CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

caring family member I had. Talking on the phone with him is too frustrating for both of us. He can’t hear well and he refuses to wear his hearing aides.”

“It’s nice that you guys are still close.” She squeezes my hand.

“He’s one of the reasons I was hoping the Pats would be able to grab me in the draft.”

“But the Pirates got to you first. That’s what happens when you’re in demand. And if I recall, when I renegotiated your contract last year, you were more than happy to remain on the Pirates.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy here. I just wish I could see my grandfather more often.”

Releasing my hand, she rolls to the side, facing me with one arm under her head. I do the same until her face is almost resting on my chest. She cups my cheek with a smooth palm and tips her face up to mine. “Kiss me.”

“You don’t need to ask me twice.” I lower to capture her upturned mouth with mine. The first touch is a whisper soft brushing of our lips that rockets through me like nails scratching down my back. Her tongue juts out to lick my bottom lip, and all my plans to go slow are replaced with a sense of urgency.

My hand cups the nape of her neck underneath her ponytail and I slam my mouth down on hers. She cries out in relief, and our tongues immediately wage war. In this battle, we’re both victors.

Our kiss becomes frenzied as we struggle to get closer to each other. Somehow, a crack of reality slips inside our passionate bubble.

“We’re in public,” Nadia voices her concern. “Let’s go to my place.”

I start shoving everything I brought into my backpack while Nadia folds the blanket. Once that’s added, I tug the zipper across the top, closing it up tight.

She grabs my hand and we race to my truck, laughing.

The mood turns more serious on the drive. We both know what’s about to happen, and there’s a chance Nadia will change her mind before we reach her house.

“I want you to know that I got blood work done and everything came back normal. I’ve always been careful, so I wasn’t worried, but I wanted to make sure.”

“That’s good news.”

Could this be more fucking awkward? Jesus, it would’ve been easier to just slap on a condom as usual. But I wanted to reassure Nadia, in case we took this step. Reaching over, I take hold of her hand, my thumb caressing her soft skin. I’m worried that by being responsible and mentioning my test results, I’ve killed the mood. My eyes leave the road to quickly flick her way to assess the damage. She’s looking out the passenger window, and since I can’t see her face, I can only cross my fingers that she wants me as badly as I want her.

18

Nadia

Flynn opens my door and helps me from the truck. My stomach is whirling with nervous energy. It’s been so long since I’ve been intimate with anyone, and I was married then. Whether or not to continue with what began back at the gazebo is a huge decision for me. As much as I’d like to be an act first, think later person, I can’t. Not even for one night, it seems.

My legs feel shaky with every step I take, and I’m thankful for Flynn’s quiet strength as he leads me to the door. I pull my keys out and he takes them from me, unlocking the side porch entrance with his steady hand.

I flip on the lights as we pass from the laundry/mud room to the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink?” I ask. Every atom I’m made up of wants his hands on all of me—now—but I’m not sure how to get there.

Or maybe it’s that I’m not brave enough to make the first move.

It feels like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff and there’s a chance I could fall over. Insecurity is a bitch, but I can’t let my fears control me any more. I’m brave with my career, but when it comes to relationships, I feel much younger than my actual age and less experienced than I should be.

Flynn steps closer to me, cupping my cheek in his palm. He stares earnestly down into my eyes. “I don’t want a drink, but I do want to know what’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong.”

“Don’t lie to me, Nadia. I want total honesty from you.” His eyes haven’t left mine, and I couldn’t look away if I tried. His other hand slides down to rest on the curve of my waist.

“I’m feeling insecure.”

His head lowers a bit closer, as if he wants to make sure he doesn’t miss my answer. “About?”

“I haven’t had sex in a long time.”

He chuckles. “It’s like riding a bike. You’ll see.” I force a smile to my lips, albeit a tight one. “What else are you worried about? I can tell you’re not feeling reassured.”

“You’re used to being with bombshells, not nerdy workaholics like me.”

His eyes briefly close, his head shaking slowly. “You have no idea what you do to me, do you?” He grabs my hand before I can answer, placing it on his very noticeable erection. “How about now?” he husks.

My fingers boldly trace out the shape of his cock and he responds with a low growl. Apparently lust makes me bold.

Bending down, he slings me over his shoulder. I squeak with surprise, but it only takes a second before I see this for the opportunity it is. Sliding my hands inside his back pockets, I clench his ass cheeks in my grip. Well, I try to, but they’re muscular like the rest of him. I just hold on and enjoy the way they flex under my palms as he takes the stairs two at a time while carrying me. I feel light as a feather, and if that’s not hot, I don’t know what is.

“Room?” It