“Our fearless leader has made the headlines again,” Ben joked as they sat around after concluding a team meeting. Everyone else had finally ambled out of the room, leaving the three friends behind.
“It’s not funny,” Reiner scowled. He thought of how his phone had been ringing off the hook. Kennedy had called stating that a few shows wanted to interview him to discuss his new interracial relationship. He’d immediately turned them down.
It was none of the world’s business who he dated. That was the hard part of being one of the highest-paid stars in the football league.
Everyone wants to know all there is about you.
“Well, it’s about time you cross over to my world.” Kevin chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been telling you that you need to find you a sweet piece of chocolate—”
“Hey,” Reiner cut his friend off. He knew Kevin was just making fun of the situation, but it left a sour taste in his mouth.
“Don’t worry about the media,” Ben advised. “It will all blow over soon. The media are like vultures. Searching for anything they can exploit. It’s not like you are the first person to date someone outside your race. Look around. Everyone does it.”
“Ben’s right. They want a piece of the mighty Reiner Strickland.” Kevin stood from his chair and stretched. “You need to make sure your girl understands that dating you puts a target on her back.”
They both stared at Reiner, waiting for him to answer. He hadn’t thought of talking to her about the media. He had been so caught up in her and the issue with his mother that he had failed to talk to her about what could happen if the media got word that he was dating someone.
“Shit,” Ben breathed. “You didn’t even give her a clue, did you?”
“Fuck.” Reiner ran a shaky hand through his hair as he thought about what she could have possibly heard by now. When his had phone started ringing off the hook, he had shut it off. “No. I didn’t even think about giving her the rundown on things like the media. We were just spending time together—”
“And you left her wide open.” Kevin shook his head. He handed Reiner his cell phone. “The media is not going easy on you for some reason. Usually mixed celebrity couples don’t even get a second glance, but this right here. Not sure what’s going on.”
Reiner took Kevin’s phone from him, and his stomach churned. No, the media was not being nice. He let loose a curse as he read the first article title.
“You may want to call her,” Ben said quietly.
“Shit. No phone calls. I’ll just go to her.” He stood from his chair and handed Kevin back his phone. “I’ll see ya’ll later.”
Anger filled his chest as he stalked through the Knights’ training center. He was not only angry at the media for invading her privacy but angry at himself for forgetting to prepare her. With him being a celebrity, nothing about him would ever be normal. Most of the women in his past were women who were also celebrities in their own way and were used to the paparazzi. They had someone to manage the media.
Jada wouldn’t.
He pulled his cell from his pocket, exiting the building. He turned it on, and notifications began sounding off. Fifteen voicemails. He glanced at the list of voicemail names and saw that Jada had left him one.
He hopped in his truck as the sound of her voice greeted his ears.
Hey, Reiner. It’s me, Jada. Call me when you get this.
He closed his eyes, replaying the message again. He threw his key in the ignition and turned it. He drove out of the team parking lot with the sound of his tires screeching filling the air.
He had to get to Jada. This conversation had to happen in person. There was no way that he would call her and try to explain the media. He growled at the thought of the words that were printed about her. He knew that everything the media had splashed about her was untrue.
His phone rang while he drove to Jada’s salon. He glanced down and rolled his eyes.
Mom.
He hit the button and answered the phone through his hands-free device.
“Reiner,” his mother’s worried voice came through the line.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?” he asked, acting as if he didn’t know what she would be calling for.
“It’s already beginning. I knew something like this would happen,” she stated.
“The media always finds something about me to make a story out of it.” He tried to remain calm as if he didn’t care. But in truth he didn’t care that the media was running stories about him, it was Jada who he was worried about.
“This could impact your image or your brand. You have too much to lose by messing with this girl.”
“Excuse me?” he asked, his anger mounting. “We spent a weekend together. How could this possibly hurt my brand?”
“Look, I’m not trying to argue with you, Reiner Strickland. I’m just trying to give you advice.”
“Thanks but no thanks,” he growled, squeezing his steering wheel tight. “Mother, I’m a grown man and can make my own decisions. I expect that you will respect my decision. I decide what’s best for me.”
She fell quiet. He could practically hear her brain working through the speakers of his truck. Finally, a sigh broke the silence.
“If you’re sure you want to be with her, then I can’t do anything but accept your decision.”
Relief filled his chest at his mother’s words. He knew that she would be woman enough to admit when she was wrong.
“I appreciate it, Mother. But I have to go. I need to go do some damage control,” he announced before disconnecting the call. He made a wide turn onto the street Jada’s salon was located. He parked a few doors down and shut off his truck. He blew out a deep breath and exited the cab.
He stalked toward her salon. A few people were out ambling on the sidewalk. He could tell that some recognized him but he ignored them, not caring that they broke out their phones.
It never failed to amaze him how many people would sell their pictures to the media. What could be a simple selfie with a fan could land on the front page of gossip columns for the right price.
He approached The Dalton Design Group door and paused with his hand on the handle. He blew out a deep breath. He didn’t know what he was going to say. This was like the ultimate play. Getting Jada to understand that he truly liked her and wanted to continue seeing where this thing between them was going.
He narrowed his eyes as he swung open the door. He strode in, and the woman behind the receptionist desk froze in place.
“May I help you?” she asked with wide eyes.
“I need to see Jada,” he demanded, resting his hands on the counter.
She nodded and reached for her desk phone. She dialed a few numbers and waited.
“Hey, Jada. There’s a man here to see you,” she announced. “I know, you said no media or anything.”
His grip tightened on the counter while he openly listened to her side of the conversation.
“No, he certainly isn’t media,” she stated with a small laugh. She lowered her voice with her eyes flickering to him. “It’s him.”
If it would have been any other day, he would have smirked, or laughed, or even flirted with her to get what he wanted, but right now he had more pressing matters.
“She’s on her way,” the receptionist reported, setting the phone back on the cradle. Her gaze traveled over him as he straightened to his full height.
He looked around the waiting area and decided to stand. He walked over to the large bay window and observed the pedestrians. It was pretty busy this time of day with people going in and out of the shops that lined the street.
“Reiner,” Jada’s soft voice sounded behind him.
He turned to her and took her in. His heart seemed to lodge in his throat at her outfit. She had a leather pencil skirt on that stopped at her knees, a thin pink sheer shirt, and black heels that had a thick strap around her ankles. Her makeup was light, and her hair flowed around her shoulders.
“Hey, baby,” he breathed. He could see the receptionist’s mouth drop open at his endearment. “We need to talk.”
“I know. Come on.” She waved for him to follow her. Little did she know, in that outfit, he’d follow her to the ends of the world and back.
With his size he felt like an elephant in a china shop as he walked through the salon. He dropped his gaze to her leather-clad ass and bit back a groan. He tore his attention off her and nodded to the patrons in the salon. Women were seated getting their nails done, and a few were scattered in the store portion of the salon.
He followed her to the back where she opened a door for him. He brushed past her into her small office. He turned as she closed the door and pushed her up against it. He covered her mouth with his in a searing kiss. It had been a full day since they’d arrived back from their trip and he’d dropped her off at her place.
She gasped, and he tilted his head and forced his tongue into her mouth. He needed to taste her. He filled his hands with her leather-clad ass, pulling her to him. His cock strained against his jeans.
“I’ve missed you,” he announced while his lips brushed hers. He reached up to cup her jaw, rubbing her swollen bottom lip with his thumb.
“I missed you, too,” she replied.
Her eyes opened, and he read the sadness in them. His heart slammed into his chest.
“We need to talk.” He brushed his mouth against hers again, unable to resist taking another taste of her sweet lips.
“I know,” she sighed.
His hands had a mind of their own. They ran down her side to the bottom of her skirt.
“What are you doing?” she whispered fiercely as he pulled it up high.
He looked around, and the only window in her office faced the brick wall of the building next door.
Good. He didn’t want to risk anyone seeing what was his.
His?
Yes.
There was no other reason that could explain why she filled every thought and dream.
“What does it look like? I didn’t get to have you yesterday, and being that I was your first, I want to be the first at taking you on your desk.” He chuckled, hooking his fingers around her panties. He pulled them down, baring her for him. His cock was painfully erect and waiting to plunge deep inside her.
“We can’t!” she squealed as he picked her up from behind her knees.
“Not your desk? Okay, wall it is,” he murmured, setting her against the wall. He quickly undid the button on his jeans and pushed them down, freeing his cock.
“You’re crazy.” She leaned forward and kissed him.
His cock found her slick folds. He groaned when she thrust her tongue in his mouth. He let her lead the way with the kiss. He wanted her to become more confident in herself. He loved that she was willing to try anything with him.
“No screaming,” he urged, tearing his lips from hers. He trailed kisses along her jawline and captured her earlobe between his teeth.
He thrust forward, sending him balls deep into his woman.