The tournament is today. I’m up to date on the schedule since I made protecting Quincy my business. I should still turn her ass pink for walking into Donald’s game last night.
But can I really be mad about it?
Considering where I am right now and the contented little sigh Quincy just let out, maybe I can let this one go.
Now the next time she puts herself in danger? All bets are off and that’s a fucking promise.
“Hollywood,” I rumble my nickname for her and nuzzle her neck, trailing kisses along her skin.
She stretches and makes a sound like an engine trying to start up and mumbles, “Not yet.”
I keep kissing her skin as a chuckle rumbles out of my chest. She makes a sound like her body is already begging for more.
“We have time,” she murmurs.
“Of course we have time,” I assure her. “I’m not going to let my woman rush on tournament day. You need to get your head in this and have time to relax and get ready. You also need to eat something,” Iinsist, my mouth turning down in a frown because I should have fed her last night.
Quincy rolls over to face me and giggles when she looks at the scowl on my face. “It’s kind of adorable that you get all gruff and growly because you want to take care of me,” her voice is soft as she runs her fingers along my beard covered jaw.
“I do, you know,” I whisper the words, afraid to say them too loudly.
I’ve never really cared about taking care of anyone other than myself and my brothers. This is all new territory for me, and I’ll do my best not to fuck it up. While trying to understand Cowboy and the love he found with Brielle, I’ve been watching him closely.
You could call it scientific observation, if you want to, but I honestly didn’t get it. Why did he want to treat Brielle like a queen when he didn’t do the same with the woman who carried his baby, even if she was trying to trap him?
I had to dissect it and try to understand it.
But I was never going to understand. I see that now.
Not before Quincy stepped into that room last night. Now I understand it all perfectly.
“I know,” her tone matches mine, like saying anything too loud right now could ruin the fragile peace of the morning.
Her fingertips run along my shoulders and my muscles twitch at the contact. The smile on her face is one which holds a multitude of secrets. I want to be privy to each and every one.
“Will you,” her words are tentative, like she’s afraid to voice them, “come to the tournament?” She closes her eyes briefly before opening them and meeting my gaze. “I’m sure I can get you tickets.” The way her eyebrows pull together in confusion is adorable as fuck. “Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how to get you tickets, but I’m sure I can call the guy who was here when I arrived and ask him.”
“Don’tworry about it,” my voice is rough; every moment I’m this aware of the way her body molds to mine is testing my control.
Her face drops in disappointment and my heart fucking stops. For probably far longer than is medically advised.
“Right, of course,” she sounds so damn dejected and it causes my chest to ache.
“Whatever you’re thinking I meant, you’re wrong,” I rumble.
The tentative way she meets my gaze cracks something in me. Until this moment, I didn’t realize how truly broken down by her life she is. Not until right fucking now.
I’m about to lose my fucking mind from the pain I see swimming in her dark brown eyes. She tucks strands of hair behind her ear as if the movement could hide her.
The thing is, what she hasn’t realized, is I’ll always see her. Even when she’s trying to hide.
My voice is softer as I tell her, “I just meant I don’t need you to get me tickets, Hollywood.” Her eyes widen with surprise as I smirk. “I’ve got connections in this town. I had tickets the same day I found out you’d be playing.”
Her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline, and she gapes at me for a moment before she gets herself under control. “You already have tickets?” When I nod, the look on her face turns contemplative. “I guess that makes sense. I noticed how people nodded at you last night as we were walking through the hotel, like they knew and respected you.”
I shrug my shoulder and tug her gorgeous body just a little bit closer, even though we’re practically touching from head to foot. “I already told you my club owns Elysium. It’s one of the more exclusive casinos. Membership is required to play at our tables, but there is a club everyone can get into. Still, it’s the casino that really drives the business.”
“So,” her voice turns sultry, “you’re kind of a big deal around here, then, huh?”
