Top Notch (Man on Top Book 1)

by Nicole Richard

  Boy, was I wrong. Not having the luxury of seeing her made me miss her that much more. Too much actually.

  Those three words were on the tip of my tongue. I could see the hope and anticipation in her eyes and how ready she was to say them back. Then I thought about Madison and how she up and left after doing what she did. How I never said those words to any woman not related to me. And the most important factor: Greg and her mom who we hadn’t told yet. I wasn’t looking for permission; it was a sign of respect, which was why I was rapping my knuckles on Greg’s office door on my day off. Standing in the doorway, my eyes traced over years of memorabilia hanging on the walls. After what I had to say, it might very well be the last time I got to see the inside of the clubhouse walls.

  “You got a minute?”

  Greg closed whatever he was looking at, did a chin lift, and pointed to the chair opposite his. “Have a seat. What’s on your mind?” He sat back, appearing to be calm and collected, trying to get a read on me.

  Looking him in the eye, I came right out with it, no more beating around the bush. “I have something to say, and you might not like it, but I’m hoping you’ll at least hear me out.”

  Greg leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and interlocked his fingers. He analyzed me for a minute, probably trying to come off as intimidating, but he didn’t have to try; I was scared shitless. There was too much at stake not to be.

  “What’s so important you had to come and talk to me on your day off?”

  “It’s about Rowan.”

  That got his attention. And his back straightened.

  “What about Rowan?” he asked pointedly, clearly worried about his stepdaughter.

  I wasn’t sure how to proceed without painting her other than the angel she truly was. I should have thought this through. He would want to know how this all happened, and I couldn’t very well tell him we had a one-night stand prior to my knowledge of their relationship in hopes of trying to save my ass—and my job.

  “We’ve been seeing each other.”

  He sat there unmoving, giving away nothing. Just stared at me, and if it weren’t for him blinking every few seconds, I would’ve thought he had a stroke and died.

  “I know this is news to you—”

  “How long?” His voice was eerily calm, but I didn’t miss the tic in his jaw.

  “A few months.”

  He observed me, finally asking, “And I’m only finding out about this now?”

  “Yes.”

  He pushed to his feet and made his way to the door, shutting it with a bit of force, jostling the memorabilia on the walls.

  “You mean to tell me you’ve been sneaking around. With my daughter. And didn’t have the fucking decency to tell me anything?” He lowered his voice.

  “We didn’t know where this was going—”

  “And just where is this going? In all the years I’ve known you, when have you ever been serious about any one woman”—I almost blurted Madison’s name, but he held his hand out signaling me to shut up—“And I’m not talking about that—”

  “You know about that?” That was a shocker.

  “Of course I know about that. It’s my job to know when a woman is bound to drag one of my players through the wringer.”

  Then how did you not know about Rowan and me?

  Because she’s not like other women.

  His huff was audible as he passed me on his way back to his chair, but he didn’t sit. Greg lowered his stare, his interrogation warranted. “What are your intentions with my daughter? Because if I find out you’re using her for a good time, so help me—”

  Pushing to my full height, ticked off that he had no faith in me, I met his stare and laid it all out. “I have no intention of using Rowan for a good time. For once in my life, I genuinely care. I have feelings for this woman. And there is nothing I would do to intentionally hurt her.” I refused to tell him I was in love with her. She would be the first to know.

  Greg remained standing, analyzing me, waiting to see if anything I had just said was bullshit. When he finally accepted my words, he nodded and carefully took his seat.

  And I took mine.

  It took a few more minutes for him to speak, and when he did, I could not have had more respect for the man.

  “Hear me out. Let me say my piece.” I nodded. It was the least he deserved after being blindsided and handling it better than I had expected. “She was my daughter first. It doesn’t matter that Rowan and Gabriella are not mine biologically, I am the only father they know.” He held his brown-eyed stare on mine, driving his point home. “I loved them first, and will do anything within my power to make sure they are protected from harm—”

  “Understood,” I interrupted, agreeing as it should be.

  “Good. Because that includes any man who so much as blinks their way and all he sees is a pretty face.” He set his arms on his desk, his posture straight. “Be forewarned, if you so much as make her shed one damn tear, I will not hesitate to reconsider your position on this team. Truth be told, it would kill me to ship your ass off. I’d probably go back and forth with my decision, but in the end, my girls will always come first.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Levi

  I made plans with Rowan to meet on neutral ground. After a few days of not seeing each other, I used our busy schedules and travel as an excuse for needing time to make sense of all that had happened. More so the feelings that had surfaced somewhere out in left field.

  But first things first.

  I pushed in the heavy, ornate doors to the steakhouse and scanned the room, my eyes finally settling on the bar. Or more like the beautiful woman sitting at the bar, looking all smart and sexy in her emerald-colored dress, her legs crossed. My eyes mapped her body from the hem of her dress down to her nude heels and back up, reveling in her stark beauty.

  She gently spun her drink on the bar, making small talk to the man seated next to her. And as I stole an added second to admire her, to drink her in and appreciate her physical beauty, I reflected on the choice to take our relationship to the next level, solidifying my decision and hoping she would feel the same.

  Not wanting to waste another second, I headed her way. But I stopped short when the suit sitting beside her shifted in his seat, causing his knee to brush against the outside of her thigh at the same time his eyes dipped down her body and back up. I reined in the conflict whirling through me and closed the distance.

  She just so happened to look my way, did a subtle double take, and then smiled.

  “Angel,” I whispered in her ear before placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. My hand dropped to the small of her back, letting the suit know the only reason she was alone was because she was waiting for me. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

  “Not at all.” She took a small sip of her drink. “Levi?” The sweet undertones in her voice and the way she said my name told me she was as happy to see me as I was her. And hopefully, suit got the memo.

  “This is Steven. He’s the landscape architect I’m working with on one of my projects.”

  I offered my hand to the guy and gave him my professional smile along with my firm, no bullshit handshake. “Levi Montgomery. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise, I’m a big Bucks fan.”

  “Oh, yeah?” My reply was sincere, but my thoughts were a different story. I don’t really care.

  “Would you mind giving me your autograph?” He reached across the bar for a pen.

  “Not at all.” Fuck yes, I mind. Can’t you see it’s rude to keep the lady waiting?

  What the hell was wrong with me? I’ve never reacted to a fan like that. Ever.

  I signed the bar napkin he slid my way and when I handed it back to him, I checked myself and laid out my Southern charm. “Appreciate the support.” I meant it, but I wished he’d leave us be. “If you’ll excuse us . . .” I took Rowan’s hand and escorted her off t
he bar stool and to a quiet and cozy corner next to the unlit fireplace. On our way over, she looked up at me.

  “That was unexpected.”

  I just shrugged and ushered her a step ahead of me, keeping my hand on the small of her back.

  “Thank you,” she murmured once we made it out of earshot.

  “For what?”

  “Back there.” I cocked a brow, silently asking her to elaborate. “He’s one of those who can get a little extra friendly at times.”

  “Was he inappropriate with you?” I stopped short and my jaw tensed.

  What the fuck was wrong with people? It only took seconds for heat to flow through my veins and my feet wanted to stomp back to where the jerk sat and rectify the situation, but Rowan took my hand in hers and continued on.

  “No, it’s just . . .”

  “What?”

  I didn’t like the way she shied away from the question or felt like she had to hide it from me. It only served to make my blood hotter, thinking someone had hurt her.

  “Tell me,” I pushed carefully and sat in the loveseat next to her.

  “I’ve had some bad experiences with men in the corporate world. Some believe they’re superior to women and think the only way we’ll ever get ahead in a male-dominated industry is by providing ‘favors’ and I get the impression Steven can be one of them.”

  “The fuck!” I whispered loudly, my nostrils flaring. “Rowan,” I growled, hoping she wouldn’t prove my suspicions correct.

  “No . . . no.” Her hand flew to her throat. “I would never—I was raised better than that.”

  “Thank goodness,” I sighed in relief.

  “But I have to admit, getting steamrolled is extremely disheartening, inexcusable actually. Just because I’m a female doesn’t mean I don’t have the brains or the capability of doing an exceptional job.”

  Hating that she was ever exposed to these kinds of pricks, I took her hand in mine. “Promise me something?”

  “Sure.”

  “If someone were to ever make you feel uncomfortable in your line of work or try to hurt you, you’ll tell me?”

  A soft smile appeared on her lips and she laid her other hand on my knee. “I will.”

  “Good. Would you like another drink?”

  “I would, thank you.”

  I lifted a finger, silently requesting a server and once that was taken care of I shifted in my seat to get a better look at the beautiful woman next to me.

  “I watched the game,” she started.

  “And how’d you pull that off?” I asked skeptically. We played at one. She was at work.

  “I have my ways.” Her smile was smug. “Nice pick at first base to win the game.”

  I had to agree with her on that one. If Trevor hadn’t caught that line drive and made McMillan think it was a hit outfield so he took off running, we probably wouldn’t have scored the win.

  “You have no idea how hard that makes me, hearing you talk baseball and know what it is you’re talking about.”

  “Maybe I should teach you about slope and grading, or how to read a set of construction plans. See how hot and bothered I can get.” She made a show of pushing her hair back and off her shoulder, giving me a clear view of the soft skin on her neck.

  She had to know how much that particular spot on her made me dizzy.

  “Angel,” I rasped, grabbing the back of her neck and bringing her lips close to mine. I wanted to devour her right there, hoping the suit was still sitting close by and watching but thought better of it. Instead, I pressed my forehead to hers and breathed her in, waiting until my senses recognized the sweet subtle smell of her perfume before I told her what was weighing heavy on my mind.

  “I did something,” I confessed softly and hated the way she pulled back, searching my eyes, concern starting to flood her pools of blue.

  “What did you do?”

  I didn’t answer right away. I waited for our server to set our drinks on the table in front of us and to disappear back behind the bar before I started to explain. “It’s nothing bad.” I handed over her glass of wine and took a healthy gulp of my beer before pulling the trigger. “I told Greg about us.”

  She stared at me, scrutinizing, silently making me feel like I made the worst play of my entire career—college, minors, and majors combined. My nerves twitched almost uncontrollably, which was odd. Waiting to be called up in the draft, I had not been this nervous. Normally, I could handle just about anything that came my way. Deal with anything head-on.

  But this was Greg we were talking about. A man I highly respected. A man she loved dearly.

  “Rowan, say something.”

  She did a subtle dip of her chin and after a moment, her voice weighed with caution, she asked, “And what did he say?”

  “A few things actually.” I smiled uneasily. “Basically, he’s okay with it.” That’s all she needed to know.

  “What is it, exactly, that he’s okay with?”

  “You and me,” I stated matter-of-factly, manning the fuck up, showing her, I was ready for more.

  She sipped her wine while keeping her eyes trained on me. Her lack of expression drove me insane with stupid thoughts. One of Hatch’s fastballs hitting me in the face would have felt better than wondering what was running through her mind.

  “You and me?” she quipped.

  “Yeah, you and me. Dating. Each other. And only each other.”

  “But what about the other women?”

  “What other women?” There hasn’t been anyone else since her. Shit! Was this the kind of things she’s been thinking? I knew I fucked up that night and didn’t tell her, but . . . “Where is this coming from? Have I ever given you a reason to think there have been other women since we met?”

  “I get it, you know.” She shrugged nonchalantly, not answering my question. “The touring from city to city, the women. Not that I like it or anything.”

  “Is that what you think?” Her assumption hurt. “That I’ve got a woman in every city, warming my hotel bed?” But if I gave it a quick thought, I probably deserved that. More so since I hadn’t been very forthcoming with how I actually felt.

  “To be honest, I’m not really sure. I mean . . .” She pressed a finger to my lips, quieting me, knowing damn well I was going in for a debate. “I’m not trying to act like some jealous girlfriend or anything, but I get it. Again, not something I like or am used to, but—”

  “Rowan, I don’t think you get anything.” We locked eyes, and I willed her to see where I stood with her. How much I wanted only her. To feel what I had been feeling. “Do you want to know how many women I’ve been with since being with you?” She shook her head, the fear of the truth haunting her beautiful blue eyes. But fuck that. If I didn’t tell her, the thought would plague her, drum up some ridiculous number, and eat away at her—at our relationship.

  “None. Zero. Nada.” My fingers formed the number zero for emphasis.

  “What?” She actually sounded surprised.

  “Yes, angel. None. You wanna know what I do when I’m horny and on the road?” She bit the corner of her bottom lip. “I head straight for the shower and rub one out, all while seeing your beautiful face and your piercing blue eyes. Your brilliant smile flashes behind my lids and I come so damn hard, I feel it deep in my bones.” I inhaled a deep breath, willing my dick to calm down. “So, the next time that ridiculously smart brain of yours concocts not-so-smart thoughts, think of me in the shower.” I winked, knowing damn well the image she’ll have stuck in her mind if she had any doubts.

  “But is exclusivity something you really want?”

  “Is it something you want?” I countered, turning the tables on her, enjoying the back and forth. She was definitely making me work for it—for her.

  She gave it some thought. Probably figuring out how we would make this work. It was no secret our demanding schedules would be conflicting, but if Greg and her mom could do it, I had no doubt Rowan and I could too.

&nb
sp; “I would like that very much.” Her agreeing caused me to smile wider. She linked her fingers with mine. “What else did he have to say?”

  “For starters, he had a hunch something was going on.”

  “I should have known he would have suspected something. I wonder why he never said anything.”

  “Maybe because he knows that you’re an intelligent”—I brushed a wisp of hair to the side—“woman who he trusts to make smart choices. I’m sure he knew you’d come to him when you were ready. But he also mentioned that if I hurt you, he won’t be happy, probably think twice about my position with the team—”

  “You mean he wouldn’t think twice about your position?” she corrected.

  I shook my head. “No, he definitely would think twice. Said it would kill him to lose one of his best players, but his girls always come first.” I didn’t think Greg would go to that extreme, but I wasn’t going to do anything to find out. “It’s all good though. He said if you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

  She gave it a minute to sink in and to drink the rest of her wine. When she set her empty glass down, she looked me straight in the eyes.

  My heart hammered in my chest.

  “I should thank you.”

  “For?”

  “You taking the initiative with Greg. It says a lot and lifts a huge weight off my shoulders.”

  “Why does it scare you so much?” I took her hands in mine.

  “Because he means a lot to me . . . and so do you. A part of me was worried he wouldn’t think it was a good idea. And well, his opinion means a lot . . .”

  “I can understand that.” And I did. It had been one of my biggest concerns as well. We both highly respected the man, and if by chance he didn’t approve, then what? “But now we can put this in the past and keep looking forward.” I brushed my lips across her cheek and felt her shiver against me. I smiled, yet again at the way this woman made me feel, how she crashed into my life . . . and into my heart without even knowing it, or me expecting it.