Update: The erection situation has not improved.
Clearing my throat, I hold out a hand and attempt to rein in my rogue body parts. Hell, even my man nipples are hard in Juliette’s presence.
“It’s nice to meet you, Juliette.” I’m impressed that my voice sounds even and smooth when I feel the exact opposite.She’s here. She’s really standing right in front of me. My dream girl come to life.
She reaches out to shake my hand, and as soon as our skin makes contact, I have to brace myself from the jolt I feel.
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Swain.”
Mr. Swain? Well that’s not fucking helping.My goddamn nipples are so firm they hurt, and my balls are turning bluer by the second.
“Please, call me Reno.”In fact, why don’t you scream it for me, baby.“Did you enjoy thegame?”
Juliette’s pretty eyes widen. “It was freaking awesome. I think the Brewers really have a chance this year with you on the team. I mean, you forced four turnovers, and the way you neutralized their forward was textbook.”
Color me impressed. The woman knows her hockey. More importantly, she kept up withmystats during the game. It’s hot.
When I realize I’m still holding her small hand in front of all these people, I ease back, allowing my middle finger to drag suggestively against her palm. The pinkening of her cheeks has my insides doing a happy dance.She’s still affected by me.
“Why don’t we head to the restaurant?” Baylor interrupts. “I could eat an entire cow right now.”
He and Holly kiss their son and hand him off to Isaac before everyone exchanges hugs. They’re a close family, and there’s obviously a lot of love between the siblings and the two fathers.
Emmett slaps my arm with a strong hand. “Reno, you should come to our family’s Labor Day cookout. Bubba can give you the details.” I’ve finally figured out that Baylor’s family refers to him as Bubba, the same Bubba Juliette referred to when we were on the island.
“I don’t want to intrude,” I lie because I want to intrude like a motherfucker if Juliette is going to be there, which I’m assuming she is since Emmett said it was afamilycookout.
“Nonsense,” Bubba Baylor says. “Everyone’s welcome. Bring your mom and Gramps too.”
He was with me one day when I stopped by to take Gramps a new book I ordered online, so he got to meet my grandfather. Then Baylor suggested the local library if I wanted to borrow books instead of buying them.
Fuck, if I’d only taken that advice, I most likely would have run into Juliette weeks ago since it’s the only library in town. I’m flabbergasted at my next thought.
She’s been right under my nose almost this entire time.
Rather than the formal atmosphere I expected, the steakhouse is decorated in a rustic theme, so we’re not out of place in our casual clothing. The ladies are still wearing their jerseys and jeans. For the record, I’m not exactly happy to see another man’s number on Juliette’s body, brother or no.
Baylor and I are in ourleave the arenauniforms, consisting of a Brewers polo and nicely pressed navy shorts. We have to wear a suit upon arriving, but after the games, Coach lets us dress down. I’m a fan of this system because no one wants to put on a stuffy suit after spending a few hours in our heavy gear. Especially not in the Texas heat.
A portly host greets us at the door and finds our reservation before leading us down a side hallway and through a door markedPrivate.
Baylor and Holly walk in front of us, so I rest my hand on the small of Juliette’s back. I’m pleased when she slightly bows her back for more of my touch.
We’re shown to a quiet table in a private room, which is apparently reserved for celebrities and sports stars. Matthew McConaughey sits at a corner table with a woman I assume is his wife. I think I read somewhere he’s from Texas, though I’d forgotten until now. There’s also an actress from a soap opera, but I can’t remember her name.
A couple of our teammates are here, as well as a famous baseball player from Dallas. I like this setup. It allows privacy for well-known people who just want to have dinner without autograph and photo hounds all over them.
Baylor pulls out Holly’s chair and then starts to round the table to do the same for his sister, but I’ve already got it handled. He frowns a little but returns to his seat beside his wife. I sit to Juliette’s right andslyly place my hand on her knee over the denim of her jeans. She doesn’t protest, though I see her eyebrows pop up once in surprise.
Energy thrums through my body at her proximity as I scan the one-page menu. “Hmmm, how’s the prime rib?” I ask Baylor, rubbing my thumb over Juliette’s denim-clad knee. Does she remember that’s what we both ate at our first dinner together?
She bounces her leg once, and I bite my bottom lip to keep from grinning like a fool. She remembers.
“It’s excellent,” my teammate says.
“Good. I’ll have that.” I swivel my head to Juliette and ask casually, “Do you like meat, Juliette?”
Her face is deliciously comical, but she coughs lightly and nods. “Love it. I think I’ll have the same.”
