Everyone suddenly seemed fascinated by the carpet. Carmine didn’t dare look at Monica or Samantha. It was not beyond the realms of fantasy that he would get a fit of the giggles. That would not go down well.
“I meant what I said. No silverware. No management team. And we’ll probably get rid of a few of you lot too.”
With that he stormed past Carmine and his friends. A strong wave of citrus aftershave making their eyes water.
“Fucking hell,” Samantha said when the doors had slammed behind him.
Poor Javier headed straight for the bar. Carmine respected that. He would be in the car park by now, going home.
He relaxed when he felt a hand in the small of his back. There was Noah. Smelling all fresh from the showers.
Carmine knew a kiss was out of the question. The room was full of board members and their families. There were limits. Even at Brockton. Or Woketon as the press had labelled them.
“Sorry you didn’t win,” he said. “Noah. This is my sister, Monica.”
Carmine tried his best to hide his amusement when he saw Monica blushing as she stared at Noah.
“You were brilliant,” she stammered.
“Thank you,” Noah replied kindly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
For the millionth time, Carmine’s heart pulsed with love for this man.
“Hi, Noah,” Samantha piped up. “So good to see you again.”
Clearly revelling in being superior to Monica with her Noah experience, Samantha acted like she hadn’t been totally agog at their last meeting.
“And you. Still keeping him in line?”
“I’m charging this as overtime.”
“Dream on,” Carmine replied.
Noah’s phone began to ring.
“Excuse me.”
He slipped away. What was so important for him to dump them as soon as he’d arrived?
Luckily Udo, Jonas and Adam descended upon them. Now Monica really looked as if she were about to throw up.
Carmine did the introductions. Taking a sick pleasure in forcing Monica to speak to each one of them. He would pay for this in the future. Judging by the glint in Samantha’s eyes, she’d clocked onto what he was doing.
“Next time we’ll win for you,” Adam said. “We were pretty shit today.”
“Oh I wouldn’t say that,” Monica cut in. “I thought you played brilliantly.”
“Udo got the goal,” Carmine reminded her.
Monica scowled at him. “Being a good captain isn’t as obvious as that. This is only your first game, remember.”
Jonas clapped Carmine on the shoulder. “First game? Will we see you again?”
In the corner of his eye, Carmine saw Noah walking toward them.
He was so sexy in a pale blue shirt and darker blue trousers. Carmine would enjoy taking those off later.
“I could be persuaded.”
