Hard & Deep: A Football Romance

As time went on, the nervousness started to relent and gave way to a hesitant air of child-like excitement. Tracy knew that nothing was guaranteed: her restaurant, her relationship, the life that she was living. All of it could be so easily yanked out from under her by a few different people. If Gordon or Mr. Hayes had a change of heart, she knew that her dreams would go up in smoke. Still, that knowledge had been progressively pushed back into the recesses of Tracy’s mind.

Pulling up to the empty parking lot, it felt like Christmas morning.

Tracy shifted and sat up in her seat. From inside, the light from the kitchen poured through the empty slits of the windows.

"Looks like we aren’t the first ones here." Mr. Hayes glanced around and pulled the Town Car into a spot near the back door. "Where is his car, though?"

"He doesn’t have a car."

Mr. Hayes scoffed, "Why wouldn’t he have a car?"

"Why would he? He’s staying at The Starmore until he gets settled, and you know they would give him a ride to China if he asked for one."

The local ritzy hotel, The Starmore was a luxury tower that rose high above the city’s bustling streets. Only the most elite businessmen stayed there, including Mr. Hayes. Tracy, on the other hand, had only ever heard about it.

Mr. Hayes chuckled. "I suppose you’re right."

They climbed out of the car and were immediately hit by the wafting smell of bacon, garlic and simmering onions, along with sage and many other scents serving as undertones."I hope that’s coming from my restaurant."

"Well let’s go find out."Tracy hurried through the unlocked back door. When she stepped in, a more concentrated form of the outside smell hit her in the face. It was the most welcoming assault on her senses that she’d ever experienced.

"Gordon?" she called out.

The famous chef peeked his head around the corner. He had a black bandana wrapped around his head and his chiseled cheeks glistened with small beads of sweat. It was obvious that he had been working for quite some time.

They locked eyes just long enough for her to see him sizing her up. It was a look that she (and most women on the planet) knew well, though his stolen glances at her body were stealthy. Still, Tracy saw his eyes quickly taking in the feminine curves of her body, all the way up to the loose, tousled curls that she had carefully ironed in. His pupils dilated enough that she blushed.

"Hey there! Is this the elusive Paul Hayes?" he asked, pretending as if he hadn't just checked her out.

Mr. Hayes smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"Same to you," Gordon said. "Give me just a minute?"

Tracy responded this time. "Sure. We’ll be around the corner."

He smiled and ducked back behind the eggshell-colored column. Mr. Hayes reached out and touched Tracy’s lower back. A patch of it was exposed by a low sling of black fabric that hung just above her round ass. The whole thing draped off of her in a way that reminded her of a Greek goddess.

She spun around, feeling a sudden burst of friskiness from out of nowhere. She grinned at him. "Yes, Mr. Hayes?"

It felt good to smile. To flirt. It had been some time since she actually felt like her old self. Months, maybe.

"He’s more handsome than I was imagining," Mr. Hayes observed. Tracy thought there might even be a hint of jealousy.

Tracy gave up a short laugh and let her tense shoulders relax a little. After all, this might be the only time in her life where she would be sitting down with a world-renowned chef to taste what would become the menu for her restaurant, not to mention the fact that her billionaire boyfriend was there as her guest.

My restaurant, she thought to herself and looked around. Though Gordon bought a few things for their meal, the shelves were still mostly bare. They wouldn't be for long, though. Tracy couldn’t help but allow herself to revel in all of it. If she tried hard enough, she could almost see the hustle and bustle of a busy Friday night, could just about hear the constant cacophony of pots, pans, dishes and foul-mouthed chefs.

"Hey," Mr. Hayes’ voice snapped her out of her daydream.

Tracy blinked a couple of times. "Yeah?"

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Of course!" She grinned abruptly grabbed hold of his tie, pulling him in close. "I’m actually better than okay," she whispered. Their foreheads gently touched and she kissed him with a quick peck. Her fingers tightened around the strip of blue silk.

Before it could go any further, they were interrupted by Gordon clearing his throat. Tracy released Mr. Hayes and spun around on her spiky, nude-colored heels.

"Sorry," he said, wiping his brow with a small towel. "I’m about ready to start."