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“No,” he says, “I promised I would fix the rumors.”
“And then you singled me out in front of a packed arena.”
He’s closer now, a hand resting on the small of my back. His fingers span my entire waist as my eyes slip closed. I can feel the warmth of his palm through my sweater, heating my skin better than any fireplace ever has. I could step forward out of his touch, but I don’t. I lean into it.
“And then I won,” he says. This time, I feel his breath across my temple. He had to lean down for that. My resolve is hanging on by a frayed thread. Forget going out. He knows my job is on the line, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? We could grab the nearest elevator and head to my room. I could have him just this once and no one would ever need to know.
“You belong to the team now,” Vic says.
What am I doing? What am I thinking?
“Come out with us. Celebrate with us.”
I can’t lose my head here. I can’t. I knew I’d have to be the one to hold firm.
“You’re going to go rub your win in the city’s face?”
I turn my head and my nose almost bumps his chin. There’s a faint stubble there. I can see the tiny gold hairs growing in and I want to rub against him. Feel the rasp and the sting and the heat against my skin. In my bones.
“It’s our duty as professional athletes.” I can feel his lips move. I need to step back. ”Come with us.”
“Victor.”
How many times have I said his name? I’m not even sure what I want to follow it up with.
Pin me to my mattress.
Make me forget this is a bad idea.
Be strong for both of us.
We can’t do this.
“I know,” he says, and this time his mouth brushes my temple and I try not to shiver. “I feel it too, but I promise you can trust me. I won’t put you or your job in jeopardy.”
My laugh sounds suspiciously like a sob. I know I’m being ridiculous. I know my grudge is stupid and overblown, and I have nothing to worry about. There’s no way he knew the trouble I got in when he refused to let me interview him and his twin. There’s no way he ignored my calls, knowing that I was almost fired for not bringing them in. No way he knew that the reason I was the one to ask was because Chris assumed Vic would never say no to me. None of that is his fault. Iknowthat.
I know that.
For the first time.
“This is a bad idea,” I say, but even Vic can hear the difference in the words. I’m going to say yes.
“I’ll take care of you, Tristan. Let your guard down. Come and have some fun.”
I meet his eyes this time. Blues and greys and browns swirling with warmth and heat and something that looks a lot like affection.
“Just let me go change my clothes,” I say beyond grateful that it wasn’t just Hayley who snuck outfits into my suitcase, although maybe I should withhold thanks until I see the dress Palmer sent. Her taste runs short. And dipped in glitter.
“I’ll wait here for you,” Vic says and if it wouldn’t send all sorts of mixed messages, I would kiss him for already holding my boundaries and not offering to come up with me. His fingers flex on my back, sliding around to cup and squeeze my hip before he drops it down to his side, shoving those long fingers into the front pocket of his jeans. My mouth goes drier than the Mojave. “Go fast, Tristan. I can’t show up at the club without the team’s good luck charm.”
“Am I the team’s?” I can’t help but ask, “Or yours?”
A shudder runs through his big body and his pupils swallow his irises. My lips part as I suck in air.
“Don’t ask me questions I’m not allowed to answer, kitty cat.”
It takes all my self-control to walk to the elevators as if my panties aren’t ruined. I feel his eyes on me the entire time.
