CHAPTER 6
Dallas
In my experience, people usually say one thing while thinking another. This is not the case with Paige, and I find it… refreshing. Adorable. I never equated quirky with sexy, but after listening to her and watching the way she moves, it’s a total turn on.
As for the asshole who called her a nut job, I’d like to show him exactly what crazy is. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with oral on a first date, to be so fucking cruel is unacceptable.
I can’t imagine hurting Paige—beyond the whole almost making her fall three feet to the floor—like that. Those big blue eyes would fill up with tears, and I’d feel like a total jerk. Hell, when I thought she was hurt and actually crying, all I wanted to do was make it better. Then she laughed, laughed so hard that tears fell, which admittedly, aggravated me for a while… until we talked.
Fucking adorable—it’s the only way I can describe her.
Women like Paige don’t exist in my life. They are too afraid to be themselves because they might be rejected. The faker, the better. The less emotional, the less of a chance of getting hurt. I guess on some level, it’s the same for us players.
Layton stops right in front of the elevator and turns. “Paige, I left my notes in my office. Why don’t you share the history of the Franklin-Hayes House with Dallas while I run back to my office?” She flashes an apologetic smile. “I’m not normally this disorganized, but it’s a Monday and I’m trying to plan a wedding.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Paige says as her friend walks away. “She’s the most organized person in existence.”
“Organized enough to laminate a pocket-sized list for you?”
A pleased smile kicks up the corners of her mouth as she presses the UP button. “You remember that?”
“The requirement about kissing the best man stuck with me.”
The doors of the elevator open slowly, making ominous creaking sounds as they do.
“Don’t worry. It can handle whatever you put in it and go all night long,” she says cheerfully.
“I come with that guarantee too, sweetheart.”
Paige gives me a sideways look as we step inside. “Do a lot of people put things in you, Dallas?”
“Feels like it sometimes,” I say dryly. “Wasn’t even twenty minutes ago you were putting your elbow in my mouth.”
She winces. “Sorry again.”
I laugh. “It’s really okay. I was just yanking your chain.”
The elevator’s ride is smoother than expected. When the doors open, Paige steps through first, allowing me the privilege of following and ogling her fine ass.
“Do you really want the history of where I work?” she asks, casting a glance over her shoulder. It’s a completely sexy move, yet it’s one that’s not coming across as calculated. “Because if you don’t, I have more questions about dating you.”
“I’ll take questions about dating me for one hundred, Alex.”
She stops in front of a floor-to-ceiling window that’s etched with flowers and forest creatures and turns to face me. Her pretty eyes are serious.
“Is this going to be casual dating or serious dating… or a one-time-until-your-friend-gets-what-he-needs dating?”
“Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“Do we have to go public and announce it?” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth. That is not the look of a woman excited about the prospect of everyone knowing her business, or even one excited about being seen with a guy like me. Women are always excited about going out with me. They take so many fucking selfies that I barely get to enjoy myself.
“Not if you don’t want to.”
“Oh, thank God, because Finley can’t know about us. At all.” She steps closer to me, tipping up her chin. Her sweet mouth parts and all I can think about is kissing her, sinking my hands into her hair and finding out if we’re as compatible as I hope we are. “She’s basically made you forbidden man candy.”
“You can lick me all you want in private, sweetheart. I won’t tell.”
Her cheeks turn pink and her eyes start to sparkle. “You say the… I don’t know if I can handle dating you.”
“You like what I say.”
She grins. “I do.”
I take a step closer to her, our bodies nearly touching. “And you can handle every bit of me, too.”
“I can?” Her words are breathless. Music to my ears. The woman is turned on by the thought of licking me. Hell, going by my rapidly swelling dick, I’m turned on because she’s turned on.
“Oh yeah, I’ll show you how.” Carefully, I take her hand in mine and gently turn it over so the palm is facing up. Her fingers are curled inward, so I stroke each one until she fully relaxes her hand. “Look at you… you’re already handling me just fine.”
Her breasts rise and fall with each breath. “You have the magic touch.”
I smirk a little. “So I’ve been told.”
“I read about it when I Snoogled you.”
“That so?”
She nods, her hair sliding forward to rest on top of one of her plump breasts. “I tried to learn as much as possible.”
“How come?” I keep stroking her, keep touching her smooth, satiny skin that’s heating up with each pass. Glancing at her wrist, I can see her pulse pounding and it makes me smile. It makes my formerly bruised ego a new man.
“I like information.”
Interesting and not the answer I was expecting. “Any other reason?”
She licks her lips. Man, I want to bite the bottom one. It’s fuller than the top and softly pink. Perfect for sucking, licking… shit, I have to stay in control. We’re in a library for Pete’s sake. “I wanted to know if it was a good idea to say yes to you… if you were to ask me out again. At the time, I thought it was a long shot, but I have something you want.”
“Yes, you do.”
Her eyes close, then open as she visibly swallows. “I meant the event space.”
“Meant that, too.”
She giggles, then abruptly stops. “Ugh, didn’t mean to laugh at you. Again.”
“Hey, come on now. I like that laugh. Don’t care if it’s because you’re nervous or not. Although, I’d rather you be comfortable with me and laugh at my jokes. I’m fucking funny.”
“And so very modest.”
“I’m the most modest, humble person in existence. Ask anyone.”
This time, a full-on belly laugh makes her tip her head back. The sound echoes in the ballroom.
“I hate that I missed the joke,” Layton says as she walks in, heels clicking against the floor and joining the sound of Paige’s laughter. Her eyes zero in on where I’m holding Paige’s hand, but instead of saying anything, she gives her full attention to her iPad. “I brought the contract with me, Mr. Drake. A little presumptuous, I know. Also, in full discloser, you’ll have to work with Paige more than me because I’m training her to take my place.”
“Temporarily take your place,” Paige says.
Layton smiles tightly. “Exactly.”
“I’ll sign it.”
“That’s wonderful.” Layton shoves the iPad between us. Reluctantly, I let go of Paige’s hand to take the damn thing. “Read through this and sign at the end. A deposit of two hundred dollars is required, with the remainder due the day of the event.”
“If you don’t mind giving me a minute…” While I trust Paige and Layton to be the genuine articles, I don’t sign shit without a lawyer or Finley looking at it first. Walking a few paces away, I grab my phone and call Finley.
She answers on the second ring. “Did you decide?”
“I want to have it at the Franklin-Hayes House, but I’m not signing the contract until you or Caswell looks it over.”
“Already looked it over. Layton sent it to me earlier today. You’re safe to sign.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I end our call, read though the contract anyway, and sign my name with my finger. “Doesn’t look any better when I do it with a pen,” I mutter, but people don’t pay me for my penmanship. I hold up the iPad. “Here you go. All signed. Do you accept credit card payments?”
Layton doesn’t answer right away. She’s too busy talking to Paige, who I’d say looks pretty happy.
“I can take your payment now.” Finley holds up a small square. “You can run it through this, and I can email or text you a receipt for your records.”
“Works for me.” While she crosses the room, with Paige, I put away my cell and get out my wallet. “Can you also email me a copy of the contract?”
“Absolutely.” Layton takes my credit card as soon as I hand it over and runs it through the machine. She nudges Paige. “Once you swipe, you have to hit this button.”
“Okay, then will it ask me for a number or email address?”
“Yes, and you only have to enter it once and the program remembers it for life.”
Paige glances up at me. “I’m sorta in training.”
“Take your time.”
“Number or email?” Paige asks.
I rock back on my heels slightly. “You’ve got my number.”
“Not with me.” A smile plays on her lips. “Do you mind giving it to me again?”
Must remain a gentleman and not say something about giving it to her. I share my number and wait for my phone to buzz with the confirmation. A couple of seconds later, it does.
“Got it.”
“This is for you.” Layton hands over my credit card and the iPad again. “If you’ll type in your email address, I’ll send you a copy of the contract. Also, I’ll need your physical mailing address.”
Quickly, I type everything in and hand the iPad back to her. She passes it off to Paige, whose gaze is still on me.
I wink at her.
She blushes, but doesn’t look away. Those baby blues are all over me. Maybe she’s undressing me in her head. I puff my chest out and broaden my stance a little. Her eyes widen. Yeah, I’m giving her great things to imagine.
“Email me the copy, and I’ll reply back with what you need,” I say.
“Great.” Layton beams at me while Paige finally forces her attention to the screen. “That’s all you need to do, honey.”
“Oh, okay.” A guilty look covers her face. “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t need to hit save or something.”
Was she trying to memorize my email… or my number? On one hand, I’m flattered. On the other, it means she threw mine away.
Or gave it to her coworker, Nolan.
I hope to God she threw it away.
“Is there any way I can get a contact number to schedule meetings with the two of you?” I ask, all innocent.
Paige looks to Layton, who in turn nods at me. “Why don’t you do it since his event date is after the wedding and I’ll be on my honeymoon?”
“Oh, yeah. Right,” Paige replies and looks at me, hesitation in her big eyes. “If you’ll text me after I give it to you, then you can add me as a new contact.”
I whip my phone out so fast I nearly send it flying. So much for having the best hands in the NFL. “Hit me.”
I tap in her number and a short message that will leave no doubt as to who it is, then hit send. “Done. Anything else, ladies?”
“No.” Layton takes a step back. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to my office and send you the contract. Thanks for all your help, Paige.”
“So… are we still on for drinks after you get off work?” I ask once we’re alone again.
“Yup. I did injure you, you know.”
Gingerly, I rub the back of my head, where it’s barely throbbing. “What time do you get off?”
“Six.”
“That’ll give me time to go by Doc’s.”
“Team doctor?” she asks.
“Yeah. It’s a perk to have one available to you twenty-four-seven.” I start to walk back to the elevators. Although I want to stay and keep talking, I also want to make our date. “Text me your address so I can pick you up.”
“How about I meet you instead.” Her suggestion is more of a statement. “I mean, what if it’s serious and you shouldn’t be driving?”
She has a good point, but I’m not going to let a small thing like a concussion get in the way of our date. “I can pick you up in an Uber.”
“I’d feel more comfortable driving myself for our first… um, date,” she says.
“Then I’ll meet you there. How does seven sound?”
“Sounds like this is going to turn into dinner.” She laughs.
“I like dinner.”
Her mouth drops open in mock surprise. “Me, too. I wonder what else we have in common?”
“Do you enjoy eating lunch? Breakfast?”
“Oh yeah, we are twins.” She presses the DOWN button, and we wait for the elevator to return. “There’s a teensy, tiny confession I have to make.”
My gut twists. “What’s that?” I ask lightly.
“I don’t actually enjoy watching football.”