Now she’s forever ingrained, because I am never going to lose the memory of last night.
After working out my frustrations, pushing myself to my limits at the staff gym, I barely make it to the New York call withmy sanity intact. And by the time I get to my first meeting in person, I’m a mess.
She’s taken over my mind, she’s all I can think about, and I have never been consumed like this before.
As the room fills, I’m agonizing over what comes next between us, when Keeley waltzes in as though nothing has changed. Her bright smile flits my way, and she winks when nobody’s watching.
She’s completely unaffected. And I almost ask what’s wrong.
I’mnotas okay as she looks. So…is her appearance a front?
“Morning, everyone.” Her smile widens as she sits down at the other end of the table, taking the head position opposite me, as though she’s my queen. “Wes asked me to join you for five minutes to field any questions you might have regarding scheduled interviews during our training camp and preseason practices. We’ve already had reporters stalking the players to ask for exclusives with particular interest in discussing Beckett Myers, and I wouldn’t put it past them to move on to you next. He’s a hot commodity, and people are understandably interested in his story, with the big question being how we secured him over everyone else.
“Let it be known that like last year, we have restricted media interviews during the first two weeks of training camp. And while you may be approached, I ask that you check with me before agreeing to any press. Questions?”
A couple of people ask for advice, but I couldn’t tell you what advice they’re seeking because I’m too busy watching Keeley, in awe, loving the way she holds the room.
I wasn’t joking when I said she could take over my job, not because she’s the most qualified, but because of the way she commands attention. In a man’s world, she confidently demands respect, and fuck, it’s glorious to watch.
It’s hard to picture that there was ever a time when she was vulnerable and raw, and yet, something tells me she’s been there. She has to have been. We all have. There’s always a story to tell, and I want to know hers. I want to know everything there is to know about her.
Sure, we talk, but I have this urge to discover all her deepest, darkest secrets. The skeletons in her closet.
Day-to-day she’s an open book, but what’s she hiding beneath that strength?
Keeley finishes up with her questions and waves as she exits, drawing my attention until she’s out of my line of sight, never once looking back.
And while I called this meeting, I suddenly wish we were done.
It’s another slow seventy-five minutes before I get back to my desk, and I’ve barely sat down when there’s a knock at my door.
“It’s me,” Keeley calls out, and my shoulders drop as I stand up again, just as she announces, “I’m coming in.”
Happiness radiates from within her as she glides inside and closes the door, her stride confident and familiar. After a quick glance around the room, she flattens her knee-length skirt and lowers to the couch, crossing her ankles while raising a brow my way.
“You wanted to see me?”
“I did?” I sit down slowly, my eyes flashing to my blacked-out computer as though I’m going to find a meeting reminder in the middle of the screen. I quickly bring the damn thing to life as I frown. I don’t remember anything.
My calendar pops up first, and my confusion deepens. “This says that I’m currently free.” I quickly glance her way. “I can’t see anything for—” I cut myself off when she laughs.
“You’re messing with me?”
“Am I? Or have you been thinking about meallmorning and wishing I was here?”
Jesus Christ. Maybe she can read my thoughts. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s a shame.” She fakes a pout. “I always thought we were on the same wavelength.”
“Why are you here, Keeley?” I lightly scold her—despite knowing exactly what she’s alluding to—and her eyes flare with a fire I saw for the first time last night.
“My answer to that comes in two parts. I’m not sure you’re ready for the second.”
Goddammit.The way my dick begs to be called into play, I’m certain he is. If that’s what she’s referring to. She’s right about me, though; I’m not ready. “What’s the first thing?”
“I wanted to check in. To see how you were doing after breaking your strict moral code.”
I should be offended by her low-level teasing, but instead, I laugh out loud, this entire situation taking me so far away from my comfort zone, I can barely see it anymore.
