She cowers, trying to hide her flushed cheeks from being caught mid-make-out by my boss. “You too, Mr. Morgan.”
“All right, you two.” He waves us off, turning his back and heading down the hall. “Don’t let me keep you from going at it. I hope to see you in Phoenix, Indy!”
We chuckle into each other, her forehead falling into my chest. Ironically, for the first time, none of that was planned for Ron to see.
It was for us.
She sighs a happy little sigh, arms slinging around my neck. “What’s in Phoenix?”
“You. Me. Our trips overlap there for the day. He and Caroline were hoping to get together if it works for your schedule.”
“Do you want to?”
If she asked me this a couple of months ago, I would’ve said yes instantly. I wanted to impress my boss, try to show him I’m not as much of a loner as he made me out to be. Now, I still want to say yes, but only because it means more time spent with her.
“I want to only if you’re up for it. I know you’ll be working, but if you’re free, then yes, I’d love to see you.”
“And the Morgans.”
I roll my eyes. “And the Morgans.”
Looking down, I catch Indy wearing her embroidered Converse tonight. I love her in heels and a dress, but equally love her dressed down.
Slipping my foot between hers, I nudge her feet apart to find a new addition to her shoes. Right there, inside of the left ankle is an embroidered basketball with my number and a heart stitched into the center of it.
“When did that get there?” I ask, loving the way my name and number look all over her.
“This afternoon. I thought it was about time.”
My stare breaks from her feet to find her smiling proudly, wearing my favorite emotion of hers—joy.
“It was about damn time.”
Leaning down, I take her mouth again. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having the privilege of kissing this girl. I hadn’t kissed a woman for so long that being touched by her, wanted by her is almost too much. What in the world did I do to deserve her wanting me?
“Walk me to the team bus?” I take my suitcase in one hand and hers in the other.
We’re barely out of the back entrance of the arena, and I hear him long before I see him. He tugs at Indy’s arm before I can register what’s happening.
“Indy.”
Her hand tightens in mine at the sound of her name. “Alex,” she breathes out. “What are you doing here?”
He’s still holding on to her elbow, gently. Longingly.
I brush his hand off her, keeping my voice calm and even. “Don’t fucking touch her.”
Instinctively, I shift my body, putting myself between them.
Metaphorically and physically, I want to be between them. He will have to get through me to get to her and that won’t ever fucking happen.
“Okay.” He puts his hands up in surrender before redirecting his attention to the blonde beauty behind me. “Indy, we need to talk.”
“No, you don’t,” I speak for her, like a deranged caveman. She can speak for herself, but she shouldn’t have to when it comes to him. There’s nothing that needs to be said.
“Ryan, it’s okay,” she soothes, her hand rubbing at my side. “Alex, I don’t think we need to talk. Now or ever.”
“We’ve never spoken about that night. I need to explain myself.”