Going All the Way (Knights of Passion Book 1) (8 page)

Scott groaned quietly next to him, reminding him that this game didn’t only affect himself but the one person who trusted him and had had his back from day one.

“Sorry. I’ll do my best to follow your rules,” Jason said, trying to appear more choirboy and less fallen angel.

Cole sniffed, clearly unimpressed. Jason met his gaze firmly. The GM leaned in and spoke quietly. “Remember, Friar. I never wanted you here. I think you’re washed up and a train wreck just waiting for the end of the line. I can assure you, I won’t let you drag this team down with you into the gutter. Watch yourself because I’ll be watching you.”

Jason started to stand, but Scott’s hand on his arm restrained him. He settled back into his seat and settled for a dark glare. “Stay out of my way. I know my job; I don’t need you to tell me how to do it.”

The other man sniffed again and stalked out of the room, slamming the door for emphasis. Jason turned back to Stacia and Scott. “That was unpleasant. So, when do we begin?”

Stacia was still pale, a little shaky, probably in shock from his appearance. He didn’t intend to let her off the hook. She was his last tie to the old Jason Friar and he needed to be sure she would keep her mouth shut. Judging by the way she was gaping at him, keeping her quiet could be a much harder task than he had first thought.

Of course, then his second thought veered to the way he’d kept her mouth occupied last night in the hotel and he could feel his cock springing to life. Definitely not the right time or place for that!

“Scott, I think I got it from here. Why don’t you head out and I’ll listen to what Miss Kendall has to say then meet you for dinner, okay?”

Scott frowned, but Jason stood and ushered him out the door before anyone could speak. He shut the door with a firm snick and flipped the lock. The click echoed in the small office. He then slowly turned and studied Stacia, who was biting her lower lip, looking nervous and guilty and sexy all at once.

He sauntered over to the desk and propped a hip on the corner. “So, we have a fine mess here, don’t we?”

“Do we? I didn’t even know who you were last night. Were you the one who asked for me now?”

He shrugged. “If I had to be walked around on a little leash, at least I could enjoy the person holding the other end.”

She stood and poked a finger in his chest. “That’s not happening again.”

“Really? Then why is there a desk between us? Afraid to come close to me?”

She snorted. She walked around the desk to stand directly in front of him, her knees inches from his. “Absolutely not. We’re going to be working closely together. I have no problem with you. I’m just supposed to spruce up your image, make you more fan-friendly.”

“Honey, I’m already fan-friendly, as you well know.” The smell of her musk drifted toward him and he hardened. Another scent followed close behind. The scent of arousal.

Damn it. He didn’t need this complication. So much for controlling his reaction.

“Yes, well, it’s that type of friendly attitude that’s gotten you in this mess, isn’t it?” She pointed to the chairs across from her, but he wouldn’t budge. Sitting here made her nervous and he wasn’t about to let her regain control in this negotiation.

“I’m fine right here.”

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His grin only broadened. How far could he push her? He leaned forward, his breath tickling the strands of auburn hair that had escaped her French twist, and whispered, “So much for a one-night stand.”

She jumped like a virgin at a drive-in movie with the town bad boy. He was definitely the bad boy, but she was no virgin. She knew how good they were together and he was determined to remind her of it.

He straightened and slid over to one of the chairs. “I don’t need an image consultant.” He held up a hand to stop her sputtering. “However, it’s in my contract that the soul-sucking Hammonds and Callahan made me sign, so I have no choice. You can schedule press releases and do all the puff pieces you want. Tell them I dance with unicorns and puppies for all I care. Just don’t interfere with baseball.”

“So, you’re willing to do interviews and photo ops?”

He laughed. “Weren’t you listening? All of that interferes with baseball. I do interviews after the games and that’s it. I have a lot to catch up on with my new team and I don’t have time to save the world.”

“Weren’t
you
listening? Doing the same old thing is what got you here in the first place. We need to fix that perception so people will leave you alone.”

“I never had a problem when I was hitting three-forty and driving homers. I need a week or two to get my swing back and no one will remember anything but that.”

She eyed him dubiously. “I don’t think you understand how serious your problem is. I’m looking at your record right now. Bad press.” She slid her laptop out of her bag and booted it up. She typed his name into the search engine on her laptop then turned the screen to show him. “Look at this. Ten million responses and the top twenty? All negative. Selfish player, bad attitude, hates the fans, steroids, sex addict.”

He grinned at the last one. “You can testify to that.”

She squirmed in her seat, looking away. “Yes, we should talk about that.”

“Wait, let me guess.
Last night was a mistake. It can never happen again because we work together
.” He parroted in a falsetto voice, then dropped back to normal. “That’s bullshit. Typical morning after one-night stand talk.”

“You would know. What do you want anyway, a relationship? Oh please.” She laughed.

He shook his head, taken aback by her scorn. “I don’t know. One thing’s for sure, it has to be kept quiet. You don’t want the team to find out that you tried your damnedest to ruin the image of their newest player the night before he signed, do you?”

“And you don’t want them to void your contract,” she countered. She stood and leaned across the desk for emphasis. “You can’t win this one. No, we have to pretend that night never happened. And it can never happen again for both of our images.”

“I’m glad one of us has faith. Life and experience has taught me that faith rarely stays. You’ll have to pardon me, if I don’t trust you.” In reality, could he trust himself? He had to or his last chance would go up in flames.

“Look, Jason, I have as much to lose as you do if word of that escapade gets out. So just shut up and forget about it.”

He leaned across the desk, forcing her to tilt her head to look up at him. “I wish I could forget this.” He bent down and crushed her lips under his in a bruising kiss designed to punish, but it backfired when she groaned, wrapped her arms around his neck and responded, her tongue tracing the seam of his lips. He gripped her arms, pulling her closer, one arm sliding down her arm then back to cup her backside.

A loud noise from outside the door interrupted. Stacia pushed away and he released her all in one motion. She patted down her clothes, straightening her jacket and gathering composure. Jason adjusted the front of his pants, thanking whatever gods were looking after him that he was wearing dress slacks instead of denim.

She walked around the desk and sat in her chair, obviously putting distance between them. She took a shaky breath. “That can never happen again, got it?”

“Afraid someone will catch us? Your boss? Hammonds?” He couldn’t resist the taunt. He was never very good at rules and taking orders.

“Please.” She dismissed the GM with a wave of her hand. “He has nothing to do with this. This wouldn’t be in our best interest.”

Jason sat down and crossed his foot over his knee. “You know, Hammonds did say for you to do anything to keep me out of trouble.”

She folded her hands primly on the desk, but they twisted and held tightly. “I highly doubt he meant for me to sleep with you. That would void your contract, wouldn’t it?”

He considered her words. “I don’t know. The contract didn’t specify. He was very specific on your role, however. The only way to keep me out of trouble might be to be with me 24/7.”

“Not going to happen.” She shuffled some papers on her desk, while trying to act business-like. “This whole fiasco was dumped on me a few minutes ago. First we need to announce your signing to the media then figure out a way to keep you out of the limelight. I’ll need some time to devise a strategy, but in the meantime, don’t kiss anyone or do anything that might get you in trouble, okay?”

He smiled, a picture of innocence. “Of course, Stacia.” He stood up and walked out of the office, whistling an off-tune song, confident he had made his point.

A
fter her surprise
confrontation with Jason, Stacia needed to escape. She left the stadium and stopped for pizza, her comfort food. She had found this little pizza place specializing in authentic New York-style pizza and retreated there whenever she needed to hide and relax. She was enjoying the sweet tang of the sauce and garlic, trying not to drop the grease on her laptop, when her cell rang.

She wiped her fingers on her napkin and clicked it on. “Hello?”

“Stacia!” Sophie’s voice blasted through the phone, worry evident in her tone. “I’ve been worried sick, even thought about calling the cops. Good thing I talked to Michael. What happened last night?”

Was it only last night? So much had happened in a twenty-four hour period. She swallowed a few aspirin to rid herself of the return of her hangover headache. Or was it a stress one? After the crazy way this day had gone, it could be anything. Reality had a funny way of dispelling everything, along with a new challenge. Only this challenge was something she should probably run from, as fast as she could.

“Stace? Hello?”

“Sorry, Sophie. Just thinking.” She popped the last piece of crust in her mouth and chewed quickly. “Michael talked to you?”

“Forget Michael. What happened last night? I want the details.” Now that she knew Stacia was okay, Sophie’s voice was excited, talking fast and loud.

“It’s a little personal. And if you really wanted to know, why didn’t you stick around?” She wiped her mouth with the napkin, buying time. It was kind of nice to be on the receiving end of one of these calls, her giving details about a one-night stand and not Sophie.

Her friend’s voice cooled a bit. “Didn’t want to be the third wheel. Besides, the parents summoned me to the manse. Had to put in an appearance, to hear about how my life is pointless, I need to settle down. Be more like my older sister, Charlotte.”

Stacia almost dropped the phone. “Tell me they tried to fix you up again with one of their country club boys?”

Sophie laughed, her amusement ringing in her voice. “Not after I dumped the appetizer on the last one. No, this was more about me settling down, having a career they can brag about at the club. They want me to go back for my PhD in psychology. As if being a social media consultant, playing on Facebook and Twitter isn’t good enough for them.”

Stacia winced, reminders of her last conversation with her father replaying in her mind. “But you’re not just playing around. Your skills at social media are critical to the success of our clients.”

“Don’t tell them that.” Her shudder came through the phone line. “Besides, I’m at loose ends right now and I want details. Was your man as delicious as he looked?”

Stacia leaned back in her seat, pizza finished, appetite still present for more than pizza. She couldn’t resist teasing one last time. “If you hadn’t tried to interfere, it would have gone smoother.”

“I was worried. You were acting completely out of character.”

“I was only doing what my
best friend
has been preaching.” For months, Sophie had been complaining that Stacia was all work and no play. Once Stacia cut loose, Sophie didn’t approve. Seems like she couldn’t please anyone this week.

A smile curved her lips. Oh, but Jason had been pleased. Very, very pleased. Until they met at the stadium.

“You’ve never listened before,” Sophie grumbled.

“Fine. It was magnificent. Best ever.”

“Fine, don’t tell me.” In typical flighty habit, Sophie changed the subject. “So, what’s the new job? Another politician?”

“No, no. I’m working with the Georgia Knights, with one of their players.”

Her thoughts darkened and she sipped her soda to wet her suddenly dry mouth, the impact of the morning just hitting her. He had requested her, specifically. Was it because of their one-night stand? It had to be. He had no idea what kind of consultant she was. Was he expecting a repeat of their night together, maybe a sexual partner for the remainder of the season, have his sex and not ruin his image? He clearly wasn’t interested in following the guidelines set forth by the team so what was his angle?

“Oh.” Sophie shrugged off the news. “That’s better than the alternative. Maybe it’s time for you to break away from your father’s control. Do something you enjoy. Or someone.”

Stacia remained quiet, barely breathing. Please don’t let her know baseball.

“What? Oh crap.” Sophie groaned again. “Don’t tell me. He’s
that
Jason?”

She should have known. Hot men, tight pants. Of course Sophie knew who the hottest men were. Damn. “He wasn’t a client at the time. I had no idea he would ever be a client.”

“Wait. You’re telling me you slept with Jason Friar, bad boy of baseball, the one man every woman in America wanted to screw? Sweetie, he’s a train wreck now, a complete mess. Even you can’t fix him.” Sophie’s tone was sharp, a hint of warning combined with pleading.

“Who said I’m trying to fix him? It’s not like I try to save people. I’m just polishing his image and keeping him out of trouble.” Stacia stuffed her garbage in the bag, tearing a hole in the paper from the force.

“Oh please. I know you too well. At some point, you’re going to try and save him, fix him. Then, when the job’s over, he’ll move on and you’re left with a broken heart. This happens every time. He’s not the underdog.”

Stacia sighed. Even she had thought the contract terms were a little harsh, demeaning. Her heart had softened, even as Jason had stood stoic. Sophie was right to counsel her but Stacia feared it was too late. “I know that and I’m being really careful.”