“So anything we can do to help you out, sir. Just ask. And this is my other assistant, Jasalie Gordon.”
I get my face ready—smile in place and jaw relaxed—and with my right hand extended for the requisite handshake, I step around Bill and look up.
My eyes lock with Dylan Wild’s.
And I freeze.
Dylan’s face breaks into a surprised smile, all the way up to his dark eyes, which crinkle at the corners.
My breath catches, and I smile without planning on it. He’s still gorgeous. The TV seriously mattes his features. And he smells so fucking good—manly and natural with a hint of musk.
“Hey, Jasalie. It’s nice to put a name to the face.” His eyes are warm as he takes my hand.
“Hi, Mr. Wild.” I struggle to ignore the softness of his palm but the firmness of his grip.
“Nice to officially meet you.” His smile widens.
“Same here.” I grin at him like a fool before tearing my gaze off of him to glance over at Lilla who’s staring at me open-mouthed.
I turn back to Dylan as he says, almost like he’s checking to make sure I remember, “We met briefly last week.”
“Yes. Thank you,” I say like an idiot. And once again, I do the mature thing. I mumble an, “excuse me,” and walk away before I become even more frozen to the spot.
As soon as I get to the bar, I order up a vodka and cranberry while I lean my ever-sinking weight against the counter. He took my breath away. I can’t fucking believe this. Dylan Wild actually took my breath away.
“Jasalie!” Lilla throws her arm around me and scoots up next to me at the bar. “Oh, my God! Is Dylan Wild like in love with you or what?”
“Lilla, don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even know me.” I take my drink and begin walking—to where I don’t know, but I feel the need to keep moving.
“Did you see the way he looked at you?” Lilla trails along behind me as I dodge past body after body of hard muscle and make my way to the window. “Jasalie! Are you listening to me?”
“Uh-huh.” I look out at the mountains. They’re beautiful, absolutely beautiful. At this hour, with the sun setting, there’s a red hue around them. They make me feel lonely, though. But I’m always lonely. I always have a yearning in my chest. But I feel it more intensely right now that I’m back here in Tucson again for the first time. Maybe it’s the vodka.
I put the drink down on the windowsill and turn to face the still-yammering Lilla.
“I mean I read Dylan liked brunettes, and you’re a blonde—a natural blonde even, which is very rare, especially these days—and I thought he liked blue eyes and yours are gray. Stormy gray if you’re counting, which, no offense, but I’m not; plus, his current flame is petite, no more than five feet two. I mean she’s an actress, so what’s the surprise there right—they’re all tiny bugs, but here you are at six feet tall! I mean what…”
“Lilla!” I take a deep breath. “Please. Thank you for the information. I just need a minute to…”
Lilla stares at me. “Collect yourself?”
“Yes. Exactly.” I give her a gentle push. “Like we decided earlier, I’ll take care of the schmoozing with all the personnel staff. In fact, I’ll go introduce myself to the owner right now. You can talk to the players.”
“I don’t know, Jase. I don’t want to stand in the way of true love,” she says. “But if you’re sure you don’t want the players…”
“I don’t,” I manage to get out. “Go. Have fun.”
Once Lilla’s gone, I take another sip of my drink. Then another. Then one more for good measure. So much for that freaking men’s deodorant Lilla and I had to get from the hotel because we both left ours at home. It didn’t do shit. I pull at my shirt to try to subtly air dry my armpits, and set off with my most-professional, most polite, most fake-friendly smile in order to chat it up with the Cougars’ owner.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, and I still can’t focus on my job.
Maybe a fresh drink will help.
As soon as I get to the bar, I freeze. Dylan’s leaning casually against the far end of the bar with one hand around a beer and the other in his pocket. I’m positioned behind a pole, so there’s no way he can see me. And for just a moment, I relax and allow myself to ogle him. His strong jawline, arm muscles that stretch out his shirt, and confident nature cause my heart rate to go into overdrive. He’s laughing hard at something Colton Wild is saying. Now that I’ve learned more about the team, I know that Colton and Dylan are cousins. It must be amazing to have family around you in such an overwhelming profession. Dante Robinson, the wide receiver, is grinning too, and they all look like they’re having the time of their lives.
I turn away to order my second vodka and cranberry. At this rate, I’ll be wasted within the hour. I tip the bartender, grab my drink, and walk away in the opposite direction.
