Part 3 (2/2)

Harper's beautiful eyes opened and fixed on him, their light grey depths turning silver in the candlelight. ”I was really nervous about going out with you tonight. But you are really easy to talk, which is surprising.”

”Because I'm an athlete?” He hoped like h.e.l.l she didn't think he was a dumb jock.

She shook her head. ”A little, but I don't know... Okay, I do know. Most guys who look like you and have your success don't bother noticing women like me. They don't bother bringing her flowers or taking her to a place like this. You brought your A-game tonight.” Her eyes widened and one of her hands flew to her mouth, loosely covering it before she sighed and let it fall away. ”I'm going to stop drinking now. Honesty is not the best policy while on gla.s.s number three with an empty stomach.”

Son of a gun. She was perfect. She was exactly what the publicist ordered. ”I disagree. When most women go out with a guy like me, they have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes. They ask about contracts and bonuses. How many famous people I've met... you get the picture. Yet, you haven't asked one thing about that aspect of my life,” he said quietly.

She covered her eyes with her hand, and then spread her fingers to peer out of them. d.a.m.n, she was adorable. ”Now I feel bad.”

”Why?” Actually, he was more amused than anything else about her lack of interest.

”Because all I've done is talk about myself. I'm so sorry for being rude.”

Reaching across the table, he grabbed her hand and gently pulled it away from her face, male satisfaction spiking as she gasped. ”You are the exact opposite of rude. I've enjoyed getting to know you tonight. h.e.l.l, I want to know even more about you.”

”I am? You have? You do?” she practically squeaked.

”I know this might be presumptuous of me, but would you like to go out again tomorrow night?” he asked, even as warning bells were going off in his head. Even as his brother's image appeared in his brain, glaring at him.

Long seconds pa.s.sed as Harper stared at him. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she finally answered with one word.

”Yes.”

The rest of dinner flew by and before he knew it, they'd eaten dessert and paid the bill.

”I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you for dinner,” she said as they walked outside to wait for the valet to get Austin's truck.

”I'm glad, and you already know how I feel about tonight,” he replied.

She nodded. ”I do.”

The valet pulled his truck to the curb. Austin helped Harper into the pa.s.senger side, tipping the valet before jogging over to his side.

”What time will you be available tomorrow?” he asked.

”I have my standing date with Libby, and then I'm free.”

”Mind if I tag along?” he asked.

She gave him a look of disbelief. ”You want to go with to the park with me and my dog?”

”I've been told I have a great throwing arm for the game of fetch,” he deadpanned.

Harper snorted, and then giggled. ”I bet you do.”

Putting his truck into drive, he grinned. ”I'm not bragging, merely pa.s.sing along useful information.”

”And I truly appreciate that.” She exhaled.

His grin turned stupid. There was no other way to describe it. He could chalk it up to the fact that he hadn't been on a date with a woman in months, not since he and Bianca had broken up. While he had access to a ton of women in the meantime at parties and clubs, he hadn't been but so interested. That had translated into many lonely nights.

But maybe he'd needed that time in order to fully appreciate a woman like Harper. Maybe he needed it so he didn't screw up again and date a woman who would cause more problems for him than Bianca ever did.

He glanced at Harper right as she began to silently sing along with the radio.

No way in h.e.l.l could any woman he would have met in the meantime have helped his PR nightmare that was going on now.

At the next light, he quickly texted a picture of Harper and him at dinner to Finley. The server had taken several. At least two of them looked downright intimate.

Unease coursed through him, but he sent those as well. It had to be done. No matter how good of a time he had with Harper, he needed to get back in the good graces of Coach and Finley. They determined what kind of career he had, not the beautiful woman at this side.

Although, she could help him. A lot.

s.h.i.+t. He had to tell her.

”This was the best night I've had in a really long time, Austin.” Harper glanced at him, a shy smile on her face.

f.u.c.k. He couldn't tell her, not after that p.r.o.nouncement.

”Know what? This is the best night I've had in a really long time, too,” he admitted.

”Really?” she softly asked.

Mercifully, the light changed before he could do more damage. ”Yes, really.” He was going to h.e.l.l. So going to h.e.l.l, but at least it wouldn't be for totally lying to her. And why shouldn't he enjoy spending time with her? Why shouldn't he treat her in a way that came natural to him?

She made him feel good about himself and he for d.a.m.n sure wasn't lying when he complimented her. Part of being a good quarterback was making snap judgments based on the information available. He knew enough about Harper to want to spend more time with her, regardless of why he needed to spend more time with her.

Yeah, that might be a little sketchy, but he really wasn't using her if he truly was having a good time with her and making sure she was having fun as well. Was it anyone's fault that he happened to find her attractive? Was it anyone's fault that he knew d.a.m.n well she found him attractive too?

Either way, before things go too serious, he would tell her all about his situation.

Harper was dreaming. She had to be, because not only had she gone out on a real date, but Austin had also asked for a second one. He might be regretting that already since she'd barely said a word the entire drive home.

He hadn't seemed to mind, however, and his lack of pus.h.i.+ness when it came to her comfort zone surprised her. Maybe he was a mind reader, or maybe he was just really good with women.

She frowned. The thought of him being really good with women was rather unsettling.

”You're mighty quiet,” he said as they pulled into the drive of her house.

Startled, she gasped and smacked her hand against her chest.

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