The Player Read Free Page B

his control waning.
    “Kyle?”
    “Huh?”
    “You’re not really saying anything. Is something on your mind?”
    “Aside from how much I really, really like you, and don’t wanna fuck this up?”
    She chuckled, propping both elbows on the arm rest, silently staring at him. When her lips parted he took it was an invitation to move in. And . . . of course they bumped foreheads. But it was just the icebreaker each of them needed, as a sweet kiss turned into a head rolling, tongue probing, urgent “I so need this” bit of closeness. After breaking apart they both struggled for air.
    “When I’m able to breathe again I want a do-over,” he grumbled, pretending to be upset.
    “W-what?”
    With eyes that were illuminated in blue just like his car’s instrument panel, Kyle crooked a finger under her chin. “On a scale of one to ten, that kiss was a nine. I think the next one could be a ten if you’ll give me another chance.”
    His stare was so intense that she inwardly fought off saying something that would come out the wrong way. This wasn’t the time for self-conscious jokes. And most of all, she had to put a certain ex-husband out of her mind. With a naughty grin, she gave him an answer. “Let’s do this.”
    *****
     
    They sat in his car and talked. And joked around. And kissed.
    The excitement of their mutual attraction had them both acting as silly as teenagers. Lord knows I need this, Harlow thought. After loving just one man for almost her whole life, she never thought anyone could rival Ozzy’s charm. But Kyle seemed to be genuinely interested in her and what she had to say. She told him about Reina, and he shared some things about his little girl Madison, or “Maddy” as he called her. After pulling out his wallet and showing off a picture of a little cutie with big brown eyes and dark hair, Kyle sounded like any other proud papa. Of course Maddy was not just a smart six year old, but positively brilliant. Harlow grinned as she listened, thinking of how she’d  heard her ex say the very same thing about their daughter Reina.
    “It hasn’t been easy with me and my ex,” Kyle admitted. “Maybe I should’ve married Erin for Maddy’s sake, but by the time we agreed on it our relationship was over. So we both realized marriage would’ve been a big mistake. At least this way we’re still on speaking terms, though I can’t say the same for her current boyfriend. Sometimes I just can’t help being worried and a little possessive, especially with the kind of guys my ex has an attraction for. I try to stay out of her business, but it’s hard.”
    “That sounds pretty ominous.”
    “Does it?” He began fidgeting with the knobs and push buttons on his instrument panel, wondering if she’d think bad of him for talking about the mother of his child. “I don’t mean to imply that she’s not a good mother, because she is. But I never realized how hard it is to see someone you care for with another man. And with my daughter.” He sighed and looked out the driver’s side window. “I’m not proud of some of the things I did when we were together. I guess I could chalk it up to being full of myself and obsessively in love. I don’t like to go out much, and I’m not very social when I do. She called me ‘boring’ and an ‘old man in a young man’s body.’ I guess in some ways I am.”
    Harlow raised her hand in solidarity. “Hey, I hear yuh. Nothin’ wrong with having a little fun, but if you know you can’t keep up then the best thing is to be honest with yourself. Sometimes I get calls from one or two of my ex-husband’s cast-off’s. Poor girls seem to think I’m still partying with him, but really, I only talk to Ozzy when it has to do with Reina.”
    “I’m hoping that last part was for my benefit.”
    “I just thought you should know how it is between me and him. I’ve already been through the whole I love him but I really hate him, but I do still love him anguish. After a