Claire walks into our room. Turning to me, she slowly unties her top, letting it fall to the ground.
“I always believe in rewarding good behavior. I’m pretty sandy though, I might need a long hot shower first. Very, very hot.” She lets out a squeal when I throw her over my shoulder, stalking toward the bathroom.
By the time we make it to the party, we are running late. It seems to be a growing trend with us.
“Alex!” Lewis yells when we walk through the door. Crossing to me, he grabs me in a hug before turning to Claire. “Hello, who is this lovely?” he asks, kissing her hand. I laugh as she turns bright red.
“Lewis, this is my girlfriend, Claire. Claire, this is one of my auld fitbaw mates, Lewis. He’s relatively harmless, I promise. Although, he’s English, so ye never know.” With a laugh, she holds her hand out to him.
“Did I hear you correctly? Girlfriend? You mean someone has tamed the Highland Hustler, the Fantasy Footballer, the One-night Wonder?” Lewis asks in jest. Claire looks at me with one eyebrow raised. He’s grinning at me like an idiot. I weigh my options of ways to kick his ass before a beautiful woman slips her arm around him.
“Lewis!” she says in a beautiful Brazilian accent. She holds her hand out to Claire who shakes it. “Ignore my Lewis. I’m Antônia, Lewis’ wife. He is just being a brat, Alexander is always a gentleman. We are so excited that you have joined us this evening.” She turns loose of Lewis, giving me a kiss.
I’ve known Lewis since my days playing junior club ball in Great Britain. He had a good career as a goalie at Cambridge, but he was a much better businessman than fitbawer. I introduced him to his wife, who was the sister of one of my teammates at Stanford. He was immediately a lost cause. At the time, I made fun of it. Not so much anymore.
“Speaking of brats, where are your children hiding? I would like for Alex to see his goddaughters. We never know how long it will be again before he graces us with his presence.” Lewis looks around for his two daughters.
“Our children,” she responds, shaking her head. “Are playing in the back with the nanny. I promised them they can come out to celebrate the New Year with us if they’re still awake. Now, I must learn more about Claire. I’m sure you can keep each other amused for a while.” She loops an arm through Claire’s as they walk farther into the condo. I watch as she’s introduced to other guests before they disappear into the kitchen.
“I think my wife just stole your woman,” Lewis points out. “Well, she said to entertain ourselves, so let’s go see what damage we can bestow on the bar.” I follow him toward a large bar set up inside of the doors that slide open to the balcony.
The bartender pours us both a drink before we wander out to the balcony. It’s a large one that wraps around two sides of the corner condo. It has an amazing view of the water. “So tell me how the career is coming along.”
“Looks like I’ll be gaun somewhere new after my contract ends at the end of the season. The club really needs tae focus on the midfield and I’m…”
“You're too expensive?” he asks, finishing my sentence. I look at him in embarrassment. “Don’t be embarrassed, mate. You’re bloody brilliant at what you do. I wouldn’t be surprised if you wind up on a world cup team soon.”
“It’s just that I’m getting some really good offers, but I also have Claire tae consider now.” I’ve always relied on Lewis for honest advice. He has never pulled punches with me. He’s also one of the shrewdest business minds I know.
“Have you discussed this with her? I understand you’re into her, but you just met. Are you sure you want to base your career around someone you don’t really know?” I would like to discuss it further, but the women chose this moment to join us.
“You both look so serious,” Antônia chastises us. “This is a party. You cannot discuss business all night. I have given Claire the grand tour, so I am returning her to you.” She turns loose of Claire’s hand so she can slide her arms around me. Putting an arm around her waist, I pull her in close to my side as Lewis watches me.
“Maybe I stand corrected. We’ll discuss this more later, but for now, my lovely wife is correct. This is a party, so I should probably visit with the other guests too.” They leave us to enjoy the view of the lights coming on in Miami.
Tipping Claire’s head back, I bend for a kiss. It’s not demanding or hungry, just warm, the way I want to kiss her every day before we leave for work. It’s one of comfort with no beginning or ending to think about, just now. When I pull back, she looks up at me.
“Are you okay?” she asks, tilting her head with a look of concern crossing her beautiful face.
“I’m perfect,” I whisper to her. I can worry about everything else later. “Right now, ye’re all I want tae think aboot.”
She smiles at me, nodding. “I’m good with that.”
“Come on, there will be no sex on my balcony this evening,” Lewis says, sticking his head back out. Taking Claire’s other hand, he pulls us back inside to meet the other guests.
The evening is filled with good food, lively conversation and some amazing fireworks. Lewis gives us a ten-minute warning to head to the balcony for it to begin. I watch as his two daughters are carried outside in his arms for the show. They are turning out to be every bit as beautiful as their mother.
Pulling Claire against my chest near the banister, we watch the show. She watches the fireworks exploding over the water while I watch her gasp, her eyes dancing, at every display of color. At the end of the finale, a countdown begins to New Year’s. When we reach one, I spin Claire in my arms, leaning down for a kiss.
“Happy New Year, Claire Lloyd,” I say, holding her face in my hands. Her eyes light up when she meets mine.
“Happy New Year, Alexander Ross,” she says before lacing her hands through my hair, pulling me down to her. “Thank you,” she whispers into my ear before kissing me again. My heart pounds at the thought of another year. I have a lot of hard decisions to make, but I already know being with her is the one I don’t have to think about.
“Oh!” she says, pulling away from me, “Antônia said everyone is moving to the club upstairs after the fireworks to dance. Can we go?” She is almost vibrating with excitement.
“Of course. We can dae whatever ye would like tonight,mo ghaol,” I answer, hugging her tight to me.
“Mo ghaol, is it? This truly must be serious then,” Lewis says with a twinkle in his eye. “Come on, the dance floor waits for no man.” We follow him through the apartment as he leads us up to the rooftop club. “I’ve never heard you call anyone but your family that,” he says as we stand in the elevator.
