Page 31 of The Penalty

Tracey wasn’t wrong. I’m usually the one in the spotlight. Waiting in the wings felt weird but I didn’t mind.

Fortunately we didn’t have to wait much longer. Noah sauntered over and shook my hand.

“Good seeing you, man. We’ll catch up in there for sure. I want to hear all about the big win. If you’ll excuse us, I’m starving and want to get some appetizers before the offensive linemen eat it all.”

He kissed Tracey, took her hand in his, and went inside. Victoria stood in front of me, looking effortlessly beautiful and regal. Sizing me up with a shrewd smile, she moved closer and placed a hand on my chest.

“Behave.” Liquid green eyes gazed up at me through long, dark lashes.

Not a chance.

“Is that a challenge or an order?” I asked in a deceptively soft tone.

“A request.” She placed her finger on my mouth. “Can you be a good boy for me?”

My cock stirred at the seductive rasp in her voice. The graceful sway to her hips stoked the low flames licking at my spine when she walked toward the front door. I fell into step behind her, close enough to feel the heat radiating from her body.

Be a good boy? Not tonight.

Hannah greeted us the moment we walked inside.

“I’m glad you’re both here. Bennet’s already waiting for us in the grand room.”

I caught Victoria’s eye and mouthed grand room as we followed Hannah through the hall. My redheaded beauty laughed and hooked her arm in mine. My heart swelled. This is what being on a proper date with the most perfect woman in the world is like.

My initial assumption about this palatial home wasn’t wrong. It’s not as grandiose but I’ll be damned if it didn’t rival the Logan Estate for pretentiousness. My step-mother would love all the detailed interior design. The grand room was filled with expensive pieces in polished black with gold accents. Elegant and exquisite.

There might not be royalty in the States but generational wealth is a close second. I can almost picture Hannah running through these gilded halls as a small girl.

Of course Bennet blended in perfectly with his tailored suit, noble bloodline, and smooth conversational skills. He swirled his drink in his glass and laughed at whatever Ethan Caldwell said.

“They’ll let anybody in, won’t they?” Bennet tipped his head in my direction and winked.

I rolled my eyes.

Mr. Caldwell greeted us pleasantly and then ushered everyone to the solarium.

A fucking huge solarium draped in soft lights, glass chandeliers, and flowing curtains. Dozens of tables filled one half of the room. It even had a stage and a dance floor.

As much as I appreciated design and architecture, this felt overdone.

One look at Victoria made me reconsider. She simply glowed like no one else could under all the lights. A room like this was made for her.

If I could freeze this moment, I would.

“What is it?” she asked, smiling in her captivating way.

“You’re beautiful.”

My compliment had the desired effect. Her cheeks turned pink. Victoria didn’t blush often. I loved it when she did.

We sat with Bennet and Hannah at a table not too far from the stage. Caldwell addressed the room with some brief remarks before dinner was served. Once dessert was plated, the ceremony began. Well, ceremony probably wasn’t the right word. This was a lavish party from top to bottom for a group of professional athletes who won a championship.

Hosts and hostesses dressed in formal attire carried trays of ring boxes to each table. Hannah looked over at Victoria and grinned when boxes emblazoned with the Legends logo were placed in front of them.

“Cheers to number six,” Hannah gushed.

Victoria held the box in her hands. “Crazy, right?”

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