Page 44 of Vegas Baby

“We sure did. Although I have to say, I had the weirdest conversation with Miller the last time he was in town.” She ate a healthy bite of her food, frowning.

He pushed his plate aside, his appetite for food gone. If he could satisfy his other need, he’d be a happy man. “Any insider information you wish to share, I’m all ears.”

“Not that kind of information…well sort of, I suppose. You must understand he’s never given me anything from his personal account other than a college education.” She sat upright and finished off the last bite on her plate before she picked up her glass.

“And?” he asked, not surprised by her admission. From what she’d said on other occasions, Miller had been his normal bitchy self.

“And I think he’s grooming me to take over the team,” she said in a rush, her cheeks pink.

“What the hell?” he asked, mind spinning. His wife might take over the Pioneer franchise? “This is big.”

“And it’s between us. If word got out and I was wrong, well, Miller’s fired people for less.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Her own curved at his jest. “I thought it was odd he sent me to sign Veer and not the GM or the assistant GM. Veer has the potential to be a major player on the defensive line. Yet Miller sent me. Obviously, it was some kind of test.”

“And you passed,” he said.

“By the skin of my teeth and you didn’t help by upping the ante,” she accused, and then bit her bottom lip. “From what the GM told me, the Pioneers were the only team interested in him until Vegas.”

“The Scorpions contacted me a few hours before I was set to fly to Vegas, then California jumped into the mix.”

“Either you’re one hell of an agent—and I have no doubt you are—or someone tipped off those teams.”

“Do you think it was Miller?”

She rubbed at her chin, her ring flashing in the low light. “Who else would? He set me up for failure.”

“Or for success. Veer signed with the Pioneers, still lower pay than the fifteenth draft pick, but I have faith he’ll garner more once he gets some experience on the field.” Veer was raw with loads of potential but he’d been passed over during the draft and now he was a free agent “In two years, our negotiations will seem like a walk in the park.”

“Bring it.” She grinned; teeth white as she swirled the water in her glass.

He rested his elbows on the table and linked his fingers. “Every second of every day.”

“Of course, this is speculation on my part. I’ve never known Miller to do anything out of the goodness of his heart.”

Howler had dealt with the man on limited occasions. The Pioneers GM and Raina were the usual suspects. The single time that he’d worked one on one with Miller was for Sam’s renegotiations and the exchange had been heated to put it best.

“He doesn’t like me,” Howler said.

“His like or dislike of you is a moot point. In full disclosure, he wants me to stay married to you for your money,” she replied, shrugging. “Now do you care if he likes you?”

“Nope, not that I cared before. Now his daughter is a different story.” Howler watched her expression, breath held. He shouldn’t care but he did.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t like you just a little bit,” she said, holding her thumb and forefinger an inch apart, a flush rising to her cheeks.

He clasped her hand and standing, leaned down to brush his mouth across hers. Her lips were warm and pliant beneath his but he didn’t push it further. He wanted to, boy did he want to. Straightening, he released his grip. “I like you a little bit too. I cooked. You get to help with the dishes.”

She wrinkled her nose, licked her lips and he almost kissed her again.

Almost.

Chapter Seventeen

Raina folded the top of the last box filled with books and using the tape gun, sealed it. She stood, arching her back. Trent bent and picked it up, his blonde hair flopping across his forehead.

“That it?” He asked

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