“Satisfied?” Stace asks.
“Yes,” I answer quickly. “Now let’s get me out of here before I do something regrettable.”
Stace laughs. “Come on, hotshot. No more expo for you.”
We head back out, moving toward the exit, and I take a few deep breaths to clear my head.
Damn, hard-to-get is not my natural style.
When Stace ducks into the bathroom, though, I see Troy again. He’s off in the distance, but instead of glaring at me and looking away, this time, he stalks directly in my direction.
My pulse jumps. Shit, is he about to yell at me? Did I piss him off by making too many sex eyes?
When he gets close, though, I realize that this isn’t his usual scowl. There’s a demanding, possessive flare in his gaze, and he bears it down on me.
“Troy,” I manage, thrown off-guard.
“In ten minutes,” he says evenly, “I am going to leave. You’ll make sure your friend gets home safely. Then you will call this number.” He hands me a card. “A black sedan will pick you up. They will take you to a hotel. Tell the front desk that you are there to see Walter Johnson.”
I swallow. The force of his words is commanding even as he keeps his voice low, conspiratorial as people move about us. My brain works over what he’s saying.
“Understand?” Troy asks sharply, and I nod quickly as I catch up.
“Hell yeah I understand.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
TROY
When Orlando knocks at the hotel, I stand from the chair where I’m waiting and make my way slowly and purposefully to the door.
I’ve had a hell of week. Pitching Marshall and Patel continues to consume more time and resources with no promise of a deal at the other side, and it’s brought all eyes to the agency, earning us national scrutiny. With championship season heating up and the Coach’s Gala around the corner, I’ve been living off of black coffee and takeout.
The expo pushed me over the edge. Exhausted, I was slower to yank my eyes away from Orlando than usual, struggling to resist the temptation. Every major name in Philly sports was right there, and still, I had to battle myself internally to keep my head on straight.
Worse, even though I know the woman he’s with is only his friend, seeing him happy with someone else twisted my gut in a strange way.
But I’m not confused. I know what I want.
I’m hungry, and the idea of exploring with another man doesn’t interest me.
I want Orlando again, and I want him now.
“Hey, stud,” he greets me.
I frown. “Get the fuck in here,” I answer, stepping aside after a furtive glance down the hallway.
Orlando loosens his tie as he walks into the sleek hotel room, eyeing the framed art and the city view. “I knew you’d take me up on the offer,” he says.
I snort air out my nose. “You think I’m going to make things that easy for you?” When he turns to face me, I grab his tie, still hanging loosely around his neck, and use it to tug him close.
“If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right,” I say. “First rule is we tell no one. Got it?”
Orlando winces.
I grunt as I release his tie. “Who did you tell?”
“Just Stace,” he says, raising both hands apologetically. “No one else. And I swear she’s trustworthy. She won’t gossip.”
