He’d been texting me when he died.
Not a soul knew those two secrets that I had shouldered for most of my life. Sleeping with Gideon Titan would be the third. Was I ashamed? No. Embarrassed? No. Did I regret it? Also no. But something held me back.
“Jade. I would tell you if I did. I don’t keep things from you.” My words mollified her, but Bea continued to eye me. “Bea. If I slept with him, I would want the world to know. Do you know how good-looking he is, despite the fact he’s a raging dickweed?”
“How’s working with him going? I can’t believe you didn’t tell us! I want to meet him,” Amanda finally spoke.
“This is why I didn’t tell you. He likes his privacy and I’m going to respect that. But he’s hot and cold. I’m torn between wanting to jump his bones and strangle him most days.” I laughed and froze when the dark eyes I thought about in my dreams appeared just beyond our table.Oh hell no.“He’s a pain in the ass.”
“Why are you shouting—oh!” Jade spun around at my evil grin. “Gideon Titan!”
The devil sauntered over to our table with a deliciously mischievous grin. God. It had been over a week since our fuck, and my body knew he was close. I clenched my legs together and gave a fake-ass smile. “I wasjusttalking about you, your eminence.”
Jade raised an eyebrow at my nickname, but I ignored her. He ran a hand over his strong jaw and glanced at my lunch mates. “I wondered why you yelled pain in the ass across the room. I assumed you were talking about yourself.”
“Nope. That phrase is reserved for you.”
“Pity. I prefer it when you call me a hot piece of ass. Not a pain in the ass.”
God—is it getting hotter in here?
“Who are these beautiful women?” He put his hand on the back of the empty chair and amped up the charm.Asshole.“My, you two have to be Fiona’s older, better-looking sisters.”
“H-hi. I’m Bea.” She held out her hand, her lips too pursed for my liking. Her pink cheeks were a dead giveaway. She had the hots for him. “Nice to meet you.”
“And who are you two?” He smiled at Amanda, who blushed beet-red in return. “I’m Gideon.”
“Amanda. Nice to m-meet you. Big fan.” My older, snobbish sister lost her cool entirely. Bea and I shared an amused look. We would talk about that later.
“Wonderful to meet you,” he cooed at her and turned his attention to Jade. His gaze flicked to her nametag. “Jade, a pleasure.”
“Stop hitting on them, horn dog,” I scoffed.
“Aw. Are you jealous, Barbie?”
“I don’t get jealous. I get even,” I fired back and humor danced in his eyes. He enjoyed the hell out of this—and I did, too. “Jade is the amazing person to thank for us working together.”
“Is that so?” He dragged his heated stare from me to her. Bea had to be the most ball-busting woman I knew, and she remained silent. His looks really were a problem for the female population.Hell, for the entire population.“Jade. Pretty name.”
“Th-thank you.” She held out her hand and he took his time shaking it. “Are you enjoying coaching so far?”
“There have been some challenges.” He narrowed his eyes at me before continuing, “But yes. I really enjoy the laminated practice plans.”
“Oh, fuck off.” I picked up my apple and threw it at him. He caught it with a loud chuckle. “Go look at yourself in a mirror or something.”
“Why do that when you’re far more entertaining?”
I glanced at my friends. “See what I mean? Pain. In. My. Ass.”
“I need to be off. But this was a pleasant surprise. Make sure you bring your precious plans tonight. It’s a double header.”
“Shit.” My stomach dropped. I hadn’t realized it was two games and my project loomed over me. “Okay.”
“If you want to skip, I wouldn’t mind. Send one of them to fill in for you. Maybe they won’t wear the goddamn fanny pack.” He didn’t wait for a reply before walking away.
“Holy shit.” Jade fanned herself and shared a look with Bea. “How can you… How does he… Wow.”
“I’m so turned on right now,” Bea moaned and we all burst into laughter. “Fiona. He has the hots for you. All that sexual tension.Jesus.”
