Free Playing For Keeps by Liz Matis

smiling face easily came to mind. Who was he kidding? It took him ten years to get to first base. At this rate he’d need Viagra by the time she gave him the sign to slide into home.
    Besides, he didn’t think he was ready for marriage. He was tired of the life, but a wife? That’s huge .
    But if al Ryan was out for was a piece of her ass, her brother would try to kick his, and he real y didn’t want to burn bridges. He’d already broken his word to her father and the disappointment he felt in himself for doing so dogged him. By pursuing her he risked her career, the team’s season, and his own relationship with her family.
    He had to stay away from her, for her own sake and for his. But after that kiss, how could he pretend it never happened? His hands burned from touching her, his lips scorched from her hot cinnamon taste, and he ached al over from her soft body pressing into his. Her moan of pleasure had nearly undone him.
    Al this time he thought Samantha was a good girl and while she wasn’t the type to get reeled into flashing for a Girls Gone Wild Video, she had a streak of wildness in her. He knew it. He tasted it.
    Ryan kept replaying the kiss in his mind over and over like a highlight film. Film? He didn’t notice any security cameras in the elevator. Then again, Samantha commanded his ful attention. What if they were captured on tape? What if some underpaid employee sold it to the press? The career so important to her might be ripped away. Then she’d real y hate him. He couldn’t let that happen.
    He made his way back to the elevator, taking the ride up and down, searching for any cameras, but found none. When the doors slid open, Jake stood by the reception desk watching.
    “Getting rid of evidence?” Jake asked as Ryan walked over.
    “Of what?”
    “Look, it’s gal ant of you to protect her, but come on, you can tel me.”
    Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “There’s nothing to tel .”
    “You didn’t even make a move on her?”
    “Shot down.” Ryan hoped his forlorn expression would earn him a break from Jake’s digs.
    “Must be a blue moon.” Jake slapped him on the back.
    Ryan laughed. “Must be.”
    “Let’s get some grub. The team held up dinner for you. We’re starving.”
    “Yeah me, too.” But not for food

    ***
Deep in thought, Samantha played with her meal. Normal y she didn’t mind eating alone, but tonight she didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts.
    It was unfair since nothing would be said if Bradley bought a player dinner or even chugged down a beer with the whole team. If a female, especial y a newbie like her, acted the same way her integrity would be cal ed into question. Her father lectured her on the unwritten rules of the road. She recal ed his stern voice, ‘Number one, no fraternizing with the players, including Ryan. People wil get the wrong idea.’
    His teammates reactions outside the elevator were proof of that. Though their suspicions weren’t far off track, Ryan had derailed them from that path.
    Coaches and trainers were off limits as wel , and having dinner with a male sportswriter would have the other reporters talking. And after the Yorker article, female sportswriters steered clear of her like a player who avoids deviating from his game day routine. Maybe after a year or two, after she’d proven herself, she could mingle a bit more. But for now, she sat alone.
    Samantha stared down at her plate. The Thai chicken looked as unappealing as it tasted. Of course, after kissing Ryan she wasn’t sure she’d ever savor food again. If what happened in the elevator was the appetizer, it wetted her hunger for the buffet. Freaking damn rules. If she had a dinner companion she wouldn’t be sitting here thinking about feeding on Ryan’s tongue or his other interesting body parts.
    She jumped in her seat when her cel phone rang. Checking the screen first before answering, she felt a twinge of guilt as she flipped open the phone. “Hi, Mom!” She tried to