Hart of the Matter (A Love of the Game Novella) Read online

  “Bailey doesn’t date. I would have met a boyfriend in all this time.” Hart felt smug in his certainty.

  His sister disabused him of it immediately.

  “God, you’re naïve. She’ll find a replacement, force a relationship until the sound of the guy’s voice makes her want to puke, then she’ll dump him the way she dumps all of them. She prefers long distance relationships so she can avoid them. Two gorgeous, successful men have asked her to marry them. She broke up with them instantly.”

  She stood carefully and moved to the large window overlooking the dance floor. Bailey was easy to spot. Dancing alone in a circle of men, she refused to let them dance with her.

  “I think she might have spotted your lookalike. He’s cute.” Hart was beside her instantly. “See that really tall good looking guy? She’ll pick him. He has similar coloring and build to you.”

  A moment later, she said cheerfully, “And…there she goes. The others are so disappointed. Not a bad dancer. Hope this one has a job. That guy will be her boyfriend for the next year. She’ll sleep with him when it fits her schedule, out of desperation.”

  Harley glanced up at him with a serious expression. “My friend will settle again and again because you’re a fucking moron, Hart.”

  His eyes went wide and suddenly everything seemed to click into place. The jumbled pieces he’d never understood how to put together were right where they were supposed to be.

  With a slow smile, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I love you, you know that, Harpy?”

  “I do know that. I’m going to head home. I really am exhausted. I’m staying at the guys’ place tonight. I promised I’d water their plants.”

  “Harley, they don’t have plants.” He signaled the waitress and paid their tab, adding a hefty tip.

  “Then I’ll buy some fucking plants. I’ll have the bouncer grab me a cab so don’t worry. I love you. Go make my friend happy and don’t be stupid anymore. I can assure you she doesn’t see you as a brother. I want to gag when she talks about licking and kissing you…gross.” Hart’s gasp made her laugh. “She’s smokin’ hot which you’ve noticed for more than a decade.”

  “We totally underestimated the two of you.”

  “You took us for granted. None of you realized we encouraged you in qualities we found attractive, skills we wanted you specifically to know. We invested a lot of time in your grooming, fashion, and manners to watch you use what we taught you on women who weren’t worthy.”

  He grimaced and turned to head downstairs.

  “Hartman…she’s loved you a long time. Do not hurt her. That would upset me.” He nodded and was gone.

  * * *

  Harley turned to watch the dance floor. After half an hour, she was convinced things were moving along nicely and left the club.

  Chapter Ten

  Bailey’s dance partner had his hand on her ass and she had her eyes closed, pretending as she always did in situations like this. He spun her out and let go of her hand.

  The familiar feel and smell of the man she loved had her eyes flying open. “Hart. Where’s…what’s his name?”

  “A fan, he took off at my request.”

  “Well, thanks. I was kind of planning on getting to know him better, Hart.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Really? Well dance with me a bit then you can go find what’s his name if you want. How did you know it was me anyway? You had your eyes closed.”

  “I’d know you anywhere, Hart. The height, build, scent…I’m familiar with your particular signature.” That was the stone cold truth.

  A faster song came on and Hart threw her from one move to the next, twirling her out, and bringing her back to his body hard. His hands roamed over her when they were close, then she was spinning, back against him again.

  By the time the song ended, she was breathless…and annoyed. “You’ve been practicing. What young lady expanded your dancing skills?”

  “Does it matter? You’re here, she isn’t.”

  Good point. She choked down her automatic retort with effort.

  Then he spun her hard and fast, bringing her body fully up against his, letting her feel her effect on him before pushing her out again.

  Over and over, he worked her, moving them around the floor while the crowd watched. Hart had always been a good dancer but Bailey had never shown him her full skills until tonight. The memory of any female who’d danced with him before this moment would crumble in his mind.

  Bailey planned to make damn certain of it.

  “You’re magnificent. You never went hard like this. You’ve been holding back.”

  “Hart, you have no fucking idea.”

  She took control and let the lioness she really was spill out all over him. When the next song started, she turned her back to him, and worked her ass to the floor. Her hands stroked up the back of his legs as she rose.

  Upright again, she reached back and pulled him hard against her ass. They danced with his forearm tight beneath her breasts, her arm over her head around his neck. She kept the other on the back of his thigh. Her short nails dug into him as he moved her around the floor.

  When they came to a hard stop on the last beat, he dipped her deeply, and kissed her throat.

  A slow song started and she turned to leave the floor. He tugged her back and plastered her body gently against his own.

  “Bailey, you going to find what’s his name?”

  * * *

  Her little snort of irritation didn’t have the effect she probably intended. Bailey was an incredibly sensual person, of that there was no doubt, but Hart often forgot how funny and adorable she was.

  There was a small wrinkle of confusion between her eyes when he didn’t let her go. “You never dance slow songs with me, Hart.”

  “I’m dancing this one with you, Bailey. Stay with me.”

  Licking her lips, she nodded and relaxed in his arms. The only word that entered his mind was victory and he laughed at his years of stupidity running from this woman.

  Who in the fuck would run from her?

  They danced. Slow songs and fast ones that gave them the opportunity to explore each other’s bodies. The chance wasn’t wasted.

  His hands roamed the soft skin, firm curves, and top of the taut ass he remembered well from the one night he’d allowed himself to touch her almost a decade ago.

  For two hours, Hart danced with Bailey until he couldn’t think straight anymore. His entire brain was focused on his need for her. He was so hard it bordered on pain.

  They were covered in a sheen of sweat and rapid breaths panted between her pillowy lips. Bailey was five-six. In her heels, she was about five-ten. At six-five, Hart was still several inches taller, so when she pulled him down to whisper in his ear, his large hands flowed easily to grip her ass.

  The joy caused from the feel of her firm cheeks under his palms was exceeded only by her words.

  “I don’t care what happens tomorrow but you will fuck me tonight, Hart. You’re not going to work me up and leave me aching for you again or I will never forgive you.” Then she turned her face and kissed him.

  Hart had to lock his legs to keep from dropping.

  Bailey’s tongue licked lightly over the crease of his lips and he opened for her, his hands tightening on her ass in reflex. Her hand on the back of his head held him to her, as if she worried he’d try to pull away.

  Something he’d done so many times before.

  Another slow song started and they swayed while they kissed, her hips twisting lightly under his hands to the beat. They tasted of oranges and tequila, flavors that would forever remind Hart of this moment, the first time he kissed Bailey and meant it with everything inside himself.

  The inside of her mouth was hot silk and her full lips moved sensually over his own until he wanted to take her right where they stood. When she sucked his tongue to the rhythm of the music, Hart felt it all the way to his cock.

  Lifting away, he slid his
palm along the back of her neck and stared into the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen. She looked wary, as if any moment, he’d put on the brakes.

  He’d done that to her.

  Wanted and teased her, ultimately rejecting her like a coward instead of being the man she needed. The man she deserved. The man she loved.

  How many years he’d wasted. How much pain he’d caused.

  “I won’t hurt you again, Bailey.”

  She didn’t say anything so he kissed her again, taking full control, devouring her mouth as she ground her hips against him.

  Bailey was meant to be his. He didn’t know why he ignored that message for so long. Every cell in his body was tuned to her as it had always been and he finally listened.

  To his mind, his body, and his heart.

  He led her from the dance floor and out of the club. They held hands as they returned to the restaurant where they’d left Hart’s SUV. It was shocking how good such innocent contact felt.

  Holding out her palm, he placed the keys in it and opened her door. She climbed in and he enjoyed the glimpse of her smooth thighs while she adjusted the seat with a sigh.

  “I have to move the seat forward like a foot.”

  “You’re short, Bailey.” He dropped a light kiss on her lips, closed her door, and went around to the passenger side. She stared through the windshield for a long moment.

  “Are you sure, Hart?” She was giving him an escape route…again.

  Chapter Eleven

  Tugging her lip between her teeth, Bailey nodded and put the truck in gear.

  They were a block from the restaurant when Hart started touching her. He leaned over the console, rested his head on her shoulder, while his rough fingertips lightly stroked her knee, up her bare thigh, and back again. Each slow stroke up, he moved closer to her short skirt. It made her insane.

  Still miles from his house, she whispered, “Please God, don’t let me crash this truck.”

  Hart chuckled and moved to her other thigh. Clenching the steering wheel so tight her knuckles were white, she tried to control her response to him. His fingertips slipped under the hem of her top and he caressed the skin of her belly along the line of her skirt.

  “Your skin is always so warm, Bailey, like you’ve been in the sun. You’re so soft.”

  One side of her waist to the other, he touched her, circling her belly button before tracing the bottom edge of her bra along her ribcage.

  “Remember the summer before you went into high school when you went away to see family in Costa Rica?”

  “Yes. I’d never been away from all of you for so long. That was a rough summer.”

  “You went away as another little sister to me. You came back as Bailey, fucking beautiful and tough as nails. The two of you were inseparable and you were usually in a bikini.”

  Bailey pointedly ignored the comment about her being beautiful. Hart didn’t need to give her compliments. She wanted him too much.

  “Your house felt more like home than mine.”

  Hart kissed her bare shoulder. “Mom and Dad loved having you at our place, especially when you and Harley made dinner. She’d come home from the office and there’s tons of food laid out on the island, the house spotless. You guys made her cry more than once.”

  “I have a huge family but my parents travel. My brothers and sisters are so much older than I am; most of them were already adults when I was born. I was alone all the time. Hanging out at your place meant not eating dinner by myself. I loved being there.” Bailey’s voice was quiet.

  “I didn’t know you ate alone. I hate eating alone. When I moved out here, the guys and I would get together when we were all in town, but too many nights I found myself in a really quiet house. It’s better since Harley and Lexie came to live with me.”

  “Moving here was really good for them, Hart.” His large hand spanned the skin of her stomach, simply resting there. “Harley looks better than she has since she was a teenager.” She sighed. “All of us are under less stress these days.”

  “Bailey, have I ever told you how proud I was of the way you backed Harley through everything? You were better to her than all of us put together.”

  “Harley isn’t hardened like me. She’s tough on the outside and gentle on the inside, she hurts easily.” She shrugged. “I’m the opposite. It’s why we’re such good friends.”

  Hart lifted his head to look at her profile. “What do you mean you’re the opposite?”

  “I couldn’t do a chin-lift or sink a basket if my life truly depended on it. I’ve never run more than three miles at once and have no desire to. Pilates and yoga are the extent of my athleticism.” She took the exit off the highway and waited at the light.

  Glancing at him, she smiled. “I can’t play sports and know nothing about any sport but basketball. However, I could be an ESPN anchor for that.” He laughed. “I went to all of Harley’s games and stuff because I adore her and wanted to support her. Usually I had my MP3 going and a book in my hand.”

  The light turned and she went through the intersection. “I like to shop and will not tolerate split ends or a broken nail. I wouldn’t have survived half the physical pain she’s been through in her life. If I ever have kids, I will be high as a kite.”

  Taking the turn into his neighborhood, she chuckled. “Mentally though? I am one tough as nails bitch. I’m rather good at making other people cry. I’m pushy, demanding…I like my own way and will fight dirty to get it. I make no apologies for who I am.”

  “You shouldn’t. I like the person you are.” It was the truth.

  “Thanks. You know, Lexie is the only child who has ever liked me, which is still shocking, and she has me wrapped around her finger. Other than that, I have few weaknesses and the ones I do have frustrate me to no end.”

  “I’m dying to know your weaknesses, Bailey.”

  She turned down the road that led to his house and quipped, “Upper body strength…”

  “Seriously, tell me.” His voice was serious but so familiar.

  Sighing softly, she told him, “Late night charity commercials kill me. I see pictures of starving kids and give them what I make in a week. Which has put me on the list of every charity in the world. It got so bad at one point that I had to ban myself from television.”

  Hart laughed. “That old guy in that little hovel of a village gets me, too. Jesus, it is brutal. My accountant was floored when I gave him my receipts last year.” Bailey grinned. “What else? There has to be more than little Powwow in Eastern Timbuktu that gets to you.”

  “Ice cream, I fucking love it. I could eat it for dinner and I have. Of course, I punish myself the next day but at the time, it is so worth it.” She moaned and Hart kissed her shoulder.

  “Any others…?” he asked her.

  “Not many. We’re here alive, woot woot.”

  She put the truck in park and handed him the keys. He took them, got out, and came around to open her door while she grabbed her phone and wallet from his console.

  Swinging her legs around, he lifted her off the seat. Bailey thought he’d set her down and when he didn’t, she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  With a big smile, he shut the truck door and carried her up the front steps. Inside, he locked up, armed the security system, and carried her in the direction of his bedroom.

  “I need to shower, Hart.” He snorted and she quirked her brow. “I’m dead serious.”

  “Hmm…you are girly, aren’t you?”

  “Hell yes! I just danced for hours. I’m gross.”

  “Bailey, you could never be gross. Okay, but I’m joining you.” With that, he walked into the bedroom that was considered hers for her visits. “I know you need your stuff.”

  In the connected bathroom, Hart leaned into the large shower stall and turned on the water. Setting her on her feet, he dropped to one knee and took off her heels. Kissing her thigh, he stood up and smiled at how much shorter she was.

  “You are so itty b
itty feminine, Bailey.”

  She stuck out her tongue and pulled her tank top over her head. That wiped the smile right off his face. Tossing it to the bathroom counter, she unzipped her skirt and tossed it as well. Pulling the clips from her hair, it fell forward over her shoulders. Wearing a gold lace bra and matching panty, she was positively stunning.

  * * *

  When she removed them, Hart stopped breathing. Hands on her hips, wearing nothing but a delicate gold anklet, she stared at him.

  Her skin was like honey all over. Other than the luxurious fall of dark chocolate locks that fell to her mid-back, there was not a hair on her body. Full breasts with pebbled dark pink nipples, flared hips, firm but not cut, and curvy in all the right places.

  “Would you like me to turn?” Bailey gave him a sarcastic half-smile.

  “Oh lord, would you?”

  She snickered and turned in a circle for him. Bailey’s ass was a firm little bubble leading to tight thighs and calves. His hands itched to explore every inch of her.

  As she turned to face him again, she tried to hide the fact that she was a little self-conscious. He saw it anyway because he’d spent a lifetime watching this woman.

  “I’m getting in. It takes forever to wash my hair. Join me whenever, Hart.”

  With that, she walked past him and paused for a kiss. He slid his hand along her neck and into her hair, kissing her more deeply than she expected.

  She lightly bit his lower lip as he pulled back.

  Hart watched as she let the water soak her hair and body. He gave her time to wash the long tresses before his hands went to the buttons of his shirt. Stripping slowly, never taking his eyes off her, she returned his gaze as she rinsed away the conditioner.

  When he was naked, he put his hands on his hips and waited as she looked him over. She licked her lips and he asked jokingly if he should turn.

  “God, yes.”

  He did, gave her time to absorb the view, and then stepped into the shower. He positioned his body behind her, pushed her hair to the side, and kissed her neck. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she leaned back into him.