Page 86 of Forbid It

“Thank you.”

I barely register the crowd around us, but I know they’re still there. Observing.

I’m used to crowds watching my every move on the pitch, sometimes at events and after games when the paparazzi harass me, but this is another level. She can’t go anywhere without all eyes on her. Including mine.

“Pip is throwing an afterparty later,” Cassie tells me. “Maybe I can get you on the list.”

Typically, the words ‘after’ and ‘party’ are accompanied by my bed and my white noise machine, but I bite back my smile. “So exclusive.”

“It pays to have friends in high places.”

I nod once, already sad to see her go. I only came to this stupid thing because I knew she’d be here, but it’s not like I was going to be able to spend the whole night trailing behind her like a pet dog, no matter how much I may want to.

“See you later.”

She gives me one more sly glance before prowling away.

A hand grabs my shoulder. “There you are,” Santi says, giving me a fist bump. “Don’t you look like a prized chicken.”

I laugh. “So do you.” He’s in a full black suit, satin shirt open to his mid-drift and showing off his tattoos.

“This is Carmen.” Santi tugs his wife into our little group with a friendly smile. She’s petite, with long dark hair slicked back into a tight ponytail.

“Ah, Carmen,” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “You look lovely. I’ve heard so much about you. Your husband literally doesn’t shut up about you.”

Carmen laughs. “I trained him well.”

“Can you give me some tips? Still trying to get him to work on his footwork.”

I get the right response when Carmen tilts her head back and laughs.

“Hey!” Santi says incredulously. “As if you can talk.”

Thankfully, I find out I’m sitting next to Santi and a few other guys from the team for the dinner. By the time we make it to our seats, we’ve gathered a solid group of teammates and their dates. I’m the only one flying solo.

I try to keep it subtle as my eyes scan the room, looking for her. Cassie’s already sat at a table with her father on one side of her and another couple beside her. She’s in a deep conversation, a smile on her face as she says something to make the woman next to her throw her head back in a laugh.

I can’t help the smile that pulls at my face as she glances up and looks straight at me.

I shoot her a wink as I take a sip of my drink and relish in the way she bites her lip before she turns back at her table mate.

It’ll be a good few hours until I can see her up close again, but it’s a nice view for now.

38

CASSIE

“How’s it going over here?” I ask as I approach the table of Rebels. I hover right behind Robbie. It’s criminal how good he looks. He’s wearing a goddamn cummerbund for fuck’s sake, like he’s an aristocratic duke, but the collar is open enough to show off the gold necklace that hangs between his firm pecs.

“Hey, Cassie.” Santi turns to smile at me. “Put our debate to rest. Sandals on a red carpet? Yes or no?”

I lean forward, letting my hand rest against the back of Robbie’s chair. I can’t resist letting my hails scratch against his shoulder blade. His shoulders barely fit in the chair, his white jacket discarded and white silk shirt barely containing his bulging muscles.

“I think you already know my answer to that one,” I tell Santi, leaning forward and letting my breasts press every so slightly against Robbie’s firm bicep.

Santi introduces me to his wife, and I reluctantly have to relinquish my hold on Robbie’s chair so I don’t dislocate my shoulder while I speak to someone four seats away.

“You guys are all welcome to come to the after party at La Boheme, by the way,” I tell the team, though I’m looking at Robbie as he drains the last of his drink. He catches me looking and shoots me another inconspicuous wink, and I have to fight back my grin. There’s something deliciously illicit about catching his eye across a crowded room, knowing that it’s his bed we’ll be tumbling into later.