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I’d sent Dakota a text the night before, telling her I’d be there to pick her up at noon and to dress casually. My workout with Dempsey had been the perfect distraction since I was an early riser and had been up since six.
When I got home, I put my gym bag away and tossed a load of laundry into the washing machine, then got ready to go. The cab ride from Midtown to West Harlem would take at least thirty minutes, but I didn’t want to be late, so I left at noon. It was the middle of the day on a Friday, so I didn’t expect much delay. However, I made it there with only ten minutes to spare due to the construction on Amsterdam.
Before I could even get out of the taxi, Dakota walked outside and took my breath away. She wore a loose, sleeveless top with the front tucked into jean shorts that showed off just enough leg that I wouldn’t demand she go inside and change. Her wedge sandals displayed cute, pink-painted toes, and though the shoes weren’t as high as her heels from last night, they would still put her above an average-sized man.
I climbed out of the car and shut the door just as she reached me. “Hey, baby,” I greeted her, brushing a soft kiss over her lips.
“Hi,” she breathed, staring up at me with a dazed expression and pink cheeks.
“Are you ready?”
She laughed and shrugged. “As ready as I can be when I have no idea what we’re doing.”
“You’ll see,” I teased. It was a beautiful day, so we walked out to 135th and Broadway to catch the D train. The train was pretty full since school was out for the summer, so kids traveled to the many activities in the city this time of year.
We stood near the doors, holding a pole, and as the train began to move, I glanced down to see Dakota watching me with a gleam of surprise in her beautiful brown eyes.
“Something on your mind?”
Her cheeks bloomed with color again, and she looked at the ground for a second before meeting my gaze again. “I guess I’m a little surprised that we’re taking public transportation to wherever we’re going. I…well, honestly, I’m impressed.”
I laughed and slipped an arm around her waist as the train took a sharp turn. “Yeah, I know a lot of people with my kind of money have private drivers or take a car service. But I grew up here, so it’s just natural to get around the way I always have.”
Dakota opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off by a skinny, teenage boy who looked nervous and a little green.
“Are you”—he gulped hard—“Dude…are you Ames Yarrow?”
I hoped the kid wasn't about to pass out. “I am,” I replied with a smile. I was a damn good ballplayer, but they wouldn’t pay me a fuck ton of money if I didn’t bring fans to the stadiums. So I was always friendly when approached; I just hoped Dakota wouldn’t be annoyed by it. This wasn’t uncommon, although with a city of eight million people, I certainly made my way around without being recognized a good portion of the time. When I glanced at her, though, her eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I’m…um…Kenny. I’m your biggest fan. Well”—he laughed nervously—“I guess you hear that a lot. But seriously, you’re my idol.”
“Thanks, Kenny,” I said warmly, trying to put him at ease. “Do you like to play football?”
Kenny lit up like I’d just told him Christmas was coming early this year. “Yes! I want to be an offensive lineman, but…” He looked down at his body, then up at me again. “I need to bulk up a bit.”
That was an understatement. But I loved the kid’s enthusiasm, and while it wouldn’t be easy, he could definitely build himself up to have the physique of a lineman. “Don’t let anyone make you settle for another position, Kenny,” I advised him. “Keep working toward your goal. You’ll get there. I did.”
“You were skinny?” he asked, his tone hopeful.
“Like a reed,” I confirmed with a chuckle. “I was tall and had strong bones, but yeah, I was gangly. It took a couple of years of dedicated training to just get the coach to put me on the team.”
“Wow,” he said with a whoosh of air. “Can I have your autograph?” He immediately frowned and glanced at his hands before he stuck them in his pockets to search for something. “Crap. I don’t have any paper.”
“Here.” Dakota handed me a note card and pen. When I raised my brow, she giggled. “I’m still in school mode. I always have index cards with me.”
So fucking adorable. I wanted to kiss her for already seeing that the kid didn’t have anything to get my signature and being ready with it when I needed it. “Thank you,” I murmured, my expression soft. She blushed and nodded, then gestured toward Kenny.
Right. Focus.I clicked the pen and wrote a quick note, then handed the card to Kenny.
He stared at it with awe before looking up at me again with another full-wattage smile. “Thanks! You’re the best!” Then he turned around and walked away with a swagger to his steps that hadn’t been there before.
Dakota giggled, and I smiled down at her. “That poor kid was so nervous, I thought he just might throw up on you. But you were so great with him.” Her eyes were soft and her plump lips were parted, making me ache to taste her again.
“Most of the time, the fans are really great. I hope you didn’t think that was rude.”
She looked taken aback by my comment and shook her head. “Of course not. If I saw one of my heroes, I’d hope they were half as nice about me barging in on their date as you were to Kenny.” Her expression soured just a smidge when she added, “Now, if any women come up and try to throw themselves at you, I doubt I’ll be very understanding. ”
I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t because just the thought of another man touching her made me feel almost homicidal. So I didn’t want her to think I didn’t take her comment seriously.
