Straddling the Line

THIRTY

HAVEN DIDN’T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF SOME of the other players offering themselves up for interviews about Trevor. But as she sat there and watched the team practice, she noticed Trevor would talk to one of the players, who would nod, and then later on make his way over to her.

She rolled her eyes, feeling manipulated and irritated. Who was in charge of this interview, anyway? So whenever one of the guys came over and offered himself up, she politely turned him down, telling him she’d look him up later if she had any questions about Trevor.

Damn the man for always wanting to control things. Maybe she’d put that in her bio piece about him.

God forbid he should hand over the reins of control to a woman, letting her be in charge.

Though he hadn’t minded whenever she’d wanted to climb on top of him during sex. She’d been in charge then, hadn’t she?

As she saw him dash down the field, the ball sailing in the air and landing in Trevor’s arms, goose bumps pricked her skin. She vividly recalled herself naked, riding Trevor’s lean hips while he dug his fingers into her flesh, urging her to take them both right to the edge, then over. Her nipples tightened, her pussy quivering with the need to—

Dammit. Shaking herself out of her self-induced sex dream, she forced her attention on Trevor’s confident jaunt back to the huddle. She caught him taking a quick glance up at her sitting on the sidelines. He gave her a knowing smile, almost as if he’d been aware of what she’d been thinking.

No way. It wasn’t like her body was giving off sexual pheromones or she was holding up an I Need to Get Laid sign or anything. He had just smiled at her. That was all it had been. Like a Hi, how’s it going? kind of thing.

Right?

It had just been one night apart. And maybe she hadn’t slept much and she’d stared out at the dark water outside her window instead of sleeping, lost in her own thoughts. She could have been cuddled up next to Trevor’s warm body, or mixed in a tangle of arms and legs, her body moving under—or over—his, wildly crying out in orgasm, instead of sleeping in a cold bed all by herself.

She might as well get used to that, because as soon as the interview was over, that was what she’d be doing every night.

Forcing her thoughts back to her work, she fixed her attention on the notes she’d spent the past few hours making, then put her laptop aside and grabbed her camera. Andy was working film, but she wanted some still shots as well.

She walked the sidelines, framing Trevor as he stood in the huddle. As tall as he was, it was easy to pick him out of all the amazingly athletic players. Or maybe it was just that she could easily call him out. Either way, she grabbed a shot of him bending over in the huddle, and then getting into position as the offense readied for the next play. He charged down the sideline and she took several pictures, getting one of him making a spectacular grab, his body stretched out, his feet leaving the ground as he reached up for the ball.

That was going to be a great still shot. She took several more, just of him, and of him with his team, before going back to her seat.

After practice, she waited for him to shower, then met him at the entrance.

“Good practice?” she asked.

“Yeah. I think we’re ready for Dallas this weekend.”

“Good.”

“I’m going to hit the showers. Oh, and Larry, the receivers coach, has invited a bunch of the receivers to dinner at his place tonight. It’s going to be relaxed, talk strategy. Guys are bringing wives and girlfriends.”

“I’m not a girlfriend. And obviously not a wife.”

“No, but you have to eat, right?”

After their conversation last night, she didn’t know how she felt about going with him. But declining would be petty, and she wasn’t petty. Besides, it would give her an opportunity to see him in action—at least socially—with the other receivers, and the job came first. “Yes, I do have to eat.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“Sure.”

“Great. I’ll meet you back at the house. Dinner’s at seven.”

She left and headed back to the house. She had a few things to talk to him about. She had a great idea she’d come up with during her hours of nonsleep last night, when she’d gone over his bio and reviewed his charity work. She thought it would be a great piece for the interview and she knew he’d love the idea, because it would feature one of his charities. She couldn’t wait to run it by him.

She met with Andy to make arrangements for him to send her the film he’d taken. They were going to meet up again in Dallas this weekend for the game.

She drove back to the house and worked more on her notes so she could send them in to her production team. She was in the dining room, working on her laptop, when Trevor came home.

“Hey,” he said, laying his bag down in the kitchen.

“Hey yourself.”

“Are you working?”

“Yes. Finishing up some notes and uploading some photos I took of you and the team today. Would you like to see them?”

“Yeah.” He leaned over her while she showed him the photos. This was actually the first time he’d reviewed her work.

“These are good. You’re a great photographer, Haven.”

She tilted her head back to smile at him. “Thanks.”

“Could you send me a couple of the pics you don’t use?”

“Sure. Are you going to frame them and hang them on your wall?”

He laughed. “No. But I’ll send them to the person who handles my PR and she can use them.”

“I see.”

The doorbell rang, and Trevor went to the door. He came back with a man who looked to be in his midthirties, dressed in a dark suit. He was quite good-looking in a GQ kind of way, with short sandy blond hair, deep blue eyes, and black Clark Kent glasses.

“Haven, this is my lawyer, Bradley Rayburn.”

She got up from the table and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Bradley.”

“Call me Brad. Nice to meet you, too, Haven. You must be the person interviewing Trevor for the network feature story.”

“I am.”

“How’s that going?”

“It’s going very well. As you know, Trevor is quite the subject.” She cast a smile Trevor’s way.

Brad grinned. “Yeah, he is.”

Brad put his briefcase on the table, opened it, and pulled out a file folder. He opened it and took out what looked like contracts. “These are ready to sign.”

Trevor sat at the table and took the pen Brad handed him. “Where the flags are?”

“Yeah.” Brad turned to Haven. “So how long have you been in sports broadcasting?”

Haven had her attention on Trevor, but pulled it away briefly to give a quick glance to Brad. “Oh, not long.”

Trevor signed the contracts, then handed the papers back to Brad. “Here you go.”

“Great. I’ll have these countersigned and an executed copy should be ready for you within a week.”

“Okay.”

Brad closed his briefcase, then turned to Haven. “It was great meeting you, Haven.”

“You, too, Brad.”

Trevor walked him to the door, then came back. Haven leaned against the table and crossed her arms.

“What?” he asked.

“You didn’t even read whatever it was he asked you to sign.”

Trevor waited a few beats before answering her. “Oh. I’d already gone over those contracts in Brad’s office. I knew what they were.”

“Still. Don’t you think you should have read them over to make sure no changes were made?”

“Nah. I trust Brad. We’ve been together since I started my career. If there’d been changes, he would have told me.”

“I know it’s not my business, Trevor, but really, that’s not a good idea. You should always read anything before you sign it.”

He came over and swept his hand down her arm, then clasped his fingers with hers. “Thanks for looking out for me, Haven, but really, the contract was fine. And so is Brad.”

She shrugged. “If you say so.” She untangled her hand from his and picked up her phone. “I need to go change for dinner.”

“Yeah, me too.”

She went upstairs and took a shower, did her hair and makeup and put on a pair of capris and a tank, then chose a sheer long-sleeved button-down blouse to put over it. She slipped into her shoes and went downstairs.

Trevor was already there, wearing cargo pants and a short-sleeved shirt that hugged his well-muscled chest.

She sighed in appreciation. “You look good.”

He smiled and came over to her, picked up her hand, and kissed the back of it. “And you look gorgeous.”

He tugged her close and kissed her, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her against him, making her wish they were staying in tonight instead of going out. Just the feeling of his body pressed tight to hers, and the taste of his lips and tongue as he moved his mouth expertly over hers, ignited a fire inside her that demanded to be extinguished.

But she knew they had somewhere else to be, so she laid her palms on his chest and broke the kiss. “If you keep that up, we’re not going to make it to dinner at your coach’s house tonight.”

His eyes gleamed hot with desire, the evidence of that in his erection that brushed against her. “Is that a bad thing?”

She shuddered against him. “For me? No. For you? Probably.”

He sighed. “Okay. I’ll just drive with a hard-on.”

“You’re not the only one turned on here, you know.”

He fished a condom out of one of the many pockets in his pants. “We could have a quickie. I could make you come in a hurry.”

She cocked a brow. “You think you’re that good?”

He lifted her onto the kitchen counter. “I know I am.”

In seconds, her shoes were on the floor and he’d tugged off her capris and her underwear. She’d thought about objecting, but she’d ignited in a hurry with the way he’d kissed her and held her, and she wanted this as much as he did.

She’d missed him last night, and it was ridiculous to deny herself such great sex. As long as she was clear about where this was headed between them—which was nowhere—she could put that lock firmly back on her heart and at least enjoy the chemistry between them.

So when he spread her legs and put his mouth on her sex, she was more than ready. She leaned back on her elbows and draped her legs over his shoulders, giving him access and letting herself fall under his spell.

He was right to be so confident. His lips and tongue performed magic, and she was there in seconds, delightful pleasure building to a fast crescendo. Her orgasm was a fast rush of intensity, a welcome release that made her quiver and moan, her body shaking as it felt like every part of her body had lit up as she climaxed.

Trevor pulled her off the counter, then turned her around and bent her over it. He unzipped his pants and put on the condom, then entered her with a quick thrust. She was wet, throbbing, waiting for him, welcoming him with a whimper as he drove into her.

He grasped her hips and pushed into her, then retreated, doing it again and again until all she could feel was him—every inch of him—thick and swelling inside her as he rushed to his own release.

She reached down to rub her clit, wanting to go again, knowing she could because the way he pumped into her drove her into a frenzy of need.

“You going to come for me, Haven?”

“Yes. I need this.”

She was there—right there, and he eased out, slowing his pace, giving her the few minutes she needed to reach her orgasm. She thrust back against him and cried out when she released, this time so much better because he was inside her. She felt him, squeezed him, her body pulsing around him as she came.

And when he came, he groaned and laid his body over hers, his body shuddering against hers. He held tight to her and kissed her back as he rode out his orgasm.

Shaky and grasping for breath, she held on to the counter, Trevor holding tight to her.

He released her and he turned her around, cupping her face as he gave her a lingering kiss.

“That might have been a little bit more than a quickie.”

She brushed her fingers over his bottom lip. “You’re not going to get a complaint from me.”

He grinned, then they grasped at clothes as they raced upstairs. Haven did a quick cleanup and repair of her hair and makeup, then got dressed and met Trevor back downstairs. She once again found him leaning against the kitchen counter, only this time with a smug smile on his face.

“This is like déjà vu,” he said.

“Isn’t it, though?”

When she came to him, he pulled her into his arms and once again gave her a devastating kiss. Sparks of desire reignited.

“You start this again, we really won’t get there,” she said, rubbing her lips against his.

He skimmed his fingers up her arm, inciting delicious tingles.

“I can’t help it. You tempt me.”

Before they did end up spending the night in the house, she grabbed his keys and walked to the garage. “Come on, let’s go.”

His coach’s house was in Tampa, so it took about a half hour to get there. There was a full contingent of cars in the driveway and on the street.

“We’re late,” she said as they parked.

“That’s okay. I’ll tell Larry we were having sex. He’ll understand.”

She shot him a horrified look. “You will not.”

He laughed. “Come on.”

They rang the bell, and a woman opened the door. She was curvy and had gorgeous green eyes, with brown hair cut in a bob. She looked to be in her midforties and was absolutely beautiful. She smiled at Trevor.

“Hi, Trevor.”

“Hey, Sally. This is Haven. She’s working on an interview about me.”

“I’ve heard about the interview. Larry told me about it. Nice to meet you, Haven. Come on in, you two. Everyone else is already here.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. We were . . . delayed,” Trevor said. Haven felt herself blush.

“It’s no problem. We haven’t started dinner yet. Go make yourself at home. Larry’s in the living room with the guys. Haven, you can come in the kitchen with me if you’d like. All the women are in there. Or if you’d feel more comfortable hanging out with Trevor . . .”

“No, I’d love to come with you, Sally.”

With a lingering smile at Trevor, Haven followed Sally down the long hallway into a beautiful kitchen that was all turquoise and creams. It had a huge peninsula where several women were sitting, and a table off to the side where several more sat.

“Everyone, this is Haven. She’s here with Trevor.”

“Well, lucky you,” one of them said, then stood. “I’m Felicia, Brady McCall’s girlfriend.”

She recognized a few of the other women from the scavenger hunt, as well. She spotted Allison, Elvin’s girlfriend, and met Tania Ford, Rodney’s wife. Rodney was one of the offensive linesmen, and she’d interviewed him already.

She was introduced to the rest of them, and just hoped she’d remember all the names.

“What would you like to drink?” Sally asked. “We have wine, margaritas, iced tea, and water.”

“I’d love some wine.”

“Come choose which one,” Sally said, and Haven chose a sauvignon blanc.

Sally poured her a glass.

The kitchen also smelled great. She didn’t know what Sally was cooking, but she couldn’t imagine having to fix dinner for all these people.

“Is there something I can do to help with dinner?”

“No, thank you, Haven. We’ve got that under control. Steaks and chicken are already fixed and are warming, and the ladies here all brought sides. It’s an easy meal tonight.”

“Oh, Trevor didn’t tell me to bring a side. I’m so sorry.”

Sally laid her hand on Haven’s arm. “You weren’t required to bring anything. Just sit back and enjoy your wine.”

Haven took a seat at the table.

For a while, she sat and listened to the women chat. Being an outsider, she wanted to get a feel for the group. Many of these women had been together for a lot of years. It showed, too, as they talked kids and husbands and boyfriends and team wins and losses. They talked about the games and the guys traveling and what team they’d be playing next.

These women knew their football—and their players—an angle Haven hadn’t considered before. But it was in her head now, and it was something she wanted to explore.

“You haven’t said much, Haven,” Felicia said. “I hope we’re not boring you.”

“Quite the contrary, actually. I was listening to all of you talk about football. I don’t know how many of you know this about me, but I’m actually a sports reporter for a network. I’m working with Trevor doing an extensive interview about his life and career.”

Tania raised a brow. “Really? That should be interesting. And informative. And a ton of fun.”

Haven laughed. “It has been—all of those things. Anyway, as I’ve been listening to all of you, it occurred to me that there’s so much about the wives and girlfriends of the players that’s unknown—or possibly misrepresented. You really know your football. All the teams and all the players. I’d love to do a story about all of you.”

Sally frowned. “A story about us? Why?”

“I think you’re all fascinating. Kind of a behind-the-player—or the-woman-behind-the-player type of feature. Even the coaches’ wives as well. I don’t really have it all figured out yet, but you all know so much about football. Not just what your guy does, but you have an in-depth knowledge about the other players on the team, and the other teams Tampa plays. It’s impressive.”

Amanda laughed. “If you’re going to date or marry a football player—or in my case, a coach—you’d better know football. We don’t just go to the mall when our guys are playing football. I love football. I loved the sport before I met George. Having someone involved in football was just icing.”

“That’s true,” Tania said. “I love that Rodney plays football, but I was a sports nut before he and I ever met. My dad played college football, too. It was ingrained in me from childhood.”

And it was those types of human interest stories that would make for a great piece. “If you all are interested, when I’m done with Trevor’s story, I’ll take down your numbers and get back to you.”

They all looked to each other, and she got an immediate positive response.

She thought about the Rivers team as well. Liz, who was a sports agent. Alicia, who also worked for the Rivers. Tara, who owned her own company. So many women rich with experience on their own, but who also knew their players and the team so well.

This could be a great interview.

TREVOR WAS DEEP IN CONVERSATION WITH LARRY, George, and the other receivers, talking strategy and potential plans of attack, when Sally came in with the women.

“Okay, gentlemen. Dinner is ready, so it’s time to take a break. We want to eat before the Thursday night game starts, don’t we?”

Larry raised his head. “Yeah, we sure do, honey. Come on, guys.”

Trevor found Haven in the kitchen. She handed him a plate.

“How’s it going?” he asked.

Her lips tilted. “Very well, actually. How about you?”

“Great. We don’t get a chance during practice to have intense meetings like this. It’s helpful to get away from the field and just talk about how we’re going to approach it.”

“Good to know.”

They found a seat at the dining room table. Trevor ate steak, potatoes, and broccoli. And then went back for more.

“Hungry?” Haven asked.

“A little. Worked up an appetite at practice today.”

“And it’s a good thing you burn it all off at practice, too.”

“It’s how I keep my figure.”

She laughed.

“This is all so delicious,” Haven said to Sally, who was sitting on the other side of her.

“Thank you. We try to do this a couple times a season. It’s good for George to have a sit-down with his receivers. And of course, for all of us women to get together somewhere besides the stadium.”

“I told Sally I wanted to do a piece on the women of football,” Haven said to Trevor.

“The women of football? You mean there aren’t enough guys?” Rodney asked her.

“Oh, there are plenty of you. But your women have interesting stories to tell.”

“Indeed we do,” Tania said with a smile.

“That could be a great angle,” Trevor said.

“I think so,” Haven said. “And speaking of interesting stories, when I was reviewing your bio I noticed you have the Greater Tampa literacy project as one of your charities.”

“I do.”

“I made arrangements for you to do a reading with some of their kids next week as part of the interview. You’ll go in and read to a few of the kids. I think it’ll make for a great human interest piece.”

Trevor’s fork stilled on its way to his mouth. “What?”

“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, Haven,” Allison said. “Several of our guys are invested in this project.”

“Is that right? Maybe some of them could come along and read as well. If you could tell me who they are, I’ll make contact with them and see if they’re interested.”

“I’m sure they will be. All the guys involved with the charity would love to have some focus turned on it. Isn’t that right, Trevor?”

Trevor could barely focus on what Allison and Haven were saying. All he heard was Haven saying they’d film him reading to the kids.

He couldn’t do it.

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

His throat had gone dry, his dinner now a brick sitting in his stomach.

He had to find a way to get out of this.

The rest of the night passed in a blur until it was time to say their good-byes. They climbed into the car and Trevor was dead silent on the drive back.

“It was fun tonight, wasn’t it?” Haven finally asked.

“Yeah.”

“I really liked all the women. And I have such a fantastic idea for a new story to present to my producer.”

“That’s good.” He gripped the steering wheel, focusing on the road, the cars ahead of him, trying to keep his attention on driving, while at the same time his mind whirled with ways to get out of what Haven had planned for him.

Fortunately, she’d been busy making notes on her phone, so she stopped talking to him.

He needed time alone. He had to think, to figure a way to back out of this. But how was he going to do that without coming across as a dick?

Damn Haven for putting him in this position. Why couldn’t she have asked him first?

By the time he pulled into the parking garage of the house, he was angry and on edge. He tossed his keys on the counter and went to the fridge to grab a beer.

Haven fixed herself a glass of ice water, then took a seat on the sofa in the living room.

“You were really quiet on the drive back here.”

He took several swallows of beer, not saying anything to her. He needed a minute or two to calm down, hoping the beer would help.

He stopped at the door to the back deck and stared into the darkness, taking another drink of beer.

“Trevor. Is something wrong?”

Anger boiled inside him, looking for a way out. He tried to contain it, but he turned to face her. “You made a decision without consulting me.”

She blinked. “Excuse me? What decision?”

“The literacy event.”

“What about it? I thought you’d be happy.”

He took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have booked that without consulting me.”

“Why not? Is there some problem with the organization?”

“No. They’re a great organization. That’s why they’re one of the charities I support.”

“Then I don’t understand the problem.”

He saw her frown, and he knew he wasn’t getting his point across.

And he knew why. Because there was something he wasn’t telling her, something he couldn’t tell her without divulging his secret.

He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I can’t do it.”

“Okay. Care to explain why?”

“No. Just cancel it.”

He finished his beer and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin. It hadn’t helped, so he grabbed another out of the refrigerator.

Haven got up and came over to him. “Trevor, I can tell you’re upset about this. Talk to me.”

He pushed past her and opened the door to the back deck, needing the cool night air to clear his head. He walked all the way out to the boat dock and sat.

Haven followed, pulling up a spot next to him.

“I’ve never seen you this upset. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

Instead, he downed half the contents of his bottle of beer, looking for a solution in oblivion. Maybe if he got drunk, his problem would go away.

“I don’t want to talk about this.”

“I think you should. Tell me why you don’t want to do this story. If it’s something about the facility . . .”

“It’s not the facility. They’re great.”

“Then what is it?”

The last thing he wanted right now was to listen to her calm, concerned voice. He pushed off the dock, needing to get away from Haven. He went into the house, but he heard her right on his heels, quietly shutting the door behind her.

“Not now, Haven,” he said, not even looking at her.

“I’m not going away, Trevor.”

His blood boiling, he whipped around to face her. “Maybe you should.”

The hurt and confusion on her face was evident. “What?”

“I think we’re done here.”

She paused for a second, then shook her head. “Oh, no. You don’t get to push me away that easily. Something’s bothering you, and it has nothing to do with you and me. So tell me what’s up.”

He shook his head. “I’m going to bed.”

He tossed the empty beer bottle in the bin and headed up the stairs, intending to lock himself in his room, cowardly avoiding a confrontation with Haven. But she hurried in front of him on the stairs, blocking him.

“I’m not going to let you do this, Trevor. Talk to me.”

“I don’t have anything to say.”

“Don’t avoid me. Don’t avoid this.”

“There’s nothing to avoid. I’m pissed you went behind my back and scheduled something you shouldn’t have. It’s as simple as that.”

“No, it’s not that simple. You’re afraid. I can see it in your face. Now tell me what’s going on, because I’m not going to let this drop.”

They stood on the landing, right in front of her bedroom. He could push her out of the way and he sure as hell could outrun her. And yeah, he could hide in his room, but she’d still be there in the morning, asking the same goddamn questions.

“Leave it alone, Haven.”

She grasped his hand. “I’m worried about you, Trevor. I’ve never seen you so upset. Please talk to me. Come to my room and talk to me.”

She tugged on his hand, but he refused to yield.

If he told her, it would change everything.

No one knew. Brad knew, but he had to know. His agent knew as well.

They were the only ones.

Besides his parents, of course. And Zane.

But he’d never told anyone. Deliberately, he’d never told anyone.

His throat felt like it was closing up. It was hard to swallow. His heart pounded against his rib cage. He couldn’t do this.

“Trevor. Why can’t you do the literacy event?”

He could barely feel her squeezing his hand as he finally blurted out the words he’d sworn he’d never say to anyone else.

“Because I can’t goddamn read.”