Page 24 of Force Play

And what about the girlfriend?

Dom:

Shit. Is it bad that I hope

they broke up?

Dad:

Don’t besmirch your family name.

We raised you better.

Dom:

Excellent use of besmirch.

I don’t like it but I’ll be a gentleman.

Chapter 9

Dom

As expected, the first words out of Indie’s mouth when I walk through the door of her apartment are edged with the fire of a thousand suns. Burn me up, Baby.

“I’m not babysitting him.” She brushes past me, barely looking up from the box she’s carrying through the small kitchen.

The greeting only makes my smile grow wider. “Missed you too.” Grabbing the box out of her arms, I look down at the marker scrawled across the top. “Bedroom, perfect. That’s where you like me best, anyway,” I say, low enough that only she hears.

“Not enough for a repeat.” Her voice is honey sweet with a hint of spice, just like the scent that swirls around us when she leans in and pulls the box out of my arms. Without a second glance, she turns away from me, treating me to an unforgettable view of her ass in a pair of tiny spandex shorts.

I choose to believe the sway in her hips is for me.

When she’s out of sight, I move across the apartment to where Dean is talking to Poppy.

“The pod in the parking lot has all the heavy stuff. If you guys start on that, we can work on unpacking in here,” Poppy directs, watching me carefully.

I get it guys, I’m the problem.

“Do you know where she wants things, or should we just get them inside for now?” Hendrix asks.

Poppy looks around the space. One wall is lined with boxes and totes, leaving the rest of the small kitchen and living room combo mostly empty. Beyond that, it’s all clean lines and minimalist vibes. The balcony opens up to a view of the mountains. It’s everything I envisioned for a woman like Indie. Nonsense and a little untamed.

“If Indie’s busy, I can take an educated guess,” she says, excusing us to start with the heavy lifting.

The four of us are able to empty the pod quickly and start on helping to reassemble things inside. Which is perfect because being sequestered outside is not helping me gain any ground with the woman I want.

Dean swipes his hand across his forehead as he puts together a small desk.

“I’m going to grab us some water.” Leaving the bookcase I was setting up, I stand, taking a minute to stretch my back. My muscles are tight from being crouched over the project but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

There’s a little extra pep in my step when I find Indie standing by the fridge. Coming up behind her I reach around her, pulling out the waters one at a time, in no hurry to put space between us again.

“All this just to be closer to me? Moving seems extreme, but I can’t say I’m disappointed.” I step back just enough so Indie’s not trapped and uncap my water.

Instead of shutting the door, she reaches back in and grabs another bottle. “Here you go.” She presses the cold drink into my hand.

“What’s this for?”

---