“Oh, shit? What’s wrong,lover?” I strode inside, glancing at the empty champagne bottles on the dining-room table. “Did I come home too early? Didn’t have time to get rid of the evidence?”
“Baby, it’s not—”
I raised my hands and stomped into the bedroom, where the sheets were rumpled and the aroma of sweat and sex hung like a fog in the air. “Don’t tell me it’s not what I think. I’m not thinking anything. I know you were getting it on inmybed, with two other people.”
Mimi flung her arms around me. “Baby, I was so lonely. You were gone all day, and I missed you so much. They got me drunk, and I don’t know what came over me.”
The smell of her turned my stomach, and I pulled her clinging arms from my neck. “I know what came all over you. Or should I say who?” I quirked a brow. “You were so lonely that you pickedup two strangers and brought them to my hotel suite to fuck them in my bed. Don’t deny it. Just leave.”
“Leave?” she shrieked, blond hair waving over her shoulders. “Where am I supposed to go at this time of night? I’m not from here. I don’t know this damn city.”
“Not a problem.” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll book you on the earliest flight to LA. But you’ll have to leave here tonight. I’ll help you pack.”
If she thought standing there almost naked was a turn-on for me, she was dead wrong. We’d had a lot of fun in bed, and she was pretty to look at, but we weren’t a love story. I’d met her during the off-season. Some of the guys and I had been invited to a magazine party with all the swimsuit models who’d been on their covers. Of course we’d said yes, and I’d spotted Mimi immediately as she’d been featured on the most recent issue. She was my type—blond, with lips that spoke of wicked pleasure. We’d hooked up that night and had started seeing each other. We’d now known each other for about six months, and it was more her idea than mine to come with me to New York. Since I didn’t like being alone, I’d figured it would be nice to have someone familiar to come home to.
I watched dispassionately as she pulled on her clothing and took out her suitcase. She threw her things inside—the designer bags, clothes, and shoes I’d bought for her or she’d been given by the companies she sponsored—and zipped it up. I’d told her to pack light and that we’d send for her things after I found an apartment. Turned out to be fortuitous for her.
Finally finished, she stood, chest heaving, breathing heavily. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
I busted out laughing. “Sweetheart, I think you’ve got it mixed up. You were the one cheating on me. Now, I booked you on a five thirty a.m. flight to LAX. You won’t have long to wait atJFK.” I checked my phone. “And the car should be downstairs in about five minutes.”
I walked to the front of the suite and waited. With a huff and a pout to her lips—and I had to admit I was going to miss those luscious beauties wrapped around my dick—she flounced past me, suitcase in tow. I opened the door, then slammed it shut behind her.
Another one bites the dust.
I should’ve felt sadness at her departure, but I didn’t. Fact was, we’d been nothing more than enthusiastic bed partners. I couldn’t remember a single conversation we’d shared outside of where we’d go for dinner or what club she wanted to go to. Thinking of Dev and Brody and how their eyes spoke a language no one else needed to learn, I wanted something like that. Something that would last forever. Something evergreen.
From memory, I believed Intensity had a branch in New York. It should be easy to transfer my membership from West to East Coast. Sure enough, when I pulled up their private web page, I found the information. My eyes burned with fatigue.
“Plenty of time to do this tomorrow.”
I undressed and went to sleep.
**
The next morning, I sipped my coffee while eating breakfast, but my attention was on my laptop. I had to fill out some information, and I received an approval and ID number. Both clubs operated the same. They sent you a welcome kit via personal delivery, which included a mask and three pins—red for not participating, yellow for there to look, and greensignaling you were up for anything. I signed their confidentiality agreement and hit Send. That was it. The membership transferred seamlessly.
That done, I texted Fallon.
Wanna come by around noon and have lunch and we can discuss? I’m in Room 1550.
The message went toReadstatus, and I waited.
Sure. See you then.
I called the front desk to tell them to allow Fallon up automatically and went to take a shower. I couldn’t explain why I felt this overwhelming sense of relief, but I found myself smiling as I stood under the spray. It might be temptation to have someone as gorgeous as Fallon with me all the time, but it would be a good willpower test. Fallon piqued my curiosity—maybe it was his reluctance to take the job. Was it about working for me, or was it something else?
I spent the rest of the morning reading through the playbook Coach Jackson had sent me and viewing old Kings’ games. I couldn’t wait to get on the field.
At noon exactly there was a single rap on the door. I jumped up, heartbeat inexplicably accelerating. Fallon stood waiting, blue eyes wary, hair in a messy bun. He wore a white button-down tucked into slim trousers. Effortless and gorgeous.
“Come on in.”
I closed the door behind him and watched him walk away. Damn, he had a fabulous ass. High and round and firm…I blinked and pinched my eyes.
Lord, give me strength.
Chapter Three
