Deck His Balls (Spice and Seduction)

Chapter Four

Tricia

The hospital waiting room chairs might be the most uncomfortable things ever created, but I barely notice. My attention keeps drifting to Joel, who’s pacing near the windows while fielding work calls. The way his suit jacket stretches across his shoulders with each turn reminds me of how those same muscles looked during our pickup game last month. Even now, hours after the auction, his twenty-thousand-dollar bid leaves me breathless.

“You’re staring again.” Caress’s whisper breaks through my Joel-induced haze.

“No, I’m not.” The denial comes automatically as I shift in my chair, hyper-aware of Brandon and Derek watching their sister’s door like hawks while Brandon’s wife, Charity, dozes against Brandon’s shoulder.

“Please.” Caress rolls her eyes, bouncing her son who’s fighting sleep. “You haven’t taken your eyes off my brother since you two got here. Just go talk to him.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Right. Because spending twenty grand to rescue you from Trevor means nothing.” She nudges me with her elbow. “Look, I know my brother. He doesn’t do grand gestures unless they mean something.”

“He was just being nice.”

“Joel doesn’t do ‘nice’ without reason.” Caress shifts closer, lowering her voice. “You know, before Dylan and I got together, I used to make the same excuses. ‘He’s just being friendly’ or ‘He’s my brother’s best friend.’ Want to know where that got me?”

“Married with a baby?”

“Exactly.” She grins. “Sometimes the best things in life are right in front of us, we just need the courage to reach for them.” Her expression softens. “For what it’s worth, I’d love having you as a sister-in-law.”

“Caress!”

“What? I’ve seen how he looks at you during those charity pickup games. Trust me, that’s not just competitive spirit in his eyes.”

Before I can protest further, Joel ends his call and heads our way. My heart kicks into overtime, and I swear the temperature in the room spikes ten degrees.

“Want to take a walk?” he asks, hands sliding into his pockets. The simple gesture shouldn’t be attractive, but somehow it is. “Might help clear our heads.”

“Sure.” The word comes out embarrassingly fast. “But we need to stop by Caress’s car first. These heels are killing me.”

Joel’s laugh does funny things to my insides. “Can’t have my basketball instructor getting blisters. Lead the way.”

The trip to the car provides a welcome distraction from the electricity crackling between us. Five minutes later, my feet finally free in my trusty Jordans, we wander the quiet hospital corridors. The silence between us feels charged, like the moment before a crucial play.

“You’re unusually quiet,” Joel says, bumping my shoulder with his. The casual contact sends sparks shooting through me. “Don’t tell me you’re actually developing a thing for me.”

The teasing note in his voice makes me laugh despite myself. “Don’t be a jerk,” I tease. “And you wish.”

“There’s that smile I like.” His words come out soft, almost reverent.

Heat crawls up my neck. “Tell me something about yourself that nobody else knows.”

“I’m an open book.”

“Pssh.” I wave off his claim. “Right. Because I totally knew the cocky Joel Mitchell had a soft spot for kids.”

Joel looks away, jaw tightening. The fluorescent lights catch the hints of gold in his dark eyes, and my fingers itch to trace the strong line of his profile.

“Come on,” I press. “Humor me.”

“Alright.” He stops walking, turning to face me. His expression turns serious in a way that makes my stomach flip. “But you have to return the favor.”

“Deal.”

Joel takes a deep breath. “Every night for the past year and a half, I’ve had this recurring dream. I’m in a relationship with this amazing woman. She’s fierce on the court but has the biggest heart off it. The way she moves, like she owns every room she walks into… it takes my breath away.”

My pulse quickens as his description continues.

“She’s got this laugh that makes everything else fade away,” he says, his voice dropping lower. “And when she’s focused on something, whether it’s a charity project or a basketball game, she gets this little crease between her eyebrows that I want to smooth away with my thumb.”

Recognition dawns slowly, then all at once. He’s describing me. The realization sends heat flooding through my body.

“But every time I go to kiss her,” Joel continues, his eyes never leaving mine, “I wake up.”

A laugh bubbles up, more from nerves than humor. “You’re messing with me.”

“I’m not.” The intensity in his gaze steals my breath.

“Fine.” My voice comes out shakier than intended. “Who’s the lucky lady of your dreams?”

Joel steps closer, and suddenly the hospital corridor feels too small. Too warm. His cologne wraps around me, a subtle scent that makes me want to lean in closer.

“You really haven’t figured it out?” The rough edge in his voice sends shivers down my spine. “It’s you, Tricia. It’s always been you.”

The world narrows to just us, and I become hyper-aware of the warmth radiating from his body. His gaze drops to my lips. My knees go weak as Joel leans in, one hand coming up to cup my face. I sway forward, drawn by a gravity I can’t fight anymore.

“Joel! Tricia!” Brandon’s excited shout shatters the moment. “It’s a girl!”

We spring apart like guilty teenagers. My heart pounds so hard I worry Joel can hear it. My lips tingle with the phantom sensation of a kiss that almost was.

“Coming!” I call back, voice unnaturally high.

“Wait.” Joel catches my hand before I can move. “You still owe me your secret, and a date.”

“I…” The words stick in my throat. How do I tell him I’ve been having similar dreams? That I wake up reaching for him most nights?

“Have coffee with me,” he says. “Tomorrow morning? You can share your secret then. And maybe Italian for dinner tomorrow night?”

I lower her eyes even as a smirk covers my lips. “I realize that your single date has somehow doubled. But, there is a slight flaw in your devious plan.”

He meets my smirk with one of his own. “And what’s that, Coach?”

“I only drink coffee from my specialty machine at home.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “The beans have to be ground fresh and everything.”

Joel’s eyes darken. “Trish…Are you inviting me over?”

“Maybe.” I gather my courage. “Nine o’clock? I’ll tell you my secret then.”

“It’s a date.” His thumb brushes across my knuckles before releasing my hand. “Now, let’s go meet Jas’s baby girl.”