Page 38 of Offsides

“You said you needed my help?” she countered, changing the subject.

"Yes, with the Unified signing,” he said, gesturing over to the stage they’d set up for the event. “Keaton will announce each participant, and when their name is called, they’ll walk down the red carpet, meet Felicity and me at this table, sign their contract, and then we’ll take a picture with them holding a jersey with their name on it.”

“That’s so cool. Just like the draft.”

“That’s our idea. We want to help make these kids feel special, like they are just as celebrated as our first-team players. So, my thought, if you’re willing, is to put you on the other side here, and after the photo, have them come to you to be interviewed. Doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—‘are you excited’ or ‘are you having fun’—that kind of thing.”

“I know how to interview people. It’s my job,” she reminded him. She narrowed her eyes at him, like she couldn’t believe he would think otherwise, so he raised his hands in surrender.

“Touché. The one little thing is…” he paused, wanting to make sure he said this right. “Some of the participants are partially nonverbal, so they may take a little extra prompting. Our first guy up, Tanner, is one of them.”

“Oh, okay. Well, that does present a new challenge, but nothing we can’t work with. Felicity introduced me to Saxony earlier. That’s Tanner mom, yes?” Theo asked. Cowboy nodded, trying to follow where she was going with this. “If she’s still around and willing to assist me, I can have her stand on the other side of the camera with Steve and help prompt me, or the participant, or translate if need be?”

Cowboy’s heart soared. The idea to add this on had come to him as he was leaving her place this morning, and he had no clue if she’d be into it or not. He’d hoped that he could convince her. After all, it was exclusive material no one else would have. Theo wasn't just agreeing to it though, she was taking the idea and running with it, morphing it into something even better than he’d imagined. And that might just have been the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Theo might keep it locked up tight, but her heart was as big as the state of Georgia, and Cowboy couldn’t help but curse himself for almost missing out on this. He still didn’t love the media, but these last few days with Theo was making him think that maybe—just maybe—they weren’t all so bad.

“Am I free to use the footage on Sports Down South? Matthew would be all over this, and I think it would make a fun segment to show off these interviews, introduce the city to these players.”

“We gave you the exclusive access, didn’t we?”

“Yes, and I hope I get this access when Beau Blackwood arrives.”

Cowboy groaned. “If I am still alive and haven’t suffered a painful death from you asking that question seven bajillion times, yes. You get first interview with Beau.”

“So, when does he arrive?” she inquired, her face turning mischievous.

Cowboy bit back a laugh. This woman might have him tied up in knots, but not so much he was going to give everything away. Long gone was his annoyance at her asking though. In its place was a tenderness that he couldn’t name. Hell, he thought it was cute the way she’d even snuck it in there.

“Soon.”

“That’s all I get? Soon?”

“For now.”

Looking around, he made sure no one was watching them. Most of the group was far off to the side, not paying any attention to them. Cowboy took a step forward, closing the gap between him and Theo, placing his hands on her hips. They molded to her soft curves instantly, feeling like they were made to sit right there, holding her. He placed a quick, soft kiss to her hairline.

“Britt!”

“I love the way you say my name,” he whispered, taking a step back. Every inch of him wanted to scoop her up and haul her into his office, where he could worship her until she was screaming his name all over again. But they both had things to do. “Let’s find Sax, shall we? Get this show on the road?”

Fifteen minutes later, they had found Saxony, gotten the interview area set up, and the event was underway. One by one the names were called, each new Unified player making their way down the red carpet. Their smiles were as big as they were, the joy radiating off them palpable as they signed their contracts and held up their new official jerseys. Watching each one react to the news that they were going to not only be interviewed, but by Theo Kappas for Sports Down South, was next level though. It was a dream come true for these kids who were used to being outsiders, and Cowboy was over the moon they were able to make it happen.

As the last of the players made their way over to Theo, bouncing up and down as she waited to be interviewed, Cowboy took a moment to drink in the beauty in front of him. She was in her element, all calm and natural as she talked to her current interviewee about how excited he was about this moment. The young man had a strong speech impediment, making him kind of hard to understand, but Theo stood there patiently, her showtime smile shining, hanging on every word he said. Just as if he’d been some big-name recruit who was rambling on, thanking God and his mama.

That was when it hit him.

He did want more with this woman. Reporter or not, there was something special about Theo Kappas. He’d been drawn to her since the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, and now that he’d gotten a taste, he wanted more. No, not just more—he wanted all of her. He was tired of fighting it. He’d just have to figure out how to deal with the whole media portion of her life, because she belonged in his.

Theo turned to him, the last interviewee wandering off to join the rest of the group on the pitch. The smile on Theo’s face made his dick twitch. They were due out on the practice field to join in the first team versus unified team game, but that could wait. His desire for her could not.

“Follow me,” he said to her, nodding toward his office.

Without skipping a beat she followed him down the hall, the clacking of her heels against the tiles echoing throughout the building. With each sound, Cowboy’s heart beat faster, counting down the seconds until he was alone with her. Finally reaching his office, he pulled her inside, slamming the door shut. Tugging Theo into him, her soft form crashing to his, Cowboy’s hand found her ass, lifting her up, pushing her right back up against the door they’d just closed.

“I…we’re…” she panted, her voice low.

Theo wiggled her hips, wrapping her legs around his waist. Cowboy could feel his heart pounding against his chest, or was that hers? It didn’t matter. All that he cared about was feeling her against him.

“Isn’t there a scrimmage we’re supposed to be at?” she asked.