AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re in the back of the house,” Angela surmised as they walked down the corridor. “You didn’t pull any punches to impress Alejandro, did you?”
Daniel shook his head. “My goal was to show him I know luxury and the finer things in life. During halftime, I’d even procured us cigars in the owner’s lounge, but…” His voice trailed off.
“You don’t think I can handle a cigar with the big boys?” she teased.
He raised an eyebrow. “Can you?”
“Why don’t you try me?”
Daniel laughed. “I just bet you can.” He liked her bravado and that she wasn’t backing down from a challenge, but he doubted she’d ever smoked a cigar in her life, much less a fine Cuban cigar like the ones they had in the owner’s lounge. But he certainly gave her props for bluffing.
“I have a surprise first, though,” Daniel said as he led her through the corridor and toward the arena.
“What are we doing?” Angela asked when he walked up to security, pulled out a special badge and was allowed entry right onto the floor where the Heat warmed up.
“Just a little meet and greet,” Daniel said. “C’mon.”
A Miami Heat promotional staffer dressed in a team jersey approached them. “Daniel Cobb, good to see you, my man.” He gave Daniel a handshake.
“You, as well.”
“I really appreciate you hooking up the boys at the community center.”
“Of course,” Daniel said. “Prescott George is committed to helping those in need.”
The staff member shook his head. “Yeah, yeah, don’t give me the spiel. You didn’t have to give ten thousand dollars of your own money to the cause.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
“Well, it was appreciated. Are you and your lady ready to meet some of the players?”
Daniel turned to Angela and noticed she’d raised a brow at his use of the words your lady, but she remained silent. “Oh yeah, let’s do it.”
* * *
Angela couldn’t believe how warm, friendly and downright accommodating Daniel was being. Nor had she realized just how deep his ties to the community went. If she hadn’t heard for herself, she’d have thought of Daniel Cobb solely as a ladies’ man, but he was far more than the image he portrayed to the world.
After they’d smiled for several photographs with the starting lineup for the Miami Heat, Daniel took her to the Hyde lounge where they would have a bite before dinner. The lavish supper club was the ultimate experience, and Angela luxuriated in the appeal of being waited on with private bottle service at the table. Daniel was sparing no expense, and she couldn’t help wondering if he’d prearranged this for Alejandro Rivera. Or was this all for her?
She didn’t know.
And she didn’t care.
She was having too much fun seeing how the other half lived.
And Daniel was just the man to show her.
“You’re just a mass of contradictions,” Angela said when he regaled her with stories over appetizers and champagne. She hadn’t objected when Daniel had requested a bottle of an expensive champagne. Instead, she sipped the delicious drink, allowing it to delight her taste buds.
“What do you mean?”
“You come off that you’re all about business,” Angela replied, “but there are many layers to you. Perhaps some you don’t want to be seen.”
“I’m showing them tonight, to you,” Daniel responded, picking up his champagne flute and taking a sip. He held her gaze over the rim of the flute.
“Yes, you are,” Angela said. “Joshua mentioned that Prescott George fund-raises for charity. What else do they do?”
Daniel filled her in on his volunteer efforts with the organization that supported black youth. “I participate when time permits and when I can’t, I open my checkbook. But don’t go giving me all the accolades. I’m not the only member of Prescott George who gives back to the community. Even though it’s our mission statement, they’re words we all live by.”
“Very commendable,” Angela said. “And when you’re not giving back, what does Daniel Cobb do to relax?”
