Deck His Balls (Spice and Seduction)

Chapter One

Tricia

“This is your fault.” I glare at Jasmine, one of my best friends, from where I’m pacing backstage at the Serenity County Holiday Charity Auction. “I could be running my December basketball camp for underprivileged kids right now, but no. You had to go and volunteer me for this meat market.”

“First, stop pacing before you give my son motion sickness.” Caress, my second best friend, bounces her three-month-old on her hip, his chubby face tracking my movement. “Second, it’s not just Jasmine’s fault. I helped convince you this was a good idea.”

“Traitors, both of you.” I tug at the red cocktail dress they insisted I wear. The fabric clings in all the right places, but I feel exposed without my usual basketball shorts and jersey.

“Stop fidgeting.” Jasmine shifts in the plush velvet chair, rubbing her very pregnant belly. “You look hot. Besides, the basketball camp doesn’t start until next week, and this auction raises money for the same kids you help. Win-win.”

“Win-win would be me writing a check, not being sold to the highest bidder like a Christmas turkey.”

“Please.” Caress rolls her eyes. “You’ve been looking for an excuse to talk to my brother for months. Ever since that pickup game where he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

“He dunked on me.”

“After staring at your ass for ten minutes.” Jasmine smirks.

Heat creeps up my neck at the memory. Joel Mitchell looking unfairly good in basketball shorts and a sleeveless shirt, his muscles gleaming with sweat as he guarded me. The intensity in his dark eyes when I tried to drive past him. The brush of his hand on my hip felt anything but accidental.

“He was studying my technique.”

“Oh, he was studying something alright.” Caress grins. “Trust me, I know my brother. He’s got it bad. Why do you think he’s been showing up at every event where he knows you’ll be?”

“Can we not discuss your brother right now?” My voice comes out higher than intended. “I’m already nervous enough about this auction without thinking about Joel possibly being in the audience.”

“Why are you nervous?” Jasmine asks. “You play in front of thousands of people.”

“That’s different. On the court, I know what I’m doing. I’m in control.” I resume pacing. “This? This is like going up for a shot blindfolded.”

“You’re Tricia Washington, WNBA All-Star. You’ve got this.” Caress adjusts the baby on her hip. “Besides, Jasmine’s bidding on you. What could go wrong?”

“Don’t jinx it.” I point at her. “Your brother may be CEO of some fancy tech company, but even he can’t save me if your brilliant plan falls apart.”

“Actually…” Jasmine exchanges a look with Caress. “Joel might be—”

She cuts off with a sharp gasp, hands flying to her stomach.

“Jas?” Caress steps forward, concern flooding her face.

“I think…” Her eyes widen. “Oh shit.”

“Please tell me you just sat on something uncomfortable.” I freeze mid-pace.

“Unless that something is my water breaking? No such luck.” She attempts a smile that morphs into a grimace. “Ryan’s gonna flip.”

“Your due date isn’t for another week!”

“Tell that to Junior.” She wobbles to her feet. “Apparently, my baby has your terrible timing.”

“My timing? You’re the one going into labor ten minutes before I’m supposed to go on stage!”

“Here.” Caress hands me the baby. “Hold him while I get the car. Jasmine, don’t you dare move until I pull around.”

The next few minutes pass in a blur of calling Ryan, helping Jasmine to Caress’s car, and trying not to hyperventilate as I realize I’m completely screwed. My guaranteed winning bidder is currently en route to the hospital, leaving me at the mercy of whatever rich person decides to buy a date with a basketball player.

“Next up, ladies and gentlemen!” The announcer’s voice booms through the speakers. “WNBA star Tricia Washington!”

Taking a deep breath, I step onto the stage. The bright lights nearly blind me as I scan the crowd. My heart stops when I spot Joel in the front row, looking devastating in a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark eyes lock onto mine, and suddenly I’m back at that pickup game, feeling the ghost of his touch on my skin.

“Let’s start the bidding at five hundred dollars for a date with this basketball sensation!”

The numbers start climbing. One thousand. Two thousand. Three thousand. Each bid makes my smile feel more wooden. Then a voice rings out that turns my blood to ice.

“Five thousand.”

Trevor. Caress’s creepy ex who’s been sending me inappropriate DMs since she ran into him on their awkward cruise. My stomach churns as he leers at me from his table.

“Ten thousand.”

The new voice is deep, commanding, and achingly familiar. Joel stands, his jaw set in a hard line as he stares down Trevor. The look in his eyes reminds me of how Caress told us her now fiancé, Dylan stepped up to Trevor on the cruise ship last year, ready to throw down to protect someone he cares about.

“Going once…” The auctioneer looks between them. “Going twice…”

“Fifteen thousand.” Trevor’s smirk makes my skin crawl.

“Twenty.” Joel doesn’t miss a beat.

The room goes silent. Even Trevor’s face darkens as he stays quiet.

“Sold!” The gavel strikes. “To Mr. Joel Mitchell for twenty thousand dollars!”

Relief floods my system until Joel climbs the stairs to the stage, that signature half-smile playing on his lips. He smells like expensive cologne and danger, a combination that makes my pulse race.

“So,” he says, voice low enough for only me to hear. “How do you feel about giving private basketball lessons?”

I blink. “What?”

“That’s my date request. Teach me your moves.” His eyes dance with amusement. “Unless you’d prefer dinner and dancing?”

The thought of Joel all sweaty and focused on the court sends heat pooling low in my belly. “You want lessons?” I ask skeptically as he nods.

He tries and fails to hide his smile. “News on the street is that you’re the best Coach in town.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “Flattery will get you everywhere, and though we both know you do not need basketball lessons, it’s your date to do with as you please. So, basketball it is. Though twenty grand seems steep for a lesson, though.”

“Consider it my Christmas charity. Plus,” his smile turns sharp, “watching Trevor’s face when I outbid him? Priceless.”

“My hero.” I roll my eyes, ignoring how my skin tingles as his hand finds the small of my back. “But just so we’re clear—I don’t go easy on anyone. Even stupidly generous CEOs.”

Joel’s grin turns wicked. “Wouldn’t dream of asking you to, Coach. Game on.”

As we head toward the exit, my phone buzzes with a text from Jasmine.

Jasmine:

You can thank my baby’s timing later. Now go get your man.

A second text follows from Caress.

Caress:

Joel’s been planning to bid on you all week by the way. Don’t mess this up.

I glance at Joel, who’s busy giving instructions to his driver about taking me to the hospital to check on Jasmine and his sister. His hand hasn’t left my back, and each brush of his fingers sends sparks dancing across my skin.

“How’s tomorrow for the session?” Joel asks, turning back to me. “Around noon work? We can maybe even grab lunch after?”

I nod, steadying my voice before responding. “Noon works. I’ll text you if anything changes.”

He nods before leaning in to kiss me on the cheek, leaving goosebumps running down my neck and arm.

He smiles, pulling back. “Perfect, my driver, James, will take you anywhere you need to go. See you tomorrow, Coach.”

With that, he turns to open the car door, and I slip in with a prominent smile on my face, knowing full well my dreams will be filled with basketball lessons with a very naked Joel.