Page 34 of Vegas Baby

The lane of traffic came to a complete standstill and Howler applied the brakes. A road construction sign blinked, the road crew holding a stop sign. He put the car into first, his attention caught by the way Raina’s short sundress rode high up her thigh. Thighs he’d explored with his mouth. She moved her hand to tug it down, blocking the sleek flesh from his view. Shutting him down like she had the previous night. Hands clenched tightly; his thumb beat against the steering wheel with increased speed.

She reached out and adjusted the vent, the light floral scent of her perfume threatening to soften his stance. He stared straight ahead, willing himself to ignore the smell but it was difficult in the closed confines of the car. He considered opening the window except it was hotter than hell outside.

“Veer will fade into the background for at least a season and won’t get any field time. He will with the Pioneers. We both know he’ll be a great compliment to Jake. Just think, two clients on a Super Bowl winning team.”

“This isn’t about Jake,” Howler snapped as the cars began to move, allowing him to exit onto the main highway heading into Vegas. The sooner he could drop her off at the airport and be on his way, the better off he’d be.

“Is this about Veer or us?” she asked in a stony voice.

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t still pissed over the entire situation. Sad but true. He had no right to be, not really. What she said the previous night made sense. Except his dick didn’t always agree with his head. “There is no us and this is about my client and what’s best for him. It’s not personal. The fact is, Veer has three offers, two pushing the rookie cap. The Pioneers offer isn’t even close. Since you were instrumental in gaining Patel’s approval, I’ll give you first option if you meet the cap.” Which would mean a twenty percent higher bid. No doubt Miller would have a fit. He almost felt sorry for her; except she could hold her own. He’d seen her do it plenty of times. It was something he admired about her. Grace under pressure.

With a heavy sigh, she slapped a hand on her leg. “Fine. I’ll talk with the GM and get back with you.”

Howler put on the turn signal and changed lanes, trying to hide his triumphant smile. “As I said, I’ll be making a decision at the end of the month.”

He shifted the gears, foot playing across the clutch while he accelerated onto the freeway. The car gained speed, smooth and responsive to his touch. Like the woman sitting next to him had been in the pool. He relaxed in his seat. Why in the hell was he putting himself through this torture? She’d shut him down and now they’d part ways and go back to their normal life. Except for one tiny issue. The divorce, the one thread keeping them together. “Business aside, we have one last thing we need to discuss. I had my attorney draft the papers and she’ll be forwarding them to your email,” he said.

“You did? When…oh, never mind. Thank you. I’ll sign them and get them back ASAP.”

Was there a slight catch in her words or was he just hearing things? He could not examine her expression because he was driving.

” Here’s your ring back.” She set the ring case in the tray on the center console.

This was it, the end of the road for them as far as their marriage was concerned.

Howler glanced down at his own ring. He should be thrilled to be free of her and get back into the real world. Their time together had been interesting to say the least yet a small sense of dissatisfaction lingered in the back of his mind. As aggravating as she was at times, he liked being around her. It had only been five days--five whirlwind days of deception, lies, and ultimate victory with a little sexual chemistry to sweeten the deal. Except it had turned sour. Years of disappointment had taught him one harsh truth, don’t waste your time on what could have been. Live in the now and do not let the fantasy fool you into a false narrative.

Chapter Thirteen

Raina exited the small, private bathroom in her office at the Pioneers headquarters and set her alarm for five minutes, to be on the safe side. She’d be seeing Howler in person for the first time in over a month. Moving to her desk, she retrieved Veer’s contract from her file cabinet and placed it on the round conference table.

She clutched the folder, still annoyed at the ongoing back and forth to get this contract finalized. It had been a long and challenging road. A fourth team had jumped into the mix and it had cost the Pioneers a pretty penny to get Veer, not to mention a ding to her pride.

Raina blew out a breath and strode back to the bathroom but paused with her hand on the door. Every time she thought of the upcoming meeting, her stomach knotted and not in a good way.

The intercom buzzed and her assistant’s voice sounded. “Your appointment is here. Do you want me to send him in?”

Oh crap, he was early.

Her husband.

Howler was still her husband until the divorce was final.

God help me.

She glanced down at her phone clenched in her fist and clicked off the alarm. “Please send him in.”

Her stomach grumbled and a sour taste invaded her mouth. She licked her lips, willing back the nausea. Her left leg under her black dress began to shake and she forced the nervous habit back while she waited for him to enter. Since the awful trip to Vegas, she’d tried to remember the craziness surrounding the wedding but she’d continued to draw a blank.

The door opened and he strode in wearing an impeccably tailored navy suit, white shirt, and blue tie. The barriers between them were erected by the nature of their meeting. The thought should have calmed her, but it made her more aware of him and herself.

He flashed a crooked smile and the queasiness intensified. “Hey, Raina.”

“Hey.” She pasted on a false smile. Palms damp, she snatched up a water pitcher and two glasses. She could do this. They were two professionals who had happened to see each other naked.

Had sex.

And would soon be divorced.

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