She was right about that, and I loved that she knew me so well. “I’m doing the press conference,” I confirmed. “But only because I’ve worked it out so we’re seriously limiting the amount of press, upping security, reducing the time, and you’re coming with me.”
Her eyes popped wide in surprise. “Coming with you, huh? You gonna keep me in your pocket from here on out?”
She was teasing, but her tone belied true concern, a concern I shared. I stepped into her space, cupping her gorgeous face in my palms. “I’m going with my gut on this one, babe. Something just doesn’t feel right. And the only thing that makes me feel remotely better is to have you with me.”
“Okay,” she agreed quietly. “Whatever you need.”
I dipped down, taking her full lips in a soft kiss. “Thanks, baby. Now, can we please eat?”
She laughed. “Yes, we can eat.”
When she walked down the stairs the next morning looking like a fucking goddess in jeans and a loose-fitting white top with her dark hair flowing around her in soft waves, I second-guessed taking her with me. Not because I didn’t feel like I’d taken every precaution, but because I didn’t want anyone else’s eyes on her.
“You look fucking edible,” I growled, pulling her into me.
“You already proved that earlier.” She grinned, lifting up on to her tiptoes to kiss me.
“If I could eat you every morning for breakfast, I would,” I murmured against her lips before pulling back to look into her bright green eyes. “You ready for this?” I asked, my tone betraying my concern. Her last experience with the press had hardly been positive.
She shrugged. “Compared to what else we’re dealing with? This is cake.” She winked.
Damn, my girl was tough as nails. I squeezed her hand. “Cake,” I agreed.
We piled into the back of one of the three SUVs that would be escorting us to the briefing. Gavin, the head of the team, gave us a stiff nod and pulled out of the driveway. The guy didn’t say much, but his guys were trained and none of them leered at my woman. Which had been a requirement when I’d hired him.
“No red carpet?” she teased when we’d arrived at nondescript building where the press conference would be held.
I towed her behind me, my hand wrapped around hers. “No frills today, baby.”
“I like it,” she answered matter-of-factly.
I didn’t doubt it, which was one of the many things I loved about her.
Security trailed behind us as discreetly as possible; the goal was to keep the situation with Brian under wraps. I guided Ellie off to the side, right where I could see her.
I leaned in for a kiss, and she obliged, pulling the bill of my Broncos cap down lower on my head.
“Be just a bit, baby,” I assured her.
“I’m good,” she murmured, giving me a gentle shove, which is just about the only thing that could coax me away.
“Come on, lover boy.” Coach harrumphed, clapping me on the back and pointing toward a seat behind the table, already set up with microphones.
And for the next thirty minutes, I did my part for the team. After Coach handled the questions about Marcus, I talked about the upcoming season, about training harder than I ever had, about winning. I gave them what they wanted, and they soaked it up like sponges.
“See you brought someone special today,” a reporter I was familiar with called.
“You were that pretty, I’d take you everywhere with me too.” I grinned, eliciting a chuckle from the crowd and a blush from Ellie.
Before I knew it, we were done, and I had Ellie’s hand back in mine, towing her toward the SUV. I knew it wasn’t realistic to keep her locked away forever, but having her out in the open literally had the hair standing on the back of my neck.
“You did great, babe,” she praised when we were making our way home. “You’re so natural in front of all those cameras. I would completely freeze up.”
“I’ve never liked it all that much. You get used to it. Just part of being able to play the game. So, what do you feel like doing tonight? I saw a truly awful-looking horror movie that just came out, totally up your alley.” I grinned over at her.
“Sounds perfect,” she replied, unperturbed by my teasing. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said it was her favorite genre. I’d now been subjected toEvil Dead 2at least three times.
“I’m gonna go change,” she announced when we got home. “You want to order a pizza?”
