Page 8 of Game Day

"You're trying to kill me."

Clay’s low drawl skims along my skin as he adjusts his legs in the passenger seat.

I give him a once over from the driver’s seat of the BMW I bought this summer. “I drive perfectly well.”

"I meant the dress."

The black cocktail dress was a good move. I love the tiny straps and the way the fabric skims my body, dipping between my breasts and ending partway down my thighs. My hair is down in waves that swoop across my collarbones, ending at my shoulders.

"Oh, this?" I shift in my seat, exposing more thigh. “I bought it today. I’m glad you like it.”

Clay makes a sound between a grunt and an exhale as if the extra skin I'm showing is physically hurting him.

A tux always looks good on a man. A custom tux on a man like Clay is the biggest turn-on imaginable.

His dark ink snakes out from the cuffs and his shirt collar, the expensive fabric pulling across the expanse of muscle he works on every day.

It’s enough of a distraction that I barely notice the feel of the beautiful sports car, which is the whole reason I wanted to drive.

“So, you and Brooke had fun in Aspen,” my fiancé says, bringing me back.

“Little Nell was amazing.” My lips curve as I picture the dreamy landscape.

“Amazing enough you’re questioning Paris?” he asks after a moment.

“No,” I say quickly. “We agreed to elope. It’s simpler that way. Our schedule’s crazy and this way, we can do it on our own time.”

“My schedule’s crazy,” he corrects, regret lacing his voice.

“It’s ours now.” I toss him a smile. “Besides, Little Nell is booked up for ages.”

“Ahh.” He’s teasing. “They’d make room for us. I’m kind of a big deal around here, Pink.”

“So I keep hearing.” I laugh. “But it was beautiful. For a moment I could see it.”

“You’re beautiful. Especially when you smile.”

I flush with pleasure. I never get over this man’s compliments.

"We have to get to dinner." It's a question he's asking, though it sounds like a statement.

"It's at the mayor’s house. And it’s for you,” I remind him. “You have a better plan?”

The mayor invited the entire team, including some of the management. I’m not sure who else is on the guest list, but can only assume there will also be a number of city brass.

“Yeah. You could pull over and let me do the things I’ve been thinking about all week,”he drawls.

My breath catches.

Maybe I should have expected it, but after a few days of coffee dates with Brooke, then a visit with Mari and Emily, all I wanted was to hear his voice. To wake up next to him, his strong, tattooed arms pulling me close in bed.

Focus.

"It has been a long week," I admit.

“For me too. Figured after I put a ring on your finger, I’d sleep easier. Guess I was wrong about that.”

Warmth tingles along the exposed skin of my thigh.

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