,” Kerrie assured her. “But it doesn’t make up for all the pain. You know what I mean?”

Rachel took a moment, and a taste of her wine, before answering. Because as much as she felt for her friend, she had had another revelation about Bannerman. Specifically, about how perfect he was. At least for her.

They really never fought, except maybe in Rachel’s head. He was just too cool. No angst. No judgments. Not of Rachel, not of other women, not of his friends. Even strangers on a beach were his buddies. Dudes he would cheerfully joke with.

He didn’t make love to Rachel, he banged her. And she loved him for it. All he asked in return was a drama-free relationship. One of many such relationships he juggled deftly. And because there was no drama, none of
those
hookups mattered either.

Somehow, without knowing it, she had stumbled onto the perfect guy. The perfect life. Sure, she would want more someday.

But not today.

Every moment with him was a gift from God and she would savor it. Right up until the moment when he got bored or restless or football season started again and his schedule didn’t permit weekend jaunts to San Diego.

And then? He would let her down gently. She knew that for a fact. And she would hide her broken heart from him because she had known going in it would happen. And even knowing that, she wouldn’t trade places with anyone.

“Rachel? What are you thinking about?”

“Oh, sorry. I just feel so bad for you.” She reached across the table and patted Kerrie’s hand. “I’m glad Sean told you he called me. I was struggling with that because of all this secrecy stuff.”