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“But the other part of you wants to be a baaaad girl,” Erin laughed.
“It's almost like a blessing in disguise. I’m tired of soccer, so I sprained my ankle and got a few days off. I would be crazy to turn that down.”
“I can’t argue with that. But can we also admit that turning down a weekend with Rhys Peyton would be crazy as well.”
“He’s just a means to get by,” I laughed, playing off how right she was. “Gotta go, though.”
My timing was impeccable, as a knock on my door followed those words.
“Say hi to the sexy superstar,” Erin sang before hanging up.
“Coming,” I yelled, taking my time navigating the short distance from my bathroom to the door. My ankle really did feel better but I could feel a twinge where the pain was prominent the night before. It was definitely too sore to walk on all day, but getting to the car wouldn't be a problem. I just hoped Rhys didn’t plan on sprints down the field, or a scrimmage. Maybe he would take me to a movie and let me sit in the dark with my feet up.
“That would be a date, you idiot,” I scolded myself quickly before opening the door. “H…eeyyyyy.” Without even saying hello, Rhys scooped me into his arms and kicked the door closed behind him. “What are you doing?”
“No need to walk on that foot now that I’m here.”
“It feels better,” I laughed. “You can’t carry me all day.”
“I can if you stop squirming.”
I steeled myself, and pulled back to look at his face. He had a few days of growth on his jaw, his dark eyes were sparkling with excitement, and he smelled like peppermint and sandalwood. It was a definite contrast to seeing him on the field. Less sweat, his hair somewhat in place, and he wore jeans instead of his normal workout clothes.
“Anything you need to grab?” He asked, turning me around in the room to look.
“Just my bag,” I pointed to the hook on the door of the bathroom where I kept a crossbody bag. It served as a purse, gym bag, school bag, and whatever else I needed it for. Rhys walked to the door and lifted me up so I could get the strap over the hook, then he settled me back down and made his way to the door.
Once I was placed into his car, I watched as he rounded the front of the hood, tapping it twice as he passed by. My eyes caught the watch he wore, paired with a few leather bracelets, along with a long-sleeved Henley that was too hot for Miami. It made me think that whatever he had planned would be indoors.
With the music up, and the windows down, we drove away from the university toward the stadium where the Miami Inferno played. I was wearing flip flops and cut off jean shorts, so to keep myself from freaking out, I picked at the strands of fabric at the bottom of my shorts. Rhys shifted the gear in the car smoothly, and his hair was blowing in the wind. His sunglasses covered his eyes, but I could see a soft smile on his lips. The combination was sexy, and I started to pant like a dog. Only I was able to keep my tongue in my mouth—thank God.
I didn’t know what Rhys had planned, but I knew one thing for sure. The heat taking over my body was not from the weather.
Rhys just made Miamiextrahot.
ChapterTwelve
Rhys
“Here, put this on.” I handed Ash one of my Inferno jerseys and grabbed another one for myself. “Over your shirt is fine.”
I pulled my Henley off, and stood there shirtless for a minute while I took in Ash’s confused stare. She was holding the jersey on one finger and was silent, her eyes trying to look anywhere but at me.
There was nothing special about what I had planned, but I knew she would say no if I told her before I got her where I wanted her. Ash seemed like the good girl type, and even though our day was going to consist of far less offenses than drugs and human trafficking, she wouldn’t go through with it willingly.
“Put it on,” I urged, snickering at my own words. Never in my life had I said those words to a woman as gorgeous and tempting as Ash.
“Can I ask you a question?” Ash found her voice, but her eyes were still trying to stay off of my naked torso. “What happened last night?”
“What do you mean?” I knew what she meant, but I needed to buy time while I thought of an honest answer, without telling her the truth.
No one knew about Mel except those closest to me, and there was no way I was going to start spilling my guts to Ash. Especially when she was somehow making me feel human again.
Why did she have to be so curious?
I was two seconds away from telling Ash to relax all weekend, that our lie to Colin would just have to stand on its own. Anything to avoid her asking more questions. Didn’t she see how uncomfortable I got?
“I mean,” Ash sighed. “You got lost last night. Backed away. Spooked. I don’t know. You ordered me food and rearranged my apartment, then walked out like ‘nothing to see here.’ But then showed up this morning acting like nothing happened. So, what happened?”
