Win Me Over Read online

  She was beyond pleased, and also a little nervous. “I made us dinner, and the rules are, even if it’s nasty you have to tell me how delicious it is.”

  Bennett chuckled and placed a small kiss on her nose. “I’m sure it will be fine. I’m starving.”

  Callie dished up the dinner, noticing that now they were done flirting his eyebrows were drawn together like he was stressed.

  “You okay?” she asked, setting a plate in front of him.

  “Yeah.” He immediately smiled, but she knew better.

  “Liar. What’s going on?”

  Bennett put some butter on his baked potato. She liked watching his careful ministrations. Like everything else he did, it was slow and precise. She hadn’t known there was a way to precisely use butter.

  Finally he started talking. “Jason really wanted to play tomorrow night, but I told him no.”

  Callie felt relief flood her body and proceeded to shake a ridiculous amount of salt onto her own potato. She’d been so afraid that whatever was bothering him was about them, the competition, anything that was going to devastate her. “You don’t want him to play?”

  “I do want him to play. I’m just nervous. He had a head injury. A concussion. He’s depressed.” Bennett took a few bites and she did, too, waiting for when he was ready to continue. “Second-hit trauma has sort of become an epidemic and I’ll be damned if that happens to one of my boys. I told him we’ll see about next week, but I’m not even sure about that. The thing that’s eating me up inside is that the scout from Mizzou is coming. If I don’t let him play … shit, I’ll feel like I’m robbing the kid of his dreams.”

  “Is a scout seeing him the only way to play for them?”

  “No. But it would definitely help. A lot.”

  They continued to eat and Callie was happy to see that Bennett had no problem downing her dinner. Even telling her twice how great it was. But she kept thinking about his concerns. She wanted to help him, but she really didn’t have much experience.

  “Has his doctor cleared him?” she finally asked.

  “Yep. Which surprises me, and then again, it doesn’t. His dad was probably in there throwing his attitude around. But it’s made me the bad guy.”

  “You have to do what you think is right, Bennett. You’re not trying to be a jerk; you want them to be safe.”

  Their eyes met and he nodded. “That’s all I ever want. Nobody knows better than me that you can go on without playing football. I don’t want them to have to learn that the way I did.”

  “You’re doing the right thing then, Bennett.”

  She was relieved when he nodded and then helped himself to seconds of meat loaf as large as his first helping.

  “I’m not kidding; this is really good. I haven’t had comfort food like this in a long time. Since I lived at home.”

  “It’s Anne’s mother’s recipe. Meat loaf a là Marie. I guess she made it for Mike and he liked it so much that Anne has to make it for him a couple times a month. I hoped that meant you’d like it, too.”

  “So you made it just for me, huh?” Bennett asked; a boyish grin broke out. He was blindingly handsome when he did that.

  “Well, obviously, I don’t usually make a pan of meat loaf for myself.” She tried to play it off as she got up to put her plate in the sink.

  “Come here,” he said, pushing his chair away from the table. He patted his thigh.

  Callie didn’t hesitate, making her way around the table to straddle his lap.

  He pulled her lips down to his. It wasn’t a heated kiss but a sweet one, soft and gentle, and the scent of his aftershave made her want to lick his face. He looked into her eyes as he spoke. “Thank you.”

  “For cooking? It wasn’t a big deal.”

  He shook his head. “You’re wrong. I’ve been taking care of myself for years. Worrying about everything in the world. My players, my students, Misha.”

  The sound of Bennett laughing was one of the sexiest things Callie had ever heard. “Misha is a handful,” Callie said. “Literally.”

  Bennett cupped Callie’s jaw. “You’ve been taking care of me. Teaching me, trying to help me win this ridiculous competition. Listening to me. I like it.”

  “I like it, too,” she said, even though the moment should have been terrifying. It wasn’t. It was perfect and she felt compelled to say more. “I like you.”

  “I like you, too.”

  They naturally let their foreheads fall together and Callie took a deep breath. Many of her fears had just played out right before her eyes. Relationships scared her, the idea of devoting herself and her life to a man. That was terrifying. But this felt right, and in no way did she feel any less herself by hearing Bennett tell her she took good care of him. In fact, it felt wonderful. Empowering.

  She’d cooked for him because she wanted to please him. Satisfy him. She’d liked the way his eyes lit up when he’d seen her in the dress. When he had the leg cramp it had made her happy to be there to take care of him. She’d listened to his problems and wished like hell that she could fix them for him. Make him smile and take away all his worries. But not because she felt forced to. No, she’d wanted it, more than anything.

  It wasn’t all one-sided, which she’d always feared. He allowed her to teach him, boss him around. Listened to her talk endlessly and asked her questions. He’d put her first intimately, always making sure she was satisfied—sometimes more than once—before he found his own pleasure. He’d made her an amazing dinner, come into her bakery just to see where she worked. Told her how impressive it was.

  They were dance partners. They were friends. Lovers. All because they’d chosen each other. Wanted each other to succeed and feel good. His happiness was linked to her own. What a terrifying and wonderful discovery.

  And he liked her. It felt so silly for them to exchange those words. Of course they liked each other, but she knew the words held a deeper meaning. At least hers did. Callie suddenly realized that her feelings might run very deep for this man. He might be the person she was willing to be completely and utterly selfless for. And be happy doing it.

  Callie ran her fingers lightly through his hair, using her nails to tickle his scalp. His eyes slid shut. “Damn, that feels good.”

  “I’m good at making you feel good,” she teased.

  “Yes, you are.” He opened his eyes to stare at her. “You really are.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” Her voice was quiet. She didn’t want to ruin this moment, because something special was passing between them.

  His hands slid up her sides, running up and down her torso. Finally he palmed her ass and pulled her hard against his erection. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”

  “Good thing I feel the same way.” Callie leaned down and kissed him once more. They took their time, nipping and sucking at each other, his hands squeezing her backside, grinding her against him.

  Callie’s desire to show Bennett just how much she cared had her slipping off his lap and sinking down to her knees between his legs. His eyes went wide. “Callie, you don’t ne—”

  “Shhh. I do whatever I want,” she cut him off, loving the way the corner of his mouth rose in response.

  Her fingers went to his jeans, unzipping them. His breath hitched as she reached into his briefs and wrapped her fingers around him, freeing his erection from the cotton.

  She looked up at him, their eyes meeting for just a second before she pressed the smallest kiss on his warm skin. His hands went to her shoulders, like he was looking for leverage. She took him into her mouth and Bennett cursed under his breath.

  “That feels … damn…,” he said between shallow breaths.

  She lavished him with attention, soft and slow and then fast and hungry. When Bennett finally found his release—her name on his lips—Callie experienced a rush of emotion. Giving pleasure—giving anything—to Bennett felt like caring for herself.

  Fourteen

  “What if tonight we try something diffe
rent? How about pepperoni, roasted red peppers, and feta?” Callie asked Anne and Lindsey as they sat down at their usual table at Pie Mia that Friday evening. The football game was away, so Callie and the dance team had a glorious Friday evening off.

  “Ehhhh, I don’t know. I thought we wanted to eat chicken, onion, and goat cheese every day for the rest of our lives,” Lindsey responded.

  Callie shrugged, unsure of why she felt the desire to mix things up. That wasn’t usually her style. It also wasn’t really Lindsey’s style to disagree. “I know. It’s good. I love it; I was just thinking how it might be nice to try something new.”

  “But if the food that you’d like to eat more than anything else in the world is here, why would you choose something else?” Lindsey asked.

  “Okay, gracious. Chicken, onion, and goat it is,” Callie said.

  Lindsey had seemed different the past week. Ever since the Derek thing. They were all so used to sweet, agreeable Lindsey and lately she’d seemed a little off. She’d never really opened up about the details of her history with the guy, and Callie and Anne had agreed not to push.

  “Well, wait.…” Lindsey held up a hand. “I was kind of warming up to the idea of pepperoni, peppers, and feta.”

  “Oh dear,” Anne said. “That’s enough, you two; we’ll get one of each.”

  Callie and Lindsey put their menus down and went for their beers, happy with Anne’s solution. Callie wondered if her own sudden desire for something different was a side effect of her warring emotions. She almost regretted having this commitment with the girls tonight. She wished she were at Bennett’s game and then going home with him afterward. She missed him like crazy, and she’d seen him just yesterday.

  The whole thing was a little frustrating. It was not like her to miss anyone, let alone a man. Callie Daniels didn’t let men dictate her emotional state. Apparently Bennett wasn’t like all the others.

  “So, I’ve put together some idea boards for the wedding, want to see?” Anne asked. Callie smiled. Hearing about Anne’s wedding was a perfect diversion.

  “Of course.” Lindsey scooted their beers out of the way so Anne could put her things in the center of the table where they could all see. The first idea board was gorgeous: barn wedding, rustic yet classic.

  “That’s beautiful, Anne,” Callie said. Lindsey nodded in agreement. “Next.”

  This one was also a barn wedding but had a mix of vintage art deco flair. The dress was a thirties style, the grooms and groomsmen in bow ties and suspenders.

  “Oh hell no, Mike doesn’t do suspenders,” Callie said.

  “No?” Anne wrinkled her nose as if she was unsure.

  “Uh, Anne … can you picture for one minute Mike in suspenders and a bow tie?”

  Anne appeared to think about it. “Nope. I guess you’re right. He’d hate it.”

  “Okay, here’s the last one.” Anne bit at her lip as she laid the board down.

  Lindsey and Callie both gasped. The dress was fitted, lace overlay with a long veil. Callie could already imagine the dress gracing Anne’s curves; it would be gorgeous. The barn in the inspiration image had long white tables adorned with simple wheat bouquet centerpieces, chandeliers made of clustered mason jars filled with strings of white Christmas lights, and the groom’s vest and tie had boutonnieres made of lavender—Anne’s signature scent.

  “Anne, you totally already chose this one, didn’t you? Everything on this page is totally you,” Lindsey said.

  Anne shrugged. “Okay … maybe. And how adorable would Mike be in a vest and tie?”

  Callie and Lindsey nodded. The inspiration board painted such a clear picture of what was sure to be a perfect day for her friend that Callie had to wipe a tear from her eye. She’d always pooh-poohed the notion of a wedding being the best day of someone’s life, but right now she felt a twinge of envy so acute she wasn’t quite sure if the tears were from happiness or sadness.

  Anne reached across the table and squeezed Callie’s hand as if she knew exactly what was going on in her head. Callie squeezed back and then they both refocused when Lindsey spoke.

  “Would all the guys wear this?” Lindsey asked nonchalantly. “Even the groomsmen?”

  Anne nodded and then glanced at Callie for a moment. They were thinking the same thing. Lindsey was imagining Derek in this outfit, and if Lindsey’s imagination was as efficient as Callie’s was, the girl knew that he would look hot as hell.

  When their pizzas came everyone agreed that the pepperoni, roasted red peppers, and feta was indeed amazing.

  “I think it’s possible that Mia just can’t make a bad pizza,” Anne said. They all nodded and continued to pig out, plan some blog posts, and discuss a bratty little girl who was giving Claire trouble at school. All normal friend conversation.

  “I can’t believe the fund-raiser is coming up so soon,” Anne said.

  “I know; I can’t wait for you guys to see our dance,” Callie said. Anne would be there to emcee, and Lindsey had purchased a ticket. Callie was beginning to feel the excitement of a looming performance. Something she hadn’t experienced in years. It felt good, really good, and knowing it would include Bennett sweetened the deal.

  “So, have things between you and Bennett progressed?” Lindsey said, eyes waggling.

  “Lindsey,” Anne chided.

  “What? He’s totally hot, and we could all tell how much he was into Callie.”

  Had it really been that obvious? “I guess it’s a fair question,” Callie said. “And the answer is … possibly.”

  Anne and Lindsey leaned forward, eyes wide. “Oh my god, what?” Anne whispered.

  “Have you … you know, done it?” Lindsey asked. “He’s so good-looking. And built.”

  “That he is. And the answer is yes. I had sex with him.” Callie lowered her voice, no need to play coy. These were her best friends. She wanted to discuss what was happening, because she needed a different perspective.

  “I was so hoping that this would turn into something,” Anne said. “So was Mike; he’s already asked me about it twice.”

  “Aw, someone has a boy crush.” Callie said with a smile. “I thought I sensed the beginnings of a budding relationship that night at your house. Tell Mike he can come to the game Friday night.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Anne said. “We’ll bring Claire.”

  “How about you, Linds?” Callie asked Lindsey. “The games are a lot of fun.”

  “Um, maybe.”

  They all knew why she hesitated. Anne blew out a breath. “Linds, I really doubt Mike would mention it to Derek, but … I hate to make him leave out his friend if he wanted to include him. I want to be able to invite both of you to things without worrying.”

  “I know,” Lindsey said with a lift of her shoulder. She pushed a piece of pizza crust around on her plate. “I’m probably being childish about this. I just need to get over it.”

  “No one said you’re being childish. The guy obviously hurt you. Right?” Callie said, clearly fishing for answers. She paused to give Lindsey an opening, but she only nodded her head. “Don’t let what he did affect now. Brush him off; you’re the bigger person. Show him he doesn’t matter.”

  Lindsey sighed. “You’re right. I’m giving him the power, after all these years. I’ll be fine, no matter what happens. In fact, it’s just better if I get used to seeing him around.”

  Callie and Anne agreed, and they ordered another round of beer. After a while Lindsey excused herself to the restroom and Anne leaned in to whisper.

  “Mike and Derek have already been discussing the renovation of the farmhouse. I really wanted to ask Lindsey if she’d be my designer, help me with the details. Find furnishings, you know how good she is at that.”

  “Absolutely, I think it’s a great idea. Perfect series for the blog, too,” Callie said.

  “Right? I thought the same thing,” Anne replied. “But there is no way she could completely avoid Derek if he’s our architect and contractor. I
hate to put her in that position if it will upset her.”

  Callie considered this. “It may be just the right thing to force them to get used to being around one another.”

  “Derek wants to see her. He’s been asking a lot of questions. I feel like I’m betraying her friendship if I answer, so I just plead the Fifth every time.”

  “Well, Lindsey’s a big girl,” Callie said. “I think you should ask her. We’ll be there for her the whole time.”

  * * *

  Little Pantherettes Saturday finally arrived, and Callie was excited and also ready to get the dance and cheer clinic over with. The planning for this had been way more work than she’d anticipated, and that had been with the entire dance and cheerleading team working hard. But she was proud of what they had planned for the sixty-four girls, ranging from grades one through five, who had signed up.

  It was a full-day event, three sessions of dance and routine lessons, a break for pizza, and then all the girls would perform at football game halftime at the upcoming game that Friday.

  Callie smiled when Claire and her best friend, Bailey, ran up to the registration table.

  “Callie, we’re here!” Claire yelled.

  “I’m so happy to see you,” Callie said, wrapping her arms around Claire. Callie waved at Anne and Bailey’s mother, Erin, who were just coming in the gym door. “Why don’t you get in line and Erika will get you signed in and give you your T-shirt and hair bow.”

  The girls squealed and ran to the end of the line as Anne walked up. “Claire couldn’t even fall asleep last night, she was so excited for today.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad. They are going to have a blast,” Callie said.

  Anne looked around. “There’s a lot of people here; I’m so happy for you.”

  Callie whispered, “It’s amazing; even after paying for everything the dance team will make about fourteen hundred dollars.”

  Anne’s eyes went wide. “That’s great. Well, I’ll let you get to work. I know you’re busy.”

  Anne went to join the others in line. Callie glanced around, noting that everything looked good, so she headed around the corner and down the hallway to the girls’ locker room. She had her bags shoved into the PE teacher’s office and needed a hair tie. Just as she was about to push through the door a body crushed into her from behind and then pulled her through a different door. The latch sounded as the door was closed quickly and she was shoved up against the wall in a dark room.