“Everyone’s all ramped up about the game tomorrow.” He leaned into the leather seats. “Coach, Stubbs, Hickson .”
I threaded my fingers through his strong hands. “You know no matter what happens, it’s going to be okay .”
He flinched. “We are going to win .”
“Well, right. I mean, you’re going to win, and then we go to the next play off game and the next. Wait, how many games are there before the Super Bowl ?”
He laughed. “For a brilliant woman, I like it when you don’t know shit about something .”
“Hey.” I punched him in the leg .
“Fuck.” He grabbed at his thigh .
“Sorry. Did I do something? I didn’t mean to hit you hard .”
He shook his head. “No, no, just a muscle cramp .”
I looked at him suspiciously, but the car pulled up and I didn’t have a chance to question him. The driver deposited our bags on the curb and I followed Wes into the hotel .
“I’ll take you up to the room and you can rest or read. And then I’ll pick you up for dinner at seven. Sound good?” We rode in the elevator to the top floor .
“Okay. I might go out for a walk or something .”
“Sure. Here’s the room key.” He handed it to me. “You brought that slutty dress of yours, didn’t you ?”
“It’s not slutty.” I defended my only black cocktail wear .
He eyed me .
“Okay, it’s completely slutty, but you don’t have to say it .”
“Should I call it the I-promise-to-fuck-you dress?” He bit the bottom of my ear and I felt my knees wobble. My panties were soaked, and my mouth was dry. I hadn’t seen him in six hours and I wanted him .
“What if I can’t wait until dinner?” I was on my toes, trying to draw him closer .
“Oh, you’re being really naughty right now .”
I pulled on his arms. “Like you don’t try to make me late for work .”
“Every day, baby.” He unwrapped his hands from me and tossed a credit card on the sideboard. “If you didn’t bring the slutty dress, you can buy a new one.” He winked. “See you at seven .”
I crossed my arms as the door closed. Great. I picked up the credit card. At least I could shop .
* * *
I breezed through the lobby, holding my new dress over my shoulder. The woman at the boutique had layered it in tissue and zipped it inside a silk cover. If this didn’t totally distract Wes, nothing would. I grinned, thinking how much fun it would be when he peeled it off my body .
“Oh honey, we weren’t sure you’d be here .”
I stopped in my tracks. It was Gloria. There was nowhere to hide in the monstrous lobby .
“Hi, you two.” Bud was standing next to his wife. I wondered if the man ever wiped that scowl from his face .
“Looks like you did some shopping .”
“While Wes is in meetings, I thought I’d go out. I used to live in D.C., so I hit some of my old shopping spots .”
“So would that make you a Sharks fan?” It was the first time Bud had acknowledged me .