Playing Hard to Get (The Players, #1)

by Monica Murphy

I shove a book onto the shelf, a little more aggressively than necessary, and then turn and run straight into someone. A very solid, extremely tall someone. It felt like I ran into a brick wall, I hit him so hard. “Oh hey.” A deep, rumbling voice says as he reaches out, grabbing hold of my elbows, steadying me after the blow. “You okay? Sorry about that.”

“You promise?” He smiles. Oh. Shit. He has a nice smile. Straight, white teeth. The faintest dimple denting his right cheek.

Remember how athletes kind of scare me? This one is the scariest of them all. He’s large and intimidating and handsome and good lord, who allowed a man to smell this good?

I’m sitting on Knox Maguire’s lap, his eyes going wide when he registers who I am. “Wait a sec. Do I know you?” he asks.

Maybe I was imagining things. I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure he was sporting a semi beneath my butt. And it was big.

Mister Tight End with the nice tight end is flirting with you, Joanna.”

Congratulations! Your first meeting with your new tutor Joanna Sutton is confirmed! It’s scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at the campus library, meeting room 226. If you need to make any changes or cancel the appointment, please do so by responding to this message.

“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.

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.

“It’s actually wonderful. Reading takes you to another world. Teaches you things. I love it.”

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

The backwards hat on—it’s a total weakness of mine.

“She’s kind of hot.” “Jesus, you think so?” Jealousy floods my veins. “Don’t even look at her, you hear me?”

“I just wanted to offer some help.” “I appreciate it.” I zero in on her lips. They’re pink and lush and her lower lip is extra plump. I wouldn’t mind sinking my teeth into it. Would she like that? A little bit of pain with her pleasure? I’m not some dominant asshole who gets off on spanking women, but I have no problem with experimenting.

Natalie gave me a look like, what’s gotten into you? Knox Maguire. That’s what’s gotten into me. Well. Not literally. Unfortunately. See, that way of thinking leads to trouble.

“That can’t be easy, listening to women go on and on about your brother,” Natalie says, her voice low. Blair grimaces. “It’s awful.”

The guys on my team? They just want to get into a girl’s panties. They’re all looking for a hookup and that’s it. Just like I used to. But I don’t want that anymore. All I want now is… Joanna.

At the same exact time, he quietly confesses, “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“What exactly are you going to stuff in my mouth?” My smile is wicked. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She laughs, breaking the tension, and I wonder if she knows how fucking serious I was with that comment. Because I was dead-ass serious.

“I’m not going to maul you in the coffee place on campus,” I say wryly. Her cheeks flush. It’s so easy to embarrass her. “I didn’t think you would.” “Even though I might want to.”

I wish reading came easy for me, but it just doesn’t. And it sucks.

“I thought you were celibate.” “I can hang out with you and not fuck you, Jo Jo.”

“I want to witness Knox Maguire swallow his tongue when he sees you.”

“Stop always putting yourself down. I hate that Bryan made you feel this way. You’re such an incredible person, and you don’t even see it. You’re smart and you’re thoughtful and you’re such a hard worker. You’re a great friend and you’re always there for me. You listen, and not many people listen, Jo. Trust me. Oh, and then there’s the fact that you’re beautiful and you have a bangin’ body. Like, if Knox can’t see that, then he’s a complete idiot.”

“I thought that was your nickname,” Joanna says once they’re gone. I frown at her, confused. “Excuse me?” “Big D. You know.” She tilts her head to the side, her long hair falling across one shoulder. “Because you’ve got such a big dick.”

Did she just say hot and filthy? I’ll show her hot and filthy.

Sweet Knox and his giant dick. His talented fingers and perfect tongue. His outrageous body.

I mean, I had his dick in my mouth a couple nights ago, but it still feels too soon to be all touchy-feely.

“Kissing you, Jo Jo. I can get kind of fixated sometimes.” He kisses me like he can’t help it. “Pretty sure I’m completely obsessed with you.”

“Not that you bang a bunch of bad girls, but you have a type. Hell, we all have a type. We like the ones who are looking for a good time. No strings attached.”

Daphne: I miss you. Daphne: And your big dick.

“As if I would make fun of a woman who’s got a tattoo that says fuck the patriarchy. I’m not an idiot.”

“I may have got a tattoo out of anger, but it really had nothing to do with him, and was more about me empowering myself.” “So fuck the patriarchy?” His lips curve up in the smallest smile and I lean in, pressing my lips to his in a closed-mouth kiss. “Yes,” I whisper against his perfect mouth. “Fuck it.” “I’d rather fuck you.”

That sweet, little orgasm was the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. This woman is so responsive. As if she were made for me.

Knox Maguire likes me. I can see it in his eyes when I catch him staring. I can feel it in the way he holds me. Kisses me. How he takes care of me. The things he says.

“You’re worth about a million Knox Maguires, so I hope you realize that.

Knox: Fuck the patriarchy? Knox: Or just fuck me?

“Open your eyes, doll face. You are so in love with him, it’s pathetic.” And with that little truth bomb, Leon shuffles away, heading for the back of the store while I stand there dumbfounded with the realization. I think my friend is right. I’m in love. I’m in love with Knox Maguire.

My favorite is the one of us smiling into the camera cheek to cheek, his number on full display on my other cheek. I caption it, 88 is my favorite number.

“I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care about your explanations, or what you have to say. I’m over you. I have another man’s number painted on my cheek and I freaking hate football. But I love it for him because I’m in love with him, okay? Now leave me alone.”

“My dad told me at dinner, when you know, you know.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “And with you, baby, I know. I’m in love with you, Joanna Sutton. And I’m so fucking glad you feel the same way because, if you didn’t, I would’ve done everything in my power to convince you that you should love me. I would’ve worn you down until you would’ve been like, fine. Jesus, I love you.”

I love her. She loves me. Life is fucking good.

“I’m going to take care of you,” I murmur, tugging at the hem of her jersey T-shirt. “Let’s get you undressed, baby.”

“When it comes to you, I mean everything I say. You’re the best thing to happen to me. I’m on top of the fucking world this semester, and that’s all thanks to you.”

“I realized I didn’t have the passion for teaching.” Her voice is soft. Even a little hesitant. “I’ve been writing lately. Little scenes here and there.” “Really?” I know she said she wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t know she was actually doing it. “What are you working on?” “Um…it’s a romance.” She laughs nervously. “About a hot football player who falls for the nerdy girl.”

“You’re mine, Jo Jo,” I remind her. Remind myself. “This pussy belongs to me.”

“You’re stuck with me.” “There’s no one else I’d rather be stuck with.” “Same, Jo Jo.”