Unable to stand still any longer, Jessa strolled up the tunnel, dragging her fingertips along the painted cinder blocks as she went. What the hell was she going to do? Keeping track of Garrett on the field was one thing, but off the field … why the hell would her dad want her to keep an eye on his extracurricular activities? There were few who could match her knowledge of the game, but there had to be someone more qualified to deal with this man after-hours.
Jessa wasn’t socially inept, but she chose to keep to herself. Her experience with men was limited, primarily because she hated being treated like a piece of meat. Female friendships were even harder to form. It seemed as if no one could look past her name or her dad’s money to see who Jessa really was. Everyone wanted something from her. Call her cynical, but been there, done that.
Just once, she’d like to meet someone who would look past all that and realize there was so much more to her. But that wasn’t going to happen this week. Not here and not in this place. Maybe not ever.
Which was why she’d prefer to spend every night in her hotel room, going over stats, preparing reports, hell, even watching a movie. Not keeping her dad’s new best friend out of trouble. The last thing she wanted to do was subject herself to the wild Tampa nightlife. Whatever Garrett did in his spare time was his own business. She didn’t want any part of it.
As much as she’d like to go with that, she knew it would never happen. What was it her dad had said?
“You’re too much like me, baby girl. Focused. Driven. Responsible.”
Translation? Boring. He’d made her sound like a damn car.
Yeah, she’d do her job. But if Garrett thought to drag her all over town while he played the night away, he had another thing coming.
As if she’d conjured him, the man in question rounded the corner, hesitating for a second when their eyes met. Tall and lean, with muscles that strained his practice uniform, Garrett Donovan was gorgeous. Sandy blond curls met the back of his collar, the mass of hair she’d seen in photos contained by the cap on his head. Crystal blue eyes gleamed against tanned skin as his lips turned up into the sexiest grin Jessa had never witnessed.
Holy shit.
His gaze burned a trail across her face, drinking her in before moving over the rest of her body. Her skin warmed under his perusal and she lifted her chin as he looked his fill. It wasn’t something she’d normally tolerate, but the warmth in his eyes, the appreciation in his smile, didn’t make her feel cheap. He’d made her feel beautiful.
What the heck was wrong with her?
She’d watched hours of footage of this man. Had watched the hard lines of his body as he swung a bat or fielded a ball. That man was nothing compared to the live and in person version walking toward her. She’d have to be dead not to notice his sensual energy, and her heart was beating just fine, thank you very much.
She needed to get a grip.
“Ms. Montgomery?” His smile filled with amusement as he extended his hand.
He knew his effect on her. The jackass was already trying to play her with his bedroom eyes and sultry smile. Like an idiot, she’d almost bought into it.
Jessa placed her hand in his and shook firmly, ignoring the jolt of awareness that sizzled up her arm, into her chest and straight to her nipples. “Mr. Donovan, you’re late.”
He nodded once, his hand lingering in hers. A hand that was large, warm, and tanned from long hours in the sun. He caressed her inner wrist and palm as he released her. “My apologies, Ms. Montgomery. I didn’t realize you’d be waiting down here for me. Your father said —”
The mention of her dad ramped up her anger. “What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’ve never been to a locker room before?”
He held his hands up, as if to defend himself. “Easy, princess. That’s not what I meant at all.”
Jessa squared her shoulders. “I’ll have you know, I’ve spent more time on the dirt than you, so let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your princess. My name is Jessa. And you owe me an apology. I’ve been waiting here for over an hour.”