The bartendermovesaway to pour our drinks."Palmer, I've been meaning to tell you,"Ava says."You're doing a hell of a job in goal thisseason."
My heart does a happy dance."Thankyou. No one will ever replaceTisha, but I'm happy to be doing my part for theteam."
"Tisha's great,"Ava agrees."But so are you. You have what it takes to be a real franchise player. I'm glad we were able to talk Philly into trading you."
"Me, too,"Ilaugh.
"Me, three,"addsCharlie. He puts a hand on my lower back, his fingers cool on the heated skin between the hem of my shirt and the waistband of my pleated skirt. He touches me with light strokes, his fingers edging lower. I want to melt into him, encourage him to feel the lack of barrier between the soft cotton and myass. But so many people are around. He has to stop touching me like this before someone notices. I stiffen, andCharliestops his caress, but locks his hand firmly around my waist.
"Charlie, you keeping up with the Red Hawks?"JJasks, seemingly oblivious to the tension betweenCharlieand me. I can barely breathe with him soclose, it's amazing no one else seems to notice.
"Of course,"Charliesays. He and JJ launch into a conversation about the Hawks' new lineup and how far they could expect to go. My heart pounding in my ears drowns out most of the noise and I'm relieved when the bartender puts our drinks in front of us.
"Thanksfor the round, Ava."I salute my captain with the large glass, grateful for the cool condensation."I'm going to sit with the girls. Talk to you all later."
I scoot pastCharlie, who barelymovesso I have to brush against him again. The smirk on his face confirms he's teasing. I shoot him a look I hope he takes as a warning. Payback can be a bitch and the next time I get himalone, I'llshowhimexactlyhow much.
Seventeen
Palmer
"Issomething going on with you andCharlie?"Jewel whispers in my ear.
I choke on the Dr. Pepper I'd just sipped. I'd switched to soda after the giant punch cocktail had the room spinning. Now I have only a pleasant buzz going, but Jewel's question almost sobers me completely.
"Why do you ask?"I say, hoping I sound nonchalant and not panicked. Fatchance, but I can hope.
"Because he hasn't stopped looking at you all night."She gestures with the plastic sword that came in the cocktail between me andCharlie, who is two tables away."And I know you noticed because you've been looking over there almost the whole time."
I take another sip of Dr. Pepper to buy myself time."If I'm staring at him, it's because he's hot. I mean, look at him, right? But I doubt he's staring at me. He's probably checking out the women at thebarbehind me."I wave in that general direction.
Jewel narrows her eyes."Uh-huh, I see. So nothing going on."
"That's right. We're only friends."
"Well, I never had a friend who looked at me like he wanted to take me to a dark corner and devour me. But I'm from a little town in Pennsylvania, so maybe it's a city thing. Like those peppermint sticks stuck in lemon wedges."
"Those are so good,"I say, suddenly wanting one. I'd never heard of those untilBrennanand I visited the traditional Flower Mart downtown a couple of years ago. If I remember thistomorrow, I'll add lemons and peppermint sticks to my shopping list.
"If you say so,"Jewel snorts. She turns her face toward me and hides her mouth."Don't look now, but your hot friend is heading this way."
I'm about to protest, but thenCharlieappears at the table. Myteammatesgreet him with a synchronized chorus of"Hi,Charlie!", drawingattentionto us.
"Hello, ladies. Having a good time?"heasks. He makes small talk with everyone at the table, and I begin to relax, since it no longer seems obvious he came over just for me. But then, he turns his dimples on me.
"Hey,Palmer. Can I speak to you for a minute, in private?"He nods toward a door leading to the back hallway of thebar, which leads to the bathrooms and the back alley.
"Um, sure."I hop off my stool and grasp the table for balance. The buzz is still rolling strong through me.Charlieputs his hand under my elbow to steady me andholdsonto it as he guides me to the back. Once wepushthrough the swinging door and turn the corner, we're out of sight of the mainbararea.
"What did you want to–oomph–"
I'm cut short byCharlie'smouth onmine. He backs me against the wall and claims my lips in a passionate, punishingkiss. Once the initial shock wears off, I melt into it, wrapping my hands around his head as he plunders my mouth. Soft sighs are met withdeepgrunts. In my heels, we're about the same height. He puts a hand under my thigh and hooks my leg over one of hiships, perfectly aligning us. I moan when his hard steel makes contact with my bare heat. His hand glides up my thigh to my bareass, then follows a path in my crease.
"Fuck,"he murmurs against my mouth."Are you bare?"
"Surprise."My giggle morphs into a low gasp when the tip of his finger presses against my rear entrance. He chuckles lightly at my shock.
"Tease me, I tease you,"he growls. He rubs against me, holding his finger in place between my cheeks. I wheeze, my breath catching partly from nerves, partly from arousal."Don't worry, we aren't here yet."
