Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Right,” Brayden says slowly, “I remember that night. I thought for sure we were gonna get thrown out of Taco Loco. That girl was our waitress. Her and dipshit here,” he points to his friend, “exchanged a few words.”
My gaze settles on Asher, only to find that the scowl marring his expression has disappeared.
“I’m gonna need a little help getting back into the party spirit.” He squeezes the girls against him. “You ladies think you can assist with that?”
They perk up like they just won the lottery before nodding eagerly. He flashes a lazy smile before steering them into the dining room and then hallway where his room is located.
I glance at Crosby and shake my head. It all makes sense now. “You must have been there too, because you couldn’t wait for Asher to see her.”
Guilt flickers across his expression. “There aren’t many girls who take an instant dislike to the guy. Can I help it if I take a little pleasure in finding the one that does?”
I rise onto my tiptoes and nip his lower lip between my teeth before giving it a little tug.
Heat sparks in his dark eyes as I release him. “You know how much I like it when you get aggressive.”
I can’t help but snort.
He doesn’t just like it, the guy loves it.
“Now that the show’s over, are you ready to get out of here?”
Actually, I am.
With a nod, we wave to our friends and take off. Our hands are clasped as we head out the front door and down the sidewalk.
“You know that I’d much rather spend my time alone with you, right?”
I glance up at him as everything inside me softens. “And you know I feel the same.”
“I do.” He gives me a wink. “Play your cards right tonight, and I might just buy you a pizza afterward.”
Hmmm. The promise of sexy times with my handsome, football playing boyfriend and then pizza?
It sounds like the perfect evening to me.
EPILOGUE
CROSBY
Two years later…
I grab a glass of champagne and maneuver my way through the thick crowd, searching for Brooke. There has to be at least two hundred people at the fundraising event her mother and stepfather are throwing. We flew in this morning from California especially for it. Just as I catch sight of her on the other side of the room, delicate fingers wrap around my bicep, halting my progress.
“Crosby, darling, I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
I glance at the petite blonde who has sidled up beside me and paste a smile in place.
“Looks like you’ve found me,” I say easily.
Her lips lift at the corners ever so slightly. What I’ve come to learn throughout the years is that this is what a full-blown smile looks like on Elaine. She’s been injected with so much Botox that her face barely moves.
She loops her arm through mine as if afraid I might try to make a run for it. “There are a few friends I’d like to introduce you to.”
“Sure, no problem.”
For a tiny woman, she’s awfully strong. Not to mention bossy. She drags me easily through the sea of formally attired guests until we reach a group of people where introductions are made. It might have taken Elaine six months to let go of the idea that her daughter and ex would be getting back together, but she finally came around to it. Even if she didn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered. Once I’d made Brooke mine, there was no letting go.
Not ever.
A couple of the men bombard me with questions. As I talk about the team and season prospects, my gaze coasts over the crowd for the only woman I have eyes for. After a few minutes, I find her watching me from across the open space. A smile trembles around the corners of her red-slicked lips.
She understands how much I hate this shit.
She also realizes I’d do anything for her, and that includes being paraded around by her mother like a circus animal. Plus, I know how turned on the sight of me in a tux makes her. So, I’m anticipating a good night ahead for yours truly.
After roughly ten minutes, I make my excuses and break away from the group before Elaine can coerce me into meeting more of her friends. I’ve played this game before. She’ll monopolize hours of my time if I let her.
I keep my focus pinned to Brooke as I wind my way through the sea of glittering people. She looks gorgeous in a pale pink, low-cut gown with spaghetti straps. The sight is enough to have my cock stirring. I’m looking forward to getting her alone. As much as I enjoyed assisting her into that dress, I’ll enjoy stripping it off before laying her out on the bed like a fucking feast even more—because that’s exactly what her body is.