Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Clara

Each of my sisters has dropped like flies for six-foot, bulky, drop-dead-sexy hockey players. When I say drop, they dropped hard. Each of them fell head over heels in love with their forevers, and I've watched it all go down, beaming with pride and excitement for them. Now, because of my sisters' significant others, I have been getting my fill of gorgeous hockey players. All the same as my sisters' men—tall, yummy, and ready to bust doorframes with their wide shoulders.

But they don't do a thing for me. I thought maybe I just didn't get bitten by the need to be railed by a hockey player, but that's because my sights have been set on the coach.

Riggs McCoy.

Or, as I like to call him behind his back, Zaddy .

If you don't know what a zaddy is, when you Google the word, you'll not only be hit by the definition of a sexually attractive man, especially an older one, who is fashionable or charismatic, but you'll also see a photo of Riggs McCoy.

Coach of the Knoxville Bears, owner of two adorable pitties, and my wet dream on legs.

Good lord almighty, he is stunning. Strong jaw, large shoulders, dark hair that he always has brushed to the side and shaved perfectly along the side of his head. It's tousled at the top, making me think he's run his fingers through it many times. I want to do the same. I bet his hair smells good too, of bergamot and pepper, like him. He has a dark beard that covers his jaw, but that is neatly trimmed and groomed. He's tall with a fit waist, massive legs, and wide shoulders. His eyes are the darkest brown I've ever seen in my life. They're like two pools of dark chocolate, and man, I want to be covered in his gaze. Badly.

I've been attracted to Riggs McCoy for a while now, and really, how could I not be? He's gorgeous and even has a fan page that objectifies his looks. Yes, I'm on that account daily, and no, I'm not ashamed. I can't help it. There is something about how he always looks like he wants to fight someone and glares at every turn. Even right now, as he looks down at me like I stink, I want him to rail me. I'd gladly drop to my knees for him, just to see if I could ease that furrow in his brow. To turn up those downturned lips and have him grinning at me. He looks as if he gets off on control with how he stands with his shoulders back and even how his dogs sit very prettily and well-behaved. I bet his whole life is totally planned out and he does the same thing daily.

Meanwhile, I don't even know what is happening in ten minutes or even ten years. I'm just living my best life, and my meathead, Darcy, is winding his leash around my legs like he has no sense. He is nothing like who he is named after. There is nothing regal about my pit bull. He is a meathead and sort of dumb, but he's all mine. I love him more than anything. And he loves me just as I am.

A walking dumpster fire of glitter and treats.

Now, if only Coach McCoy looked at me like I have all the treats…instead of like I'm holding a box of sardines. His eyes narrow, and I remember he told me to throw my hat at him.

I'd rather throw my clothes, but I refrain and flash him a wide grin.

"I am the proud owner of Dog's Day Out. I have a route where I go and pick up twenty dogs daily and take them out to the resort to play with their friends. I have over two hundred dogs on my roster, so my days fill up very quickly. But for you, I'd make sure to have a standing opening for your pups. What are their names?"

His face is unmoving as he says, "Gretzky and Gordie."

"Fun! Hi, boys! Aren't you the cutest boys ever! I love pittys, as you can tell, but I haven't seen two lilac-colored ones before. So gorgeous."

No reaction. I mean, the boys are dancing in place, but their dad only looks down at me. Anyone calls my dog pretty, I'm wiggling my ass like he does his tail. I'm a whore for nice words. "I actually got them in Texas."

His voice is so deep, a bit of a brogue to it, and has me squeezing my thighs together. I watch as his eyes travel down my body, zoning in on my thighs, before he whips his gaze back to my eyes.

Oh. My.

I clear my throat, almost choking on my spit before I go on. "So cool! I got Darcy here from the pound. He was a little baby, and I just adore him. Don't I, Darcy? Aren't you Mommy's baby boy?"

Darcy wiggles like a fool, and McCoy's dogs whine. But when he snaps his fingers, both of them quiet down. Both pups sit like two little statues, looking like perfection. I meet his gaze, which leaves me breathless.

Maybe I shouldn't watch his dogs?

I might hump his leg before Darcy can.

I swallow hard and grin even wider at him. "But yeah, you can add on baths, vet care on Thursday when the vet comes in, and even a stay-over if need be. I have two employees who stay at the resort overnight if I'm out dog-sitting, which since you said they don't do well in resorts, I would be up for doing for you to watch the boys. I'd bring Darcy with me if that's okay, but I don't have to. He loves his peepaw and can go stay with him."

McCoy says nothing as he stares down at me, making me feel self-conscious. I cross my legs at the ankles and wrap Darcy's leash around my hand as I gaze up at the coach. I'm not sure if he can feel the tension between us, but it's suffocating me, and whoa, I need to go. I press my lips together and then force myself to smile at him. "So yeah, here is my card." I open my little card carrier that is attached to Darcy's leash and hand it over to him, making sure not to touch his hand.

I don't trust myself one bit.

"Please reach out. I'd love to watch your boys, so you don't have to worry about them and can focus on the play-offs. We're all on the same team, right?" He still doesn't say anything, just nods as he looks down at my card. Unable to be in his presence anymore, I nod. "Okay, so yeah… It was great meeting you. Look forward to hearing from you?—"

I'm mid-step from turning and walking away when he cuts me off. "Is Darcy from Pride and Prejudice ?"

I beam up at him. "The one and only. Though, my Darcy isn't very regal."

"He needs training."

My grin falters a bit, but I hold on to it tightly. I can't cuss out the coach of our team. My peepaw will have words, and I don't want McCoy bad-mouthing my business. He's lucky he's who he is, or I'd rip him apart for talking about my baby. "I spoil him a bit, but he is in school. He's only a year old, so he may end up a bit regal one day."

He nods. "He has beautiful coloring."

I preen. "He does. He's my baby."

I watch as his jaw works, his eyes twitching only slightly as he nods. "Were your parents fans of Jane Austen's works?"

I force a smile. I'm not a fan of my parents, but I do appreciate my sisters' and my names. "My mom was. Are you a fan?"

"I am. My mother used to read them to me as a child."

"So did my eldest sister, Louisa. It's how I learned where all our names came from."

"Clara is from Sanditon ?"

I nod eagerly. "Yes, but I'm nothing like her. We only share a name."

"I can tell."

When his lips tip up, my heart explodes in my chest. Well, hell, smack my ass and call me anything you want, because I've never seen a man as hot as this one before me with a little half grin that was designed to make girls like me swoon. It's not even a full smile. Just a little tip of the lips, and I'm in awe of him. I swallow hard, unable to keep myself from beaming up at him.

"Clara! Come on! I need a picture of you and Darcy!" We both look in the direction of my sister Elliot as she holds her belly at the bottom. I can't believe my sister is pregnant and that I'm going to be an aunt, but I can't wait. It's going to be so much fun spoiling that little guy.

"Coming," I call to her before looking back at McCoy. "I gotta go."

He holds up my card, his fingers rubbing the smooth surface of the paper. Fingers I wish were on me. Goodness me, I've never wanted anyone like I want him. With his voice low, he says, "I'll be in contact."

"I hope so," I say, way lower and more seductively than I intended. "Bye, Coach."

"Riggs."

I pause, and then I curve my lips widely at him. "Bye, Riggs."

His eyes darken, and he knows I'm flirting. My face burns as I turn quickly and head toward my sister. When I look over my shoulder, Riggs is watching me, his brows pulled together and his lips pressed in a tight line, looking every bit like I'm a rock in his shoe. But I know what his smile looks like.

And I will be rewarded with another.