I cough to hide the laugh that bursts out as I slide my phone away and jump back into helping the crew clear off the field.
“Need any help?” I ask as I sidle up beside Jamie who is loaded down with tripods and monitors.
He side-eyes me with a warm smile. “Absolutely not. You’re off the hook for the evening.” He juts his chin in the direction of where Annie is chattering away with the sound engineer as they head toward the door that leads off the field. “Just make sure she gets out of here alright and then you’re free to go.”
“Sir, yes sir,” I respond, paired with a salute in farewell. He chuckles as I hustle to catch up with Annie and the rest of the crew.
“Isa!” Annie’s eyes are sparkling with excitement as I catch up with her. “Please tell me you’re going to join us for drinks. We’re heading to a bar around the corner. We’d love to have you join!”
Guilt roils in my stomach. This isn’t the first time I’ve been invited out after work by someone from the crew. I always politely decline, choosing not to mix business with pleasure.
But isn’t that exactly what I’m doing with Ryan?
I’ve settled in well with the whole crew, but only ever here at the stadium on broadcast days. Never outside of work parameters. Would it really kill me to say yes once in a while? If only I didn’t have plans, I might have accepted the invitation.
I grimace. “Sorry Annie, I actually have plans tonight. Rain check?”
Her twinkle dims the slightest, but the smile remains on her face. “Sure, rain check.”
I feel bad for turning her down, but shake off the guilt and sadness trying to drag me down. “Right, let’s go track down your car then, shall we?”
The door swingsopen to reveal Ryan before I even get the chance to knock. He’s in a pair of dark wash jeans and another of those Henleys that look like they’re sculpted to his body.
My mouth instantly starts to water, and it has nothing to do with the smell of tomato sauce and spices.
He’s quick to grasp my hand and tug me inside, closing the door behind me and pressing me up against it with a wicked smirk.
“This feels awfully familiar,” I whisper.
His smile only widens before he drops his lips down to mine, drawing a groan from my throat. My arms loop around his neck while his hands find my hips, both of us pulling each other as close as possible. I nip at his bottom lip, asking for more, but he pulls away abruptly, leaving me cold and wanting.
“As much as I’dloveto continue, if we don’t stop now, we’ll never eat.” His voice comes out rough.
I roll my eyes and fold my arms over my chest. “Fine, if you insist.”
He plants his hands on either side of my head, keeping me crowded against the door. “Don’t worry, firecracker. I have plans for us after dinner.”
His words send a shiver of anticipation through me.
Without another word, he takes my hand and pulls me behind him until we’re standing in front of the dining table. A table that is now covered with dishes of pasta, chicken parm, tiramisu, and lit candles.
“Well, this is certainly romantic,” I say, turning my head to look at him.
He gestures for me to take a seat in the chair he’s pulled out for me. “If I can’t take you out on a proper date, it’s the least I can do.”
Dinner is easy. But that’s not a surprise. Being with Ryan is easy when we hide away in our bubble like this.
I’m placing the last of the dishes into the sink when I’m lifted and dropped on top of the counter, an entirely unflattering shriek escaping me. My hands land on Ryan’s shoulders to brace myself and he’s looking at me with a wild heat in his eyes. His mouth finds the side of my neck, planting a kiss at the junction where my neck and shoulder meet. I tilt my head to grant him better access. He drops another kiss, and another, working his way up.
“Have I told you yet how beautiful you are?” he whispers, breath tickling my ear.
“Not tonight,” I breathe out.
He hums. “My apologies. I suppose I’ll have to make up for that,” he says, nipping at my ear lobe, eliciting a gasp from me.
“How do you”—another gasp as he sucks on my neck—“plan to do that?” I ask.
He doesn’t answer as he scoops his hands under my ass, lifting me off the counter. My arms tighten around his neck and my legs wrap around his waist as he walks us to his bedroom where he unceremoniously dumps me onto the mattress.
