Falling for the Backup Read online

  “Hey,” he whispered.

  He had spent hours memorizing her body that afternoon. She was so beautiful; he had never been so completely blown away by someone. “Ready to go?” he asked, still holding her close. He’d much rather go back into her house for more of what they’d shared earlier, but he wanted this to be more than just sex, even if there was a chance that after this dinner she’d walk away.

  “I am,” she said, and broke out of his embrace. His arms ached to be around her as he watched her grab her purse before locking the door. “You look really handsome,” she said, putting her keys in her bag as they stepped down the porch stairs.

  He shot her a grin before saying, “And you look really gorgeous. Like a naughty sailor.”

  “Yes! Just the look I was going for!” she exclaimed, as he opened the passenger door for her. He smiled as she came close, her red lips only inches from his. “Maybe later if we still like each other, we can rock the boat.”

  Jordan tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t help it. She laughed along with him before he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “I have no doubt that we’ll still like each other after this, and as much as I want to rock not only your boat but your world after dinner, I might not be able to. I’ve got an early practice tomorrow.”

  “Duly noted, but I think it might be worth being a little tired.”

  Jordan helped her into the truck, hoping he hadn’t hurt her feelings. It was the last thing he wanted. He walked around to the driver’s side and got in, then Aynslee glanced over at him and said, “By the way, I like your flirty talk. It’s superhot.”

  Jordan smiled as he started the car and pulled out onto the road. He reached over and took her hand, noticing how soft and small it was but how perfectly it fit into his. Resting them against his thigh, Jordan was convinced that no one could wipe the grin off his face.

  A half hour later, Jordan sat beside Aynslee at a romantic corner table at Maggiano’s Little Italy. He loved this place: Not only was the food amazing, but the ambience made it really feel like an Italian café. Jordan usually went there with Shea and the guys before games so they could talk about strategy, but this was much better.

  “This is amazing,” Aynslee gushed as she took another sip of wine.

  “It is,” Jordan agreed, just as the waiter came over to their table. Jordan took the liberty of ordering all of his favorites for them to share. He then reached over and turned her chair so that she was sitting between his legs. He leaned over, kissing her cheek softly. “Did I tell you that I thought you were gorgeous tonight?”

  “I think you did, when you said I look like a naughty sailor,” she laughed.

  “That’s right, I did,” he said, “but I had to tell you again.”

  She looked over at her glass, running her finger along the rim before saying, “Thank you.” Then, surprising him, she said, “Tell me everything I need to know about you.”

  “Tell me everything about you first, and then I’ll answer the same.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Let’s see … I don’t have any pets because I am so busy, but I want a dog. I love dogs.”

  “I do too, but I don’t have time either.”

  She continued, “I could be classified as a nerd. I like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, comic books, and stuff like that. I played World of Warcraft all through college, and at one point I wanted to name my kid Frodo.”

  “No way,” he laughed.

  “Yes way; it was bad. I’m over that, but the only reason is because I’ve moved on to Greek mythology, and now I want to name my son Perseus.”

  “Really?” he asked. He was falling for her more every minute.

  She nodded eagerly before pointing to herself and saying, “Total nerd.”

  “No, I said really because I love Greek mythology too.”

  “Really?!”

  “Really,” he said with a smile. Leanna hated Greek mythology and pretty much everything else that he was interested in. Aynslee was made for him.

  “That’s so awesome. I also love to read. A lot. I read a book every two days or so.”

  “Me too,” he said with a nod. “The guys on the team tease me because I’m always reading instead of playing Xbox with them.”

  She laughed as she looked deep into his eyes. He was usually shy and awkward when he was under the gaze of someone, but not with Aynslee. He couldn’t remember enjoying himself more. They talked about everything. They both agreed that Wrath of the Titans was a great movie but it could have been better. Jordan loved country music because of his South Carolina roots, while Aynslee was more into rap. It made him laugh to think of her rapping about hos and bitches as she drove to school, but she guaranteed him she had mad flow, whatever that meant.

  They talked about living in Nashville and how she loved it more than Knoxville. Jordan talked about South Carolina, telling her how much he loved growing up there, close to his relatives and grandparents. She loved Buffalo but sometimes wished that she had grown up in the South. She liked the Southern hospitality and loved the food. They talked about their families, and it still blew Jordan’s mind how many siblings she had. Apparently the niece that she was supposed to stand up for in the wedding was pregnant.

  “It’s insane! I don’t have kids—I’m not even married, for that matter. And she’s pregnant?! Ack! Jordan, I’m gonna be a great-aunt!”

  “You’re the hottest great-aunt I’ve ever seen.”

  “You only say that so I’ll sleep with you again.”

  “Maybe,” he teased, taking another mouthful of fettuccine.

  She laughed as she smacked his thigh, then took another sip of wine. After having their plates cleared from the table, they ordered dessert. Jordan didn’t want the night to end. He didn’t want to go home to his empty condo. He wanted to stay nuzzled up beside Aynslee, just listening to her. As she talked about how she got her suitcase back from her aunt, he wondered if she was feeling the same way he was. He knew that such strong feelings usually didn’t come until months, maybe years, into a relationship, but he felt at home with her. He didn’t care if he laughed too loud or if he was being a dork. She seemed to like him just the way he was.

  As the waiter served their dessert, Aynslee said, “I have the best job ever. I love it. Yesterday, one of my kids told me he was going to be a world-class hippogriff fighter. How cute was that?”

  “Very cute,” he agreed. He thought she was too.

  “Yeah, I love my kids. I’m not one of those teachers who thinks my kids are all I need, though. I want my own one day.”

  He knew that she was making sure he shared that desire. “I want kids too—as my mom loves to point out, she wants grandchildren, and I hope to one day give them to her,” he said, receiving another smile.

  “My mom is the same way,” she said, slicing into the decadent red velvet cake. “Even though she has seventeen grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way, she still wants more.”

  “Seventeen? Sheesh.”

  Aynslee laughed before putting the forkful of cake into her mouth. When she loudly groaned, enjoying her dessert, Jordan’s cock came to life. He went to move closer but then stopped. He was enjoying himself immensely, but he knew he owed it to her to tell her how things were with him and his job and his very-soon-to-be-realized transfer.

  “You got quiet on me; what’s up?” she asked, causing him to look over at her.

  “Sorry, I was thinking,” he said, giving her his full attention.

  “About?” she asked, a sweet smile on her face. His mouth pulled up at the side when he saw that she had a little piece of whipped cream on her lip. Reaching over, he licked the cream off, replacing it with his lips. She tasted of the cake and wine, and he basked in it as he moved his mouth over hers. Parting slowly, but with a few small kisses before pulling completely away, he looked at her beautiful flushed face. His heart hammered against his chest as he held her gaze, her hand resting against his cheek.

  What if he told her a