"With the local headlines causing a stir, we have been asked to work on the team image." Jarred explained sternly as he looked carefully around the room at us all.

I winced. Not only was he in charge of my PR, but he also supported the club marketing team, meaning my trouble was everyone's trouble. Hitting the headlines hadn't seemed like a big issue until Jarred reminded me that this was my last season, and asked if I really want to go out of the sport on the same playboy note I came in.

He had a point, as much as I didn't want to admit it. I had promised him to keep my image squeaky clean for the rest of the season, and it was one I planned to keep.

"As part of this work, I've spoken with the management and we think a topless calendar for charity is the best way to go about doing this."

"Yo, Jarred, you objectifying me?" I joked, lifting my shirt and gesturing a hand towards my washboard abs.

"You objectify yourself, man whore." Lewis laughed. "Not all of us share everything with the world, and I personally think they've been missing out on all this."

The team cracked up around us as he gave a few dramatic muscle man poses. Shortest man on the team, he more than made up for it with personality and despite his teasing, I laughed along with them.

"Settle down. So I've got a photographer lined up. She's here today to meet you all and get a feel for how we are going to style the shoot. As it's going to be for a local animal shelter, you will be posing with animals." I opened my mouth to fire off a response, but Jarred held up a hand to stop me. "Yes, Evan, we all know you're great with pussy."

The guffaws of laughter had me giving a fake offended look before turning back towards my locker to retrieve my bag.

"I want you all on your very best behaviour." He said firmly, and I heard the door creak open as I dumped my shoes into the bag and began pulling on my nikes. "This is Veronica Valentine, our photographer."

There was a chorus of hellos, followed by Jai nudging me. "You are going to lose your shit when you see who they've hired for this." He whispered as he stared towards the door.

Turning to see what had him so transfixed, felt a lot like the world was moving in slow motion. My eyes slid over Jarred's smug expression before landing on her.

The girl the newspapers hadn't managed to find, even as she consumed my thoughts. But how was she here? Why was she here?

"I prefer to go by Nikki. Nice to meet you all." She said with a quick, friendly smile, fingers playing with camera hanging around her neck.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out as Jarred began to lead her round the room and introduced her to the team. How was she here? Looking that good in fitted black trousers that clung to her ass and hips like they were made for her. The shirt she wore was loose, but showed hints of the incredible body I knew was underneath. I wasn't sure how she made office wear sexy, but I was practically drooling.

"Down boy." Jai whispered, laughter in his voice.

I shook my head and cleared my throat. They were almost level with me now.

"Hi." she said softly, offering me her hand to shake.

"Hi." I parroted back, unable to formulate a more compelling response as I took her hand in mine.

When I didn't immediately release it, she gave a small giggle and pulled it free. "You might not remember me, but I wanted to thank you for being so nice to me at the game last weekend." She offered shyly.

Might not remember her? How could I forget her and those eyes, those lips, that body? I hadn't exactly known it when I first ran across the pitch to get to her, but she was pure goddess and sex appeal, wrapped up in a quietly unassuming package.

"I remember you, and trust me, kissing you was no hardship." I laughed, some of the awkwardness falling away as I found my voice again.

Did she say nice? I wasn't sure my thought could really be classed as nice as I pictured backing her up against the lockers and kissing that gorgeous mouth senseless.

Her cheeks flushed red. "Regardless, it was sweet of you."

I heard the snort of barely concealed laughter from my right and wanted to elbow Jai in the ribs.

"So what did you need from the guys today and when are you free for the actual shoot?" Jarred interrupted, giving me a thumbs up over her shoulder.

Of course, he had set all this up. I wasn't sure I believed much in fate, but if there was such a thing, I doubted it would be helping me run into her again.

"So I'm just looking to get some test shots today and see how comfortable you all are with the camera." Nikki said, looking around the room as she spoke. "I've got availability across this week for the actual shoot, so we can just do it when the majority of you are free?"

"Tomorrow?" Jarred asked. "We can do it alongside training and everyone can take a turn coming inside for their shoot."

"Sounds perfect. So, who is free first for some test shots?" Nikki asked brightly.

I felt Jai's hand hit my shoulder, effectively propelling me into her, and I caught her shoulders to steady us both. "Sorry," I apologised, then turned to glare over my shoulder. "You dickhead."

With a mock innocent expression, Jai pretended not to hear me, busying himself with his shoes.

"I guess that's you volunteering yourself Evan." Jarred said with a grin, "Let me show you both to the office we are going to use for this."

There was nothing else for it but to follow them. Nikki and Jarred chatted away professionally as I trailed behind, still reeling from the surprise of seeing her.

"This is it. My assistant has already put the backdrop up for you and we have the lights which the club had in storage. Hopefully, they're suitable." Jarred explained, rolling the blinds up so daylight flooded in and we could see the room better.

Nikki was looking closely at the lights and nodding approvingly. "This is great. I absolutely wouldn't have minded bringing my own, but the fact you already had some available does save my back from carting them up here." She laughed.

Wow, she was fucking beautiful when she laughed.

Jarred clapped his hands together gleefully as he made his way back to the door. "If that's all, I'll leave you to it. Whenever you're done with Evan, just send him down and he can ask the next person to come up."

Not giving either of us an opportunity to protest, he slipped out, allowing the door to shut behind him and leaving us alone.

My eyes returned to Nikki, who looked as nervous as I felt. What the hell was this? I was the charmer. The player who played with hearts. Not some lovesick teenager incapable of speaking to my crush.

Fighting to push now my nerves I shot her a lazy smile, "So where do you want me, Miss Valentine?"

It was amazing how quickly someone could go from anxious to aroused, but I watched it play out across her open face with interest. As the silence stretched on, I chuckled and that seemed to snap her out of whatever was going through her head. God, what I wouldn't give to be a mind reader right now.

A flush spilled across her cheeks as her mouth snapped shut and she shook her head. "Sorry, I'm not usually such a mess. It has been a hell of a week. If you could stand in the centre of the backdrop facing me and I'll snap a few shots to get my camera settings just right."

"Bad week? I hope our kiss isn't included in that?" I laughed, moving into the position she has asked me to and fixing a smile on my face.

She tripped over her feet as she stumbled back a step, and I'd be damned if it wasn't one of the most adorably awkward things I had ever seen.

"Of course not. You were... the kiss was... it was good." She stammered, raising the camera so it hid her red cheeks from me as she snapped a few pictures and then frowned as she make some adjustments.

"Just good? Sounds like I have improvements to make if you're willing to practise with me?" I joked, pretending to be hurt by the description.

If it were possible to go redder, I'm sure she would have at that moment as she flapped a hand to cool her cheeks.

"Not just good, amazing. As I'm sure you know." She shook her head. "Look, you're gorgeous, but this is a job and I need to be professional during the hours they're paying me for. If you don't stop flirting, I'm not going to get anything done."

I nodded as though I understood. "I wasn't flirting with you, sweetheart, but I'll absolutely do my best to keep my natural charisma under control." A sigh escaped me. "It's just so hard to not at least try to shoot my shot with a gorgeous woman."

"Jesus Christ." She hissed out, spinning to face away from me and gather herself.

I wasn't complaining. Especially considering the lovely view it gave me of her shapely behind.

When she turned back and noticed the direction of my gaze, she rolled her eyes. "Look, I've just got out of a rubbish relationship and I'm just not in the right headspace for anything right now." She apologised.

"That arsehole who was ignoring you at the game?" She nodded, and I shook my head. "He doesn't know a good thing when he had it. He is an idiot for ever letting you go. I can't promise not to flirt a little, but I'll be on my best behaviour, just for you." I promised her with a wink.

That startled a laugh out of her. "He was an idiot, and thank you. That's all I need. Now, if you could turn to face the window and look back over your shoulder at me, I just need a couple more shots and then you'll be free to go."

It was funny how quickly she went back to all business, and I grinned as I followed her instructions. It was going to be very hard to resist flirting with her, but if that was what it took to get to spend a little time with her for now, I'd take it.

"What would you do if I said I was nervous having my photo taken?" I asked as she moved around.

She didn't even pause what she was doing. "Well, I've never called a client a liar before, but there's a first time for everything."

I couldn't hold back my laughter. "Maybe I'm just good at hiding it?" I said, wiping a tear when I was able to catch my breath.

"You love the camera, just as much as you know the camera loves you." She threw back. "Turn to face the door and look off into the distance."

I did as she ordered. "The camera loves me, does it? How about the woman holding it?"

She snorted a laugh. "You're incorrigible. Behave yourself."

"Anything for you, darling."