“He’s looking over his shoulder for the pass, but Elrod has him covered.”
The broadcasters continue to pass the mic as they talk.
“Loving breaks free and Rinaldi spots him.”
The entire stadium is cheering and I hold my breath. I don’t understand why, but at this moment a storm of butterflies begins circling in my belly, all fluttering their wings at once.
I’m still reeling from his words the other night and hating that he affected me so much. I was seconds away from giving in and losing myself in him. Every moment with him makes it more difficult to suppress those little voices telling me to let it happen.
I tell myself it’s simply because I’ve been without a man for months, but I’m worried the reality is so much worse.
“The pass is high and may be just out of Loving’s reach.”
My teeth sink into my lip just as Nic jumps higherthan I thought a human being could. One arm is stretched high in the air, his fingers outstretched, and he looks suspended in time. The few seconds that he hangs in mid-air waiting for the ball feels like hours.
“Oh my god! Loving catches the ball with his fingertips. Outstanding!”
I watch as Nic lands on his feet and shuffles from left to right as he spots two large men that look like they can squash him headed right in his direction. He makes a quick move just out of a defender's reach and he races for the sidelines.
“Loving rushes out of bounds, stopping the clock with twenty-nine seconds left in the game.”
Everyone in the suite is cheering and high-fiving one another. On the field, the offense hustles off and the kicking team takes their place, ready to set up for a field goal that will end the game and seal their first win.
I drink the last of my champagne just as the football sails through the field goal and sends Drillers fans to shout. I see players jumping on the sidelines and spot Nic, celebrating with his teammates.
His smile is so wide and bright, and his happiness is exuberant. I guess it’s also contagious because I find myself smiling along with him.
“Your boy did good today.” An arm drapes across my shoulders and the voice of a slightly tipsy southern man drawls in my ear.
I pat Monty’s hand and smile. “He did. Nic was great today.”
“Are you ready for your first away game?” He asks.
“Well. I need to talk to you about that.” His brows knit together with disappointment. “Despite making you my top client and priority, I still have some remaining clients I must take care of. I have just a few cases to clearoff my books before I can spend all of my time traveling with the team.”
With a sigh and a small sway, he nods his head, eyes closed and lips pursed. “I understand, dear. You have a business to run and I don’t want to jeopardize your future career. However, I have made your name the buzz about the circle of elites. You know…the assholes who always find themselves in trouble because they either can’t keep their pants zipped up or their grubby hands off of other people's money.”
I chuckle but don’t say much to deny his statement. Truth is, he is absolutely correct. My services are expensive and only the rich and entitled can afford me.
“I promise to be at the next one.” He gently pats my cheek with a smile.
“Sounds good. Now,” He drops his hand and places it on my back. “Let’s go mingle before everyone leaves and you run off. I want everyone to know all about my two new superstars. Nico Loving and you.”
He leads me over to a couple and we talk until the time for me to play the happy little girlfriend comes.
Players file out and search for their loved ones to celebrate the close win. I try to pretend I’m not excited to see Nic, but I don’t know how well I actually pull it off.
I want to clarify by saying that this excitement is not me softening to the big dummy. I’m happy that my hard work at cleaning up his image is paying off. His moves on the field are the focus of everyone’s admiration.
That is what makes me happy. Knowing I did my job and I did it well. But I should probably not count my dollars before they’re spent. There’s still plenty of time for him to screw up.
Nic emerges, a winning smile on his face, and makes a beeline straight for me. His walk is like a slow taunt as every eye turns to look at him and thatfuckinglip lick. I straighten my spine and tame my expression. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea that I’m actually happy to see him.
He reaches me in a few long strides and I open my mouth to congratulate him, but my words are swallowed when he grabs my face and pulls me into a deep kiss. My arms flail in surprise and shivers roll through my body when his tongue dances with mine.
I can’t fight it with dozens of eyes watching us and in all honesty, it isn’t too difficult to fall into his arms and get wrapped up in his kiss. It’s powerful and all consuming and I get lost, unsure of the day and time and year. He completely wrecks my senses.
I hear a sensual moan in my ears.Was that me?Oh my god, I moaned into this man’s mouth and now he knows I’menjoyingthis.
