Tempting the Player (Campus Wallflowers Book 4)
Tempting the Player: Chapter 44

“I’m not tired,” Jane says as she yawns. “I’m really not. My body is just confused.”

“We’ll come back tomorrow,” Dahlia promises as Jane hugs her like she’s never letting go.

“Promise?”

“Of course. We can build a pillow fort in your room and Felix and I can sleep over with you two.”

I feel one brow lift. Say what now?

Dahlia giggles. “Or not. You should see Hendrick’s face right now. Seems like he might need you to himself for a few nights.”

Jane glances over at me and her lips pull into a smile. “I think you might be right.”

As soon as they’re gone, I go over to where she sits on the couch, looking tired but misty-eyed. I take her hands and pull her to her feet.

“Ready for sleep?”

“No,” she protests. “But I can tell by that stubborn glint in your eye that you’re going to insist I lay down anyway.”

“You know me so well.”

Light laughter slips from her sweet lips as I scoop her up and carry her into the bedroom. She had a big day trying to assure everyone that she’s fine.

I set her feet on the ground. While I get her my favorite shirt, she strips out of her leggings and tank top.

“Thank you for taking such good care of me.” Her eyes are heavy as I pull the T-shirt down over her head.

“It’s the least I can do.”

She brushes her fingers under her hair to free it from inside the shirt, then steps forward and places a hand on my chest. “Stop trying to blame yourself.”

My jaw tightens. “I never should have left you alone. Not even for a second.”

“You can’t follow me around everywhere I go for the rest of my life.”

“The hell I can’t.”

Her smile grows. She thinks I’m kidding, but I’m not.

“No, you really can’t,” she says. “And I would never want that. This job was always supposed to be temporary.” Her voice lowers. “I heard Felix congratulate you, so I’m assuming the Rams wised up and decided to offer you a contract without trying out. Hendrick, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

I take a step closer and wrap my arms around her back. “I had a call with them. They understood the situation and offered to move the tryout a few days, but I told them no. I’m not going back.”

Her green eyes flame with surprise.

“And before you say anything, it’s not just about you.”

“Oh good. I wouldn’t want to get a big head.” She laughs. “You’re staying for your brothers. I understand why, but are you sure? It’s a lot to give up.”

“It’s not, though. That’s the thing. I love football and I enjoyed playing, but giving it up doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. It just feels . . . right. I want to be here with them and with you.”

“Admit it, you can’t bear the thought of not seeing my face every day.” She leans forward like she’s going to press her lips to mine but stops before they make contact. “Or kissing me a thousand times a day.”

“A thousand?”

“Rough estimate. I’ve never actually counted, but that sounds like a fun game.”

“It sounds like a fantastic game.” I close the distance. “One.”

She laughs lightly.

“I love you,” I tell her and then kiss her again. “Two.”

Her lips curve into a smile.

“I’m so in love with you.” My throat is thick with emotion. “I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for not figuring it out sooner. Not getting there faster.”

“Stop. It wasn’t your fault. Letting him put that thought in your head is him winning. And fuck him.”

It isn’t as simple as letting myself off the hook, but I know her words are true.

“No more talking about Ted tonight.” She kisses me again. “Three. And also, I’m in love with you too. Like really, really in love. I’m basically living out my own romantic comedy. Or maybe it’s a drama. A romantic dramedy.” Smiling, she brings her lips to mine again and lets them linger.

“You forgot to count.” I cup the back of her head.

Her eyes lock on mine. “Infinity.”

Jane goes back to campus a week later. She lets me drive her and walk her from the parking lot. A few paparazzi are still staked outside her house, ready to grab photos of her to go with the news headlines about Ted’s arrest, but since she’s staying with me, they haven’t managed to get many shots. We go to the café, where she insists on buying me a coffee—mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino—and then I walk her to her first class.

“What are you going to do all day?” she asks.

After a lot of back and forth, which included Jane getting my brothers to take her side, we agreed that I didn’t need to be her shadow anymore. I want to be here, if for no other reason than I know Jane is still spooked and that people still want to take her photo. But I also get that she wants to move forward, and having me follow her around, looking over her shoulder, might do more harm than good. So, it’s boyfriend duties only from here on out. Officially. Unofficially I’ll never stop protecting her.

So, technically I’m unemployed. I told Logan I was staying here, so unless another high-profile client moves to Valley, I doubt he’s going to have any work for me.

“I don’t know. I guess I should look for a job or something.” I have enough saved up to last a while as long as I’m careful, but I need something to do, or I’ll go stir crazy.

“Oooh.” Her eyes light up. “Will you wear a suit for interviews?”

I chuckle. “Why? You got a thing for a guy in a suit?”

“Uhhh yeah. Me and most of the rest of the female population.”

“Good to know.” I drop her hand and brush her hair off her face. “I don’t think a lot of jobs around here are going to require a suit.”

“Bummer,” she says. “You could dress up and boss me around all day. We could do a little sexy billionaire role-play. I’d pay for that.”

Her professor walks into the class behind us, giving her and then me a curious look. It sounds like I’m her boy toy. I give her the good dick for free.

“I gotta go, but I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Okay.” She leans up on her toes to kiss me, then backs away into the class. “Will you be wearing a suit when I get home?”

I shake my head. But for her, there’s a good chance I might.