I shake her hand and smile, a real smile this time. “Congratulations. Your husband is so nice.”
“He’s the best,” she says. “He told me how you and Dylan are…”
I fill the awkward pause. “We’re engaging in a business exchange, yes. I’m helping him out with his charity.”
We study each other for a moment until Sky bursts out laughing. “Well, that’s romantic as hell, isn’t it? Dylan really knows how to win over the woman he can’t stop thinking about.”
My own laugh catches in my throat. “He hasn’t known me long enough to say something like that.”
She narrows her eyes in a knowing look. “Love and lust can’t be quantified, can they?”
I guess not. Dylan hasn’t left my radar since I first laid eyes on him.
“I saw you chatting with a few of the ladies inside, some of the players’ significant others.” She sighs. “Don’t listen to them, Jasalie. If you do, you’d run so fast and so far Dylan would never be able to find you.”
I may do that, anyway, but I give her my attention. “So you and Colton…”
“May be new at this marriage thing, but I can assure you that I would not be with Colton if I couldn’t trust him. With my heart and with my life. And Dylan is as honest a guy you’ll ever find.”
I fidget with the hem of my dress. “He and I are from two different worlds.” I glance through the window at Dylan animatedly talking with his agent, most likely turning down the public kiss idea.
“You don’t care about Dylan’s glamorous life,” Sky says confidently.
“No. I hate it, actually. Well, hate is a strong word, but I certainly don’t get off on it.”
She nearly squeals as she squeezes my arm affectionately. “Dylan needs someone like that. Someone who just likes him for who he is. You’d make a great couple, Jasalie. Don’t dismiss the idea, okay?”
I don’t know that she’s right, but her eyes are so intense and kind.
“Okay,” I say.
* * *
Dylan
“Why are you avoiding her?” Colton says as he walks up to the bar.
I turn to glare at him. “None of your business, Wild.”
“She seems to be avoiding you, too. Not that she’d have much of a choice anyway with the way you’re making sure to never be alone with her.”
Yes, I’ve been trying to give Jasalie space tonight because after what happened in my room, I don’t know how to navigate what’s happening between us. When she broke apart on my hand, I was so damn hard it took me forever to calm down afterward. Any other woman, and I would have just jerked off. But not this time. I refused to give in, no matter how miserable I was all afternoon. Because taking care of myself would feel like I’d given up on being with her already. And I haven’t. I want Jasalie so badly I’m having a hell of a time keeping my dick relaxed. I crave to be inside of her. I don’t know that she’ll ever want me that way, but today gave me hope.
Except she tore out of my room like what we had just done was a huge mistake. Although that was no doubt my fault—I gave her no hint that I wanted her to stay. I was too busy reeling from the emotions rushing through my chest. It was the look in her eyes when she came—I’d be a fool to think what’s between us can stay casual. It’s so far from casual that I’m rethinking everything. And that’s dangerous.
“I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing,” I mutter to Colton.
“So figure it out,” he says to me as he turns to leave. “Because if you’re thinking about it, then it’s worth fixing.”
Jasalie Gordon walks into a room like the strongest person in existence, like she can defend and protect better than any lineman in football. But underneath all that strength, she’s hiding this vulnerability. She’s like a rare butterfly, beautiful and fragile as if the slightest breeze could break her spirit. And I don’t ever want to hurt her.
I follow her with my eyes as she disappears out of the hotel. Something in her body language changed just now. Jasalie got…tense. I ignore Dante as he flirts with yet another waitress just trying to do her job and crane my neck so I can see out the window. Jasalie must have gone around the corner because she’s nowhere to be found.
“Dude, what are you staring at?”
Dante’s hand appears in front of my face, forcing me to turn away from the window.
“Nothing.” I shake my head.
