Page 11 of Quarterback Sneak

“Shit no. I’m representing her son, not her. If she’s willing, I’m willing to fu—”

“My girlfriend is sitting right here, listening to what you’re saying. Why don’t you put a filter on it?” Sam grinned, despite his earlier irritation. He cupped the mouthpiece with his hand. “I warned you he was an ass, but he’s also a decent guy most of the time.”

“Since she works in a kitchen, I’m pretty sure she’s heard worse. Right, Ivy?” Howler asked.

“Right,” she absently agreed, her mind still reeling from Sam’s comment. Was she his girlfriend? The image warmed her entire being, and unexpected tears welled up. She blinked them back. Given her conversation with Sam from the night before about the paparazzi, even that small commitment might be too soon. Was she ready to pledge herself to him and face the inevitable nightmare, or should she run and never look back? Either way, she had a difficult decision to make.

Chapter Five

Sam wanted to sweep Ivy into his arms and find the stateroom. Pronto. Instead he allowed one last lingering kiss before he battled the temptation. They weren’t alone yet, and while the staff was supposed to be discreet, wherever Sam went, gossip seemed to follow. And cameras. Before they got further involved, he had to warn Ivy about the media baggage he carried, and he could not allow his lust for her to distract him. “Shall we sit? I hope you like sushi. I had it catered from this little Japanese place Howler swears by.”

“Howler?” Ivy asked as he assisted her into her chair.

The back of her dress dipped to her waist and her smooth, olive skin glowed golden in the sun. He skipped his finger along the curve of her neck and left a trail of goose bumps in his wake. The stateroom was looking more and more appealing by the moment. “Cold?” he teased, whispering it into her ear.

She thrust her shoulders back, bringing her chest into full view. “Far from it.”

Pleased by her cheeky response, he slipped into his own chair. Despite the awkwardness of dating someone new, he liked the ease with which she recovered her equilibrium. She was confident in herself and it showed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“Touching me or teasing me?” she asked.

Seduction went both ways, and he was definitely affected by his own play. He lifted his beer and drank deeply before he lowered it to the table. “Both.”

The steward appeared on deck with a sushi tray in hand and a pitcher full of water. “Is there anything else I can get you?” he asked, sitting the objects on the table.

Although he appreciated the excellent service, Sam was more interested in immediate privacy than food. “This looks perfect. We’re ready to set sail whenever you are.”

“I’ll let the captain know,” the man said before he left.

“Where are we going?” Ivy asked, inspecting the food with a chef’s critical eye.

“Across the Sound to a private beach in West Seattle. It’s not too far from here. We could take advantage of the weather and go for a walk. Unless you’d rather not. That’s a beautiful dress; I’d hate to chance getting it dirty.” He refrained from telling her the beach belonged to him lest it make her uncomfortable. Bringing a woman to his house on the second date seemed presumptuous.

“It is, isn’t it? Beth picked it out. I had planned to wear my best chef’s coat with my chili-pepper printed chef’s pants but she wouldn’t let me.”

“They actually make chili-pepper printed chef’s pants?”

“Yes they do and in an array of colors—the pants, not the peppers. Probably not the most fashionable item in my wardrobe, but they’re comfortable. Not to mention that its fun to say chili-pepper printed chef’s pants.”

Sam spread his napkin over his lap and picked up his fork. He made no move to eat, however. Nervous energy sent his toes tapping and he had to force his feet to remain still. “Remind me to thank Beth. While I’m sure you’d look good in the proverbial potato sack, I much prefer the white. It compliments the color of your eyes. It’s the first thing I noticed about you.”

“The first thing?” Her tone was skeptical as she fiddled with the jade necklace dangling inches above her cleavage.

He watched one pink polished nail linger, and his body responded to the view of the swell of her breasts. While small, they were well-rounded and begging to be touched. At least that’s what his dick was telling him, maybe not the best head to think with at the moment. “Well, maybe not the first thing.”

She pushed a piece of sushi around her plate, her tension matched his own. If their kiss was any indication, sex with Ivy was going to be wild, and he couldn’t wait. But he didn’t want to push things too fast either. He wasn’t looking for a one-night stand.

The boat jerked as it left the slip and the ice clanged against the water pitcher. He gripped the handle to steady it. Hell, he might need to pour it on his lap if the night continued along its current path.

Ivy brought the topic back to safer ground. “You never told me who Howler is.”

“He’s my good friend and agent. His real name is Xavier, but nobody calls him that. He might be a pain, but he puts up with my shit and I put up with his. To give you fair warning, he’s a bit of an ass, so when you meet him, try not to take offense.”

“Does this mean you’re asking me out for a third date?” Ivy put down her fork without taking a single bite.

“That depends on you. I come with a lot of baggage.” Sam followed her lead and pushed his plate back. He couldn’t eat; his stomach was in knots. How would she react to the reality of his life? Would she be able to handle the pressure of the spotlight, or would she collapse like Raina had? “I came back from Africa a week earlier than my publicist told the press so I could have some time off from the constant barrage of the media. Last season was bad because of the Super Bowl, but this year my contract is up, and it’s big news in the sports world.”

She reached across the table and slipped her fingers through his. “And the minute they find out you’re home, they’re going to bombard you with questions.”

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