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I smiled. “I’d say ‘anytime,’ but I don’t want you in that situation again.” My tone was more insistent than it probably should have been, and she canted her head, watching me curiously.
“Unfortunately, it goes with being a woman. I can pretty much guarantee it will happen again.”
“Not if I can help it,” I muttered under my breath.
“Pardon?”
“Glad I could help,” I replied a little louder.
She studied me for a moment, then her mouth curved into a gorgeous smile. “Well, thank you again. I don’t know how I’ll repay you.”
A million filthy ideas flooded my mind. I shoved them back, filed away for another day.
“I’m Talia Finch,” she announced as she extricated herself from my arms and held out her hand.
I raised an eyebrow, thinking it was awfully formal for someone who’d had their tongue down her throat. But I grinned and shook her hand. “Brady Summers.”
I didn’t let her go right away, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against the roughness of my palm. Her cheeks bloomed with pink, and I debated how to draw this out and spend more time with her.
Lines formed on her forehead as she continued to stare at me thoughtfully.
“I play for the New York Nighthawks,” I informed her, guessing that she’d been trying to place where she’d heard my name before.
“Ah, that’s why your name sounded familiar,” she mused. “My uncle is a huge fan.”
“And you’re not?” I placed my hand on my chest and pretended to be insulted.
Her laughter was a musical sound befitting a fairy-tale princess, and I smiled even wider.
“I’ve never really followed football. My dad and brothers are big into hockey.”
Hearing that she didn’t know the game and barely knew who I was, an idea began to form.
“Can I ask you a question?” She peered up at me shyly.
“Anything,” I replied automatically.
“I know it’s none of my business, but what did that guy mean about messing up your chance?”
The idea fully took shape, and I took the opening she’d so perfectly handed me.
“Our starting quarterback just landed himself on the injured reserve list, and I’m vying to take his spot while he’s out.” I tilted my head toward the door that Axton had dragged the weasel through. “Causing that motherfucker the kind of damage I was thinking about could trigger the honor code clause in my contract. I don’t need one more thing holding me back from earning that spot.”
“One more thing?”
Here we go…
It wasn’t a lie if Prentice had made the suggestion, right?
“Actually, there is a way you could pay me back.”
“Oh?” She brightened, and her fresh, innocent look turned me on even more.
“The owner of the team is a family man, and he likes players who are settled down. Not just to show they are putting down roots here, but it usually keeps those players from causing scandals. And he thinks we all need the same kind of happiness. Wife, kids, house on Long Island.” I grinned.
Talia smiled back at me. “I can see why he’d want that for you.”
I winked at her before adding, “Lennox Madison is famously obsessed with his wife and kids. According to Brielle, he’s possessive, overbearing, and quite the Neanderthal. But when she says it, she practically melts into a puddle, so I don’t think they’re meant as insults.”
