Breaking Elle Read online

  “Are you satisfied?” I flirt, biting my lower lip

  “Yeah.” He winks, smacking my ass. “You’re my favorite kind of dessert, babe.”

  “There’s more where that came from,” I whisper seductively, knowing that I need more of him too. He turns and grabs me, pressing his body to mine. I love seeing the intensity in his eyes and the feel of him close to me. I love that I have this effect on him.

  “Oh yeah?” He pauses, looking around the dimly lit locker room. “Don’t tempt me like this, baby. Here. Now.” He murmurs, “Because we could both get fired.” He brushes the hair off my shoulders, pressing his warm lips on my neck. “God, you’re so good,” he whispers. His lips leave a streak of heat across my neck. The slightest touch from him has such an intense effect on my senses. I wish I didn’t have to wait. I wish we could leave right now.

  “Only if you’re good,” I murmur, ghosting my lips over his.

  “I’m always good.” He winks, biting his lip in anticipation. “Do I get a cherry on top with my dessert later?”

  “Always.”

  Most of the staff has left but I decide to hang around and take some shots on the basketball court. I had to wait to change since I noticed Elle and Cane walking into the locker-room together. I’m well versed in the type of things that can happen in an empty room with a hot girl. And from the look on Cane’s face when he walked out, he was one happy customer. They weren’t in there long and I was debating on whether I should leave or not, but I already said I would meet her in an hour. I’m never one to not show up when a hot girl is involved. Can’t deny there’s something about this girl. Something in me wants, no, has to get to know her.

  I lace up my sneakers, grab a basketball, and head out to the court to take some shots. I bounce the ball a few times, and concentrating on the basket, I throw the ball. Swoosh. This is good, relieves some tension, and gives me some time to think. I’ve been with the kids all day, and I need some alone time, a break from all of their eagerness that comes out as yelling and screaming. After a while that can wear on your nerves, but I love kids regardless. I know growing up I was no angel. Momma can vouch for that. I smile, thinking about all of the crazy stuff that I put her through as a kid. I miss those days.

  What are the chances that I’d be working with the perfect brunette from last night? I can’t believe it. Could my luck be changing? Or maybe not. She has a boyfriend who I happen to work with. Elle, the girl with the brown hair, hazel eyes, and killer legs. There’s something different about her. She caught my attention right away. I’ve been attracted to more than my share of girls, but I saw something in her eyes, her smile. She may have just thrown a wrench in my simple plans, and she doesn’t even know it. All I know is that Cane’s one lucky man.

  My gut tells me she felt it, too. She held my hand a little bit longer than most would have before she moved closer to Cane. I’m no stranger to attraction, but I sense something more there that I can’t walk away from. I’ve got to do something about this. I know it’s wrong, but when the hell has that ever stopped me? Never. Rules are meant to be broken, especially the ones that you make for yourself.

  Cane’s a good guy. He might be collateral damage, which sucks for him, but sometimes you just can’t deny fate. This could blow up in my face, but shit, I got one life, and I plan on living it. My momma taught me to take risks and follow my heart. I’ll take things slow and feel Elle out. We can do the friend thing. Not sure how happy I’ll be with that, but it’s a start.

  “Hey, looking for some competition?” I glance away from the basket and notice the guy Elle was hanging out with the other night. The same guy whom I thought was her boyfriend. He gestures for the ball, and I pass it to him. He bounces it a couple times and walks up to me extending his hand. “My name’s Tyler. I’ve seen you around, but I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself.”

  “Nice to meet ya.” I shake his hand. He looks like a good guy. Most of the people I’ve met in Boston have been, even though people back home say that people up North can be downright nasty.

  “So, I heard you’re from Texas.” He grins. “What the hell brought you all the way up here?” He dribbles the ball, spinning towards the basket as he takes a shot. He makes it and turns back to me while waiting for my answer.

  He’s the first person that’s asked me that question since I moved up here. I clear my throat before I reply, “School. I’m taking classes at BU in the fall. Boston has some great schools.”

  “Definitely.” He grabs the basketball and holds it against his hip. “So what’s your major?”

  “Sports medicine.”

  “Cool.” He drops the ball and starts dribbling it again. “I’m finishing my undergrad in sports broadcasting and journalism. So we kinda have similar interests.” He laughs. “But, damn, it’s got to be culture shock, leaving Texas and coming way up here, and leaving behind those Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!” He shakes his head, passing the ball to me.

  I grin. “Funny, that’s one of the first things people ask me about. I don’t mind being up here. Change is good.” It’s not the only reason I came up here, but it works, and it’s a believable reason. “So do you work here? I didn’t see you around today,” I ask.

  “Oh, today’s my day off. Elle and I walked over to hang out.” He walks to the foul line, waiting for me to take a shot.

  “Nice girl. Cane introduced me to her today.” I say, watching him closely as I bounce the ball. He smiles and runs his hand through his hair.

  “She’s been my best friend since we were little kids.” He smiles.

  My eyebrows shoot up at that little piece of news Wow, ain’t that some shit? How can you be best friends with someone who looks like that? I can tell right away that this dude wants more than that. The shit-eating grin on his face gives that away. I take my shot and make it. Of course. Not cocky or anything, just confident. “Hey, do you know what time it is? I forgot my watch.” It’s probably been close to an hour, and I need to change out of this stuff before I go meet Elle in the lounge.

  “Sure.” He looks down at his watch. “It’s six forty.”

  “Damn, I’ve got to meet someone in a few minutes,” I say, grabbing my bag from the bench. I don’t want to make a bad first impression when it comes to this girl. It’s not part of who I am. “We should do this again sometime,” I say, watching him retrieve the ball from under the basket.

  “That’s cool,” he says. “I’m around.”

  “Cool.” I shake his hand and head off the court.

  Damn, phone. Who’s calling me now?

  I stare at the familiar face that pops up on my cell, hating him for interrupting me right now. I’m glad it’s him and not somebody else.

  “Hey, Tommy,” I answer.

  “What’s up, lover boy?” He asks. “Just calling to see how you are doing. Haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

  “Things are good. Just busy,” I answer, noticing Elle in the lounge. Earlier, I couldn’t take my eyes off her when I saw her step back out of the locker room in that nice short jean skirt and that tight tank top. Now, her tanned legs completely distract me as I imagining my hands caressing her thighs and slowly moving them up until she can’t take it anymore. Seriously, I’m not sure I could pull off the friendship thing. I’m not used to settling, but it’s more than what I have right now. She’s like a shock to my system that I wasn’t expecting, but I like how it feels.

  “Are you at it again?” He questions. I laugh to myself thinking my old college buddy knows me all too well.

  “At what?” Oh man, I get lost again. Her hair, her skin. Look away man, look away. Lowering my head, I stare at the floor, trying to shake her. You shall not covet Cane’s girl; you cannot covet Cane’s girl! “Damn, there’s this girl, Tommy.” I laugh uncertainly, not familiar with this pull she has over me.

  “Not surprised!” He laughs. “Did you put another unsuspecting victim under your spell?” I can picture the big grin on his face right now,
and it makes me smile.

  “Nah, I think it’s the other way around this time.” I exhale loudly, fighting the urge to look at her. “God, there’s something about this one.” I shake my head. It’s as if someone tackled me and threw me flat on my back. How I’m feeling down south below the belt usually rules everything I do. Now, I got this one that’s melting my shit up north. I’m not scared, nothing like that, just not used to my upper head battling with my lower and it being on the verge of losing.

  “She’s gotta be something to have you all confused.” He chuckles.

  “I can’t talk right now.” I glance over again and imagine running my fingers through her long brown hair and pressing my body up against hers, tasting those lips, touching every inch of her. I check the clock on the wall. Damn, five more minutes and I’ll have an excuse to get closer to her.

  “Going to turn on the charm for your latest conquest?” I can hear the smile in his voice.

  “It’s not like that. I’m still trying to figure this out myself. But, you know I’m always up for a challenge.”

  “A challenge has never stopped you from getting what you want.”

  I’m frustrated with what Elle’s doing to me. You just don’t look at a girl and get these feelings, do you? Could I be getting soft? I’ve been here over two months, and I’ve finally settled into my apartment. I’ve got a routine down, a cool job at the center, and made a couple of friends. One of them happens to be this stunning girl’s boyfriend. I even threw around idea of possibly being roommates with him this fall! That’s got to change.

  “I gotta go,” I say. “Tell Momma and JuJu I’ll call them tonight.”

  “All right, seems like you are okay and doing what Reed does best.” He laughs. “I’ll be out with JuJu and Campbell. We all miss you, man.”

  “Right, right miss y’all too.” It stings to hear her name. I love Campbell, but she had too much in the way of jealousy and insecurities to deal with. With everything else going on in my life, I needed her to be strong for me; instead, she just made things more intense. She was one of the reasons I had to move away. I had to put some space between me, and life back home. “So, have you heard anything? Everything still okay?”

  “No. So far, so good. No one’s come around. You know I’ll call you if there’s any trouble, but your sister and momma want to know when you’re gonna come home.”

  “Soon. For sure.” I say, still not convinced about the reason he’s calling. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”‘ I frown, scrubbing my hand over my face.

  “Yeah, man. No worries. You know I would tell ya if anything was up,” he replies.

  “I know.” I drop my shoulders, thinking about my family back home. “Thanks man. Thanks for everything. You don’t know how much this means to me.” I pause. “I’m not happy being away from everyone like this, but I had to do it just for a little while.”

  “You got it. Anything for a friend, man, you know that. Take care of yourself out there and stay out of trouble. And don’t worry, I got everything under control.” I glance back at Elle, to make sure she’s still there. I smile when I see that she hasn’t moved. I’m almost certain she’s fallen asleep, and I’m anxious to get off the phone.

  “I knew I could count on you.” I hang up with Tommy and watch the hands on the clock finally hit the twelve and seven. I swallow back my nerves, a feeling that no girl has made me endure and that makes me even more determined to see what she’s all about. I have to be smooth and feel her out, though. I quietly open the door to the lounge. Part of me doesn’t want to disturb Sleeping Beauty, but the other part of me, the selfish Reed does.

  “Elle?”

  My eyes flutter open at the sound of a voice calling my name. Rubbing my eyes to adjust them to the bright lighting in the room, I realize that I’d dozed off on the cozy sofa in the lounge.

  I follow the voice calling my name, not expecting Reed to be sitting next to me. Startled by his presence, I hastily sit up, letting the magazine that I was holding slide to the floor at my feet. He grins crookedly at my reaction and makes a hesitant glance at my legs before he picks up the magazine, placing it on the old wooden coffee table. He’s so close that I can feel the heat of his body and see the intensity in his blue eyes. I clear my throat, not sure how long he has been sitting there. Here we go again with his body wreaking havoc on mine.

  “I’m sorry. Did I scare ya?” He asks, turning his head slightly to me so I can see his clear blue eyes. I hold my breath under his thoughtful gaze.

  “No, I just dozed off.” I answer, pushing my hair off my shoulder.

  “You looked so peaceful.” He smiles, placing his hand on his chin.

  How long has he been here? Was he watching me?

  I smile to myself thinking that this gorgeous guy may have been looking at me. I’m kind of flattered that someone other than my boyfriend and my best friend may find me attractive. But should I worry about this guy? What’s his story?

  “So you don’t remember me from last night?” He flashes a boyish grin and I can’t help but smile. “I remember you. You were wearing red,” he says just above a whisper. I blush. He’s near enough now that his scent of mint and spice invades me.

  “Vaguely.” But clearly now. “I really didn’t want to be out. I was there supporting a friend.” I exhale in a rush, realizing he not only remembered me, but also the color I wore last night.

  “Well, small world, huh?” He says with his sweet accent. “We meet again. Well, not really, but now I can put a name to the beautiful face I saw.” He rubs his chin and smiles.

  “Yes,” I reply tensely. I adjust my skirt and sit up, hoping that I didn’t expose myself, or worse, drool on myself. Why is he making this so difficult? Should I make an excuse and leave? He’s got me on sensory overload right now with those piercing blue eyes, that rich brown hair, and that manly scent.

  “So, do you still want to hang out with me? We can stay here or maybe take a walk outside? It’s a nice night for it.” He stands, towering over me, and throwing me a gaze that would make me weak in the knees. I can’t help but notice the way his t-shirt hugs his torso like a second skin.

  I casually look away and peer at the clock hanging on the wall. I really could use some fresh air. Struggling to rise gracefully from the sofa, I realize that my skirt is extremely short, but Reed doesn’t seem to mind. I catch him looking at my legs again.

  “Sure, I’ll walk with you but only if you keep your eyes where they belong,” I reply, noticing the corners of his mouth curling slightly at my response and the way his arctic blue eyes twinkle dangerously. “Let me just let Cane know that I’m leaving.” I turn towards the door, trying to fight back a smile and the tingling sensation overcoming my body.

  “He’s not here right now. He took the kids to Dean Park for a tournament,” he answers eagerly as his smile broadens both surprising me, and making me nervous. I glance towards the door, hoping that Cane shows, but then I realize that if Cane is friends with him, then I should be fine. I’ve hung out with plenty of Cane’s friends since we’ve been together and had no issue. Why is it any different?

  “Oh,” I answer, turning back to him. I’m not sure what I should do, and wonder why Cane didn’t tell me he was leaving. I tell myself it’s just a harmless stroll with a hot guy. It’s not a crime to think someone is attractive; he’s not the first good-looking guy I’ve seen. I’m with Cane, but I’m not dead. God gave me these eyes to enjoy all of the wonderful sights of the world, and today, I just happen to be looking at one of them. No harm, no foul. I smile, anxiously debating what I should do as we stand a few feet apart. It seems like an eternity before I can string a sentence together. Oh why not. “Ready when you are.” I shrug as I earnestly tug at my skirt.

  “Lead the way,” he replies with his silky drawl, motioning to the door. I grin, stepping ahead and sensing his lustful eyes covering me like melted butter. His whole essence screams ‘off limits’ and not just because I have a boyfriend. If yo
u get in too deep with him, you may live to regret it or fall madly in love with him. Either way, any girl would be in for a whole lot of trouble. I have enough troubles to deal with right now. I certainly don’t think I need to add trying to handle a tattooed hottie to my list.

  The night air revives me as Reed opens the glass doors, and cracks a smile as I walk past him. When the breeze blows my hair off my shoulders, I’m glad that I decided to come outside instead of staying cooped up inside reading magazines, and waiting for Cane. I feel that I probably shouldn’t be here with this guy. I’m just being a good host, though. I know that if I was in a new place and all alone, I would want someone to talk to and show me around. And how often do you find a fellow Cowboys fan this far north?

  “I’m not sure where we should go,” I say. He stands beside me, and runs his hand through his silky brown hair, rocking back and forth on his heels while waiting for me to decide what to do. “I’ve lived in Boston all of my life and can’t come up with anything.” I laugh timidly, and glance in the other direction, hoping to trigger some place interesting. Why the hell can’t I think straight? This is so out of character for me. “I’m sorry. I’m not being a very good tour guide.”

  He places his hand on my upper arm, and his warm skin makes me shudder. “How about we go this way?” He points over his shoulder. “There’s this really nice park that I found. It reminds me of a place that my mom used to take me back home in Texas,” he says.

  His touch catches me completely off guard, and I slowly turn to face him, standing underneath the street lamp that flickers above us. His eyes linger where our skin makes contact. It’s obvious to me that he knows how to play the game. Will he stop if I don’t play along, or will that make him try harder? I can’t find my voice to respond while his deep blue eyes are focusing on me. His hand gently slides off my arm, and his fingers softly graze my wrist.