Adam:Something tells me you’re freaking out right about now.
I chuckle nervously. Even with the new distance between us, Adam still gets me more than the rest of my brothers.
Adam
I’m trying not to.
It’d be a lot less nerve-racking if I didn’t know there are going to be trashy articles about how I’m such a step down from her ex.
Adam:That’s bullshit, bro. He’s not all that.
Adam:If he were, she wouldn’t have divorced him.
I roughly drag my hand across my scalp, enjoying the prickly feel of my hair against my palm. She may have divorced him, but that doesn’t mean I’m the next best choice. Niko rolls to a stop in front of Kendra’s building, and all the air leaves my lungs at once.
She’s wearing a long, brick-red sweater dress that’s tight against her body. The turtleneck, long sleeves, and ankle-lengthskirt keep her mostly covered, but cutouts at her shoulders reveal the rich honey tone of her skin. Her hair is in a fussy updo, with loose tendrils around her face, and her lips are painted to match her dress. Heeled boots with laces complete the sexy librarian look; prim and proper on the outside, but wild and wanton under all that cashmere.
It took all my brothers’ help to pick out a suit for this event; I didn’t want to embarrass her by showing up in trainers and some off-the-rack suit. Still, Kendra outshines me by a mile. Too dumbfounded to move, Niko opens the door for her as she steps in.
“Ooh!” she rubs her arms as if she’s cold. “It’s way too early for weather like this. My winter clothes are still in storage!”
Her warm hand on my thigh sends a jolt of electricity straight to my dick. She looks directly into my eyes; I resist the urge to squirm under her intense gaze.
“Thank you so much for coming with me tonight. I know the cameras and everything are kinda bullshit, but we can still have a nice time, right?”
The edge of her smile seems strained. She’s actually worried I might bail on her. That makes me want to punch Andre even more than I already did. I take her hand in mine, finally able to move again.
“Of course we will,” I reassure her. “And the cameras aren’t bullshit. They’re part of your life. I can handle it.”
At least IthinkI can. To get more of the beaming smile she’s giving me now, I’d put up with almost anything.
“That means a lot, Damon,” she says, scooting closer to me.
As usual, the aroma of lemon verbena and vanilla clings to her body. I take the scent deep into my lungs and feel myself relax for the first time tonight.
“It’s fine,” I reply, mouth dry. “What are friends for?”
Friends!I scoff to myself. As if any of my other friends could make me pitch a tent in my pants.
“A friend pretends to be your date to avoid reporters and make your ex jealous?”
Kendra looks as unconvinced as I feel, and I laugh.
“OK, well. Maybe not thatexactly, but friends help each other out. If this were a club, I’d put my arm around you to keep a skeevy guy from hitting on you. And don’t I owe you for all the publicity you brought to the exhibition game?”
Something flickers across her face—disappointment, maybe?—before she’s smiling once more.
“Please,” she says with an eye roll. “All I did was post about it. You’re the one who made that event a success.”
“Let’s agree to disagree on that one, considering all my work would’ve been for nothing if no one had shown up. I’m pretty sure all the men in attendance were there to shoot their shot, and I’m not talking about basketball.”
She giggles, and the sound does nothing to calm things down below the belt. Quite the opposite, actually. I discreetly adjust in my seat.
“Speaking of which, it was probably obvious from the stunned expression on my face when you got in, but you lookamazing.” She bats her eyelashes and strikes a few poses, which earns a smile. “Seriously, who’s even going to buy that I’m your date?”
That stops her in her tracks, wiping the smile off her face and putting me right back on edge. I don’t get it. Usually my self-deprecating remarks get a laugh.
“Damon Park, what in the world are you talking about?” Unsure of her mood, I wait for her to continue rather than responding. “You are a tall, handsome, single man with the body of a professional athlete. You chose to coach high school kids instead of trying to be a sports broadcaster on ESPN or chasing sponsorships for car insurance or kitchen gadgets. Even before you retired, you were volunteering, giving kids like my cousin something to do over the summer besides get into trouble on these streets. Why the hell wouldn’t I date you?”
