Play Maker (Bitsberg Knights Duet)

He laughed as I winked at him. “Deal.”

Minutes later, we both had a bottle in hand and were seated on the couch. I drew my legs up onto the cushion and faced Ross as he sat in the corner where the L-shaped pieces connected.

After a little while, he set his bottle on the coffee table and pushed off the couch. “So, I know it’s a little late, but I got you a Christmas present.”

A big smile stretched over my face as he crossed the living room, going back toward the front door. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I wanted to.” He pulled open a slim drawer built into the cherry wood desk in the entryway where he’d dropped off his keys. “It’s selfish, really.”

“Selfish?”

Ross didn’t answer. He pulled an envelope from the drawer and came back to rejoin me on the couch. “Open it. You’ll see.”

I grinned up at him and took the envelope. It was heavier than I’d expected, and I tore it open carefully so I wouldn’t damage the contents. I peeked inside and pulled out two slick pieces of paper. The first was a ticket to the Knights vs. Cougars game. “This is in New York?” I asked, reading the front of the ticket.

“That’s what the second ticket is for,” Ross said.

I glanced up at him and then peeled back the first ticket to see that the second was a first-class plane ticket to New York for the morning of the game. My eyes flew to Ross’s. “Oh, my gosh!”

His lips rolled inward as he smiled, looking guilty. “Like I said, selfish. I’m really just trying to fill out my cheering section.”

“Right, totally selfish. I can’t believe I’ll have to endure in-flight champagne, a hit movie, and a warm blanket. Not to mention reclining chairs—all for your damn ego. How despicable!” I teased.

He chuckled, and I fought the urge to lean into him, to feel the vibrations of his rich, deep laugh. “I booked a hotel suite too, so you’ll probably have to suffer through some gourmet chocolates and fancy wine as well.”

With a mocking sigh, I rolled my eyes. “The horror! Make it stop! Next, you’ll be telling me about a massage.” I peeked over at him.

“Is that a hint?”

“It sure would take the edge off all the other trauma.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

I glanced down at the tickets in my hands. “Seriously, though, thank you.”

“I hope this wasn’t too presumptuous,” Ross said quietly, reaching for my free hand and holding it in my lap. “I can book a separate room if that would make you more comfortable. Beauman’s lady, Lacey, is going as well. I’m sure you two would hit it off. She’s really cool, works with underprivileged kids here in the city.”

“Yeah, that’d be great. I’m so excited!” I hoped she wasn’t the playboy bunny type, but I kept my mouth shut. If she was—I didn’t want to sound ungrateful. Not after this fine hunk of man candy just handed me a first-class ticket to his game in New York of all places.

“Oh, and another little perk of this game?” Ross put his thumb and forefinger up, leaving a tiny space between them. “Chance Beauman is a huge star. Way bigger than I am and he buys luxury box seats.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, I don’t really know how New York is set up, but usually, they have a bar, a TV to watch the game up close, comfortable seats, and a private bathroom. And I think they’re catered—and have a heater.”

“Wow. This is going to be insane. What’s Chance’s girlfriend's name again?”

“Lacey. She’ll be in first class with you on the flight.” He looked down at our entwined hands, deep in thought, as he softly rubbed my thigh with his thumb. “I’m glad you like it, Shelby. I really want you to be there.”

His beautiful eyes quickly flickered to my lips before moving back up to my eyes, where they stayed locked, causing me to lose my train of thought. I didn’t think I’d ever had a man look at me the way Ross was right now. He might think his gift was selfish, but it meant something to me that he wanted me there with him, and I could see that sentiment written all over his face.

“Ross, this is so sweet. I’m so excited to see you play again in person. This is the best pres—” I couldn’t even find my voice to finish when Ross’s hand moved from holding mine to trailing up my thigh.

He closed the remaining space between us, and I sucked in a deep breath as my body shivered against his solid chest, his hand making its way between my legs at a torturously slow pace. My nipples were hard under my bra, and I ached to be free of the constriction to feel his bare skin against mine. The thought of his rock-hard muscles against my breasts had me squirming in my seat. My thighs clenched tightly around his hand, trying to ease the pressure building between them.