Strike to the Heart(15)

Someone tapped a microphone and the crowd began to settle down. It would be a wait before I could congratulate her personally. They’d present the check and the trophy. There would be a press conference. Hell, she needed to see a doctor. That should come first, but I didn’t think Jo wanted to miss her moment.

Would this bring her rank to number one? I didn’t know. Right in this moment, I wanted her to enjoy her victory. There would be time later for worry.

If I were lucky, I’d be able to arrange for us to have a private celebration later. An injured ankle wouldn’t keep me from dousing her in champagne and feasting on her sweet skin. I lo—

I cut off my thought as realization swept through me. I loved Jo. I loved everything about her. I loved her gorgeous face and her cranky attitude. I loved arousing her until desire burned away every hint of shyness. I loved watching her play tennis. I loved being with her.

But she’d been clear she wasn’t planning for the future—not any future that included me. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t going to let it.





Chapter 9

Jo

The doctor’s fingers gently probed my swollen ankle. “You’re going to have to stay off this. I don’t know what matches you have coming up, but I’d suggest you skip them. I want to see you in two weeks, but I suspect you won’t be able to play for at least eight. It’s hard to say.”

My heart lurched. I was a grand slam champion, but was it going to be my last competitive play? My mind drifted as the doctor continued to speak about elevating my foot and physical therapy.

“Have you got that?”

“What? Yes. Okay.” I’d call him later. I couldn’t take it all in right now. I grabbed my crutches and struggled out into the waiting area.

Zane looked up. “What did he say?”

“Nothing really. Stay off it for now. Take it easy.”

“I know the perfect place to do that.”

“Where is that?” I smiled, expecting him to counter with “in bed.”

“Come to the beach with me. Spend a week lazing on the sand with a cold drink.”

It sounded tempting. Very tempting. But what would that mean? Going on a vacation together wasn’t in my plans. I was getting dangerously close to needing Zane, and that was the last thing I wanted. Against my better judgment, I nodded.

“Make sure you bring plenty of bikinis. Or not. The beach is totally private.” Zane waggled his eyebrows.

I laughed. “I think I’m going to need a lot of sunscreen.”

“Oh yeah. Lots of sunscreen. And someone to help you put it on.”

~ * ~ * ~

Jo

The plane sped down the runway and lifted off. My eyes were glued to the window as the iconic New York City skyline came into view.

Zane rubbed my shoulder. “I didn’t think flying commercial would allow you to elevate your foot properly.”

I leaned toward him and laughed. “Oh really? You chartered a plane so I could elevate my foot?” He had a point. It seemed like the seats were closer together on every flight.

“Well, even first class is rather cramped … for certain things.”

“Certain things?” I enjoyed bantering with Zane. I felt light, like the weight was off my shoulders. I was ready to kick back on the beach without worrying about anything.

“Yeah. Certain things. Sexy things. Intimate things. I didn’t want to risk getting thrown off the plane.”

I laughed. “You’re afraid of getting thrown off the plane?”

“I didn’t want to cause an incident. They would have to divert. It could get ugly.”

“An incident?” I tried to imagine the splashy headlines that would erupt.

Tennis Player’s Love Game Diverts Flight.

It’s the Mile High Club for Ryan and Parker-Barrow.

Zane stroked my arm. “There’s no way I can sit next to you for hours and be able to keep my hands to myself.”

“Is that so? No way?” My skin heated and I softened inside. Everything about Zane turned me on.

“Absolutely no way.” Zane unbuckled his seatbelt and held out his hand.

I tilted my head. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a bed in the back. Sometimes people like to sleep on long trips.”

I looked around the cabin. “But … won’t they know?”

“Who?”

I gestured toward the cockpit. “The flight attendant. The pilots.”

“We’ll be quiet.”

“But I mean—” Part of me wanted to. I wanted Zane’s hands on me—everywhere. But my little voice of caution wouldn’t shut up.

“It’s nothing they haven’t seen before. I’m sure they know people have sex. I’m sure they suspect we’re having sex.”