“Portland?”
“Colby wants me to catch their home game on the twentieth. You have to come with me.”
“I do?”
He nodded. “Consider it one of the favors you owe me.”
“Well, I guess.”
“And before you can object, I got you covered. Do you play games on Saturdays?”
“Games?”
“Your basketball team.”
“Um, no.”
“Great. No conflict there. I’ll cover the cost of everything. Food, transport, housing. You just be yourself and look pretty.”
“Is that all?” she asked dryly.
“Well, and you have to act like you love me.”
“That’s going to be tough.”
“I believe in you, Marlie. You can do it!”
She laughed. “Love is a little strong. How about like?”
“Well, it’s on the way to love. It’ll do.” Until you catch up with how I feel about you. “So it’s a deal?”
She sealed it with a kiss. “Now get lost. I have a few chores before my week starts up again.”
“Right.” He sounded breathless. Not great for a bad boy to get so wrapped up in a kiss. He deepened his voice. “I’ll pick you up tonight. We’ll hit whatever bar the team picked. Then I’ll take you home, fuck you senseless, and let you have the best night’s sleep of your life.”
He kissed her again, this time leaving her breathless. With a satisfied nod, he left her and took a few moments to wind down in his truck.
Stupid Sinclair Gift.
The woman had well and truly hooked him. Now how to figure out a way to keep her without her calling the law on him?
Ah, he had it.
Blackmail.
And he knew just who to use it on.
CHAPTER 23
Sunday night, Marlie waited to see if Damon would make good on his promises.
He picked her up on time and drove them to a popular bar slash restaurant, a sports bar Ed liked to frequent. The team cheered when they showed up, none of them seeming surprised to find her with Damon.
But then, the team had brought plenty of their own family and friends. Jeff arrived after her, looking handsome as usual.
He joined her and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I’m so proud of you. You brushed your hair for this, I can tell.”
“Laugh it up, slacker. Way to skate out of my mother and father giving Damon the onceover after the game.”
