I wondered how the two women knew each other. That was another question I put in the back of my mind to be answered later about this woman that had me enraptured. I inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of some sort of fruit concoction. I typically didn’t like too much scent on a woman but for her it worked.
“You smell good,” I leaned in close to her ear to say.
She glanced over at me, peeking up through long lashes. “Hello, Tyler.”
A warm feeling spread throughout my stomach. “You’re finally getting it.”
Her smile dipped slightly. “Getting what?”
“Used to using my name. Amongst other things.”
“What’re you even—”
“Finally decided to join the rest of us,Mz. McDonald?”
My mood instantly shifted at the sound of Leonard’s voice from two tables down. I turned a sharp gaze on him.
“Yes, Mr. Riggs,” Destiny greeted before taking a sip from the glass of water that’d been placed in front of her.
“I would’ve thought this place was out of yourbudget,”he called.
“How nice of you to take my budget into consideration, Mr. Riggs.”
“Don’t you have company at your own fucking table to worry about?” I growled at Leonard.
His mouth clamped shut and he raised his hands in a surrendering motion. “My bad. I was just trying to make conversation with the budget guru over there. Sheesh.”
“Leonard, fu—”
“Forget him. He’s just trying to get a rise.”
My angry tirade was cut off not by Destiny’s words but by the hand she’d placed on my thigh to garner my attention. My eyes dropped to the small, mahogany hand with pastel pink colored nails. A calm rushed over me, and before I realized it my right hand moved to cover hers, trapping it in place before she could think of pulling it back.
“You have my hand.”
“That I do.”
“Can I have it back please?”
My head was shaking no before she finished the question. “You gave up rights to this hand the moment you placed it on my body.”
She frowned, forehead wrinkling as those umber eyes stared up at me in confusion. “I don’t think that’s how it works, Tyler.”
“With me it is. But you’re still learning.”
Her mouth popped open. “Learning wh—”
“Destiny, did you get a chance to see the game?” Brenda interrupted, either not noticing our exchange or not caring. Either way, the disruption served to piss me off. I squeezed Destiny’s hand in mine and she quickly spun her head back to me, mouth flopping open, trying to figure out who to place her attention on.
“Who didn’t watch the game, Mrs. McClellan?” I called over Destiny’s shoulder.
Brenda laughed. “Nice throwing, Ty.”
I tipped my head at her. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“What did I tell you about calling me ma’am?”
I shrugged. “My apologies, Ms. McClellan, just don’t want to upset the big guy.” I tipped my head in the direction of my coach and slightly leaned across Destiny to add, “You know he gets jealous of the affection you have for me.” I pulled back, winking at Brenda, causing her to giggle.
