Relationships didn’t work, and love didn’t last. Screw their attraction and mind-blowing chemistry. A superstar athlete with legions of female fans couldn’t be trusted, so falling for Emilio was out of the question.
“If I score here the game is over.”
Emilio cocked an eyebrow and held up his palms. “What, no trick shot?”
“If you insist.” Sharleen slid her pool stick behind her back and lowered her hips as if she were doing the limbo. “Nine ball, corner pocket.”
Holding her breath, Sharleen watched as the cue ball bounced off the rails, sped down the table and dropped into the corner pocket. Thrilled about her win, she danced around the pool table and laughed when the other patrons on the second floor broke into applause.
“Congratulations.”
“Why, thank you, Mr. Morretti.”
The epitome of cool, he leaned against the table and crossed his legs at the ankles. “You’re a great player, Ms. Nichols. And beautiful, too.”
Scared she was going to fall victim to her desire, Sharleen tore her gaze away from his mouth and sipped her drink.
“I thought the World Series Racing fans were zealous, but they’ve got nothing on you!” he said.
“Do you miss racing?”
“Promise you won’t tell Antwan?”
Sharleen nodded, instinctively moving toward him. She narrowed her eyes, locked in on him, and everyone else in the room faded to the background. “You have my word.”
“Racing is in my blood. It’s what I was born to do. And I feel incomplete without it.”
“Then why don’t you enter the All-Star Race?”
His tone was filled with skepticism. “What do you know about the All-Star Race?”
“I know you won the event three consecutive times, and that your last record-breaking win cemented your place in the Hall of Fame,” Sharleen said, glad she’d done her research. “You’re a global icon, with legions of fans, and the league just isn’t the same without you.”
Smiling politely, he bowed his head. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
“I think you’re being modest.”
“A lot of people had a hand in my professional accomplishments. I had an awesome run and incredible success, but none of it would have happened without the support of my family, my sponsors and my loyal, hardworking pit crew...”
Having coached high-profile clients with monster-size egos before, Sharleen was surprised by Emilio’s humility. He wasn’t trying to impress her or putting on airs; he was speaking from the heart, and it was obvious he meant every word he said.
“I dream about returning to the sport almost every day,” he confessed. “I miss the competition, traveling to exotic locales and most importantly—”
“The groupies at every pit stop?”
Sharleen regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. His furrowed eyebrows and clenched jaw told her he was put off by her joke. “I’m sorry,” she said, smiling apologetically. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Please continue.”
“I miss my crew. Those guys are my brothers, and I think about them all the time.”
“You should give them a call.”
“I can’t. After my nephew died, I pushed them away...” Emilio sighed then shrugged. “I want to reach out, but I don’t know what to say.”
“‘Hello. How are you?’ is a pretty good place to start.”
A grin dimpled his cheek. “You have all the answers, don’t you?”
To keep the mood light and playful, Sharleen joked, “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!”
“I’m glad we met.” He tipped his head toward her and dropped his voice to a low, throaty pitch. “You’re the kind of woman I need in my life.”
Your professional life or your personal life?
Sharleen didn’t know how it happened, but they were side by side. Their arms were touching, their legs, too, and they were so close she could see the rise and fall of his chest. “Can I give you a piece of advice? Something my father used to tell me?”
He nodded his head and stared at her.
Her body was trembling, but she conquered her nerves and spoke in a clear, confident voice. “It doesn’t matter what people say or think about you. Do what brings you joy, and always be your true, authentic self. At the end of the day, that is really all that matters.”
“Your father was a wise man, and it’s obvious you inherited his remarkable insight.”
His words were kind, and his eyes were full of sympathy, but she became flustered nonetheless. He was out-and-out flirting with her, and it felt great! Her emotions seesawed between excitement and trepidation. Emilio was a good guy, an honest-to-goodness gentleman, and the more they talked, the more Sharleen desired him. I am in way over my head. Maybe I should refer Emilio to Brad—