Page 63 of Wild Love
19
Johnny
Dakota avoidsme something fierce for the next two days. She comes home from work later than before and goes out with Quinn and Reese in the evenings. We’re in deep avoidance. And I’m the ridiculous one?
I’ve been keeping busy, though. After feeling sorry for myself and my bum knee for a few days, I decided to suck it up and get to work. I’m working out my upper body and core and doing therapy on my knee. I can start working out for real next week, and it couldn’t come any sooner. Camp starts Tuesday. Damn, that was a close call. One more fuckup like that, and I’ll be spending this winter in Iowa.
Today is going to be a good day, though. We’re shooting the endorsement photos, so Dakota can no longer avoid me.
I don’t understand her. No, actually, I think I do, which is why it baffles me that she won’t admit she wants to have sex with me as much as I want her.
I get to the shoot a few minutes early because I’m dying to see her in a place she can’t run away. Outside of the locker room, Quinn clutches a clipboard to her chest. “Hi, Johnny Maverick.”
“Hey.” I tip my chin to the door behind her. “Is Dakota in there?”
“Yeah, they’re all waiting for you.” She holds the door open for me and follows me inside.
The Wildcats locker room has been quiet the past couple of weeks, but today it is chaos inside. Her instructions were simple—be in the Wildcat locker room wearing swim trunks. I’m intrigued.
Dakota spots me immediately and hurries forward, weaving through the people standing around doing who knows what.
“What is all this?” I ask when she steps in front of me.
“It takes a lot of people to make you look good,” she teases.
I rake a hand through my hair. “This isn’t what I was expecting.”
“Would you prefer I take some photos on my cell phone?”
“Uhh…”
“I was kidding.” She wraps a hand around my forearm and pulls me with her. “This is going to be a big promotion for Maverick Enterprises. They pulled out all the stops.”
I keep my mouth shut, but I highly doubt dear old Dad is responsible for any of this. This is all Kota.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admit. It’s a little intimidating as more people turn to look at me and start yelling for everyone to get into position.
“It’ll be easy. Just do what you do best.” She smiles, her blue eyes dancing with mischief. She’s sexy as hell, and this is not a great time to be noticing, but seeing her in action at work all lit up like she is now is a major turn-on.
“What I do best?”
Her smile gets impossibly bigger as she walks backward, and I follow because there’s just about nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
She comes up short next to the showers. “Take off your shirt.”
When Dakota moves to the side, I get the full effect. Big standing lights and other photography equipment are angled toward the middle shower. Dividers block off the rest of the open space, and in the cubby underneath the showerhead, the entire new product line is displayed.
“Kota, this looks killer.”
Blythe steps up beside her, fingers clutched around her cell phone as she speaks quietly, “We only have the room for an hour. Let’s make sure we get what we need before Coach Miller kicks us out.”
“Right.” Dakota straightens. “Let’s get a few of you standing in the shower first, and then we’re going to do some with the water on. It’ll be like you’re taking a shower with no one watching. Except we’ll be watching and filming, so don’t embarrass me.”
I chuckle, and she continues. “There is bottled water, that cherry energy drink you like, and some fruit and other food over there if you need anything.” She points. “Reese and Quinn will be helping me by taking some behind-the-scenes footage.” The two other interns wave awkwardly behind her. “I think that’s it. Just be you.”
“Just me, huh?” I’m not sure anyone has ever encouraged me tobe myself.
People start moving into position, music starts playing, and a bright flash goes off.
