Page 31 of Penalty Kick

“Oh, ummmm,” Talia sputtered, her focus still on Dash. “Which would you like?”

“Me? I believe it was supposed to be me who won you the teddy bear,” he countered.

“Turns out your aim sucks.”

Dash scoffed, mocking like he was offended. She was right, his aim did suck. At least at this game. Thankfully it was not the same story on the pitch.

“Football is called that for a reason. We play with our feet, not our hands.”

“Are you saying you’re not good with your hands?”

“Oh, I am plenty good with those, Bonita,” he replied with a smirk, closing the small gap between them. Leaning down to her ear, he whispered, “And I will be happy to show you whenever you would like.”

Talia shuddered, her eyes flashing dark for a second. Heat radiated off her, making the already warm summer air even thicker.

“The blue one,” Talia answered, pointing to a bear hanging from the wall.

The attendant nodded, moving quickly to get her prize. Dash had forgotten he was even standing there. Had he heard what he’d whispered to Talia? Shit, he hadn’t meant for that to be for anyone else’s ears. He needed to behave. It was a company function after all. Somewhere at this very event were all his teammates. And his boss. Who was married to the team’s owner. Whose daughter he was on a date with.

Hands to yourself…hands to yourself…

“I still cannot believe I missed all of them,” he muttered as they walked away, Talia clutching the stuffed toy.

“Here,” she said, handing him the bear. “I won him for you.”

Dash took it, giving her a playful side glare.

“That is not how this is supposed to work.”

“Should I get you some cotton candy to heal your wounds?”

“What kind of candy?”

“Cotton candy. It’s sugar that is spun until it’s all fluffy.”

“Copo de azucar, or sugar flake,” he corrected her.

“Copo de azucar,” she repeated, slipping her hand in his again. Her accent was horrible, but her even trying made him happier than he could express. “Then let’s grab some copo de azucar, and hit up the Ferris wheel? What do you say?”

“Perfecto.”

Just like you…

* * *

Humid summer air kissed Talia’s skin, leaving her feeling clammy. It was also making the cotton candy melt onto her fingers faster than she had anticipated, each one of her digits now sticky and blue. At least it matched the cheap stuffed animal Dash was holding as they stood in line for the Ferris wheel. Blue fingers had not been included when she had imagined how this evening would go.

Based on little more than the kiss on the cheek Dash had given her right before asking her, Talia had assumed this was a date. She’d started to second-guess that during the week though. He’d only kissed her on the cheek. It was a sweet gesture, but after the jaw-dropping, panty-melting one they had shared months ago, it felt like a step backwards. Had he changed his mind about her? Or had she been reading too much into it to begin with? It wouldn’t be the first time she’d done that.

Those same nerves and questions were still circling in her head now. Although, after Dash’s comment about showing her just how good he could be with his hands, she was back to thinking she was right the first time.

Another reason not to date…you don’t have to worry if you’re actually on one…

Dash reached over, grabbing the last bit of cotton candy off the rolled up paper cone. Even though he’d eaten just as much of it as she had, he’d managed to keep his fingers clean. She was going to have to ask him for his secret.

“Open up,” he said, holding up the cotton candy.

Talia did as she was told, letting her jaw go slack. Dash gave her a wink, gently placing the confection in her mouth. As if on reflex, she closed her mouth, capturing his fingers between her lips.