She was just flustered enough that, before she could stop him, Brant pulled her against him for a hug. “You look gorgeous, as always.”
For a professional athlete, Brant was actually quite sweet. And there was no question that he was good-looking, with his golden hair, blue eyes, and athletic build. But she had never even been tempted to take things beyond dinner and sex. It had a been a few months since she’d last seen him, even though he’d called a couple of times to see if she wanted to get together. She just hadn’t been all that interested.
Quickly stepping out of his arms, she planted a smile on her face that she hoped looked genuine. “Great game.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Zach’s face looked like thunder. Lori, Sophie and Jake were watching the scene play out with something akin to glee on their faces.
“If I’d known you were coming today, I would have made sure you had a great seat.” He finally noticed her dog. “Hey, how’s it going, Antler?”
She thought she heard Zach growl just as his brother found them. Atlas wasn’t particularly comfortable with so many big men around, but she could tell Zach’s presence made him feel much more secure than usual.
“Ryan,” Zach said, putting a rather possessive hand on the small of her back, “this is Heather and her dog Atlas.”
She knew the special emphasis on her dog’s name and his hand on her were both for Brant’s benefit, but even while something warmed up inside of her at the crazy thought of actually belonging to Zach, she couldn’t stand being the bone that two men were tugging between them to see who would win.
Stepping out of Zach’s reach, she shook Ryan’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
She could feel Ryan working to size up the situation between her and Brant and Zach. Atlas had never much cared for Brant the couple of times he’d met him, but just as he’d been with Zach, he practically turned into a squirming puppy when Ryan scratched his head. Yes indeed, there was no doubt that Sullivan men had quite a potent effect on living, breathing things.
Somewhere in there Brant had moved closer to her. “It’s been too long, Heather. Why don’t we celebrate the game together tonight?”
A month ago, she might have gone. After all, she was a sensual woman and sex with a good-looking guy wasn’t a terrible way to end a Friday night.
But even though she didn’t have any other plans, and certainly wasn’t in a relationship with anyone else, the idea of casually seeing Brant didn’t seem like a very good one anymore. Actually, it seemed like a terrible idea.
She opened her mouth to say no thank you, when Zach reached out and slid a lock of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear.
“You didn’t mention you knew Brant this morning when you were making breakfast for us.”
At his gentle touch, she simultaneously wanted him more than she’d ever wanted another man...and could have punched him for behaving like such a caveman with the false insinuations of why she’d been making breakfast at his house.
Purposefully turning her back on Zach, she told Brant, “It’s been a pretty big day already and it will be an even bigger one tomorrow.” She looked down at her dog, who looked like he’d run a marathon instead of gobbling up stray pieces of popcorn and playing with his best puppy friend all afternoon. “I’ve got to get home.”
She was turning to Zach’s family to say her goodbyes, when Brant surprised her by pulling her against him for another hug. An even longer one this time. “I’ll call you soon.”
She barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes as she stepped out of his arms and turned to tell Lori, Sophie, Ryan, and Jake, “It was so nice meeting all of you.”
“It was totally our pleasure.” Lori hugged Heather. “I hope we’ll see you again really soon.”
Heather didn’t know what to say to that. She was Zach’s dog trainer, not his girlfriend. What reason would she have to run into his family ever again unless they all got dogs?
She pulled up the slack on Atlas’s leash and headed for the door. When she realized Zach was right beside her every step, she said, “I know the way out.”
Of course, he didn’t back off, just stayed right beside her as she walked out of the park.
“How many times have you been with him?”
She picked up her pace. “That’s none of your business.”
“Why didn’t you go with him tonight?”
That wasn’t any of his business either, but she said, “I’m tired. My dog is tired. I’m ready to go home.”
She pushed out a side exit into an alley that led to the parking lot. The truth was, even the thought of kissing Brant again had her entire body recoiling. Not because he hadn’t been an okay lover, but because, suddenly, there was only one man she could imagine kissing.
“What if he calls you when you’re not so damned tired?”
Furious at herself for her continued lack of control where Zach was concerned had her spitting out, “Right now I’m not feeling it, but maybe on a different day, if I’m in the mood, why not?”
Zach grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. “Here’s why not.”
His mouth came down on hers in a kiss that had everything simmering between them finally exploding.
Chapter Fourteen
Heather had fought this kiss for nearly a week. She’d lied to both of them about not wanting it, even as fantasies about what it would be like kept her distracted during the day and tossing and turning at night.