Free Catching the Pass (Football Fantasies) by Alexandra O'Hurley Page B

said.
    “I will.”  Jennings sat down on the edge of the bed.  “I didn’t do a great job of showing you, but what we shared meant something.  I let all the other crap get in my head and in my way.  And I’m sorry if I hurt you and made you feel like I didn’t care.  I do care.  A lot.”
    Maggie looked down at the floor for a long moment.  When she looked back up, he thought he saw a little shimmer in her eyes.  “I really should go.”
    “I need you.  Finish what you started.”
    Maggie was silent, refusing to look at him.  Finally she sighed.  “Fine.  If you want me to stay and train you, then it’s hands off.  No more sex.  No more drama.  It’ll be training, training, and more training.  Totally professional.”
    Jennings didn’t like the sound of it, but knew she was right.  “Training only.”

Chapter Ten
     
    The last two weeks had been hell on Maggie.  Training beside the man she was sure she was falling head over heels for and not being able to say or do anything about it was nuts.  She couldn’t get away from him, nor could she ignore him.  He was too much man to ignore.
    Especially now.  When he was lying half naked on her massage table and she was helping him stretch his leg muscles.  The feel of firm, hard man under her hands was enough to make her heart speed up and sweat to form on her brow.
    Jennings, for the most part, was his normal controlled, collected self, making her feel even more out of joint and frustrated.  Yes, they needed to be professional and focus on his training, but knowing he was struggling as much as she was would make it a tiny bit easier on her. 
    Maggie closed her eyes and tried to get a grip but all she could see each time she closed her eyes was them.  Together.  In bed.  She could almost feel her body writhing against his as she sought completion in his arms.
    His big, strong arms.
    “You okay?”
    Jennings’ words brought her out of the daydream she’d been having.  Heat blossomed on her face and her lips parted.  It was too hot in there, especially with his inquisitive stare on her.  She pulled her shaking hands away and stood, turning away from him.  Moving to a stack of gear, she started putting things away, anything to prevent herself from saying or doing something to ruin their newfound professionalism.
    She couldn’t be the reason he failed.  Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath and calmed herself, knowing she was doing the right thing.
    “I asked if you were okay,” Jennings said, his drawl deepening.  Why did he have to do that?  His sweet Texas twang did something to her.
    Maggie looked over her shoulder.  “I’m fine.”
    When she went back to her tidying, she could feel the words left unsaid hanging between them.
    “Fine?” he asked, inches behind her.
    She nearly jumped out of her skin.  She hadn’t heard him move, so intent on ignoring him.  Now, he was all she could feel.  His heat leeched into her and she started to tremble.
    “Yes.  I’m fine.  Why don’t you go shower and I’ll finish straightening up down here?”
    Maggie clenched her jaw.  Bad idea.  Why did she have to suggest him getting in the shower?  Now all she could see was his naked body, the water sluicing down his cut muscles.  Heat flooded between her folds and she wanted to reach between her legs and ease the ache that had been building since the last time he’d had his hands on her.
    Jennings didn’t move.  He stood there behind her and she could feel the weight of his stare.  The longer he remained—silent—the more awkward the tension became.  She wouldn’t look him in the eyes.  As soon as she did, her secrets would come tumbling out and they’d be right back where they didn’t belong.
    Finally he left, without a word.  She continued to straighten up until she heard the water come on.
    Then she fell onto the couch, her legs feeling like rubber.
    Maggie had no idea how she was going to make it through two