He shifts, peeling himself from the wall and encapsulating me within his arms, his hands resting on my lower back. My belly flips and fizzles, loving his nearness.
“I’ll do it,” he says, easing one hand down to cup my butt, “on one condition.”
I nibble my lip, knowing I’ll have to reapply lipstick before I leave. “What’s that?”
God, could I sound any more like I want to jump his bones?
“You come with me.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I’d been expecting something dirty.Hopingfor something dirty. It takes me a moment to process what he’s actually said.
“Be my date, Lena.”
His face is hidden from me in this position, so I hear the words drift past my ear but can’t see his expression as he utters them. More than anything, I want to know what the invitation means. Does he just want moral support, or is he is declaring his intention to date me publicly? Because didn’t we just talk about that? Or perhaps he wants to show me that public relations isn’t all fun and games. Give me a taste of my own medicine, so to speak.
I swallow. “I’m a behind the scenes person. I’m the one who talks to you through your headset to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing to the wrong person. I’m not the type of person who actually goes to these events.” Although I had been, once, when Karson used to drag me around like his freaking eye candy, so dolled up you wouldn’t recognize me if you saw me on the street the next day. I missed so many red flags with that guy.
“You should be,” Jase says, breaking into my thoughts. “You deserve to be up front and center as much as anyone else.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I tell him as he draws back to look me in the face. “I don’t enjoy being the subject of attention, and I also don’t want to get into trouble with my boss.”
A smile quirks his lips. “Guess what, sweetheart? I don’t like the attention either. It’s just the price I pay for doing what I love.” He kisses me. “That’s my deal. You as my date, or I don’t go. You can tell your boss I’m forcing you into it. What do you say?”
“Fine,” I grumble, and he captures my mouth in another kiss. Adrian is going to shit a brick when he finds out. But hopefully he’ll go along with it and once Jase is out of hot water, I can work with some of those other clients he promised me. Reluctantly, I ease away from him. “I need to get back to work.”
He sighs, the sound full of regret. “You mean you have clients other than me?”
“Yes, gorgeous, I do.”
He lets me go, but doesn’t move, so it’s up to me to put distance between us. “I hope they’re not as charming.”
I laugh, delighted by the flash of jealousy in his gaze and how put-out he seems. “Charming, my ass. You’re hot, I’ll give you that.”
He growls, claiming my hand and walking me toward the exit. “What else?”
“What? Does your ego need stroking?” My tone is teasing, and I enjoy the way he smiles down at me with laughter in his eyes.
“I can think of some other things you could stroke.”
I smooth a hand down his arm. “Whatever.”
He accompanies me all the way to my car, then backs me against it the same way he did against the wall inside. My hips roll into his, just once, then they still.
He notices though, his breath hitching. “Can I see you later?”
“Only if you’re not worried about messing up your mojo.” I know how superstitious athletes can be, and I truly don’t want him off his game. In fact, I’d quite happily watch Jase mop the floor with Karson’s face.
“Think it’s more likely to mess with my mojo if my balls shrivel up and fall off,” he says wryly. “You got me turned inside out, cutie pie.”
Stretching up, I kiss him. “I’ll see you later, then.” My smile turns sly and naughty. “But not too late. I might have to get started without you.”
His eyelids flutter closed. “You’re going to kill me, baby. I’ve gotta go bust some heads. Save your first orgasm for me.” He touches my neck lightly, then strides away. I watch his fine ass go, wishing I didn’t have those other clients who need me.
It’s going to be a long day.
13
Lena
