Page 3 of Courtside

“I’m David,” he said, extending a hand toward her.

“Sage,” she replied, taking his large hand, which was just rough enough to not be considered soft. “You’re beautiful.”

David’s brows shot up as a deep laugh burst from him. He shook his head at her, blinking like he couldn’t quite figure out how to respond. “I…thank you?”

Sage drained the last of her margarita and grinned. “You’re welcome.” She’d obviously caught him off guard.

“I think that’s the first time a woman’s ever called me beautiful,” he finally said, eyes dancing with amusement. “I mean, I was thinking of using that word to describe you, but now you’ve stolen it.”

“You poor thing,” Sage teased, feeling her cheeks warm at the compliment.

“Can I buy you another of whatever you’re drinking?” David asked, pointing at her empty glass.

She nodded. “Jalapeño margarita.”

He wrinkled his nose, an unexpectedly adorable look on such a large man. “I can’t handle spicy.”

“But it makes everything better!”

David shook his head. “No way. I like my flavors predictable; sweet and salty are more than enough for me.”

She scoffed. “That sounds like a terribly boring way to live.”

With a low chuckle, David turned to the bar, waving to try to catch Maggie’s attention.

Sage hadn’t even noticed that she’d turned in her seat to face him. His legs had somehow gotten on either side of hers, close enough that if she widened her thighs slightly they’d brush against his. There was something about him that pulled her in, drawing her into his orbit in a matter of minutes.

“What can I get you and my new best friend?” Sage heard Maggie ask as she stopped in front of them.

David glanced over at Sage before turning back to the bartender. “A jalapeño margarita, and a Corona, dressed.”

Maggie shot a wink at Sage. “This one’s beautiful,” she said, nodding her chin in David’s direction. “Go get ‘em, girl.”

Sage felt her cheeks heat again as she let out a loud snort.

David looked indignantly between them. “I mean, I’m obviously flattered, but this is twice in five minutes that I’ve been called beautiful.”

Maggie gave him a sympathetic smile as she mixed Sage’s margarita. “It’s the lashes. Anyone with eyelashes like yours automatically gets categorized as beautiful.”

David rolled his eyes, and Sage couldn’t help but laugh at the expression. She poked him in the arm, leaning her head close. “Please tell me you aren’t actually complaining about two women gushing over how attractive you are.”

He turned back toward her, his head angling down and leaving barely any space between their faces. She looked up, meeting his brown eyes.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice low, quiet enough that his words were contained between the two of them. “You honestly caught me off guard.” His eyes dipped down to her mouth before he looked back up at her. “I came out tonight with the guys planning on having two beers, destroying a plate of nachos and some loaded tots, and then calling it a night.”

Sage shrugged, her lips curving up in a smirk. “I like nachos and tots.”

A low humming sound came from David’s throat. “And how about after the nachos?”

“And the tots. Don’t forget the tots,” she whispered. She could see the clumps in his lashes, where they clung together and curled. He was just so fuckinglovely, while still being an absolute bear of a man. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect combination.

David chuckled. “Sorry. Wouldn’t dream of forgetting the tots.” She felt the warmth of his breath against her cheek, and felt a shiver spread down her arms. “Would you want to come home with meafterthe nachos and tots?”

Sage searched his eyes, looking for any warning signs that would indicate that he wasn’t safe, that leaving with him could go badly. But she saw nothing there but the hungry, heady gaze of a man who wanted a woman, preferably naked and in his bed.

With a slow grin, Sage closed the minimal distance between them, her cheek grazing against his as she set her lips against his ear and whispered, “Yeah, David. I think I would want that.”

She felt the brush of soft hair against her bare shoulder as he stretched his arm along the back of her barstool. His fingertips were gentle against her back as they trailed down over her shoulder blade. All of her focus was pulled to where his skin touched hers, little pin-pricks that made her feel alive.

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