“Hey, beautiful.” I kiss her quickly, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Hey, Scarlett, Heidi.”
“We were just telling Ariella that y’all are more than welcome to join us for dinner,” Heidi explains.
“Thanks, but I already turned down Jordan when he asked me.”
“Next time, for sure,” Ariella hurries to add.
“Fantastic,” Scarlett exclaims.
“All right, well, we’ll see y’all later.” I usher Ariella out of the room and toward the parking lot.
“How come you didn’t want to go with them?”
“Because I didn’t want to share you. There will be plenty of opportunities to hang with them in the future.” My answer seems to satisfy her and we walk to my vehicle. Duke was kind enough to bring her to the stadium. Now, we don’t have to worry about her vehicle or driving separately, and I can just take her home. Hopefully, I’ll spend some time with her there as well.
About halfway to the restaurant, Ariella comments, “So, this is Colby Wilson after a disappointing loss.”
I glance over at her. “What do you mean?”
“You’re quieter than usual, your left leg is bouncing, and your grip is tight on the steering wheel. After a win, you’re pretty much the same, except you smile a little more. I guess I never thought about how you might be different.”
As she says it, my leg stops and my grip loosens. I didn’t realize I was doing it. “Sorry.”
Ariella laughs. “What for?”
“For being quiet and not leaving it on the field.”
“It’s okay; it’s just interesting to see this side of you.”
If she says so. To get us back to normal, I ask, “How was your day?”
“Good. I made some progress on the case we’re working on. Not much, but progress is progress. Oh! I’ve heard of this place. I’ve wanted to come for forever. This is where we’re eating?”
My grin can’t be helped. “Yes, this is where we’re eating,” I confirm as I park. The restaurant is a relatively new high-end place that has been raved about since the day it opened less than a year ago. The last time I was here was during the offseason when my family came down to visit. “You’ll love it,” I add when we get out of the car and meet around the front.
“You’ve been here before?” She takes my hand.
“Yes, just once. My family was visiting.”
Once we’re inside and I give the hostess my name, she leads us to a table. A reservation isn’t needed, but it’s helpful. I called ahead and for possibly the first time ever, used my career to my advantage. I couldn’t give a solid time, so they were going to be flexible and promised a table would be available whenever I arrived.
“God, it all looks so good. How am I supposed to decide?”
“What are you looking at?” I ask. Ariella points to a chicken dish and then a pasta dish on my menu. “I can get the chicken, you can get the pasta, and we can share both, if you want.”
“No, get whatever you want. I’ll pick by the time the waiter comes back.”
I watch her eyes switch back and forth on the menu. She still seems indecisive, so when the waiter returns, I order them both for us. “I wanted chicken,” I explain when Ariella gives me an odd look; I can’t determine if the look is good or bad.
She nods. Ariella gives another curious glance around the room. “It has an elegant, but somehow cozy feel to it, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah.” She’s right. There’s an elegance to the design, the low lighting, and the set up in the room. But it does feel cozy too, which is a little surprising.
“Listen, um, this might be strange to hear me say, but my department is having a little get together. It’s nothing big, just family, friends, you know, the usual crowd. I was wondering if you wanted to come. You don’t have to because Duke is the only one who knows I’m dating you at work, so the second they see you, I’ll become an instant celebrity,” she jokes. “What do you think? No pressure, of course. I already made you meet my family. By the way, they’ll be there too.”
“As long as it’s on a day I don’t have work stuff, then yeah, I’ll come. Can I expect the same kind of experience with your dad with your coworkers or are they more like Duke?”
“First, I already stalked your schedule and you’re off. Two, it’s going to be much, much worse. These guys think of me as a little sister, and I can’t seem to shake the shadow of my dad’s impressive record.” She shakes her head and I laugh.
“And somehow, I’m still looking forward to it. Do y’all all get together a lot, or is this like an annual event?”
“It’s annual. I think it’s more of excuse to eat than anything. We love a good home cooked meal.”
“Well, I’m excited.”
“I’ll be sure to have my gun in plain sight in case the guys pester you too much.” She laughs. “Looks like the playoffs are coming up fast. Will anyone in your family be coming to watch you?”
“I don’t know yet. It’ll depend on their schedules. I’ve been thinking about maybe waiting until after the season ends to see if they want to come down. I can spend more time with them that way.”
Ariella thinks for a moment, her face looking suddenly serious. “Is your contract still good? I mean, you’re not going to be traded anytime soon or anything, right?”
“Unless they’re unhappy with me, I don’t think I’ll be traded. I should be in Memphis for a few more years at least.”
“Really?” She smiles widely, and she’s obviously very happy. “You think you will be?”
“Yeah.” I grin. “Worried I might leave?”
“I shouldn’t be, right? We’ve just met and started getting to know each other, but in all honesty, yes, I did think about it.”
I like that she has. I’m not sure how to tell her that I’d be worried if I were to leave too. Finally, I just say, “I’d be worried if I thought there was a chance you could leave.”
Ariella blushes. “So, I’m not insane to be thinking about it?”
“Not at all. I’ll take a wild guess and say you never want to leave Memphis?”
“I would like to travel, but no, I wouldn’t want to move away. Memphis is home to me and my family is here. I want to watch Lil D grow up and I’d,” she hesitates before continuing, “I’d like to see my kids grow up in the same neighborhoods I did.”
I nod. “I understand that. I’ve lived in so many places, even as a kid that I’m kind of used to not really having a place to call home. It’s why I just say I’m from Michigan because we moved all over all the time. It’d be nice to eventually have that.”
“Colby, you’re starting to be too good to be true. I’m waiting for a bomb to drop at any time. We seem to mesh too well, you know?” She’s getting that nervous look again, and I give her a small smile.
“Do you remember the advice I gave you? I think you should keep doing that.”
“Duke told me something similar to it as well. It’s a bit mind-blowing to me. I’ve had so many bad dates and, well, relationships altogether. I can make career choices but when it’s the man department, it’s like I have no brain. I probably shouldn’t be rambling on like this.” She looks away in embarrassment.
I’m grinning now though. “I promise your brain is there, working, and making excellent decisions.”
Ariella laughs, and throughout the rest of dinner, I hear more of her laughter. It’s been good to have something like this with her finally. So many of our dates have been cut short, I’m glad to know it is possible for us to have a full date. I pay for dinner, and every time I glance over at Ariella on the ride to her house, she has this cute little smile on her face.
It’s still there when I walk her to her front door.
“What happens now? How are we going to finish our date?”
She sticks her key into the lock. “I’m going to invite you inside, you’re going to accept, and,” she glances over at me as she pushes the door open, “we’ll see what happens. It will defini
tely end with a kiss.”
We step inside. “And this is the beginning of the end, right?”
Her brows pull together in confusion as Buster runs between us to get outside. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Then I’d like to start the end with a kiss as well.”
Finally, she grins, tilting her head back just a little. I regain the distance I lost when her dog pushed us apart and lean down to kiss her. She blindly tosses her items to the chair behind me as she wraps her arms around my neck. There’s a hunger and eagerness that is more prominent than it was before. I take a step forward, pushing her a step back, until she’s against the door.
My hands roam down her body. I want her. I need her. The kiss deepens, her hands traveling down my chest and slipping underneath my shirt. When she reaches my abs, a small, breathy moan tumbles into my mouth.
“Colby,” she breathes just as Buster barks on the other side of the screen door. I reluctantly move away, so she can let him in. “Bed, boy.” She lifts her gaze from Buster to me with the biggest grin. “Buster can go to his bed, and you can come to mine.”
I want this a lot. So, I wait as she locks up the house. The moment she turns to face me, it’s like game over. I grab her hand, tug her hard against me, and kiss her. My hands slide down her back, over her ass, and to her thighs. She holds on to my shoulders and wraps her legs around my waist.
“Where to?” I murmur against her lips.
“Upstairs, first door on the left.”
With that, I start toward the stairs while Ariella places open-mouthed kisses along my jaw and neck. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve had sex, and this might just become an all-nighter. I barely notice anything more than the bed when I enter her room. I lay us down, pressing my lips to hers again.
She tugs on my shirt, pulling it off. Her hands and lips become frenzied once I yank her shirt up and over her head, tossing it aside.
“Abs are my favorite.” Her fingers trail over them.
I laugh. “Never been more thankful to have them.”
She smiles. “There are some condoms in my nightstand drawer. If you get that, I’ll be naked by the time you come back to me.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice.
“COLBY.” I ARCH my back and moan his name. He pumps harder into me as I shake with my release and he soon follows.
He is panting hard in my ear and my legs are tired from holding on so tightly, but I want to stay in this position forever. Having Colby inside me makes me feel fuller than ever before, and I don’t want to lose the sensation. He lays his forehead against mine and I release my legs.
“Well, that’s one way to wake up.” He chuckles as he kisses me gently and rolls out of the bed to go my master bathroom and clean up.
I glance at my alarm clock and it’s only eight in the morning. Colby spent the night, and most it had been us having sex and talking. I don’t even think we slept a full three hours. I snuggle deeper into the bed and relish in the scent of Colby on my skin. He struts back into the bedroom and my eyes land right on his abs. They’re deeply defined and I’m thankful he doesn’t wax his chest. He isn’t overly hairy, like a bear, but some chest hair is nice and sexy.
He crawls back into bed and pulls me flush with his body. “Good morning, beautiful.”
I giggle like a little girl at his term of endearment. “Hi.”
He lightly brushes a small piece of hair back from my forehead. “I like waking up with you.”
“I agree. It means I don’t have to do any yoga this morning,” I joke.
Colby chuckles and kisses me again.
“How about I make us some breakfast?”
“You don’t have to go to work?” He seems surprised.
I shook my head. “I may have taken a sick day today.”
“Really?” Colby rolls on his back with me straddling him. “Now, why did you do that?”
“I might have been hoping for a sleepover with a certain someone.” I lean down and softly bite his earlobe.
“Who?”
“Oh, just some baseball player,” I tease.
Colby moans. “You know I want to go another round, but I think I need to recoup.”
I sit up and smile. “I agree. How about you grab a shower and I whip us up some breakfast? Then I’ll jump in the shower and we spend the day together?”
“Perfect.” He winks and we head off in separate directions.
I slip into Colby’s t-shirt. It comes down just a little under my butt, so I slip on a pair of my boy shorts and head to the kitchen. I’m hoping Colby likes what I make because I’m not sure what he exactly likes.
Can’t go wrong with bacon and eggs, right?
I grab the items from my fridge and start with the bacon. I figure I can whip up a nice omelet, and I find spinach and peppers to pair with it. I hum happily with the song on the radio as I maneuver around my kitchen.
When Colby comes in, his jeans are hanging low on his hips, and I try not to drool over his hot body.
Yes, ladies, I had sex with him.
“Smells really good.” He comes up behind me. “Anything I can help you with?”
“If you want, grab something to drink, because I don’t know what you like.”
“Okay.”
I plate up the food and sit it at my kitchen table. Colby places two glasses of orange juice on the table and holds out my chair for me. I smile at him and take a seat.
We eat in silence because I think we’ve used all of our energy throughout the night. I like this, the comfortable silence, Buster chomping on his doggie food, and Colby sitting with me. Even though I’m still fearful something bad is going to happen, I need to ride this wave out.
And I’m going to.
“Have you ever been to a food festival?”
“Sure. I’ve been a few here and there. Why?” Colby picks up his plate.
“Well, the Art, Food, and Wine Festival begins today, and I thought we could go. They have great little exhibits and crafty items.” Colby doesn’t say anything right away. “It’s not overly girly or anything.” I try to justify the festival isn’t all bad.
“I’m fine to go. I just need to run home and get some clean clothes.”
“Then why do you look so perplexed?”
“Because you’re wearing my shirt, and I’m debating if I can take it off you without putting you on top of the table and having sex with you again.”
I laugh loudly. “Walk me upstairs and I’ll get in the shower, and you can have your shirt.”
Colby shrugs. “Well, if you think that’ll make easier, you’re wrong.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him hard. “Well, shower sex doesn’t sound so bad.”
Unfortunately, Colby and I didn’t have shower sex. He made the smart decision and headed home while I got ready. About an hour or so later, Colby came back and we head off to Central Park.
We find a place to park and together, hand-in-hand, we head toward the festival.
Since either of us is hungry, Colby leads me over to the arts and crafts sections. We visit each booth and a few people quickly recognize Colby. It’s cute to see how he is with fans, especially the kids. He always bends down and talks to them. It’s sweet, and such a turn on.
I end up purchasing a few things for Mom and Alizeh and a wooden train for Lil D. I know he can’t play with it yet, but maybe in a year or so. Colby even sees a thing or two for his nieces.
Once we walk through all the booths, the sun is blazing down and we find water and take a seat.
“Are you having fun? Or are you bored to death?”
Colby grins. “I’m having fun, Ariella. This is much bigger than I thought it would be. Plus, I’m spending time with you, and I’m happy with that most of all.”
I blush and it’s not because of the rising heat. “Ready to try some street food?”
“Lead the way.”
The day is perfect. I can’t even imagine how it could be b
etter, but as with everything, it has to come to an end. After we’ve seen the last booth, eaten more food than we needed too, and drank more water than a fish, Colby drives me home.
He carries my bags in and once he drops them on the kitchen table he follows me out to the backyard with Buster.
“I don’t want to leave,” he confesses.
“I don’t want you too either.”
“I’m on the road this week.”
I nod. “Remember, I’m stalking you.” I nudge his shoulder.
“Right.” He smirks.
“When you come back Monday, the picnic is that afternoon. But, I’m serious, if you’re too tired, don’t worry about it.” I want him to go so badly, but at the same time, I know the guys will never let me live it down.
“I will be there.”
I lay my head on his shoulder and lace our fingers together. “Thank you for everything.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
I lift my head and he gives me a kiss I know will last me for the next seven days.
Duke pounds on the door harder. He and I are standing outside Dice’s girlfriend’s house.
“What the hell are you banging for? I have a sleeping baby.” The young black girl yells as she yanks open the door.
“Are you Sassy?” I ask even though I know she is.
“Who wants to know?” she sneers.
Duke and I both hold up our badges. “Memphis Homicide does,” I say. “Are you Dice’s girl?”
“If he’s in jail, I ain’t bailing him out,” she smarts off.
“We need to find him. Where is he?” Duke is firmer with her.
She shakes her head. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” He pushes her a bit. “And I’m sure you don’t want any charges brought against you for hiding him either. Do you?”
It’s a small threat, but we could bring charges. Well, it’s a stretch, but it might work on her.
Sassy looks around to make sure no one is near us. “He’s over at the complex. He stays with his sister, Star. She’s on the fourth floor. But I didn’t tell you.” She is suddenly very scared.
“Is he there now?”
Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) Page 9