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 cl**axed.

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 h*ps 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.