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"You answer my question, and I'll answer yours," I negotiate, which earns me a huff. But a huff is probably better than telling her I started researching how to say filthy things to her in the language she grew up speaking.
"You didn't say anything wrong, Gray. Well, offering to fire me was kind of shady," she clarifies. "You just said something about putting your skate up his ass, and it made me think that I'd love to bring him back to kick his ass, right after I bring Ana back. So see? Not your fault. I just miss her."
Damn. I wish she were here right now so I could wrap her up in my arms and hug the shit out of her.
"I'm sorry you lost her,querida," I say.
"Me too."
"You two were close."
"Yeah. She was my best friend." I hear the wistful smile in her voice. "She and Adrian were a few years older than me, but they always let me chase them around. She was shy, but if anyone tried to exclude me, she'd read them the riot act."
"I wish I could have met her," I say, meaning it.
She gets quiet on me again.
"I've been learning Portuguese since this morning. Kelsey told me your family is from Brazil," I say.
"Yeah," she says, her voice soft. "My mama moved here with her family when she was a little girl. You really started learning Portuguese today?"
"Yes." I swallow hard. I'm obsessive and completely fucking smitten, but I don't want to freak her out. "I thought maybe you'd hate me less for offering to fire you if I could apologize in Portuguese." Which is what I looked up to begin with, but then I started thinking about all the dirty things I could say to her. And now here we are.
"Oh," she whispers. "That's really sweet, Gray. But I don't hate you."
"Then go out with me. You can tell me all about your sister, and I'll tell you about mine."
"You have a sister?"
"I do. Her name is Trinity." I smile. My sister is great. She's seven years younger than me, but we've always been close. She started out modeling when she was younger, but she now runs an agency for plus-size models in Los Angeles. She was just named one of Le CRV magazine'sWomen of the Year. I miss the hell out of her.
"I bet you're wrapped around her little finger," Camila says with a laugh that has those hearts beating out of my eyes again. I want to hear it every day for the next fifty years or so, minimum. It's so damn sweet.
"Yeah, I am," I admit, not ashamed of it. "She loves busting my balls almost as much as Kelsey does. You'll love her when you meet her."
"Um…"
Shit. Slow down, Gray. You're freaking her out.
"Can I tell you something?"
"I guess so?"
I smile at her question.
"I don't date," I say, blowing out a breath. "I'm terrible at it and I'm an awkward bastard. So I'm probably fucking this all up, but I like you, Camila. I think you're sexy as hell, you're smart, you stand your ground, and you don't give a shit who I am. This isn't about getting into your pants, though I'm not gonna lie. I've thought about that at least every five minutes since I met you. You're a knockout. But I want to get to know you. Give me one date, and if you still think I'm an asshole athlete, I'll leave you alone."
At least, I'll try to leave her alone. I'll probably fail miserably at it, but if she doesn't feel the same way, I'll back off until she does. It'll suck, but I don't want a fling with her. I'd propose right now if I thought she'd say yes. That's how addicted I am. So I'm ready to do whatever I have to do to get her on the same page.
"I like you too," she admits after a long pause that has me sweating bullets. And then I just feel like a damn legend because she likes me too. And I know for a fact it has nothing to do with me being a hockey player or with how much money I make. I'm pretty sure those both count against me here, truth be told. She likes me.
I touch my dick again.
I know, I know. I'm going to hell. It is what it is.
"Fine, one date," she says.
Fuck yeah!
