“—but training sessions involve drawing up practice plans and small area games—”
“So the kids will have others to play against.”
“—and it’s a big investment of time.”
“You’re up to the challenge,” she ended encouragingly.
What he was up for was getting her into bed. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll start with informal coaching for a small group.”
She nodded and smiled. “Now that that’s settled, let’s discuss the remarks you’ll be giving at the fund-raiser.”
The woman didn’t miss a beat. But now it was his turn to hit the puck back at her. “If you search online, you’ll come up with my past speeches. My talk to the sports group in Boston on working hard and realizing your dreams. My humorous anecdotes about my rookie year in the NHL—”
“You’ll want to say something flattering about the Pershing School.” She looked earnest as she said it.
“And my time there?” he queried. “How do I work in my suspension—” he leaned forward confidentially “—or the episode on the theater department’s casting couch?”
She shifted. “I thought we’d established I didn’t land you a suspension out of retaliation.”
“No, but I still think of it as a...highlight of my high school career. How do I discuss my time at Pershing without mentioning it?”
“Stick to sports and academics,” she sidestepped. “And it wasn’t a casting couch. You’re not a Hollywood starlet who had to put out for the sake of her career.”
He grinned. “Yeah, but you were definitely auditioning me for the role of study buddy with benefits. How did I do?”
“Could have been better,” she harrumphed.
“I am now, sweet pea. Don’t you want to find out how much better?” He liked teasing her, and what’s more, he couldn’t help it.
Her gaze skittered away from his and then stopped in the distance, her eyes widening.
She looked back at him and flushed.
Before he could react, she leaned forward, cupped his face with both her hands and pressed her lips to his.
What the...? It was Cole’s last thought before he went motionless.
Her lips felt soft and full, and she tasted sweet. Her floral scent wafted to him. He was surprised by the fact that she’d made the first move, but he was more than happy to oblige...
He parted his lips and pulled her forward.
She slipped into the gap between his legs, her arms encircling his neck.
He caressed her lips with his and then deepened the kiss. He stroked her tongue, tangling with her and swallowing her moan.
The sounds of the bar receded, and he brought a laser focus to the woman in his arms. He silently urged Marisa even closer so that her breasts pressed into him.
Come on. More...
“Talk about a surprise.”
The words sounded from behind him, and Marisa pulled away.
Cole caught her startled, guilty look before he turned and straightened, and saw Sal Piazza’s too-jovial expression. Vicki clung to Sal’s arm, her face betraying shock.
Glancing at Marisa, Cole suddenly understood everything. He settled his face into a bland expression and forced himself back from their heated kiss.
Sal held out his hand. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Cole.”