Hard & Deep: A Football Romance

"Paul, I'm sure you have something at your house. My father is always talking about your amazing wine cellar," Jenna interjected, catching Mr. Hayes's attention. The waitress hovered for a moment, looking anxious until Mr. Hayes smiled.

"Jenna, that’s a wonderful suggestion," he grinned drunkenly at Tracy. Tracy nodded and she could practically see him wiggle with excitement. Tracy waved the waitress away, smiling at the look of relief flooding the poor thing's features. She knew what it was like when you couldn’t make a customer happy. She’d been in that situation one too many times herself.

The three of them worked their way to the entrance of the club. Mr. Hayes began looking for his keys before remembering that he’d given them to the valet. He laughed a little too loud and caught the attention of the club owner.

"Mr. Hayes, I hope you had a wonderful time this evening," the owner said, smiling at him. The glazed expression on Mr. Hayes' face revealed just how much he had to drink. The owner steadied the billionaire before speaking. "I would like to offer you the services of the club car to return you to your home. If you would like, I can have your car delivered to you."

"What do you mean the ‘club car’? I only drive myself," Mr. Hayes replied stubbornly. The club owner looked uncomfortable for a moment, but held firm.

"Mr. Hayes, I can't in good conscience let one of my favorite customers drive home drunk. I have been informed that there is a sobriety checkpoint outside the city tonight. I insist on providing you with a way home," the owner said, and stood firm, planting his feet in front of the valet.

"But... it's a forty minute drive to my house!" Mr. Hayes sputtered. His usual calm demeanor was quickly disappearing.

"All the more reason why I can't let you drive. You understand, don't you?" The club owner was starting to look more and more panicked. There was no way he was going to let Mr. Hayes drive, yet he was in danger of losing one of his most influential and important customers.

Luckily, Jenna stepped in. "Oh, Paul, let's just go to my apartment. It's only twelve blocks from here, and the drive won't be so bad. I'll find a way to keep you distracted," Jenna said sweetly. She batted her eyelashes up at him.

Tracy jumped in as well. "Besides, you know how I feel about drunk drivers," she said, rubbing the scar that ran from her eyebrow to her forehead. A souvenir of the time a drunk driver had almost ended her life. "It will be fine."

"You're right." He swallowed hard and nodded slowly.

Tracy could tell he was feeling trapped, but he didn't want to miss this opportunity with Jenna. The club owner wiped a nervous hand across his brow, smiling at the three of them. Until Mr. Hayes was safely into a car, he wouldn't be comfortable.

A large, fancy, black Town Car pulled up to the curb and the driver hurried around to open the door. Jenna squeaked with excitement and climbed into the car, giving the driver her address. Tracy gave Mr. Hayes a gentle push towards the car. He swallowed again, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of getting in a car he wasn't driving. He climbed slowly into the back seat next to Jenna, trying to smile as she jabbered away about how she always enjoyed being chauffeured around as a kid. Tracy smiled at the club owner and slid into the car.

The backseat was just large enough to hold the three passengers comfortably. Mr. Hayes's legs pressed into both Jenna’s and Tracy's knees, but there was enough space that they didn't feel cramped. As the car started rolling forward, Mr. Hayes' hands clenched into balls of tension. He licked his lips nervously, glancing out the windows and down the side streets.

The driver got in the turn lane and stopped for a red light. He pulled out at the green light just as a car blazed through the red light in front of them.

"What do you think you're doing? You are going to get us killed!" Mr. Hayes screamed at the driver. "Get out. I'll drive."

"Sir, I can't allow that. Please sit back and try to relax," the driver said calmly. He took the turn, and the car picked up speed. Mr. Hayes wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. Tracy could see perspiration beading on his forehead as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Jenna was oblivious to Mr. Hayes' obvious discomfort and kept trying to tell him funny stories about her prep school days. He gave her an empty smile, his eyes darting wildly around the cabin of the car.

"You need to be in the other lane. Did you even see that other car? I'm complaining to your supervisor," Mr. Hayes growled at the driver. His hands were white knuckled on his knees. Tracy put a hand on his. She could feel every muscle of his body tense and ready to run. His skin was cold and clammy. She could tell that it was only through sheer force of will that he hadn't jumped out of the car. She had never seen him look so nervous. If she didn't know better, she would have said he looked panicky and terrified. She never thought she would ever see Mr. Hayes look afraid of anything. It broke her heart to see him so distressed.

Tracy turned to Jenna. "Jenna, I think Mr. Hayes needs a little distraction." Tracy pulled Mr. Hayes' face towards hers and kissed him, deeply. He did seem to forget for a moment about not being in control, and ran his hand up her side. Jenna openly stared at them, her lower lip taut between her teeth. "Now, Jenna, why don't you distract him for a moment?"

Jenna smiled like a kid in a candy store, and threw herself at Mr. Hayes. While Tracy's kiss had been slow and sensual, Jenna's kiss was hungry and messy, like they were two teenagers parked at Lover's Lane. It was a stark contrast.

Tracy leaned in, and grabbed Jenna's chin. "This might distract you as well," she said, and leaned across Mr. Hayes, locking lips with Jenna. Tracy noticed how soft Jenna's lips were. Her youthful energy didn't subside for the kiss with Tracy, and soon her tongue was darting in and out of Tracy's mouth. Tracy's hand went to Jenna's hair, tasting the sweetness of Jenna's last drink and her lip gloss.

The kiss was working as a distraction, as the two women stole glances at Mr. Hayes. His eyes were fixed on them, and he was definitely excited. The whites of his eyes no longer flashed and his hands were relaxing against his legs. She wondered how far this kiss was going to go in order to keep him distracted.

She didn't need to worry, after all. For whatever reason, the car swerved. Tracy suspected that there was something in the road or another driver that needed to be avoided. Either way, the driver turned sharply, and Mr. Hayes was released from his trance. "Damn it, you are the worst driver I have ever seen. How did you even get this job?"

The driver didn't even look back, didn't even provide an excuse this time. Jenna kissed Mr. Hayes' cheek, tried to pull him in for another kiss, but his eyes were fixed on the road. The tension was back in his jaw and his eyes flitted around the car cabin looking for the best escape route. The moment was over. They'd have to wait until they got to Jenna's apartment to do any more.

Mr. Hayes nearly bowled Tracy over when the car came to a stop in front of Jenna's high rise apartment building. He bolted out of the car and onto the curb. Tracy could hear him breathing hard as he headed towards the steps. Putting his life in the driver's hands, a complete stranger, was torture for him.

Jenna giggled as she exited the car, still tipsy from the club. "Oh, this place gets bigger every time I come home!"

Jenna said, dancing up the stairs. Tracy handed the driver some money and thanked him. She knew that there was no way Mr. Hayes was going to tip him despite the fact that he had done his job well. At least money wasn't an issue for her anymore. She would just get more from him later to make up for it.

By the time that she turned back to the building, the doorman had the door open and Jenna was on her way in. "I love the marble floors of the lobby, too!" She spun in circles, nearly colliding with a man exiting the building. Tracy watched her youthful energy. Tracy knew that she was still young as well, but could she keep up with this?

Mr. Hayes followed, seeming to forget the horrible car ride over here. It did look like it had sobered him up a little bit, though. He was no longer swaying as he walked, now fixated on Jenna as she playfully made her way to the elevator. The three of them got in, and Jenna pushed the button to the top floor. Tracy felt Mr. Hayes began to rub her backside, and she looked over to see that he was doing the same to Jenna. This was definitely going to be a night he never forgot.