Читать книгу Playing With Temptation - Reese Ryan - Страница 14

Chapter 6

Nate climbed the stairs to the small private plane they sometimes chartered for his travel. He got a whiff of a familiar scent. Jasmine with a hint of gardenias.

No, no way.

He removed his shades and stood, stunned, taking in his ex’s apologetic expression.

“Guess that answers my question about whether you knew I was coming along.” She brushed off her skirt and crossed her legs.

Nate tucked his shades in the inside pocket of his jacket. He stood trying to decide whether or not he’d sit across from Kendra.

He grunted and flopped into his usual seat adjacent to the couch. She seemed relieved he’d chosen to sit across from her.

“No.” He held back a few choice names he had for his brother right now. “Marcus failed to mention it. I realize I screwed up, but I don’t appreciate the two of you treating me like a child. I’m a grown-ass man.”

“Then start acting like one.” Her expression was neutral, her tone unbothered. “Channel your passion for the game in a way that will help your team rather than hurt it. Tap into your desire to win in a way that will motivate your teammates instead of alienating them.”

Nate turned to survey the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, visible from the window. “Damn. I see we’re not pulling punches today.”

Kendra smiled sweetly, one long leg crossed over the other and her hands folded in her lap. “You didn’t hire me to soothe your ego. You hired me to get results, and that’s what you’ll get, as long as you stick to the plan.”

Nate tried to hold on to the resentment he felt when he realized Marcus had sent Kendra to be his babysitter. That anger was quickly losing ground to the other feeling that grabbed hold of his chest the moment her eyes met his.

Longing.

He wanted her. In his arms. In his bed. In his life. A sentiment he’d fought for the past seven years. Being in such close proximity to the constant object of his affection wasn’t helping him win that battle.

Kendra was smart as a whip, sexy as hell and confident in her abilities. Something about that combination made his heart beat faster. That and the expanse of smooth brown skin framed between the hem of her skirt and the top of her leather boots.

Nate raised his hands, his palms facing her. “Relax. I don’t plan on going off script again. After all, that’s why I’m headed to freaking Montana in the middle of winter, isn’t it?” He pulled his jacket closer around him, just thinking of the thirty-degree temperature drop they’d experience once they landed.

She tilted her head, assessing him before responding. “Hopefully, you’re also doing it because it’s the right thing to do. Wade isn’t just your quarterback, he’s your friend.”

They weren’t playing touch football anymore. Kendra had delivered a full-contact, center-mass hit that had knocked him on his ass.

Deservedly so.

She wasn’t tiptoeing around his ego. He admired that. Only Kendra Williams could piss him off and make him want her with a single utterance.

It was going to be a rough few days. For him, at least. Kendra seemed unaffected by him. That gave her the upper hand.

He needed to find a way to change that.

* * *

Kendra gave herself a mental high five. She stood her ground and told Nate the cold, hard truth while remaining calm, despite the anxiety raging beneath the surface.

Handling Nate with kid gloves wouldn’t benefit either of them. Marcus hired her because she’d always been straight with Nate and told him what he needed to hear—whether he wanted to hear it or not. Their painful history aside, she would do just that.

She’d hoped her resolve to be tough with Nate would mitigate her feelings for him. It hadn’t. Judging by the half frown that softened the edges of his mouth, a mischievous grin lay just beneath his show of displeasure. So it wasn’t deterring him much, either.

Kendra held her poise, despite her increasingly shallow breaths as Nate’s gaze raked over her. Heat curled its way up her spine like a black snake climbing a southern red cedar tree in search of prey.

“Of course Wade is my friend, but this is a business,” Nate said finally, shifting his gaze out the window for a moment before returning it to her. “Wade understands that more than anyone.”

The pilot announced they would take off soon. A growing sense of panic made her limbs feel heavy. She fumbled with her seat belt. It wouldn’t catch. They were going to take off and she’d go sailing across the plane.

“Relax. I’ve got it.” Nate knelt in front of her, his large hands covering hers, stilling their movement.

The warmth of his skin penetrated hers and trailed up her arms, her heart beating faster and her breath quickening. Her skin tingled, electricity zipping along her spine.

Even kneeling, Nate’s large body loomed over hers. His broad chest and wide shoulders invaded her space as he leaned forward and buckled the seat belt effortlessly.

Nate’s gaze met hers and one corner of his mouth curved, his eyes twinkling.

Kendra’s hands shook as she inhaled his scent. Her body remembering when last he’d been this close to her on his knees. Her nipples pebbled and a small, inadvertent gasp escaped her mouth.

Nate grinned, then licked his lower lip.

Maybe he was remembering that night, too.

Kendra shut her eyes briefly and exhaled.

No, no, no. This is strictly business. Nothing more.

“Thank you.” She settled back against the headrest. “But you’d better get back in your seat.”

Nate gave her a knowing grin as he returned to his seat and fastened himself in.

Kendra released a small sigh, missing his nearness, yet thankful for the distance.

“This flight is nearly five hours, and these smaller commuter planes...well, the ride can be a little bumpier than on a commercial flight. You sure you want to do this?”

Kendra nodded in response as she focused on taking long, deep breaths. She wasn’t terrified of flying, it just wasn’t her preferred mode of travel.

Nothing a rum and Coke or two couldn’t resolve.

Only this wasn’t a pleasure trip. It was strictly business, and she needed to keep her head clear. That meant toughing it out.

Nate regarded her with apprehension. “Look, I appreciate your commitment, but you don’t need to do this. I can handle this on my own, so just say the word and we’ll get you off this flight. But I need to know now. Before we take off.”

“No.” Kendra shook her head vehemently. “I’m fine.”

“All right.” Nate settled back in his seat, his eyes glued to her, as if he expected her head to start spinning.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, despite the fact that you’d rather I not be here.”

He shrugged, looking out the window again as the plane taxied down the runway. “Maybe I just didn’t want you killing my vibe with your projectile vomiting.”

Kendra couldn’t help laughing. She dissolved into a fit of giggles that escalated to a laugh so hard it made her belly ache.

Nate laughed, too. He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes. “Better now?”

She stopped laughing long enough to realize that the tense muscles in her back and neck had relaxed. They were airborne and the plane was leveling off. She nodded. “Much. Thank you.”

He winked at her. “Good. Now, I assume that in addition to being assigned babysitting duty, you tagged along so we could go over a few things.”

She nodded, pulling her portfolio from her bag. “How far outside the box are you willing to go?”

Nate crooked a brow and shifted in his seat, folding his right ankle over his left knee. “What do you mean?”

“A popular home improvement show is looking for a few celebs who want to surprise a family member with a kitchen redo. Marcus suggested they do your mom’s kitchen.”

“That means my parents would have to be on the show.” He ran a hand over his head. “Don’t know if I like that. They don’t like being in the spotlight.”

“Marcus said your mom loves these shows and she’s always wanted to be on one.” She tapped her pen on her pad. “This is a great opportunity for you to do something fabulous for her, Nate. Something you’ve always wanted to do. The bonus is it would be great for your image, too.”

Nate groaned as he pressed his head against the headrest. “If Marcus thinks Mama will go for it, fine. I’ll do it. Anything else?”

“By the end of the day, your brother should have more info on those guest spots to discuss the play-offs and a finalized list of media personalities that we’ll pitch additional guest spots to.”

“Great. Make sure I get a copy of that list.”

“Absolutely.” Kendra made another note, then put her pen and pad away. “Now, about these meetings with the team and your teammates.”

“I don’t need you standing next to me like some ventriloquist.” Nate’s tone was tinged with annoyance. “I know what to say to these guys.”

“Great. Then you won’t mind running it by me.” Kendra gave Nate a warm smile, but he wasn’t buying it. “I’m here to ensure you’re prepared for these meetings and that we stay on message, but I won’t be in any of them. These guys are like your family. It’ll only make things weirder if I’m there.”

“Good.” He nodded, seemingly relieved.

“Let’s just go over the basics of what you plan to say to Wade. I’ll check out a restaurant in town and get some work done while you meet with him.”