Touchdown and Dirty Read online

  “Does it hurt now?”

  “At this moment? No.”

  “How about after your normal sessions with Sherry? Any pain, tenderness?”

  “Just my ego.”

  “Seriously, do you have pain doing everyday things? Getting outta bed? You’re a quarterback dying to get back into the game. I know you’re training more than just with Sherry. Do you have pain during workouts? During sex? During—“

  “Did you just ask me if I have pain during sex?”

  “Yeah.” She stated it so matter-of-factly that he almost laughed aloud.

  “What the hell?”

  “It’s a legitimate question. You would be using your lower back during sex especially if you’re the one on top. Although, on the bottom you’d still be getting a lot of pressure on your back so—“

  “Okay, I got it.”

  All he needed was a hard-on as he laid face down on the table with her hands working on him.

  “Well?”

  “Well, what?” This woman confused him at an alarming rate. Honestly? All women confused him at an alarming rate.

  “Are you going to answer me?”

  “Oh, I probably am babying it, but I don’t mean to be. I’ve gotten used to it hurting for so damn long that I learned not to aggravate it if I could. I haven’t been doing much besides basic running and cardio for workouts. Doug said we’d kick up our training after I was done with therapy.”

  “And sex?” Roxy asked again.

  “It’s fine, been fine.” No way was he going to get into this conversation with some woman he didn’t know beyond twenty minutes or so.

  “No pain?”

  “No pain.”

  “Really? Even when you’re on top?”

  “Jesus, Roxy!”

  “I just find it hard to believe after the way I saw you take off your shirt. The last thing you need is disuse atrophy—“

  “What the hell is that?”

  “Sorry, basically it’s muscle wasting. It happens from not using those muscles. It hurts or it did hurt so you don’t use them the way you should and soon enough, they are weak and you’ll end up in worse shape than when you started.”

  “Why the hell didn’t Sherry say anything?”

  “She probably hadn’t noticed. It’s my job to deal with the stubborn hotheads and bullshitters.”

  “Hothead?”

  “Yup.” No taking back her words. No apology, just a matter-of-fact conformation.

  Why did he find that so damn funny?

  “Tomorrow, we are definitely stepping up your oblique muscle stretching and working on strengthening the flexor and extensor muscles.”

  “You lost me after the word oblique.”

  “We are gonna work the livin’ shit outta your back and get your ass ready to be back behind your offensive line, got it?”

  “Got that.” Clayton laughed then turned back to look at her over his shoulder.

  “You’re speaking my language now, lady.” He winked at her before placing his face back into the small opening on the table.

  “Oh my Lord.” Roxy held in her laughter as she listened to Clayton’s.

  “Tomorrow, I want you here by eight and don’t plan on leaving for at least four hours….maybe five.”

  “Five hours? My sessions with Sherry normally run two hours tops.” Okay, so maybe he answered a little rudely, but five hours seemed a little over-the-top.

  “Well, Sherry’s no longer your therapist now, is she?” Roxy knew that he would be questioning her practices and hell, it was nothing new.

  Apparently, many of the top athletes that she ended up working with thought that they knew more than she did. Funny how that goes. After all, did they have signed jerseys and game balls displayed in their homes or did they have an Bachelors degree in Sports and Rehabilitation Therapy framed above their 90-inch plasmas? Of course, Roxy had not only that but also a certification in Sports and Active Isolated Stretching Massage Therapy. Not that any of that mattered to a brute of a football player who was told by the likes of her that he’d still be watching from the sidelines.

  “I guess Sherry’s no longer my therapist.” Clayton replied.

  “Nope. You’re whiny ass is stuck with me. Better get used to the idea because Gary won’t add you back to the roster until I give the go ahead.”

  The feel of her soft hands working up his back was enough to keep him from getting up and arguing with her. She was awfully sure of herself and although it ticked him off to the high heavens since it regarded his career, he found it-actually her- somewhat alluring. Very seldom did one come across a woman so certain of herself. Not only in her capabilities but also in her no nonsense way of dealing with him.

  No doubt, Roxy would be a force to be reckoned with and, at this moment, he was glad to have her on his team. That was saying something coming from him. In his opinion, women didn’t belong in the world of football. Not that he’d ever say that out loud to a living breathing woman. But, he supposed it wasn’t the same thing since Roxy was in the clinic and not in the locker room.

  Chapter 3

  He’d been in the clinic for over three hours and had yet to even see Roxy. Not that it had hindered his therapy at all. No, the damn woman had his every minute mapped out for him and he was definitely getting his body used in ways he hadn’t in months with Sherry at his side. Roxy had a completely different approach to his stretching and working out than Sherry did.

  He had already completed 45 minutes of stretching and traction with Eddie, one of the personal trainers. Then Roxy had him doing yoga of all things for an hour. All 6 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds of him attempting yoga. Now there was a sight to behold. He was quickly losing faith in Roxy’s methods as he found himself still pedaling away on a stationary bike, apparently coming down from his outrageous yoga workout.

  Yeah right.

  “Hey Karz, your ass is all mine now. Let’s go!” He hadn’t even heard her come up behind him until she was shutting down the counters on his bike and ordering him to follow her.

  Today, he noticed how she was in the clinic’s standard black pants and shirt but the neckline had been cut off. Unlike the other employees, Roxy still had on the black beat-up engineer boots instead of the swoosh imprinted sneakers like most.

  “What, no bitching about the yoga?” Really, she had the nerve to taunt him?

  “You know I don’t belong in a yoga class with Jenny or Julie or whatever her name was.”

  “Jackie. Her name is Jackie and the woman is a yogi to her core. She could do wonders for your back and flexibility if you’re open to it.”

  “Well, I’m NOT open to it.”

  “Oh, come on. Don’t be a dick. You’re going to be doing it daily so you may as well enjoy it.”

  “Did you just call me a dick?”

  “I said don’t be a dick. There’s a difference.”

  “Not really.” Clayton muttered as he wiped his face with the towel that hung around his neck.

  “Oh my, don’t get your panties in a twist.”

  The woman sure had some nerve. Apparently, Roxy had been born without a filter on her mouth, or in her brain for that matter. She was impulsive, insulting, and basically rude. Everything he disliked in a woman wrapped up in one package. Oh, his week just keeps getting better and better.

  “You don’t have to like me, Karz. I could give a shit less, honestly. But, you will do the program I have scheduled for you and that includes yoga with Jackie. Even if you only do the bare minimum and go to ogle the scenery, understood?”

  The raven haired woman with the smear of smurf in it gave him a look as if she dared him to argue. But, damn if he was going to. There was something about the way she carried herself that spoke measures to him. Roxy knew what she was doing-to what extent he wasn’t sure, but it must be an awful lot if Coach Gresser had brought her in.

  “I never said I didn’t like you.” Of course, he had been thinking it, but he knew he had never said the words out loud.


  Had he?

  “You didn’t have to say it and its fine. Karz, I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to get your sorry ass back where you belong.”

  Now he’s sorry?

  “Where I belong?” Clayton almost feared her answer.

  “Yeah, where you belong. It’s gotta be killing you not being sure if you’re going to be the starting quarterback this year or not. Especially, not being able to play in the playoff game alongside your teammates last season. Plus, coming off of the prior year’s record breaking season of 24 consecutive wins—“

  “How do you know about all that?”

  “Clayton, I’m in sports medicine; do you really think I don’t follow what’s going on?”

  Of course, she knew about his injury keeping him outta the playoffs. But he was surprised Roxy knew about him breaking the most consecutive games won record. It was probably in his file, he supposed.

  “I’m here and I’m willing to go along with your plan just because the Coach thinks it’s necessary and I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to football.”

  “Good, then. We both have the same goal. For today though, it’s elliptical, pool, and then massage.” Clayton stepped in front of her as she attempted to side step him and lead the way toward the equipment.

  At five foot eleven, Roxy was used to being one of the tall ones. The fact was, in the field she was in, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Hell, she actually felt normal half of the time. Many of the male athletes she dealt with made her feel short. It was a nice change, because out among the general population—especially, around most women, she felt like a behemoth. So Clayton crowding her wasn’t as intimidating as he probably intended. Although, the man made her feel small next to his frame.

  “Okay, I’m gonna do as you say but what makes you think your little plan is going to work when nothing else in the last three months has?” Roxy had no issues handling men who thought they knew better than she did or that doubted her. In the end, she would be the one standing on the sidelines with the smug look on her face. However, Clayton’s finger quotations made her want to punch him in the face and his continuous reminders that the only reason he was going along with her orders was because of Coach Gresser really pissed her off.

  “Why? Because I’m that good and I’m done explaining myself. Either you choose to work with me or you don’t, Karz. But, I will tell you I have nothing to prove to your ass, but you have everything to prove to me.” Tired of his judgment, she was just done with him today.

  Roxy had planned on accompanying him throughout the rest of his workout. Seeing his strengths, correcting his form, pushing his limits was not happening today. No, today she’d pawn him off on a trainee just to really piss him off and to prove her point a little bit more. By this time tomorrow, Clayton would be begging her to help him and the constant questioning would stop. Two can play this game.

  Without a second glance, she shouldered her way past the offensive player who thankfully didn’t automatically push back out of habit. Instead, he just watched her go and didn’t say a word.

  That didn’t take long.

  He had thought of trying to stop her. At least to apologize, but in the end, he figured the best idea was to just let it go, let her go. Women. Not his strong suit. If he left her for a few minutes, Roxy would probably be waiting for him, towel in one hand, and a water bottle in the other next to the elliptical machine. Drop it and move on, definitely the route he was going with.

  Elliptical completed and no Roxy in sight, just some rookie who kept spouting out encouraging phrases. Clayton did what he was supposed to and even if he did the minimum, he did it and all without decking the annoying cheerleading kid.

  Damn, the water felt good. Clayton hadn’t even noticed that his muscles were starting to feel the difference already in the workout change until he started doing laps. Huh? Muscles he hadn’t remembered feeling before were making themselves known now. He wasn’t in pain but he could definitely feel that his body had been used.

  It hit him.

  Roxy had shown him in one damn day that she knew what she was doing, hadn’t she?

  Sore muscles and body exhaustion was still far from getting him back throwing bullets like he had been. That would be the true sign. Until then, he’d just keep his mouth shut and do as she said, he decided.

  Honestly, Clayton had lost count of how many laps he had done, but he figured he was close. But, when he took to the stairs to exit the warm chlorinated water his personal pep squad turned on him in a heartbeat.

  “Mr. Karz, you still have three more laps, sir.”

  “Really? I thought I might have done a couple over.”

  “No sir.”

  “Oh well, next time I’ll do a couple extra then.”

  “Sorry sir but that’s not how it works. Roxy said fifteen laps, no less, no more.” Reacting to Clayton’s apparently defiant face, the young trainer in….well, in training, straightened his spine and squared his shoulders as if he dared Clayton to argue.

  So, even though Roxy was nowhere to be seen she was still running the show. Apparently, even Skippy here was one of her gophers, as well.

  “Three more laps are really that important?” he asked.

  “Roxy, said no more or no less. What Roxy says goes.” The kid was dead serious.

  “Sounds like you think an awful lot of Roxy, huh?”

  “Yes, sir. There’s nobody better in sports rehabilitation. You’re lucky to have her working with you. You know how many football careers she’s saved? It’s crazy.”

  No, he didn’t know how many football careers the foulmouthed lady had saved. Saved? He doubted that. Maybe, assisted in, but saved? Naw, he’d call bull on that.

  With her second day tactics of what? Ignoring her client? He figured “saving” was a word from a kid with a crush on his superior, perhaps. Poor kid didn’t stand a chance with a woman like Roxy. Nope, her no-holds-barred mouth and appearance most likely was a glimpse of her lifestyle, Clayton would bet. Skippy wouldn’t be able to keep up let alone keep her attention long.

  Not that he cared.

  “Three more laps it is then. After all, what Roxy says goes, right?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Obviously Skippy didn’t quite comprehend sarcasm when he heard it.

  Pool, shower, massage and still no Roxy.

  Chapter 4

  A challenging football player was nothing new to her but why the hell did Clayton Karz affect her so much? The man was going to be an absolute thorn in her side for the next couple of weeks and she couldn’t continue to let him get to her. It was the simple fact that he could that had Roxy completely lost.

  Being in sports medicine, rehabilitation therapy to be more specific, she learned years ago that her skills paired with her no bullshit attitude was the perfect combination. Working in a man’s world, it took balls and for a woman she knew she had the biggest pair in the room, whether the whole national football organization was in attendance or not.

  It’s that mentality that got Freezier back into the starting lineup with Chicago. The same one that had Haulston breaking rushing yard records three years ago with the Dolphins after his second shoulder surgery. That stubborn mentality had gotten that jerk Elsworth off the sidelines and back onto the field with Detroit just in time for the national football conference championship game. Over the last six years, she had her hand in helping dozens of players back into their pads. Three years ago, Roxy went exclusively into football rehabilitation.

  Almost all of them came in with a poor attitude and not one of them had been happy when they found out their new therapist was female. Female masseuse? Score! Especially, if she looked like a Barbie. Female personal trainer? No, thank you. But, more times than not, they didn’t have a choice. Even if they hadn’t heard of her? Chances were their team trainers, doctors or in some cases coaches knew who she was and they wanted her.

  That’s exactly what the case was with Clayton Karz. Coach Gresser
must’ve put his foot down when Karz gave him a call after leaving the clinic yesterday. No doubt, the coach had told him to continue his therapy as planned since the man showed up not only on time but twenty minutes early.

  Not that his attitude was any better, but one can’t expect miracles overnight, she supposed.

  Her plan had been to leave the clinic early today. Since Clayton wanted to give her nothing but grief she had decided to hand him off. Cruel? Probably. Trainees sometimes can be either too by the book or an annoying pep squad gone all kinds of wrong. Just the thought of Jimmy driving Karz crazy brought a smile to her face.

  Good, the man deserved it.

  Roxy’s plans to leave early hadn’t happened though. More paperwork needed to be filled out since she had just transferred from the clinic in Denver less than a week ago. Then, another therapist wanted her opinion on therapy with a tennis player’s patella tendonitis. She just couldn’t get out of there.

  A quick phone call to fill in Gary, aka Coach Gresser, on her antics with his player, she was finally free to leave. A quick change into her torn jeans and snug pink and black layered tank tops, Roxy snagged her backpack and helmet, and rushed out the front doors. She wanted to be long gone before Clayton was done for the day and that would be soon enough. In no way did she want to deal with him anymore today. Tomorrow would be here soon and she’d deal with Clayton Karz then. But, for now, she needed air. She needed to feel the freedom that had escaped her all day, trapped inside the confinement within the clinic walls.

  What Roxy needed was some good ole….sex, but since that wasn’t happening anytime soon, speed would have to do. And as she had learned over the years, her bike was a helluva lot more reliable than any man.

  He couldn’t believe that the woman his team had brought in to personally work with him had left him high and dry all damn day. Okay, so maybe he had been kind of an ass to her earlier but come on, get over it. He didn’t have time for some little girl’s hissy fit. No, he was running out of time and Clayton wanted to be running plays with his team outside of the white board.