Free Delay of Game (The Baltimore Banners Book 6) by Lisa B. Kamps Page A

with her chest. She didn't miss the flash of hunger in his lingering gaze or the faint flush that suddenly tinged his cheeks pink. He cleared his throat and looked away, then shut the door and walked around to the driver's side.
    He started the engine and the truck rumbled to life, the powerful engine throbbing beneath them. Justin turned in the seat, his brows lowered in a small frown, discomfort and indecision creasing his face.
    "I'm sorry Randy gave you shit. I wasn't thinking—"
    "No, it's fine. Really." She smiled and reached over, placed her hand on his where it rested against the center console. He looked so worried, so unsure. She squeezed his hand and smiled again. "He's just being Randy, don't worry about it."
    "Are you sure? We don't have to do this if you don't want to. I mean, I understand, I'm cool with that if you changed your mind."
    He looked so unsure, so lost and uncertain that Val's heart melted just a little more. Trouble, definitely trouble. It didn't matter if he was trouble, she wanted that frown to disappear, wanted to see that boyish smile on his face, no matter how dangerous it was.
    She leaned over and cupped his cheek, felt the smoothness of his freshly-shaved jaw beneath her palm. Then she pressed her mouth against his, softly, the kiss meant to be nothing more than gentle reassurance. He stiffened, for just a second, then wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, his mouth opening under hers, his tongue suddenly dancing with her own.
    He tasted like mint and spice and something else, something sweet and heady. What was meant as nothing more than reassurance exploded, deepened, unleashing a fiery need that uncoiled inside her.
    Justin Tome was so much more than trouble. Val didn't know why, didn't understand this sudden effect he had on her or why she wanted to be with him. What she did know was that if not for the large center console, she'd be climbing into his lap right now, spectators be damned.
    Maybe Justin knew that, maybe he sensed what she wanted. Or maybe he just had more common sense than she did because he pulled away with a small groan, his breathing harsh.
    At least she wasn't the only one suddenly having trouble catching her breath. She cleared her throat and lowered herself back in the seat, squirming to get comfortable. "I didn't change my mind."
    "Good. That's, uh, good. Okay. We're still on. Good." Justin shifted in his own seat with a small groan she barely heard, would have missed if she hadn't been watching him so closely. He shifted again then looked over at her. And there was that boyish smile that curled one corner of his mouth, that lit his eyes and made him so much more dangerous.
    "Were you in the mood for anything special? For dinner, I mean. Food." He cleared his throat and looked away, shifted in the seat once more, looked back at her. "I wasn't sure what you might want to eat."
    Was it her imagination, or did another blush darken his cheeks, just the smallest bit? Val couldn't be sure, not with the shadows filling the car. She bit the inside of her cheek for just a second, stopping herself from saying something inappropriate, something guaranteed to make her blush as well.
    "Actually, I have been having a huge craving for pizza. With lots of gooey cheese." She frowned, pulling on her lower lip. "I guess you can't do junk food though, can you? Especially with playoffs coming up."
    Justin laughed, the sound a little rough but not quite forced. "Considering what I've been doing the last few months, I doubt if a couple slices of pizza for one night are going to hurt me."
    "Are you sure? I don't want—"
    "I'm positive." He gave her another smile then put the truck in gear. "And I know just the place for the perfect slice."
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Justin wedged himself further into the corner, his gaze darting across the crowd before resting once more on Val. She sat across from him, her long black hair pulled over one shoulder, her eyes sparkling