"Um? You just scorched my arm then tried to drown me."
"Sorry?"
"Oh, that's gonna cost you." He dipped his finger in the sour cream.
"Seriously, I didn't mean to. It was an innocent mistake."
Tristan stalked to me with a predatory edge in his step. His golden eyes darkened. "Oh, you're gonna pay." He darted at me, and I covered my face with my arms. At six-foot-three and two hundred pounds, he had me at a disadvantage.
"Not fair!" I attempted to wiggle my wrist free. No use. Tristan smeared a dollop of sour cream into my hair and eyebrows.
Game on.
Reaching behind me, I grabbed the avocado dip and smashed it on his nose. Tristan paused, and I jumped away.
"Better run, Spud." And I did, all the way to the bedroom. Pictures fell to the ground when I backed into the wall, searching for my pursuer.
Lethally calm, Tristan ambled down the hallway. "You keep this up, and we won't make it to dessert." He growled. "On second thought, dinner may have to wait, too." His voice was low and raspy as he rounded the corner.
When he caught up to me in the bedroom, my back hit the wall next to the bathroom. "Funny, because I'm not hungry for food anymore." I licked my lips.
Tristan rushed to me and fisted my hair at the back of my head. "Woman, you drive me crazy."
His passion ignited my own, sending a shiver down my spine. I gathered the front of his shirt and tugged until our chests were flushed. "Right back at you, Daniels."
Tristan
Elle was amazing, and the sex, God, it was hot, wild, and demanding. I loved that side of her.
A little later while getting ready for bed, she said, "I'll get up to run with you, though don't expect me to keep up." She yawned. "Gotta get your game on tomorrow."
Elle hadn't gotten her sweet ass up to run in weeks. "Game on, huh?"
She nodded, fitting herself against my chest.
"If we don't get some sleep now, I may not be playing for anyone after college."
Elle's back vibrated when she laughed. "Daniels, you could play football on your deathbed." She yawned again, and a second later, snoring. I sighed and kissed the crown of her head. As soon as my eyes shut, all sound ceased.
The next morning, I shook Elle's shoulder. As expected, she never budged so I left her to sleep. Shoes laced up and earbuds in, I turned the music up and headed out. The crisp air hit my face, welcoming me to the day.
A good hour and a half later, I jumped in the shower, mentally preparing for the day.
A breeze from the door opening swept through the steam. "Want scrambled eggs and toast?" The type of eggs Elle could cook were scrambled–that was it. Maybe boiled. "And you're gonna be so great today on the field!"
Swiping water from my face, I turned the shower off and stepped out. Elle smiled, handing me a towel, and I wrapped it around my waist.
Elle, the cheerleader. My cock instantly hardened thinking about her in a mid-thigh skirt, no top or panties while she clenched around me. Stop, dammit! I shook my head to clear the image out.
She massaged my shoulders, which didn't help erase the fantasy. My head needed to be clear. Zero distractions.
"Spud," I groaned, clasping a hand over one of hers. "Eggs would be great."
As if she enjoyed torturing me, Elle pressed her chest against my back and rested her chin on my shoulder. God, she smelled good.
"Sure. Anything else?" Her hot breath against my skin messed up my concentration more.
"I need to focus, and you're making me do the exact opposite." I turned and glanced at her.
Braless, Elle's nipples tented the worn-out T-shirt she'd confiscated from my side of the closet. She smirked. "I can't help that you're horny all the time."
What the…? "You come in here, smelling good enough to taste, whispering against me." No room to move, I pinned Elle to the wall. "And let's not mention the hot little cheerleading vision I had of you–"
"Wait, what?" She maneuvered away from my hold. "Tell you what." She patted my chest. "You get ready, come eat breakfast, and we'll discuss the 'cheerleader' idea later." Elle pushed past me, leaving the bathroom. When the latch clicked, I wiped the condensation from the mirror, focusing on my reflection. Today was it–time to prove what I could offer on the field.
∞ ∞ ∞
"Damn, you're looking good," Jarred praised as I jogged off the field with him on my heels to the sidelines.
"What can I say, I'm hot shit." Jarred tossed my bag over, nearly hitting my face. "Punk." I wiped sweat from my forehead.
Bret caught up, pretending to gag. "Dude, you're worse than a chick." He jutted his head toward the field. "Showcasing out there for everyone."
"Don't be jealous."
"Nice foot action, Daniels." Trey jutted his chin toward me on the way to the locker room.
"Thanks, man," I said, taking my phone from my bag to call Elle.
She picked up right away. "You nailed it!"
More sweat dripped down the sides of my face when I shook my head. "I could've fucked up; you never know."
She chuckled. "I was there. Figured since I was too sick to see you at combine, I'd go today."
I glanced around the stadium on the way to the locker room. "Where were you?"
"The stands in the back corner on the fifty-yard line. Did a piece on this sexy football player for the paper."
"Oh, yeah?" I held the phone between my shoulder and ear while I unlocked my locker. A few guys walked around the corner and nodded my way. I returned the gesture.
"Yeah, you may know him."
An ear-to-ear grin spread over my mouth. "Bet so. What's his name?" I asked, playing along.
"Bret McMillan." Though she'd covered the phone, I could still make out her snickering.
"Spud, you're not allowed to hang around Amazon anymore," I growled. "I'm not good at sharing, especially with things that belong to me."
Elle sucked in a sharp breath. If I had to guess, her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink, and she'd be gnawing on that pouty, bottom lip. "Belong to you? Um, no. I'll let that comment slide on the account you did so well."
"You Jane, me Tarzan," I said, making Elle laugh.
"All right, Mr. Delusional, I'll see you at home in a bit. I've got to get to class so I can bomb my statistics test."
"You'll be fine." I leaned against the cold metal locker. "It's just numbers. Not hard, Spud, and statistically speaking, you're gonna get luck–"
"Hanging up now." The line went dead.
∞ ∞ ∞
Studying for the upcoming finals drew my attention away from the NFL draft. I'd been invited to attend the event. Bret turned the offer down, requesting to stay here with his family. I thought maybe I would do the same, but Elle wouldn't have it.
"Um, your ass is going." Her sassy attitude was cute. "You've worked hard to get to this point." She tossed the rest of the clothes from the laundry basket in the washer. "Besides, it'll make your dad happy." She jutted her hip against the washer, daring me to argue.
"Fine." I shortened the space between us, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "Whatever makes you happy."
"Whatever?" She waggled her brows.
"Somethin' tells me I'm gonna regret this."
"Nah. I already told your parents. They'll meet us at the airport tomorrow." Elle ran, slamming the bedroom door when I took off after her.
The next day, Elle worked in a blur, gathering our bags to leave. When I tried to help, she slapped my hand away. "I've got it."
"You sure?"
"Of course." She changed the subject. "Your mom asked me to shop with her once we get there."
I bit the inside of my cheek, seeing the strangled look she tossed my way. She loved shopping about as much as I enjoyed drinking coffee with sugar–not a damn lot.
"Maybe you'll have fun?"
She threw daggers through her glare. "You didn't hear her on the phone." She placed both hands on her hips. "She also mentioned the wedd
ing. The wedding we haven't planned yet."
The terror in her voice made me laugh.
My face met a pillow.
"Not nice, Spud." I laughed more when she picked up another and made a grab for the bags. "I'll take these suitcases to the car."
Elle
Tristan and his dad sat beside each other, forcing me to take the empty seat beside his mom. She smiled. "I've never been to Chicago. Have you?"
"Ah, no. I've never been out of Texas."
Her smile deepened. "Well, then, we'll explore together."
The knots twisting my stomach relaxed. As soon as the plane leveled, we ordered drinks. "I'll take a glass of water, thanks."
Mrs. Daniels ordered the same. We sat in comfortable silence for most of the flight. I even opened my Kindle app to finish reading a romance book I'd started last week. As much as I wanted to find out how the story ended, my mind drifted to churches, bridesmaid dresses, and other various details I hadn't a clue about.
Wedding talk freaked me out. The fact was, I wanted to find the dress, but the person who was supposed to be by my side through it all was missing: Heather.
Mrs. Daniels rested a hand on my arm. "Elle, is everything okay?"
I gave her a weak smile. "Just nervous about meeting so many people."
"It'll be all right." She grabbed a bridal magazine from her purse.
Ugh! The worry was real.
"I found this at the airport." Mrs. Daniels flipped through the pages. "Have you and Tristan settled on a date for the wedding yet?"
My palms turned sweaty. "No, not yet."
"Well, no harm in looking, right?" She bumped my arm with her elbow. The page showed a brunette in a mermaid gown with a simple diamond, pedal-studded belt around the middle. Beautiful. She pointed to the model's hair. "Have you decided if you want your hair up or down?"
"Up?" My numb foot tingled, and I shifted in the seat, uncrossing my legs. "To be honest, I haven't thought much about the details. I guess planning everything–" Shit, why was this so hard all of a sudden? "Heather was supposed to help me organize my wedding."
She took in a sharp breath. "Oh, dear. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you or–"
"No, it's fine." The pressure against my rib cage eased. "Honestly, I'm excited about finding a dress."
"So is your mom." She smiled.
Tristan leaned over the seat. "Everything okay?" His eyes darted between me, his mom, and the magazine sitting on her lap.
"All good here." I mouthed, promise.
"Girl talk is all," Mrs. Daniels offered, shooing her son away.
The pilot's voice came through the speakers. "Thank you all for flying with us today. We should be landing smoothly in fifteen minutes."
I waggled my brows. "You ready?"
Tristan's forehead creased. "Yeah." Liar.
A stewardess stopped by our section. "Sir, please take your seat, and fasten your seat belt."
"Yes, ma'am." Tristan sent her a thin-lipped grin before sitting.
At the airport with our luggage, we headed out to the limo waiting for us outside. A perk of Tristan signing right before the draft, the agency agreed to pick up our hotel and travel tab.
His dad whistled when we got off the hotel elevator on the floor where we were staying. "Nice place, son."
"Yeah." Tristan tipped the bellhop. "I'm starved. Y'all want to meet at the restaurant in thirty minutes?"
"Oh, I didn't eat before we left. Dinner sounds wonderful." Mrs. Daniels turned to her husband. "But let's meet in an hour." She patted his chest.
Mr. Daniels jiggled the change in his pocket. "Good, good. We'll see you two in a bit." They disappeared behind their door before either one of us could comment.
"Um, I think your parents just blew us off to have–"
"I'd rather not think about them. Hmm." Tristan snaked his arms around my waist. He nipped my earlobe. "Ya know, we do have plenty of time."
My lips might've split from smiling so big. "Let's set a date for the wedding."
He froze.
I circled in his hold, resting my hands on his chest. The smile he wore melted my insides. "You have any date in mind?"
"Spud, I'm ready whenever you are." He glanced down the hall. "Now, if you want." Tristan dipped his head to my neck, running his tongue across my racing pulse. "Looking forward to after. As soon as the wedding's over, we can get on with the honeymoon."
Tristan
Elle's small hand in mine calmed the sudden nervousness. Derrick met us at the hotel and rode in the limo to the event, too. He and my parents chatted, though I had a hard time paying attention to the conversation.
Elle whispered, "I'm not wearing any panties."
That grabbed my attention.
"Spud, you're being a naughty girl." I leaned in next to her ear. "I promise to punish you later." The sudden hitch in her breathing erased any remaining stress. I kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
"Always, remember?" Elle squeezed my hand.
"Looks like we're here," Derrick announced. He was a tall man, standing past Dad, but not quite reaching my height. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be," I said, linking my fingers with Elle's.
Derrick nodded to us before stepping out of the limo.
Hollywood glam is what I'd describe the scene. Cameras flashed and people yelled as we exited the door. Elle glued herself to my side, her hand turning into a clamp.
"Breathe, Spud."
She elbowed my side, and I chuckled.
"Mr. Daniels, if you and your party will follow me." A short guy with black spiky hair gestured us forward.
"Thank you," Derrick said, taking over.
We followed the rush of people to a round table in the center of a busy room. Dad and I didn't sit like the others had. The pandemonium of fellow athletes was astounding.
"Pretty great, isn't it, son?" Dad clasped the back of my neck.
"Yeah, it's just…" I shook the stardom from my head. "Surreal."
A waitress broke the spell. "Would you like something to drink, Mr. Daniels?"
"Yes, ma'am. Water, please." The fact she knew my name blew me away.
She blushed. "Got it." She glanced at Dad. "For you?"
"Iced tea, please."
The waitress jotted the order down and headed off. In the distance, a familiar face headed my way.
"What the hell, man?" Brad, one of my teammates from UT shook my hand.
"Long time, brother."
"Sure as shit has been."
Dad coughed behind me, and I waved to him. "Brad, this is my dad, Wade." I turned to him. "Brad and I played ball at UT."
"Glad to meet you, son."
Brad wore a perplexed expression. Back before I'd transferred to Tech, Dad and I hadn't gotten along. I'd also been engaged to another woman. "So, where's Kellie?"
About that time, Elle stood, wrapping her arm around my waist. "Brad, hey. Long time." She smiled. Elle had come to games and hung with the guys when she visited.
"Uh, Elle. Wow." Brad blinked a few times, then grinned. "About damn time you two figured it out."
The three of us laughed as the lights overhead dimmed then brightened. "Guess that's our cue to take our seats." Brad pointed to me. "Good luck, man."
"Thanks, you too."
Brad pulled Elle into his famous bear hug. "You were who I rooted for," he whispered, not so quietly.
"Thanks for the support, Brad." Elle's cheeks changed from olive to pink.
Ten minutes later, our drink orders were out and the show turned live. Elle's hand found my bouncing leg, settling the movement. "You're jiggling the table, Daniels."
"My son asked if he could get another autograph once you've been announced to a team," Derrick interrupted.
"I'd be honored."
The commissioner made his way to the podium, hushing the room. When I glanced across the table, Mom's eyes glistened and Dad's back straightened with pride.
There were a few moments that stuck out befor
e my name was called: The Saints' time has started. The clock counted down, like the five others before it. The difference? My name was announced. "New Orleans' top pick is Tristan Daniels, wide receiver from Texas Tech University."
Mom and Dad stood up, clapping. Elle squeezed my thigh. I glanced at her. Those beautiful globes filled with tears.
That's when it hit me. I'd been drafted to play for the New Orleans Saints. Son of a bitch.
"Breathe," Elle said, once the hype calmed.
"Did I fuck up?"
She smiled. "No, you waved and acknowledged the crowd."
The breath I'd held released. "We're moving to New Orleans."
"Looks like it." She nudged my arm. "I told you, you'd be a shoo-in."
"Never doubted you."
She rolled her eyes. "Bullshit."
I leaned in close enough to smell traces of caramel from the Coke she drank earlier. "Ready for a change?"
"I'll be wherever you are."
In that moment with a room full of athletes, my parents, and camera crews, none of it mattered but us.
Elle
"Hey, beautiful." Tristan handed me a steaming cup of goodness. My cold fingers warmed, and I inhaled before taking a sip. Perfection, as expected.
"Whatever meds you're on, share." I enjoyed another taste of heaven.
Tristan smiled.
"You were moody and brooding before the draft and now–" I waved at him. "You're cool and calm." Scooting off the stool, I rounded the bar, standing next to him. "The brooding was a teensy bit sexy."
"Hmm. Maybe I should." He cocked his head to the side, tapping a finger against his lips. "How did you put it? Oh, yes, brooding. I should brood more often?"
"If I say yes does that mean we'll cancel the party tonight?"
He chuckled. "Get ready, so we can go to the store."
Groaning, I said, "Why did I agree to throw an engagement/your congratulatory party?"
"You mean, other than to steal my spotlight?" The left side of his mouth turned up.
Interception (Distraction #3) Page 17