“Are you sure? Maybe you’re protecting yourself and your career. Is this job a throwaway one for you, a way to worm your way into the sport again?” She stood and walked over to him, running her hand up his tense and twitching arm. “You’re probably right.”
“Probably?” He yanked out of her grasp.
She ignored his interruption and continued. “It looks like it. And yes, I am aware that reality and perception are two different things, but I am here to help you manage those perceptions.”
“What do you care? As long as I keep my nose clean off the field, management is happy.”
“But that’s notyourgoal, is it? You want another contract, somewhere, after this. You and I both know that unless you show something remarkable on the field, no one will take you no matter how squeaky clean you are off the field.”
He ran his fingers through his chocolate brown hair and glared impotently at her.
“You know I’m right.”
“Damn it. I’m taking a shower.” He stalked into the bathroom and slammed the door.
“Think about it,” she called through the door.
Damn. She usually handled sensitive discussions with more finesse, but she botched this one. How could she read slimy politicians so easily and have this man be a complete mystery to her? Was it the sex? She had slept with men before and had never had any of them be such a puzzle. Nor had she ever cared about a client and his future. He was right—his future was not her concern. She was hired to get him through this season, not a contract for next season.
Maybe she should remember her goal because if she screwed this up, she would lose all chance of a serious job after this. She and Jason were in exactly the same boat. They both needed this job to work to get back on top, back in the game. It bothered her that she needed to rely on someone else for her success. That had not worked out so well for her with the senate race and Representative Glazier. And now she had to trust Jason, that he would keep his end of the bargain.
Hopefully, she could trust him. Her future was in his hands. And that scared the crap out of her.