I step inside, close the door, and lean against it for a second, because this man literally makes me forget how to breathe. He takes the oxygen from every space he’s in and leaves me gasping for what’s left.
“Hey, kitten,” he murmurs, stepping toward me.
I smile, my heart doing its own somersaults. My hair’s braided to the side, and he catches the tail of the braid between his fingers, running his thumb over it.
“Whose jersey are you wearing today?” he asks, catching my hand and turning me gently in a half circle.
“Mmm,” he hums. “Number thirteen. Thiago will be happy.”
“He’s really nervous about today,” I say, turning back to face him, still holding his hand.Why am I this nervous?“I figured I’d show him a little support.”
He nods, still quiet, still watching me.
“You wanted to see me?” I ask, voice smaller than I’d like.
“Aye,” he says. “I’m sure you know by now I’m having a press conference with Messi after the game.”
“Mm-hm …”
“Will you be there?” he asks.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Grand.” His smile deepens. “I know you’ll be filming for the Strikers, but is there any way I could get a few of the videos sent my way after?”
“Yes, of course.” His eyes are still on me, calm but unreadable. “Rogue… are you leaving? To play for Miami?”
His brow lifts slightly. “Why, kitten? Do you want to move to Miami?” His grin is half teasing, half disarming.
I look at him, flustered. “No, I—It’s just that Emily was freaking out about your press conference, and she said maybe you’d be offered a bigger deal there. She thought you were breaking your contract.”
He lets out a small laugh, and the tension in the room shifts instantly. “And you thought I’d make that decision and just leave you?”
I open my mouth to respond but nothing comes out.Leave me?
“You’ll hear it at the press conference,” he says, voice low and warm, “but Leo and I got to talking. I told him about wanting to open a second SGA here in Great Lakes, and he mentioned he’s been thinking about doing the same in Miami, we made some calls, and well… we’re announcing it together.”
My jaw drops. “Seriously? That’s incredible!”
“Aye. I thought you’d be excited, after all, it was your idea.”
“Oh my gosh I am so excited. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to film and edit a few clips you can post on your own socials. I’ll send them to you right after the conference so you can post them right away.”
He nods, still holding my hand. Then he brings it to his lips, the lightest kiss brushing across my skin—brief, but enough to make my pulse stumble. The excitement that filled me seconds ago shifts into something slower, warmer, spreading through me in waves.
His gaze never leaves mine as he turns my hand slightly, pressing another kiss to my fingers, then the back of my hand, and finally, to the inside of my wrist,and my pulse thrums against his mouth.
“Thank you, kitten,” he murmurs, eyes still locked on me. “Thank you for inspiring me to show the world who I really am.”
He doesn’t look away, and I swear the air between us changes—thicker, charged, alive. There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe what I feel as his gaze holds me there, completely undone.
Chapter 31
“To the best social media team the MLS has ever seen!” I shout, raising my tequila high above the flashing lights.
Around me, June, Bri, Anna, April, and May raise their shots in the middle of Club Candela, one of the most iconic salsa clubs in Great Lakes.
“The bestandthe hottest!” June yells, and we all echo her, laughing.
