Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Jake,” Kiera exclaims.
Drake chokes back a laugh and touches his son’s shoulder. “Lay off the adult words, kiddo.” He then turns him toward me. “This is my oldest and clearly, he’s very smart and can spell big words. Jake… this is Daddy’s boss, Ms. Norcross.”
“My dad was a butthole?” Jake asks, cutting an impish grin to his dad.
I bend at the waist, my hands on my knees. “No, honey… he was frustrated and didn’t express himself well.”
“Ever the diplomat,” Drake says, head inclined in respect. He twists slightly so I can see the boy in his arms. “This is Colby. And the rug rat clinging to Aunt Kiera is Tanner.”
I smile at the boys, not knowing what to say. I can’t shake their hands like they’re potential business partners, and I clearly have no clue what’s appropriate to talk about. I would’ve never thought a seven-year-old could spell asshole, but there you have it.
Instead, I smile at Drake. “I know how happy you are to have them here, and I’m glad you got to bring them to the arena before the game.”
His eyes bore into mine, and I’d like to imagine they are secretly saying, I wish I could have five minutes alone with you, but I’m sure he’s more preoccupied with family and the game.
Drake nods. “One of the best things that has happened in the last few weeks.”
The intensity in his stare and the emphasis on the word one causes my skin to prickle. I can tell without him clarifying a damn thing that I’m one of the other best things, and an annoying ache stirs between my legs, accompanied by a twinge in my heart.
“That’s wonderful,” I manage. I turn to Kiera to avoid Drake’s regard. “I know you’re new to the area and will need to get settled in, but I’d love to have you join me and some of the other Titan women for lunch sometime.”
“Titan women?” Drake asks, eyebrow arched. Colby wiggles in his arms, and he sets him down, only to take his hand so he doesn’t jet off.
“Me, Jenna, Harlow, Sophie, and Tillie when she’s in town,” I explain.
That produces a slight frown as I’m sure he’s wondering what the Titans’ owner is doing hanging out with the love interests of some of the players, but it’s Kiera I give my attention to. “Let me give you my phone number.”
After Kiera and I exchange contact information, I say my goodbyes and make a beeline for Harlow and her parents. My heart is racing after that encounter, and I try to take stock of why that is.
I think it’s because I wanted to make a good impression on Drake, and that bothers me. I don’t want to have to worry about those things. I don’t want to have to change my behavior for him, and I don’t want him to mean anything more than a good time.
I also know that I don’t always get what I want.
For the next hour, I hang out in the lounge, spending time with the players and families. None of them stay long. Drake only hangs around a few minutes before he walks out with his sister and kids.
As I head back up to my office to get some work done before the game starts in a few hours, my phone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket—God bless dress pants with big pockets for phones—and see a text from Drake.
I love having my kids here, but I hate that I won’t be able to stick it to the league tonight.
I smile as I step into the elevator, my thumbs flying over the screen. You can stick it to the league on Tuesday night in Boston.
After I hit Send, I type a few more words. BTW, my test was negative.
Neither one of us has mentioned the STD test that Drake reminded me about at the charity dinner. I never promised I would get one and have no clue if he did. In fact, we’ve had no communication since he left my house that night.
When he replies, a flush of heat travels through my body and pools between my legs. Seriously, Brienne? Now I’m going to be thinking of fucking you bare all night.
I don’t know why it pleases me so much. I clearly don’t want his game affected, and I know it really won’t be. Drake’s too much of a professional.
It’s enough to know that he wants me more than any man has ever wanted me before.
Good luck tonight, I text back. Get us a win.
He doesn’t respond, but I didn’t expect him to. I bet he’s already back in game mode, and despite his attention and sexy words, it’s exactly where I want him to be.
CHAPTER 17
Drake
Brienne Norcross is driving me fucking crazy. And she’s not really doing anything other than existing. I trot off the team bus as it pulls in front of the hotel. We beat Boston 3–2 tonight, and the mood is jubilant. Most of the guys are going out, but I declined the invitation.