Opposites Attract

moistened her lips and spoke casually. “Do you ever think about children? I mean, it would be difficult, wouldn’t it, combining a family with a profession like this?”
    “It’s done all the time, depends on how you go about it.”
    “Yes, but all the traveling, the pressure.”
    He started to pass it off, then remembered how she had lived her childhood. Though he had never sensed any resentment in her, he wondered if she felt a family would be a hindrance to her career. Physically a baby would prevent her from playing for some time. And she’d already lost three years, he reflected with an inner sigh. Ty pushed the idea of their children out of his mind. There was time, after all.
    “I imagine it’s a hassle to worry about kids when you’ve got a tournament to think of,” he said lightly. “A player’s got enough trouble keeping track of his rackets.”
    With a murmured agreement, Asher stared into space.
    ***
    In the thin light of dawn she shifted, brushing at a tickle on her arm. Something brushed over her cheek. Annoyed, Asher lifted her hand to knock it away. It came back. With a softly uttered complaint she opened her eyes.
    In the gray light she could see dozens of shapes. Some hung halfway to the ceiling, others littered the bed and floor. Sleepy, she stared at them without comprehension. Irritated at having been disturbed, she knocked at the shape that rested on her hip. It floated lazily away.
    Balloons, she realized. Turning her head, she saw that Ty was all but buried under them. She chuckled, muffling the sound with her hand as she sat up. He lay flat on his stomach, facedown in the pillow. She plucked a red balloon from the back of his head. He didn’t budge. Leaning over, she outlined his ear with kisses. He muttered and stirred and shifted away. Asher lifted a brow. A challenge, she decided.
    After brushing the hair from the nape of his neck, she began to nibble on the exposed flesh. “Ty,” she whispered. “We have company.”
    Feeling a prickle of drowsy pleasure, Ty rolled to his side, reaching for her. Asher placed a balloon in his hand. Unfocused, his eyes opened.
    “What the hell is this?”
    “We’re surrounded,” Asher told him in a whisper. “They’re everywhere.”
    A half dozen balloons tipped to the floor as he shifted to his back. After rubbing his face with his hands, he stared. “Good God.” With that he shut his eyes again.
    Not to be discouraged, Asher straddled him. “Ty, it’s morning.”
    “Uh-uh.”
    “I have that talk show to do at nine.”
    He yawned and patted her bottom. “Good luck.”
    She planted a soft, nibbling kiss on his lips. “I have two hours before I have to leave.”
    “’S okay, you won’t bother me.”
    Wanna bet? she asked silently. Reaching out, she trailed her fingers up his thigh. “Maybe I’ll sleep a bit longer.”
    “Mmm-hmm.”
    Slowly she lay on top of him, nuzzling her lips at his throat. “I’m not bothering you, am I?”
    “Hmm?”
    She snuggled closer, feeling her breasts rub against his soft mat of hair. “Cold,” she mumbled, and moved her thigh against his.
    “Turn down the air-conditioning,” Ty suggested.
    Brows lowered, Asher lifted her head. Ty’s eyes met hers, laughing, and not a bit sleepy. With a toss of her head Asher rolled from him and tugged on the blanket. Though her back was to him, she could all but see his grin.
    “How’s this?” Wrapping an arm around her waist, he fit his body to hers. She gave him a shrug as an answer. “Warmer?” he asked as he slid his hand up to cup her breast. The point was already taut, her pulse already racing. Ty moved sinuously against her.
    “The air-conditioning’s too high,” she said plaintively. “I’m freezing.”
    Ty dropped a kiss at the base of her neck. “I’ll get it.” He rose, moving to the unit. It shut off with a dull mechanical thud. With a teasing remark on the tip of his tongue, he turned.
    In the fragile morning light she lay naked in the tumbled bed, surrounded by gay balloons. Her hair rioted around a face dominated by dark, sleepy eyes. The faintest of smiles touched her lips, knowing, inviting, challenging. All thoughts of joking left him. Her skin was so smooth and touched with gold. Like a fist in the solar plexus, desire struck him and stole his breath.
    As he went to her, Asher lifted her arms to welcome him.

Chapter 10
    “Asher, how does it feel being only three matches away from the Grand Slam?”
    “I’m trying