Chapter 1: Game Face On
The locker room smelled of sweat and victory, a heady mix that clung to the air as Riley Voss, a rising star in sports journalism, adjusted her recorder and smoothed her tailored blazer. At 28, she’d clawed her way into a male-dominated field with sharp wit and sharper questions, and today she was face-to-face with Jace Ryder, the quarterback who’d just thrown the winning touchdown in the championship game. Six-foot-four of pure muscle, with a jawline that could cut glass and eyes that smoldered like a late-night whiskey, he was the kind of man who made even the most composed women falter. But Riley wasn’t here to swoon.
Jace leaned against his locker, a towel slung low on his hips, droplets of water still clinging to his chiseled chest from the post-game shower. He smirked as Riley approached, her heels clicking with purpose on the tiled floor.
‘So, Voss,’ he drawled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through her. ‘You here to grill me or just to stare? I’m flattered either way.’
Riley arched a brow, unfazed. ‘Keep dreaming, Ryder. I’m here for the story, not the scenery. Though I’ll admit, the view’s not bad for a guy who just got lucky on the field.’
He chuckled, stepping closer, the heat of his body radiating through the thin space between them. ‘Lucky? Sweetheart, that was pure skill. But if you wanna talk about getting lucky, I’m game to show you a few plays off the field.’
She held his gaze, her lips curling into a sly smile. ‘Oh, I bet you’ve got moves, quarterback. But I’m not some cheerleader you can charm with a wink. You want my attention? Earn it. Answer my questions.’
Jace’s eyes darkened, a flicker of challenge sparking in them. ‘Alright, fire away. But fair warning—I play to win, on and off the turf. And I’ve got a feeling you’re not as untouchable as you pretend to be.’
Riley clicked on her recorder, her voice steady despite the way her pulse quickened at his words. ‘Let’s start with that final play. What was going through your head when you made that throw?’
As he answered, his gaze never left hers, each word laced with a double meaning that made her skin prickle. The room seemed to shrink, the noise of the other players fading into a distant hum. By the time her last question rolled off her tongue, the tension between them was electric, a live wire begging to spark.
‘One more thing,’ Jace said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. ‘How about we take this interview somewhere private? I’ve got a few… personal stats I’d like to share.’
Riley’s breath hitched, but she didn’t back down. ‘You think you can handle me, Ryder? I don’t play games I can’t win.’
His grin was pure sin. ‘Oh, I’m counting on it.’
They barely made it to the empty equipment room before the door slammed shut behind them, the air thick with anticipation. Jace’s hands were on her hips, pulling her close, and Riley’s fingers dug into his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin. Their mouths crashed together, hungry and fierce, a collision of want that had been building since the moment their eyes met. She could feel him, hard and insistent against her, and a wicked thrill shot through her as she pressed back, matching his intensity. The game was on, and neither was about to lose.
Want to know how it ends?
This is just the opening chapter. Continue the saga — or write a steamy tale starring you.