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“Really?”
“Yup. I might have added a little fuel to the fire by saying I saw two women leaving with a mysterious player, because Shawn gave us a look at Thanksgiving, and it makes me think he knows about us. Or suspects something at the very least,” he says.
“Wait, what?” I ask, and I spin to face him.
“Yeah. When we all shared what we were thankful for. He was watching us—me, really. And… I don’t know. It felt like he knew something he shouldn’t.”
“Has he said anything to you?”
“Not a word.” Dallas shrugs. “Maybe it’s my imagination.”
“Okay, so we’ll tone down the way we look at each other when people are around, then. Who do your teammates think it was in the showers?”
“Bellamy is still the frontrunner, and there’s talk of Sam Wagner, too. Bets are being made, and I saw Odell put five hundred bucks in an earnings pool. I almost feel bad for the guys, but then I remember Sam kicked my ass in sprints earlier today, and I figure he’ll be just fine.”
I laugh and put in my earrings. “They’d never suspect Dallas Lansfield, the rule follower.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” His eyes roam down my body and liquid heat flares behind his gaze. He pushes off the wall and walks toward me with commanding steps that have me squeezing my legs together. “God damn, woman. That outfit is hot.”
“Do you like it?”
I spin around and show off the sweater dress I bought two weeks ago. The black fabric hugs my curves and hits mid-thigh, well above my knees. I paired it with boots and tights, and when Dallas blows out a breath and reaches for me, I feel sexy as hell.
He runs his hands down my back and palms my ass. His fingers squeeze my cheeks and press into the soft flesh. A groan slips free from his chest, and his appreciation for my body makes me feel even sexier.
“Please don’t tell me you’re going to be around men tonight,” he says roughly. “Please tell me you’re going to a convent.”
“Why?” I stand on my toes and hold the back of his neck. “Jealous, lone star?”
“When you look like this? Very.” He lifts me onto the counter in one easy swoop of his arms and sets me down on the marble. “I’d kill anyone if they tried to touch you.”
“You couldn’t even kill the spider in June’s room last week.” I drag my nails down his chest and his hips buck forward. “There’s no way you’d kill a man.”
“If he touched what was mine, I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Mine.
My stomach twists in pleasure at the thought of him defending me. Of him using his athletic prowess to ward off anyone who went a step too far. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have said it was a turn on of mine—I’m independent. I always have been, and I can take care of myself.
But why should I have to when there’s a man made by the gods who could do it for me?
“I promise you won’t have to visit jail tonight. I’m having dinner with Maggie and Lacey at this new Italian restaurant in Dupont Circle. With the holidays and the end of the regular season plus the start of the playoffs, I haven’t seen them in a while. I need some girl time,” I say.
“Getting our nails done together isn’t enough girl time for you?” He holds up the manicure June did for him a few days ago. The pink polish is chipped, and there is a fresh coat of purple on his pinky and thumb. “We could go shopping.”
“Your effort is commendable.” I kiss his nose, and he smiles. “It’s weird to call them my friends because they’re so much older than me and attached to the parental figures in my life, but they are. Maggie started dating my dad when I was sixteen, so she was there during those awkward teenage girl years where I felt like a fish out of water.”
“God. I’m never going to be ready for those days.” Dallas closes his eyes and takes a shallow breath.
We will be,I think.
I almost say it, because when I think about the future, I see Dallas, June and myself together. Picking out outfits for JB’s first date and hearing the horror story of her first kiss. Tacklingbraces and acne and her first period. I want to be there for every milestone, no matter how big or small.
“She needs to learn cursive first,” I say, and he laughs. “One step at a time.”
“You’re right. How are you getting there and back? Do you want me to drive you?”
“Rideshare. It’s too much of a hassle to come and grab me when you have June. That involves car seats and patience and an hour out of your night. But thank you very much for offering.”
