I twist off the top of my club soda and down half the bottle.
"That’s flattering, but I already have a job.”
"Of course.” She sips her wine. “But you’re also a local hero for the Denver area at a time when so much attention will focus on the team. When I mentioned this to James, he agreed completely.”
I resist the temptation to swear. The team’s owner would be only too happy to commit us to doing more, as long as it brings in more money, profile and opportunities to the club.
Nova catches my eye from the bar. The guys are keeping her company, making her smile and laugh.
I've got a few minutes left in me before I throw her over my shoulder and walk her out of here.
The thought of my fiancée, including the deal we made earlier and my promise to play nice, is the only thing that keeps me from telling the mayor exactly where she can shove her request.
"I’ll do what I can,” I hear myself say.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. You won’t regret it.” The mayor’s eyes brighten with triumph.
I excuse myself and cut across the room to my future wife.
Being here with these people, seeing how easily Nova fits in and makes friends, reminds me how everything in my life comes back to her.
I used to be about basketball, first, second, only.
Now, my heart doesn’t beat without this angel with pink hair and a heart the size of a mountain whose smile lights up an entire room.
When I reach her side, she’s already bouncing on her toes. “Well? What did the mayor want?”
“Help promoting the city.”
“And you said…”
“I said I’d try my best.”
Nova’s eyes shine. “Good boy.”
I swallow the groan as my hand finds her side. “You’ll be a good girl later when you’re coming on my cock,” I murmur against her ear, loving the way she shivers.
But before I can drag her out of here, her phone buzzes from her purse. She glances at the screen, frowning. “Hello?” she answers.
A moment later, her gaze flies to mine.
“It’s Little Nell,” she whispers.
It takes a moment for my brain to catch up given all the blood in my body is fast-tracking it to my dick.
The resort she showed me looked like a slice of heaven, and the dreamy way she spoke about it earlier in the car made it clear it was her kind of heaven.
“Oh, really? Just a moment.” She covers the handset. “They have a cancellation for the weekend before the home opener.”
“You asked them to let you know if they had a spot,” I deduce, amused.
“Maybe.”
The expression on her face is eager and hopeful.
We talked about eloping, but now, it’s obvious to at least one of us that she’s got a new ambition.
When she looks like that, I want to give her anything. Everything.