shook. “Nice to meet you,” he said. “You play for the Oakland Earthquake.”
The mountain-sized men nodded but their faces weren’t any friendlier. JT knew an interrogation of Reese would be next. Her players were very protective. They seemed to think it was their job to scrutinize every man who even looked like he might be interested in her. She appreciated their concern but it was yet another reason why she had no love life to speak of. Their antics had sent more than a few of the men in her past scrambling for the exits.
Jason Grant, his trademark long blond hair flowing behind him like a Viking, asked, “Where’d you meet our lady?”
Reese noted the possessive emphasis. “On the 5 last week. She was having car trouble.”
She added, “And because he was the perfect gentleman, I’m buying him dinner. So back off.”
D’Angelo’s dark face flashed a predatory smile, “Now JT, you know we have to check the brother out.”
She dropped her head then raised it again. “Go play. I’m fine.” She was glad that Reese appeared amused as opposed to offended by the encounter, at least so far.
D’Angelo said to his compadre. “I’ve seen him before. Just trying to remember where.” D’Angelo was an all-pro linebacker with a Mensa card. Not only was he a certified genius, the brother had a photographic memory. Like the proverbial elephant, he never forgot anything he’d seen or read.
When his eyes brightened she knew he had the answer and her spirits sank. “You’re with the commissioner’s office. New head of Investigations. Saw your face in the team newsletter a few days ago.”
The two men were now staring her way accusingly.
“What?” she asked. “We’re having dinner. That’s all. Would you leave us in peace, please?”
Jason warned, “Just so he knows—he hurts you, we kill him.”
JT threw up her hands.
D’Angelo gave Reese one last steady look, then said, “Nice to meet you.” Only then did they move on.
She sighed. “Sorry.”
“They always so protective?”
“Always.”
“The cop in me likes that. Lets me know you’re safe when I’m not around.”
The words were touching, but she’d been raised to look out for herself. “Their hearts are in the right place but they make me crazy sometimes.”
His soft smile met hers. “They care about you.”
“Or something.”
“Did you tell them about what that ex-employee did to your car?”
“No, because I didn’t want to have to bail them out of jail.”
“Any more incidents?”
She shook her head.
“Good.”
They finished their dinner. The saxophonist had returned and was filling the club’s interior with sweet mellow sounds. Many couples took to the small dance floor in response.
In a voice that pierced her as sweetly as the notes of the sax, he invited, “Come dance with me.”
His words went through her like heat through butter. She hesitated for a moment, then rising to her feet, walked with him to the floor. Jason and D’Angelo were watching but she didn’t care, she’d deal with them some other time. When they found a spot on the dimly lit floor, she couldn’t believe how nervous she was. Her heart was thumping so hard she was sure he could see it, but when he took her in his arms and held her close, all she wanted to do was sigh. Their bodies fit perfectly. His arm across her back was respectful but the weight was warm. He was a good dancer; smelled good too.
He asked against her ear, “Did I tell you how good you look tonight?”
She rippled. “No.”
“Well, you do. I like the dress.”
“Thank you.”
Reese was enjoying finally getting to hold her close. He’d wanted to be near her this way since the truck ride. She was tall, soft, and fragrant. As they moved slowly to the music, he noted the displeasure on the faces of the two linebackers watching so intently, but he wasn’t bothered or intimidated. He knew they had a prior claim, but he planned to make this woman his if she’d
The mountain-sized men nodded but their faces weren’t any friendlier. JT knew an interrogation of Reese would be next. Her players were very protective. They seemed to think it was their job to scrutinize every man who even looked like he might be interested in her. She appreciated their concern but it was yet another reason why she had no love life to speak of. Their antics had sent more than a few of the men in her past scrambling for the exits.
Jason Grant, his trademark long blond hair flowing behind him like a Viking, asked, “Where’d you meet our lady?”
Reese noted the possessive emphasis. “On the 5 last week. She was having car trouble.”
She added, “And because he was the perfect gentleman, I’m buying him dinner. So back off.”
D’Angelo’s dark face flashed a predatory smile, “Now JT, you know we have to check the brother out.”
She dropped her head then raised it again. “Go play. I’m fine.” She was glad that Reese appeared amused as opposed to offended by the encounter, at least so far.
D’Angelo said to his compadre. “I’ve seen him before. Just trying to remember where.” D’Angelo was an all-pro linebacker with a Mensa card. Not only was he a certified genius, the brother had a photographic memory. Like the proverbial elephant, he never forgot anything he’d seen or read.
When his eyes brightened she knew he had the answer and her spirits sank. “You’re with the commissioner’s office. New head of Investigations. Saw your face in the team newsletter a few days ago.”
The two men were now staring her way accusingly.
“What?” she asked. “We’re having dinner. That’s all. Would you leave us in peace, please?”
Jason warned, “Just so he knows—he hurts you, we kill him.”
JT threw up her hands.
D’Angelo gave Reese one last steady look, then said, “Nice to meet you.” Only then did they move on.
She sighed. “Sorry.”
“They always so protective?”
“Always.”
“The cop in me likes that. Lets me know you’re safe when I’m not around.”
The words were touching, but she’d been raised to look out for herself. “Their hearts are in the right place but they make me crazy sometimes.”
His soft smile met hers. “They care about you.”
“Or something.”
“Did you tell them about what that ex-employee did to your car?”
“No, because I didn’t want to have to bail them out of jail.”
“Any more incidents?”
She shook her head.
“Good.”
They finished their dinner. The saxophonist had returned and was filling the club’s interior with sweet mellow sounds. Many couples took to the small dance floor in response.
In a voice that pierced her as sweetly as the notes of the sax, he invited, “Come dance with me.”
His words went through her like heat through butter. She hesitated for a moment, then rising to her feet, walked with him to the floor. Jason and D’Angelo were watching but she didn’t care, she’d deal with them some other time. When they found a spot on the dimly lit floor, she couldn’t believe how nervous she was. Her heart was thumping so hard she was sure he could see it, but when he took her in his arms and held her close, all she wanted to do was sigh. Their bodies fit perfectly. His arm across her back was respectful but the weight was warm. He was a good dancer; smelled good too.
He asked against her ear, “Did I tell you how good you look tonight?”
She rippled. “No.”
“Well, you do. I like the dress.”
“Thank you.”
Reese was enjoying finally getting to hold her close. He’d wanted to be near her this way since the truck ride. She was tall, soft, and fragrant. As they moved slowly to the music, he noted the displeasure on the faces of the two linebackers watching so intently, but he wasn’t bothered or intimidated. He knew they had a prior claim, but he planned to make this woman his if she’d
Similar Books
