It’s fair for him to say that, but what he doesn’t know is she’s not just any girl. She’sthegirl, and I’d do anything she asked of me.
“Mind if I take a piss?”
I step aside with an eye roll. “Be my guest, old man.” But my words have no real bite to them, and Locke doesn’t miss it.
He brushes past us, shaking his head with a smile, and I turn to Chloe once he disappears into the bathroom.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m good. Are you?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Uh, that was…intense. What happened?”
I lift a shoulder. “Nothing I don’t deserve. After I caught him with Hutch’s stepsister, I gave him a lot of shit about it. Like,a lot. It’s retribution for that.”
“This team has a lot of secrets, huh?”
I laugh quietly. “You have no idea, Clover.” I take her hand in mine, tugging her closer. “Come on. Let’s get out there before Lawson skulks back here and I have to beat up my own teammate.”
“I’ve heard it work before. Teammates scrap at practice, then they end up winning the Cup. Could be a good idea.”
“I’m sorry, do youwantme to fight?”
“Uh, no. Or maybe. I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it in person.” She lifts her brows up and down. “Could be hot.”
“As tempting as that sounds…” I grin and pull on her hand again. “There are other things I want to be doing right now.”
“Oh? Like what?”
You. I want to be doing you. I want to kiss you and touch you and remind you that you belong to me.
“What do you think about coming home with me?”
I wish I didn’t notice how much she hesitates, but I do. Her eyes, which were just so bright, dim, and she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip.
“You know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything. I?—”
“Yes.”
I tip my head to the side. “Yes?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
I’ve never claimed to be a smart man, but I know when to leave well enough alone, so I don’t question this and proceed to drag her out of the darkened hallway. We say goodbye to everyone, which takes way too long, then we slip into my car and head back to my apartment.
We’re quiet on the ride, and the silence isn’t nearly as easy as it was on the drive to Top Shelf. I wonder if she’s thinking about the implications of inviting her over. If so, she has nothing to worry about. I have no expectations of what’s going to happen. I simply don’t want this night to end.
When I pull into the parking garage and shut off the rumbling V10, she doesn’t make a move to exit the car.
I turn toward her. “Clover…”
It takes longer than I’d like for her to return my stare, and when she does, I wince internally.
“I just want to spend more time with you. I’m not asking for anything else. And if you want me to take you back to your hotel, I’ll do it. Just say the word. I won’t be mad, I promise.”
Her shoulders sag in relief, and I’m unsure if I should be offended or glad. I want to ask her if she’s scared of me, us, or letting herself get close again, but I don’t. I just wait for her, which is exactly what I’ve been doing for the last three years.
