Page 39 of The Shake Off

Was it a no-brainer? The future of my career in exchange for showing Ace how to give an orgasm.

I mean, it could be a worse assignment.

Maybe I’d even get a lifetime membership to The Sisterhood for services rendered.

I opened my eyes to find Nathalie’s pleading at me.

Oh, crap

“Okay, as soon as we get out of this elevator, I’ll go and see him.”

Her eyes bugged like mine had when I’d first stepped in and saw her. “What? You can go and see him, just like that?”

I nodded with as much of a smile as I could conjure. “Yeah. I’ll see if I can get it for you now.”

She held her hand out to me. The CEO of Simpson and Mather holding her hand outto me. “You have yourself a deal, Payton. Boy, am I glad this elevator broke.”

I didn’t want to question why the elevator started moving again the second I shook her hand.

* * *

Isucked in a deep breath and stood staring at the executive entrance to The New York Lions. Behind it, the glossy black walls of the stadium rose high and foreboding against the backdrop of the Hudson, with New Jersey in the distance. The sunlight bounced off its curves, making it look even more impressive than usual, or maybe ominous was a better word. The all-black façade and spears crowning the top of the stadium certainly added a little foreboding, even with the bright, cloudless day.

Or maybe it was just me.

Since the last time I’d been here, a giant Lions logo etched in gold had been hung over the huge doors. It was a warning to all who entered; reminding them they were about to go into battle, like Roman gladiators entering The Colosseum.

I’d almost rather face a pack of lions than this particular one.

I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone, clicking into Ace’s stream of messages. The last one had been left unread.

Ace:You knowit’s not baseball I need help with.

I paused over the keypad – ugh – here goes nothing. Typing out a message, I pressed send before I could change my mind.

Payton:Okay, I’ll talk. I’m in the parking lot.

I wasn’t expecting to wait long for a response, but one came back immediately.

Ace:What parking lot?

Payton:The Lions’ parking lot.

Ace:What?

Payton:I’m outside, Ace.

Ichecked my watch wondering how long it would take him to find me. It was less than five minutes before he walked through the door. Sauntered was a more accurate description, each step holding a little more attitude than the last.

When he’d dropped by my apartment the other night, I’d been so dazed that I hadn’t fully registered how incredibly handsome he truly was. On any other day, Ace Watson was a total American-cut cutie-pie. But in a bad mood and fired up, like he appeared to be now, Ace Watson became a smoke-show.

A very hot, smoldering, smoke-show.

His hair looked darker this morning, though on closer inspection I could see it was damp; tendrils curled along his collar as they dried. The black Lions t-shirt emphasized his tanned skin, stretching tight across his broad chest, and I had to remind myself I’d already been naked with this man. I knew what was underneath.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so tough.

He was still a couple of yards away when my nostrils were assaulted with the scent I’d been trying to forget; of lakeside forests in June and camping under the stars, or sailing across the bay while the breeze floated around you. It was oaky and sweet, all wrapped up in that distinctive man smell you could never quite describe.

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