Chapter Ten

C hapter Ten

A rna

W as I experiencing perimenopause or did I just walk into the Sahara Desert - because this heat was slap-you-in-the-face noticeable.

Thanking God that there was a fan in the board style room Andy guided us too, I chose the seat with the best air flow and prayed it would keep the sweat at bay. I was finding it hard to breathe, especially with the lingering warmth which remained from the ghost of his palm on my back.

My - lower - back.

Professional exchange or not, his touch sent goosebumps along my entire body and it took everything in me not to visibly react.

The guy was a snack and just being in his company made my pulse quicken more than when I stood watching the team finish training. If I watched for research purposes and then left, I wouldn't feel as flustered as I did, but I was captivated when Andy took control. He was in total command, managing the players he was working with. Dominance had never been something I was drawn to before, but the authority in his presence was undeniably sexy.

Not long after, as I stood admiring some of the images which hung on the walls, the man who introduced himself as Andy's manager approached and walked me through the building. He was a sweet guy and far more forthcoming than his, " most high-profile client ." Apparently, he'd been with Andy since his first game, taking him on as a favour to an ex-colleague who was managing some of the other Hearts players, and now Kieran managed a few too.

He mentioned that despite the " tough guy exterior Andy portrays ", he was a good man with strong morals and if I got to see even a little of that, the article would be a hit. While I arrived determined to maintain a focused approach to our conversation today, hearing these things softened my defences a little.

While I took in more of the images of teams and players which lined the walls, and glanced into the occasional open door, I'd listened to what he said and knew instinctively that I both liked him and could see he cared for his clients.

"You look much better today. How are you feeling?" Andy's easy cadence broke me from my thoughts. He was self-assured and looked comfortable here at the club, just like he had at his house. Interesting. The pros column of my ‘why you should quit your job and climb Andy Gloss like a tree' was growing. Mentally filing that away for later, I opened my notebook as he took the seat opposite, pushing a bottle of water across the table in my direction.

"Yes. Sorry about that." Thanking him I opened the drink and took a sip, trying to replenish some of the lost hydration from my body's reaction to him. "I get random headaches which sometimes come on suddenly and if I don't take my blockers quick enough, they knock me about. I went home and slept for fifteen hours that day." Feeling my cheeks flush at the unnecessary explanation, I mumbled an apology, took a deep breath and put my game face back on.

Why the hell was I telling him my entire medical history?

"Anyway, let's focus on you." I continued. He suddenly appeared sheepish and I got the sense speaking about himself was not something he felt entirely comfortable doing. I could not have a third failed interview. I needed him to feel more relaxed and sitting in this room, on opposite sides of what appeared to be a boardroom meeting table, it felt stifling and not at all an atmosphere conducive to an intimate conversation.

"Actually, can we walk and talk?" He frowned as if he was unsure of my intention. "I would just really like to get the full picture of what it's like to be a football player with the Hearts. Plus, I get antsy when I sit still too long." Gosh, I needed a muzzle. I'd given Andy zero airtime yet he now had my medical record and an insight into my hyperactive personality. This was why I was an editor rather than an interviewer. It was natural for me to be the one talking and the fear of getting fired was making me exceptionally talkative.

"Yeah, that works. I will show you the weights room first." Smirking, he stood and the way he so easily agreed while maintaining his commanding presence woke parts of me which needed to remain asleep. A welcome reminder that I needed to keep my distance, which meant no more sensual back touching.

He opened the door and I was assaulted with his sinfully masculine smell sending an alarm to my lady parts. Doing my best to breathe him in but remain impassive, I briefly closed my eyes and prayed that the next hour would both drag, so I could bask in the pheromones, and fly by, so I didn't act on said hormones. Clearly, it was going to be a struggle to keep those walls in place.

Professional barriers activated, Arna.

The weights room was exactly as expected. A large space with enough gym equipment to make Arnold Schwarzenegger proud. The dumbbell rack lined an entire wall and held some that I was certain weighed more than I did. Parts of the floor were lined with rubber, however, most of the area was made of artificial grass, replicating a smaller football field. There was an area for boxing, a cardio wing and a vast space where I assumed players stretched and cooled down in front of floor to ceiling mirrors. The Hearts spared no expense in ensuring their team had access to state-of-the-art facilities and many of them were currently taking that opportunity.

On the way, Andy briefly explained what a typical training day was like, including strength and conditioning, a few hours of drills, a practice game and a session or two with some of the younger players. I wanted to ask more about these mentoring sessions but was afraid he would close up again so I let him continue with the other parts of his daily schedule while enjoying the warm baritones of his voice.

The club apparently provided two balanced meals each day led by a team of nutritionists and somewhere in between all of this, he had a meeting or two with coaching staff. It sounded far more interactive than I would have imagined, and the impressive physique of the players was making more sense. Looking around, I thought about how much Marlee would give to be here right now. She would likely need a defibrillator to assist with the heart failure, but she would love it all the same. There was no shortage of attractive, fit and burly men lifting weights raring to play the game she loved. But it was difficult to identify their best features when the one by my side seemed to fill all the space. Here today, he was the complete opposite to the haughty man I'd experienced at our other meetings. There was certainly a side to Andy Gloss that he didn't want people to see and for some reason, I wanted to peel back the layers until I got to the depths of his soul.

"We are expected to be in here for at least an hour a day," Andy said. "Some use it more and some less depending on their positions on the field or current injuries."

"What do you mean?" I asked, impressed with the commitment that many were exuding.

Andy turned to look at me with what I perceived to be disbelief written on his features. "You really have no idea, do you?" I blanched, feeling embarrassed that I was making Urban Pulse look both disorganised and unprofessional again. "I don't mean that in a bad way." He clarified. "It is oddly - refreshing." He added, glancing towards me, before we continued walking. Intentionally pushing his comment aside, we continued through the room but I couldn't stop myself feeling a little happy that he seemed genuinely pleased with this. Pleased with me.

"Oi, Gloss, want to see if you can beat my push-up record? Just hit eighty-one." One of the guys said, wiping his forehead with his bicep. There was no denying he was a good-looking man with his thick frame and green eyes, but he had arrogance written all over him and when his imperious gaze lasered in on me, I knew the question was more for my benefit.

Internalising the eyeroll I wanted to give, I remembered my purpose in being here and extended my hand.

"Hi, I'm Arna from Urban Pulse."

"Arna, this is Jay. What he lacks in manners, he makes up for in his kicking abilities, thank God." I laughed as Jay, who was vaguely familiar now that I was actually looking at him, grinned and took my hand before placing a kiss on the top.

"What Cap means to say is without me, the Hearts would be nowhere near the top of the ladder. I am the diamond of this team."

"Oh yeah, that is exactly what I meant to say." Andy said dryly.

"A cavalier attitude is a must for any successful team," I said, smiling as if it were a compliment. Clearly uncertain of my comment, Jay shrugged and turned to Andy who was doing his best to hide his grin.

Hmmmm, sexy and smart. Another pro for the list.

"Hi, I'm Jack," another younger player moved through and wiped his hand on his shorts before extending it towards me. He looked up uncertainly towards Andy before facing me and I shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jack. I'm Arna. What's your role in the team?"

Jay, now disinterested, moved back to the power rack leaving Jack with Andy and I.

"I'm a defender." He puffed his chest with pride.

"Jack is one of our newer players but he works harder than some of the older ones and it shows." A few of the men close enough to hear scoffed in mock anger and Jack's eyes lit up at the compliment. It was clear he valued what Andy had to say and while some of the others bantered and joked with him, the respect was there. He was captain for a reason.

"Lovely to meet you, Jack," I said, before adding, "Seems a fairly big compliment coming from you, Mr. Silent." Andy's resulting grin made my stomach clench and he flicked his eyes down to meet my own.

"Mr. Silent?" He questioned mockingly and I raised my brows, smiling flirtatiously. He gazed down to my lips and a shiver moved through me. This was definitely moving into dangerous territory and I was in the driver's seat.

Desperate to cut through the tension snaking around us, I cleared my throat before asking, "Can you please take me out to see the field?"

"Sure," he answered. "Why not." His voice was calm but the subtle clench of his fists told me he too noticed the moment we shared and I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

The experience of stepping foot on the field was like nothing I had ever felt before. Although the stadium was empty, taking that first step onto the luscious grass was almost ethereal as the hallowed turf permeated through the empty seats, the scoreboards and every inch of the ground. Pausing, I took a deep breath and appreciated what it must be like for Andy and the team who took the field in front of thousands of spectators each week. How truly exhilarating yet daunting it must be to vie for dominance while strangers either cheered you on, or no doubt hurled abuse with the intent to put you off your game.

"Wow. This is so much more than I expected."

"How so?" Andy found a discarded football and began kicking it to himself effortlessly.

"It feels almost sacrosanct. As though I'm trespassing and it knows."

Andy laughed at my whispered words and I was so lost in my own thoughts and the magnitude of the arena that it caught me off guard. It was low and husky and I instantly wanted to hear it again. My chest swelled a little at how I'd unintentionally brought it forth.

"You know, woman, half the time I don't know what you're saying. Although, I did know you were taking the piss out of Jay back there. He had no idea." His laugh rumbled up his chest again and I grinned.

"Sorry, that was unprofessional," I chuckled. "This ground is unexpectedly overwhelming. From the stands I suppose it's easy to devalue being out here. What's it like playing in front of a full crowd?" We slowed our walk and Andy lent down, ripping some grass from the field before throwing it into the air and watching it fall. I watched puzzled and he laughed, already able to decipher my facial expressions.

"Testing the wind." He explained, answering my curiosity before my question. "It's like nothing you'll ever experience. The nerves are always there. I mean some of the boys say they feel hungry for a win, for the competition and the physicality of the match. But for me it's nerves, excitement and pride. It's a funny thing to lead your team out to play each week. There's a lot of pressure." Facing the goal, he kicked the ball and we both watched as it sailed straight through the centre posts. "But that pressure is also what drives me to be the best I can be. If I'm not performing, the boys won't be on their game either. Accountability is an important motivator." He shrugged, as if he hadn't just said more to me in that one answer than he had in every previous conversation combined.

"Why don't you speak more candidly with journalists? Any articles about you provide a less than flattering portrayal, which in my opinion, is not a reflection of who you really are."

"And who am I, Ms. Frost?"

His use of my surname startled me and when he impetuously took a step toward me, so we were less than a metre apart, I realised he was no longer hiding behind the shield. This was the vulnerable version and if I didn't navigate this situation carefully, he would retreat.

Pushing my shoulders back I also took a step closer, raising my chin so I was looking him directly in the eye. Squashing down the butterflies which fluttered in my stomach and drawing on a bravado that my shaking hands could easily contradict, I gave him an answer which would likely play in my mind on repeat.

"My nan always says I'm a fairly good judge of character, Mr. Gloss ." His lips quirked and he bit his lower lip to suppress his smile. "I get that quality from my father. And from the limited time we have spent together, I would say you are someone who leads by example. Someone who chooses when and who gets to see the real Andrew Gloss – and dare I say you keep people at arm's length. So, few are lucky enough to have that opportunity. Why that is, I am yet to determine. But it's a shame that only a handful of people truly know you.

"The one smile which has reached your eyes came when you mentioned your parents, so I would say you value the sanctity of family, and along with football, not much else matters to you. You're the best because you work your arse off, and it shows." I said, flicking my hand toward the goals where he had just kicked the ball.

"You are the captain of this team for a reason and despite the way the media portrays you, you have the biggest heart on the team, too.

"You value your teammates, your club and your role. You live a life that is wholly centred around the Hearts and you don't apologise for doing so. If I'm right, you are a decent man, and if that's the case, it's a shame more people don't see that."

When I finished, it was clear that one of us had taken another step as there was now minimal space between our chests. Mine rising and falling quickly, as the intensity of the situation became apparent, his as gorgeous and thick as ever, moving in a similar fashion. I stared into those molten eyes and deliberated, not for the first time, what it was that had me enraptured.

Why did my belly ache low whenever I was near him and why did my heart speed up when his name was mentioned?

His hand reached towards me, encircling my wrist for the briefest moment and my nipples hardened at the fervour in his stare. Before I had another second to unpack what the hell was happening, he took a step back, clearing his throat.

My wrist sizzled and I pulsed in places I had no business awakening in the middle of a football field.

He turned from me, walking to collect the football, but not before I saw the look of fascination twinkle in his eyes. Was he as confused as I was? Or was me and my big mouth going to have him turning mute again.

When he came back, the football in his large hand, we headed from the field, the moment gone. He didn't say another word until he thanked me for coming but the farewell was taut with a strange tension. We hadn't secured another time to meet and I wouldn't have been able to if we tried. I was flummoxed and horny and in no state to be making rational decisions.

Nice work, Frost. You messed it up again.