Chapter 1
Jase
Have you ever done something accidentally on purpose? You know, pretend that you “accidentally” forgot to complete a task, when the truth is that you didn’t want to do it or didn’t have time? I guess that’s also called a little white lie. However you want to refer to it, I just committed the crime.
She left me no choice.
For over a year, I’ve been asking Samantha Wilson to go out on a date with me. Every time she turns me down. Although her words say no, I can see it in her eyes, she wants to. She’s stuck on this concept that I’m a player. Sure, I played the game on and off the field. Now that I’m retired, I’m ready for more. I want to settle down, and Samantha claims she doesn’t believe me.
I call bullshit.
She wants me, but she’s fighting it. I’m just a regular guy. I know it’s the fame that scares her. If she could only look past that to see the man, we’d be dating if not married by now. Yes, I know that’s a big assumption, but it’s also a big deal that she’s all I can think about.
I can still remember the day I first laid eyes on her. I had just announced my retirement from the NFL and had moved back home to Nashville. I was born and raised in Ohio, but my sister married a musician, and once she started having babies, Mom and Dad couldn’t stand the distance. They moved here soon after. I love the city and being close to my family. As soon as I announced my retirement, I put my house in Texas up for sale and headed home. Once I was settled in, it was time to connect with some old friends. Royce Riggins and I went to college together and stayed in touch through the years. I called him once I was settled, and we set up a time to have lunch.
That’s when I saw her. My Sam. With her long brown hair and those big brown eyes, she captured my attention immediately. And although she thinks I’m playing, I’m not. Sure, in the beginning, it was me seeing a beautiful woman and wanting the pleasure of her company. Now, it’s more than that. So much more.
That brings us to now. I stopped by Royce’s office earlier and purposely left my cell phone on the chair in his office. I wanted it to look as though it fell out of my pocket. The crime I told you about? That was my phone call to his office from my landline asking if I left my phone. Of course, he found it and insisted his assistant—my Sam—could drop it off. Apparently, she was dropping off some contracts and would be in the neighborhood. I knew all of this. He told me already, hence the reason I left my phone, hoping like hell this was how it would play out.
The buzzer sounds, letting me know that someone is at the gate. Showtime. “Yes?” I say into the intercom. I send up a silent prayer that my sister and brother-in-law Kacen aren’t outside in their yard to hear this go down. I bought a house on their street, along with the rest of the guys in Kacen’s band. It’s like our own little village. Kacen will never cease to give me shit over the beautiful woman who spent time at my place. Not that I really care. He was the same way when it came to my sister, Logan. He loves her fiercely and makes no apologies for it.
“Hey, player.” Sam’s voice cracks over the line. “I’ve got your phone.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, buzzing her through. I don’t waste time as I rush to the door to greet her. “There she is.” I smile as she climbs out of her car. Her long tan legs are in a gray pencil skirt that has me thinking about what it would feel like to have them wrapped around my head while I—
Her voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Earth to Jase.” She laughs, and the sound grips around my heart. “I lost you there for a minute.” She takes three more steps, and she’s standing in front of me. “Here’s your phone. You know, you might want to keep a better eye on this thing, player. Losing it will surely interfere with your hook-up game,” she teases.
“Samantha.” I shake my head. “How many times do I have to tell you, there is no hooking up. I’m waiting for you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” The smile on her face as she shakes her head in disbelief tells me she thinks I’m teasing.
“I can prove it.”
“Yeah? How?”
“Come inside.”
“Oh, no.” She chuckles. “I’m not falling for the ‘come inside so I can seduce you’ play. I thought you had more game than that, Andrews.”
Frustrating woman. “Let me show you.”
Her eyes stray to my cock that’s hard and getting harder by the second with her eyes on me. “I’m…” She swallows hard. “I’m good.”
“Samantha.” I reach out, placing my finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to mine. “Please? I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. I have something to show you, and before you spout off something about my cock, that’s not it. Please, let me show you, and if you want to leave after that, I’ll let you go without a complaint.” For tonight that is. I’m not giving up on her that easily. I know without a doubt she’s the one for me.
“Jase,” she says with a sigh.
She’s wavering. Sliding my hand into hers, I hold her gaze. “Come with me.” I stare into her big brown eyes, willing her to trust me.
“Five minutes,” she relents. “I’ll come inside for five minutes.” Her voice is stern and settled, but once she sees what I have in store for her, I’m hoping she’ll change her mind.
“Thank you, beautiful.” I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Follow me.” With her hand still clasped tightly in mine, I lead her into my house. This isn’t the first time she’s been here. I’ve had get-togethers and insisted that Royce get her here, no matter what he had to do. She’s been in my home, but never just the two of us. “Close your eyes,” I say once we’re inside.
“Jase—” She starts, but I stop her with another kiss. This time to the corner of her mouth.
“Please, Sam. Trust me.” I give her hand a soft squeeze, willing her to do just that.
She nods. “Okay.” Her voice is soft, and I know she’s worried, but she doesn’t need to be. Never with me. Her eyes slide closed, and my heart swells. I’m finally making progress with her.
Moving to stand behind her, I push her long locks to one shoulder and place my hands on her hips. “I’m right here,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers at the contact, and my smile grows. “Over a year, Samantha… I’ve wanted you for over a year.” I keep my voice soft as we walk as one into the living room. “You ready for your surprise, baby?” I ask her. This time I place a soft kiss just under her ear.
“Y-Yes,” she murmurs.
“Open your eyes, Samantha.”
She sucks in a breath as she takes in the sight before her. “W-What is this?”
“This is our first date.”
“What?” she breathes.
I tighten my arms around her. “You’re right about me in one aspect. I am a player.” She stiffens in my arms. “Football was my life from the time I was old enough to hold a ball, and it’s still a huge part of who I am, even though I’m retired. I’m playing, beautiful, but I always play to win.”
“What exactly are you planning to win?” she asks, turning her head to look at me from over her shoulder.