Page 304 of Well Played

“You’re not sure?” she asked.

“I need to make sure my place is all taken care of while I’m away.” Nando drained his water glass and called the waiter over.

“Don’t you have a service or something that takes care of that?”

“Usually, I just ask my landlord to keep an eye on things, but I have to come back early and talk to him about my lease.”

“Lease?” Lila was confused. “Don’t you have like a ridiculously huge house like all ball players?”

Nando just laughed. “Babe, I just signed my first multi-year majors contract. Before that, I was making minor league money.”

“But you’re making more money now, so you can get yourself a stupid big house.”

Brooks watched their conversation with interest. “Would a stupid big house be a turn on for you?” he teased.

Lila shook her head. “I have my own place, I understand why folks would want one, but I never understood those stupid big houses unless you had a family like that one football daddy with eight kids.”

“Not looking forward to a big family?”

She snorted. “Not that big.” Shaking her head, “Even with the right guy, eight kids are too much. Four, maybe five at the most.” Raising an eyebrow at Brooks, she asked, “Why, are you volunteering?”

“I would,” Brooks teased, “But I think my man here would have an issue with that.”

“I most definitely would,” Nando said, smiling at Lila.

“Well,” Lila drawled, “since I hate causing issues, I’ll guess I’ll see what this guy has planned, but keep you as a backup, if you’re interested.” She winked at Nando.

Nando just shook his head. “I can go if you want…”

Brooks patted Nando’s shoulder. “I’m just busting your chops, rookie.”

Lila just laughed and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “Dude, please. You promised me dancing and good dessert.” She leaned back into him, pulling his arms around her waist.

A crooked smile curled on his lips as he felt her relax into his chest. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Speeches and team awards first, then dancing.”

“And dessert?”

“I have gelato at mine, angel.” He glanced back at Brooks, who waggled his eyebrows and held his drink up in a silent toast.

“So back to your place for dessert…” Her voice was soft and husky. At his cough, she added, “After dancing.”

Nando won “Rookie of the Year” from the coaches, and “Good Puppy” from the team. He also won a case of instant ramen for being the bargain pay-wise compared to his success. Finally, Brooks won the “Player of the Year” award, awarded to the man with the most hook-ups in the season. Nando watched him accept the award with good humor, leering at the base bunnies and cleat chasers in attendance before coming back and tossing it on the table.

The ladies at the table excused themselves to the restroom. Brooks watched Nando as Lila left and chuckled. “Why do I get the feeling you won’t ever be in the running for my award?”

Nando returnedto the table with a beer for himself and a rum and cola for her. She stood up as he approached, set the glass on the table and wrapped her arm around his waist, looking up into his eyes. He smiled down at her as the DJ started the first slowsongs.Lady in Redstarted and they walked to the floor where he swung her out then twirled her into his arms.

Her perfume was warm and sweet, and all he wanted to do was run his tongue over the bare skin of her shoulders to see if she tasted as good as she smelled. Taking a deep breath, he pulled her closer, moving them across the floor with the music. They moved like water, as if they were perfect puzzle pieces fitting together. He swung her around, eliciting a breathy giggle from her before pulling her back into his arms, smiling down at her. She rose up on her toes and brushed a kiss across his mouth.

Everything faded away with the feel of his lips on hers. His arms tightened around her body, lifting her into the kiss, her arms curling around his neck. His cologne was warm and spicy, and her body curved into his. She felt safe, protected in his embrace, like she was something precious.

Wolf whistles and calls of “Get a room!” broke through the moment. He gave her a crooked smile.

“I’d apologize, but I’m not really sorry.”

“Me either.”

The restof the evening was a blur. They danced to almost every song. His teammates partnered her whenever he stepped away to get drinks, much to his chagrin. Even Brooks took a turn around the dance floor with her. She seemed a bit nervous dancing with his friends, but he gave her a nod and smiled. “Just save me a few dances.”

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