And Matteo Ford’s heart isn’t up for grabs.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MATTEO
“She said it was a mistake, but it wasn’t. It was inevitable.” - Julian Hart, Painted Inferno
Ishift my weight on my feet, tipping my head back to look up at Jade’s apartment building. I didn’t pay attention to which direction her apartment looked out over the last time I was here. I’ll be sure to make note of it this time when I’m inside… if she ever comes down and lets me in.
We just flew back to Hillford late last night, after our last game on the road in Tennessee. It was only a two and a half hour flight, so we didn’t get home too late, although I opted to wait until the morning to try to see Jade.
My heart stutters as I see her strolling through the lobby, heading in my direction. Her hair’s pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head and she’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that stops along the middle of her thighs and a pair of tight, black shorts. They hug her like a second skin, pulling my focus down her bare legs, which springs back up to meet her gaze as she unlocks the door and pushes it open.
“Hey,” she says, her voice a bit breathless. Her eyes are lined with dark bags, the exhaustion obvious on her face. “Sorry. I was finishing up a call with my editor.” She reaches for the drink carrier I’m holding. “Let me get that.”
I lift a brow, letting her take the two coffees as I hold onto the brown paper bag with breakfast sandwiches I picked up on the way. “How did it go?”
She steps to the side, motioning for me to come inside. I step past her, the faint smell of vanilla and berries assaulting me as I move into the foyer.
“It went well.” She makes sure the doors are locked before leading the way to the elevator. “I sent her the first half of the book last week and she loves it.”
“I’m not surprised,” I admit, smiling at her as we step inside the elevator and the doors slide shut. She reaches out, pressing the button for her floor. “Speaking of books… I actually have a question for you.”
Jade turns around to face me, cocking her head to the side. “Yeah?” She covers a yawn. “Sorry,” she mumbles, shaking her head.
“Some of the guys want to start a book club. Cross' trying to get back into reading and I told them about you being an author.”
The air feels warmer than it was two seconds ago. My depth perception distorts, and I swear, she’s close enough I could reach out and touch her.
Jade’s eyes slowly scan my face, her expression unreadable as the corners of her mouth twitch. “You told them about me?”
Should I not be talking about her?
“I—well…” Shit. Heat creeps up my neck, my stomach fluttering. No sense in lying about it now. I showed my damn hand without even realizing it. “Yeah.”
The elevator dings as it reaches her floor. She arches a perfectly sculpted brow, her freckles standing out beneath the fluorescent lighting above. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“Come on, Playboy.”
Playboy?
A rush of dopamine courses through me at lightning speed. I can’t fight the stupid grin that tugs on my lips as I follow her out into the hall. I shouldn’t enjoy being called that, but it’s different with her. It’s playful—and fuck, I like it.
She has a nickname for me.
She leads me into her apartment, and I follow her lead, kicking my shoes off at the front door. She heads into the kitchen, motioning for me to sit as she slides onto one of the barstools. “Are you guys going to read one of my books for your book club?”
I set the bag on the counter, pulling out both of our sandwiches wrapped in aluminum foil. My breathing hitches, my stomach flipping. “Would it bother you if we did?”
She laughs quietly, unwrapping her food. “No. As long as they never bring it up to me.”
“That’s fair.” I smile, lowering myself onto the seat next to hers.
“Thanks for bringing over breakfast.”
“Of course,” I say. “Someone has to make sure you’re eating.” I unwrap my own food. “How was your night? Did you and Ellie end up getting dinner?”
She takes a bite of her sandwich and moans. Fucking moans. “Sorry,” she laughs softly. “Clearly, I’m hungrier than I realized.” She takes a sip of her iced coffee. “Yeah, we did. It was alright. Some douchebags were at the bar, so we didn’t stay out late.”
