Page 33 of The Player's Obsession

I can’t wait to get her away from all this and show her my world. Even with her puffy eyes, she’s still beautiful.

“Is sex involved?”

“Optional. I’m not the type to force myself on anyone. Totally up to you. I’ll have a simple non-disclosure agreement for you to sign. I’ll email it to you later. Just text me your email address. It’s standard. All my girlfriends have one.”

Is it my imagination, or did her face freeze at the mention of girlfriends?

Sex, hell, yes. I want sex.I’d love to possess her and sink my cock into her. It’s been too long. I’m horny as hell. She drives me crazy. How does she do that? It’s like she’s cat nip.

She has a tell for shock. I know this because she’s normally animated and vocal about her likes and dislikes. She has no problem sharing her opinions. She shared plenty of them last night over dinner. We avoided politics and religion. We need to walk before we run. As of now, I have a date for the wedding, which is all I care about. This is going to be fantastic.

“Great, can I have half of the money upfront?” She asks, and I hear the uncertainty in her voice. Her shoulders slump, and she looks away, embarrassed to ask.

Everything about our arrangement goes against her moral code. She has to be in dire straits to agree to go along with our big lie.

“Text me your payment information.” Sensing her sign in relief, I add, “I’ll transfer it to you today.”

“Great.” She smiles. Obviously, she’s not agreeing to this deal over my charming personality and direct access to me. I’m used to women vying for my attention, so I find it perplexing she’s not excited about being seen with me.

I’d love to know why she needs the money. It’s generous for a month of dinners and hanging out together at events. Her apartment reeks of loneliness. She has the basics, but the place screams “no frills.” The more I think about this arrangement, the happier I am. She deserves more than this. It might only be thirty days, but I want to spoil her. Why have all this money if I can’t enjoy it? Making her smile makes me happy. I want her to desire me physically. I feel our connection but she’s fighting it. I find her intriguing. She doesn’t know that I don’t like to lie either.

“You know, I’m giving you a shopping allowance. You need a dress for the wedding and clothes to wear to events. Buy as many designer pieces as you can. You can keep what you buy. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

Her mouth drops. Her face freezes again.

I love making her look like that. It’s adorable. The fact that I can surprise and shock her at the same time is like making a touchdown.

I want her to show off her curvy figure and not feel out of place when she’s around my teammates and friends. The expensive clothes and accessories will help us pull off this charade. Besides, I want her to have the best of everything, she deserves to be pampered. I doubt she’s ever had a man take care of her.

I can’t wait to see the look on Melanie’s face. My plan is ingenious.

“Now I feel like a call girl,” she says. Her eyes mock me, and she puts a hand on her hip.

“Don’t be silly. This is a business arrangement. There is nothing illegal about it.”

A puzzled look flashes across her face.

I’ve managed to put my foot in my mouth and need to leave before I inflict further damage.

“I have to go. Text me your information for the NDA and the bank transfer,” I reply stiffly before I turn and grab the doorknob.

“What is our love story?” she asks, surprising me.

“What?” I pause.

“How did we meet? How did we fall in love? We need to get our story straight before people ask.”

“We’ll have time to discuss it on the drive to Lake Sebago.”

She nods, and I notice her posture relaxing as her arms drop to her sides and she walks me toward the door. “Have a good day, and thanks for the jersey and the tickets.”

“No problem.” I slip out of her apartment and scan the parking lot for unsavory characters. This must be their bedtime because the place is quiet. I’m thinking about Penelope and how expressive she is as I make the familiar drive to the stadium.

I imagine her naked and between Egyptian cotton bed sheets. I bet she’s a passionate person. And I intend to make our trip romantic. And when she comes, it will be as explosive as the fireworks finale on the 4thof July.

I love affection and expressive women. For some reason, I yearn for Penelope to scream my name when I make love to her. She’s pretending to be immune to me, but the chemistry between us is not my imagination.

CHAPTER16

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