Free Spring Training by Parker Kincade Page B

as long as they were gone.
    As if she’d sensed him, Jessa straightened, affording him a glimpse of the mouthwatering skin of her back. God, he loved her back. The feminine curve of her spine softened under the sleek muscles that went taut as she turned around. He gritted his teeth as the men next to her noticed the movement as well. Garrett hoped he wouldn’t have to kick their asses, but if they didn’t raise their eyes back to a respectable level, it was a serious possibility.
    Garrett maneuvered around tables set with food, sparing a glance toward the sitting area and finding it empty. Great. Once he got rid of Frick and Frack, they’d be alone.
    “I need the room,” Garrett demanded without so much as a greeting.
    Jessa flushed. “What’s the matter with you? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
    “We can do this now, or I can drag your ass out of here and we can do this somewhere else,” he challenged, crossing his arms over his chest.
    “Yes, well,” she sliced her hand through the air. “After your performance out there today, I’d agree there are some things we need to talk about.” Her gaze darted between him and the men who were watching with great interest.
    Her attempt to cover him was laughable. Anyone who was paying attention could feel the tension. A sexual energy so strong he had to fist his hands at his sides to avoid pulling her against him.
    “My performance.” He dragged out the word, rubbing his chin, pretending to consider her words. He let his gaze drop to her breasts and damn if his dick didn’t about jump out of his shorts. “I think a replay is in order.”
    She huffed a breath. “Gentlemen, if you would excuse us for a minute, please?”
    Self-preservation a thing of the past, Garrett responded, “Oh, we’re gonna need more than a minute, sweetheart.”
    Jesus, he’d never been possessive a day in his life, yet here he was … marking his territory.
    His.
    Jessa glared at him, annoyance plastered all over her face as Frick and Frack said quick goodbyes and shuffled out.
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You may not care about what other people think, but I have to. For both our sakes.” Anger sparked in her eyes as she jabbed a finger at him. “You better hope those guys don’t talk about your little stunt, or we’ll have a shit load of explaining to do.”
    “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”
    She crossed her arms. “I have no idea what you mean.”
    “Because you care about what other people think?”
    “I haven’t been —”
    “Cut the shit, Jess. You’ve been avoiding me and you know it. I want to know why.” And they weren’t leaving this room until he had an answer.
    “Oh, I don’t know, Garrett. Maybe it’s because I didn’t want to see more of your disappointment.” She grimaced. “The look that reminds me you made a mistake by having sex with me. The same look you had on your face last night .”
    The hurt in her eyes settled hard in the pit of his stomach.
    “Disappointment? What the hell are you talking about? Is that why you ran out?” He blew out a breath when she didn’t answer.
    His voice turned harsh with frustration. “Christ, Jessa. I’m not into playing games. You shouldn’t have taken off like that.” The thought that she’d believed he’d been sorry ripped a hole in his chest. Nothing could’ve been further from the truth.
    “It was a mistake. You know it. I know it. It doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s move on.”
    “The fuck it doesn’t matter! Is that really what you think?” He couldn’t keep the incredulity from his voice. “Look me in the eye and tell me last night didn’t mean anything, Jessa.”
    She raised her chin. “You know what? Fuck you.”
    “Oh, sweetheart. We’ll get to that, don’t you worry. But first, we need to get a few things straight.”
    Her hand fluttered across her throat. “What do you want from me?”
    Garrett held tight to the temper threatening to erupt. “I want you