Page 32 of King of Hearts

Her eyes widened and she squealed. “Are you serious? I can come with you and meet the captain of the HEARTS?”

She ran the hand not holding her phone through her hair before placing it on her chest. “My heart is beating so fast, Arns, don’t lie to me!”

I laughed at her over the top reaction. Her sheer love for this football team never ceased to amaze me, but I loved it for her.

“Yes. Come with me. But you can’t act like that.” I said, pointing at her as she fanned herself. “You need to appear relaxed because it will be at the club so you will probably see quite a few of the players.”

“Fuck. I will need to take a Valium or have a few shots before we go, or I might accidentally lick one of them.” I barked a laugh, and she shook her head in disbelief. “You think I’m joking.” She mumbled.

“I will pick you up at 9:00am. Now, go shave so your new man can feast. Also, when are you going to introduce him to your best friend in the whole world?”

“Soon, I promise. I told him all about you today, although he has known about you since the day we met. He wants to meet you too.”

“Okay, let’s organise something tomorrow. Do NOT wear any of your Hearts’ clothing. Dress in business attire, have a vodka smoothie for breakfast and bring a bloody notepad or something so you can fan yourself because I know you will start hyperventilating the minute you see anyone you recognise.” I said shaking with my barely contained mirth. I blew her a kiss before disconnecting the call and I was still grinning as I began to ponder an outfit for myself that was both polished yet screamedbench me, please, sir.

Chapter Nineteen

Arna

Stepping onto the field with Marlee and the small group of photographers, I spotted Andy right away.

Positioned on the other side of the field with his back to us, he stood talking to a small group of players. He motioned to one side of the field before sweeping his arm to direct their gaze to the other end. Whatever he was saying held their full attention and observing the authority in that alone was sexy as all hell. I was often described as both confident and assertive, but lately I wondered if maybe there was a hidden submissive streak lingering in my bones. I contemplated the baritone of his voice giving me instructions in the bedroom and I shivered as a chill moved down my spine.

When he took a step back, they dispersed immediately, beginning whatever it was he asked of them, and I admired the way he moved with such agility and precision while continuing to lead his group.

“Holy shit, Arns. I might actually pee my pants.” Marlee whispered in my ear, and I turned towards her, focusing on the look of awe which painted her features and not how amenable I could potentially be given the right incentive.

“I’ve never been a sports lover, but even I find it overwhelming out here.” I kept my voice low, mindful of anyone else overhearing that I was conducting, what was pitched as the sporting article of the year, with almost zero care for football itself.

I observed a little while longer before remembering it was a work day and I was on the clock. Taking a moment and stepping away from everyone I glanced around the stadium. The scoreboard was dark, situated above the vacated pale blue seating which directly contrasted against the luscious green of the field, creating a calm serenity. There were a couple of people touching up the white lines which marked the measurements of the field and a few coaching staff strategising in the centre of the oval. Otherwise, it was small clusters of Hearts’ players running a variety of drills, and us, standing over near the fence. Marlee was taking photos on her phone in what she probably thought was a discreet manner and I stifled a giggle, glad I brought her with me to experience this.

Noticing the photographers still standing idly to the side, I looped them into my vision on exactly how I wanted this to look.

“Team - we will need several options for this feature. I haven’t yet spoken to Andy about what he would like, however, I will require you to be both attentive and considerate today. If I need a certain shot, I will ask. Otherwise, do not take photos without either mine or Andy’s permission. I want to remind you of the non-disclosure you all signed. The images you take today are to be shared with no one other than myself or my boss. Before you even take your cameras out of their cases, I need to know you understand this.”

The two younger females nodded, practised smiles on their eager faces. The third, a male who appeared to be the most experienced of the three based on the way he directed the younger women, stepped towards me as if speaking on behalf of his team. He smiled, his eyes flicking down to my chest for the briefest moment before returning to my face.

“You won’t have any issues with us breaching confidentiality, Arnabelle. We are at your service.”

The implication could not have been clearer if he wrote it on his forehead and just as I was about to firmly put him in his place, someone cleared their throat behind me. Spinning around, I was met with a very sweaty, very handsome and very close Andy. He was glaring over my shoulder with a focused look, that if I wasn’t mistaken, held an element of possession.

I quickly peeked over to Marlee who was flapping her hands around and mouthing, ‘Oh my god,’ before biting my lower lip to prevent the laugh which threatened to break loose. Looking back at Andy, I smiled.

“Hey, you.”

His face immediately softened into a grin, sending a tingle through my body.The things I would lethim do to me.

“Hey you, yourself.” He said, hitting pause on my vision which involved him and I in a much more private setting. “I didn’t realise you were here already. Time gets away on the training paddock.” He lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Was he purposely trying to make me faint? I tore my eyes away to check on Marlee who appeared as though she were about to join me in the land of the unconscious and that was enough to snap me back to the moment.

“Should have photographed that.” I said softly, so only he would have heard my cheeky words. Andy laughed and any tension I was feeling after our last encounter melted away. He was so easy to be around, and he brought out a side of me that not many were able to see. At work I maintained a specific focus. An almost hyper-vigilance where I was waiting for someone to do something I would need to manage or fix – mainly since Darren was appointed. However, my usual guarded demeanour didn’t feel necessary here.

“Andy, this is Marlee. She is part of the - argh - team at Urban Pulse.” I gestured for Marls to come closer as she masked her awe with a face that only I could see her excitement through. She reached out her hand and Andy leant forward, accepting the gesture with his own.

“Nice to meet you, Marlee. And what is your role at Pulse?” His voice held a hint of humour, which she also noticed if her brief look of horror was anything to go by.

“I am, ah - ah, an editor. But junior. Not as experienced as Arna over here. I am following her today as a learning experience.”

Nicesave, Marls.

---