Page 64 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“Thanks,” he says. “I'd like to tell you you look great too, but I’m not sure I should.”

Okay, I wasn't expecting that. Don't lose your cool now. It's quite possible that he doesn't like my outfit. Under no circumstances should I let him see how upset I am. Noah has never refused me a compliment before. I bravely smile away the obvious rejection, even though it affects me. It's not nice when the man you desire and think is the most attractive man on the planet doesn't tell you you look great.

“Cara?” asks Noah. “Are you okay?”

“Sure,” I lie. “Everything's fine.”

“Good,” he says and pulls away.

I expect him to pull away from me completely, but he doesn't. Noah leans back in and plants a kiss on my bare shoulder. Goose bumps immediately spread across my skin and butterflies flutter in my stomach. Where did they come from?

“You look beautiful,” he breathes. “The dress is gorgeous.”

Noah pulls away from me and I turn to face him. He sits down in his seat with a grin and pulls out his phone. When he looks at the screen, I turn away as it vibrates in my clutch. I pull out my phone and see that he sent me a message.

*Noah: Can I take it off later?

I giggle.

*Cara: Why?

*Noah: Then you can undress me too? Deal?

*Cara: But it takes me longer because you're wearing twice as much. Do you think that's fair?

*Noah: Do you think it's fair that I have a hard-on? That dress should be banned!

*Cara: And I thought you said I was beautiful. I'll think about it!

I send the message and turn my head to look at him again. Noah looks back at me and winks at me. Then he turns to Alex and speaks to his brother. I look back at the stage and put my phone down. Gradually, the room fills with all kinds of people. Current players, former players, club owners, officials and coaches. Of course, a few top celebrities are also in attendance. I try to ignore Noah behind me and concentrate on the award ceremony.

***

The after-party takes place in an old factory building near the harbor. I look around the room, keeping an eye out for Noah, when I'm stopped.

“Brick!” I call, beaming, and let myself be pulled into his arms. “How good to see you.”

We went to college together and had a few classes together. He got drafted by Miami this year.

“The pleasure is all mine,” he says. “Tell me ... what are you doing now? Where are you working? Who are you dating?” His questions inevitably make me laugh. Brick has had a girlfriend since college, and she's here, too, but he can't quite stop flirting with me.

“I've moved back in with my parents for now, but I'm officially looking for a place,” I answer. “Besides, I work for Corse Sports Management.”

“Of course,” he replies, winking at me. Brick had an athletic scholarship and that was his only chance to go to college. His parents are from a poor neighborhood in Detroit. We hit it off and when he heard who my dad was, he was speechless. He said he had never met anyone as rich and yet as polite as me. He could introduce me as I am to his mother and she would never know I was an upper-class girl.

“And who are you dating?” He wiggles his eyebrows and grins at me.

“She's dating me!” An arm wraps around my waist and Brick's eyes go wide. I turn and look up at Noah's face. His lips are pressed together in a thin line and he looks at Brick with hostility.

“Noah, nice to meet you,” he introduces himself unnecessarily. Brick knows exactly who is standing in front of him.

“I'm Brick,” he replies in a friendly manner. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Noah says, slowly relaxing. His fingers brush over my hip as he slips the hand he just extended to Brick into the pocket of his pants. I don't need to say that I'm pissed at him. This has gone way too far. What is he thinking? Brick could be a potential client of mine, not an old friend. How does it look for my friend, who is not my boyfriend at all, to mark his territory in such a pathetic way?

“See you around,” Brick says, raising his hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Noah.”

I doubt he was really happy about it. Otherwise, he wouldn't turn around so quickly, would he? Brick moves away from us and I pull away from Noah.

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