“You’re missing out,” Troy said. “The steak was delicious at Jeff Ruby’s last week. This week we’re going to Tony’s.”
“Have a beer for me,” I said as I gathered my things. “I’m getting domesticated.”
“No,” Troy wailed. “I thought you were my wingman.”
A genuine laugh came from my chest. “See you tomorrow.”
The press conference after the game was two hours ago. The Coopers were 5 and 0 without our starting quarterback. The reporters asked if I was all right with taking a second seat to Dennison. I answered them honestly, telling them that I would have a front-row seat to greatness in the making. On top of that, I was getting paid to sit in that front row. Life didn’t get much better than that.
This was the third time I’d used my keycard at theVine. It was nice not to have to visit the concierge’s desk upon each visit. I also had a leather backpack with things for tomorrow. My spending the night wasn’t set, but if Vee agreed, I was prepared. Once a boy scout always a boy scout.
Getting off the elevator, I made my way to unit 706 and rang the doorbell.
I heard the beep of her security system and then the door opened to the most beautiful woman I’d ever known. “May I kiss you now?”
Vee’s smile curled and her emerald-green eyes shone. “Yes.”
Stepping inside the doorway, I nudged the door closed and dropped my backpack. Without warning, I scooped Vee from her feet. Her shriek and giggle filled the air and her arms wrapped around my neck.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m carrying you to the bedroom.”
She swatted my shoulder. “I have food and the game’s cued up and ready to play.”
I continued walking through her living room, the hallway, and into her bedroom. “Spoiler alert, the Coopers won.”
Setting her feet on the bedroom floor, I reached for the hem of the soft Coopers sweatshirt she was wearing and pulled it over her head. My smile grew. “No bra.”
Vee shook her head. “I’m not letting you have the power play.” She came closer, unbuttoning the front of my shirt. She’d release one button, lean in and kiss my chest. Another button, her green eyes daring me to stop her, another kiss. The pattern continued, lower and lower.
I stopped her hand when she reached for my belt. “No. My turn.”
Reaching for the waist of her blue jean capris, I undid the button and lowered the zipper. “Those need to come off.”
Vee nodded, shimmying out of the capris.
All that was left was her white lace panties.
“Now, my turn,” she said. First, she unbuckled my belt. Next, she did as I had and unfastened my blue jeans and lowered the zipper. “Sit,” she commanded, tipping her head toward the bed. When I did, she removed one of my leather loafers and then the other. She rolled each sock down and off my feet. “Now. The blue jeans need to come off.”
I obliged, pushing my jeans down and kicking them off. “Ms. Hubbard, is the playing field to your liking?”
Vee scanned me up and down, walking around me, she dragged her finger over my skin as she circled me once and then twice. When she stopped in front of me, Vee nodded. “I approve.”
Her shriek filled the air as I once again scooped her from the floor and dropped her on the soft mattress. “Fin.”
“My turn,” I said, stalking toward her, starting at the foot of the bed—fist, knee, fist, knee.
Vee’s eyes opened wide and her cheeks were raised as she watched me. Vee Hubbard wasn’t a frightened deer watching an approaching predator. No, there was a keen cleverness to her stare and a smirk on her sexy lips. I got the feeling that instead of being prey, Vee had set a trap, and I’d willingly fallen head over heels.
We greedily removed one another’s remaining clothes.
I scooted up to the headboard and crooked my finger. “Come here.”
“I’m here.”
“Here.” I bid her closer.
