Playing Hard to Get (The Players)

NOW WHY THE hell did I go and admit that to my new friend Jo Jo?

The shocked expression on her face says it all. I threw her for a loop with that confession. And on the first tutoring session, too.

Way to wow her with my smarts.

“What do you mean, a vow of celibacy?” She asks the question slowly, as if she might’ve heard me wrong.

“No women allowed during the football season. I made a bet with some of my teammates.” Yes, Jo Jo. That’s just as bad as it sounds.

She’s frowning. More like scowling, though she still looks pretty doing it. She’s attractive, my tutor. Or is that the lack of female company talking? Could I already be finding anyone with a vagina attractive? It’s only been a couple of days, so doubtful.

I watch her, feigning indifference, secretly clocking her every feature. Joanna is definitely pretty. I like the freckles that dot her nose. Her lips are full and this rosy shade of pink. Dark, delicate brows and deep brown eyes that are full of curiosity at this very moment, which makes me think she wants more info about this celibacy plan I’ve got going on.

She doesn’t have a lick of makeup on, and I…like it. But she isn’t plain. I’d actually describe her as striking. Guess I like the natural look.

More like she doesn’t look like any of the women I’ve been with in the recent past, and it’s kind of refreshing.

“Did you make this vow so you could concentrate on football?” she finally asks.

“And my classes, yeah.” I love that she gets it. If I would tell any other woman my plan, they’d be confused. Like, why would I want to purposely avoid having sex for an extended period of time?

Then they’d try to grab my junk—just like I told Joanna a few minutes ago—and show me everything they’ve got. It’s how it works. How it’s always worked when it comes to me and women.

It’s kind of a relief, knowing I can avoid that this semester—this football season. I’m tired of the same old thing. I need a break.

It’s almost laughable, how much my feelings about sex have changed in such a short amount of time. I think I’ve been hanging out with the wrong kind of women. Maybe that’s my problem.

“Have you ever done something like that before?” Her sweet voice breaks through my thoughts.

I slowly shake my head.

“Did you make this vow at the beginning of the season? Like before school started?”

“No. Only a couple of days ago.”

Her lips lift into the smallest smile. “How’s it going so far?”

“You want to know the truth?” She nods. “Not so well.”

“Why not?”

“It’s like when you’re told you can’t eat chocolate cake because it’s bad for you. And then all you crave is chocolate cake. Even if you never craved it before,” I explain, staring at Joanna like she’s my proverbial piece of chocolate cake.

She rears back a little, like she needs the distance from me. “I know what you mean.”

“Yeah?” I glance down at the iPad she’s clutching. “So am I a hopeless case? Or can you help me with this class?”

I need to stop talking about sex with Joanna, because it makes me curious. What’s she like? What does she like? From the looks of her, I’d guess she’s your standard missionary type. No freak in the sheets. Might like giving blow jobs but prefers to be on the receiving end.

And just like that, I break out in a sweat. This is the last thing I need—to think about going down on Jo Jo.

Is she loud or quiet when she comes? For some reason, I can envision her yanking on my hair and screaming my name.

Or maybe that’s just my ego talking, which is normal.

“You’re definitely not hopeless.”

I jerk my gaze to hers, appreciating how easily she shifts right back into efficient tutor mode. It’s kind of hot, how serious she gets, though I shouldn’t think that way. My tutor isn’t hot. I need to keep reminding myself of that, even if it’s a lie.

“And I can help you,” she continues. “Though I’m going to need something from you in return.”

“Like what?” I sit up straighter, anticipating what she might say.

Her expression is solemn. “I need you to always be truthful with me, Knox. If you’re having trouble, struggling with an essay or the reading, tell me. I want to help you. That’s why I’m doing this. It’s my job. And I specialize in reading disabilities. I have the skill set to help you. So let me help you.”

It’s never been easy for me to admit I’m not good at something, when almost everything I do comes naturally. Except for this. Reading. Comprehension. Writing.

“Okay,” I agree with a nod.

The agreement was worth it, thanks to that bright smile on her face. She ducks her head, tapping away on her iPad, bringing up a calendar. “I think we should meet two days a week at first. That’s how often you have English class, right?”

“Yeah.” I bring up my own calendar app, frowning as I scrutinize my schedule. It’s packed already. Fitting in meeting with Jo Jo twice a week might be tough, but I’m going to try to swing it.

“Does this time work?” She lifts her head, her dark gaze meeting mine, and I’m caught up in her eyes for a moment, realizing they remind me of chocolate cake.

Which is lame and horrible and I can never use that line on her because she’d laugh me right out of the room. And I’d deserve it.

“Why don’t we meet Tuesday and Thursday at two o’clock? I can reserve this room for the rest of the semester.” She starts tapping on her screen again.

“That should work for me.” I have this break between classes, so yeah, it will totally work.

“Perfect. And you already understand the cost?”

“Yeah.” I put in my credit card info last night.

“Great. Oh, there are a few more things we should discuss.”

I frown. “What?”

“You can’t be late. I mean, I know things happen, and it can’t be helped every once in a while, but my time is just as valuable as yours,” she says, her voice firm.

“Got it.” I salute her, which makes her roll her eyes. She’s a stickler for timeliness. I suppose there could be worse things.

“And just know, whatever happens in this room, stays in this room. I won’t discuss any of your issues with anyone. The tutor program honors everyone’s privacy, so you have nothing to worry about.” She sets her iPad on the table, resting her clutched hands on top of it. “There will be no gossip spread about Knox Maguire needing help with English. Or that he’s vowed to be celibate for the rest of the semester.”

I burst out laughing. “That rumor has already started, sweetheart. I’m guessing they’ve got me joining the monastery by now.”

Her cheeks flush prettily and I wonder if it has anything to do with me calling her sweetheart. It just came out of my mouth, as if I had no control over it.

“I’m sure it won’t deter anyone from making a go at you.”

My brows shoot up. “I think it stopped you.”

Her mouth drops open and she blinks at me once. Twice. “Uh…”

“See?” My heart starts to race.

She snaps her lips shut, going quiet.

I’m quiet too. Watching her. Enjoying how uncomfortable she seems. How she shifts in her seat and won’t look at me, giving me ample time to keep staring at her.

A nervous titter leaves her and she shakes her head, her gaze still aimed downward. “I guess I’m just—more respectful of your wishes.”

“Ah, is that what we’re calling it?” I glance over at the neglected book lying on the table, remembering her suggestion. I decide to take it easy on her and change the subject. “By the way, I am going to buy the audiobook tonight.”

The relief on her face when her gaze returns to mine is clear. “Oh good. I think that’s a great idea. It’ll be easier to read it and comprehend what the author’s message is. It really is a wonderful story.”

“Did you have to read it in class your freshman year?”

She shakes her head, seemingly embarrassed again. “I read it in high school—because I wanted to.”

Well, there’s a foreign concept for me. “I’ve never liked reading.”

“It’s actually wonderful. Reading takes you to another world. Teaches you things. I love it.” Her cheeks turn red again. She’s cute when she blushes. “I’m rambling about things you don’t care about.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I ramble about football to anyone who’ll listen, and most of the time, they hate it.”

Joanna wrinkles her nose. “I don’t love it.”

“Right. You don’t even go to the games.” I shake my head. “A disgrace.”

“You have enough fans. I don’t think you need one more.”

My gaze drifts over her face. Her shoulders. Her chest. This girl is…interesting. She’s not a football fan. Doesn’t throw herself at me when I give her the opportunity, and she likes to read. She’s smart, and I’m guessing she’s pretty ambitious too.

She’s nothing like any woman I’ve spent time with before. Not that I spend a lot of time with only one woman.

“I should probably get going.” Joanna glances at her phone, her brows drawing together. “I’m going to be late.”

“For what?” I rise to my feet at the same time she does.

“Another tutoring session.” She grabs her bag, slinging the strap over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later!”

She’s gone before I can say anything else.