“Kayla,” I begin, but I have no idea what the next words out of my mouth should be. Should I grab her and drag her out of here? Should I have Aaron kick her out? I’m looking around for him to see if that’s an option, but thankfully Anna’s thinking quicker than I am.
“I’m afraid not,” Anna says mildly.
“Yes he fucking has!” Kayla spits out. “Ask him!” She rounds on me accusingly.
“I don’t think you understand… I’m sorry, what was your name again?” Anna asks.
“Kayla,” she says, triumph on her face.
“Right. Kayla.” Anna cocks her head and continues in a patient tone, as if she’s explaining something to a child. “You see, Kayla, Mason and I broke up briefly earlier this year. He wanted to get married, and I wasn’t quite ready. We both saw other people during that time. It didn’t mean anything, to either one of us.” She turns to me and gives me a smile. “Of course, when we got back together, we told each other everything. So, thank you for your concern, but there’s no need for it. Mason has no secrets from me. And I have no secrets from him.”
I swear to God, I have never wanted to kiss Anna more than I do right now.
I put my arm around her protectively. Next to me, Ivy and Knox visibly relax. Kayla rolls her eyes in disgust. “You’ll never keep him happy, bitch,” she hisses. “You’re not nearly enough for him.”
“Okay, I think that’s enough,” Knox says angrily, grabbing her arm. “Time for you to go, Kayla.”
“You can’t tell me what to do, Knox!” she challenges, trying to yank herself away from him.
“No, but Aaron can.” Knox leads her away, Kayla cursing and spitting the whole time. Ivy heaves a sigh of relief and looks at the two of us. “I think I’m gonna go with him,” she says, “in case he has any trouble locating Aaron.” She reaches out and gives Anna’s arm a sympathetic squeeze. “Sorry you had to go through that.”
Anna gives her a slight nod and a tiny, tight smile. “Thanks. It’s really okay.”
We watch Ivy weave through the crowd behind Knox and Kayla. I turn to Anna. “Shit, I’m really sorry about that. I made the mistake of sticking my dick in crazy before I met you.”
Now that the others are gone, she turns to me with eyes that are glistening. “I shouldn’t be upset. But I have to admit, I kind of am, a little bit.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Wow, I never would have known it from the way you handled Kayla. That was fucking amazing. You saved both our asses there.”
“Mason,” Anna murmurs, dropping her eyes. “Is… I mean, have you… since we met?”
“No. Babe, no.” I reach up and lift her chin until she meets my gaze. “Not with Kayla, not with anyone. I’ll admit that at first, it was because I knew I needed to keep up appearances. But since the first time with you, there’s been no one else for me. Hell, since the day we met. You’re all I see, Anna.”
“I know I have no right to be jealous,” she whispers.
“Then don’t be,” I say. “Because no one else could hold a fucking candle to you.” I bend down and kiss her, deep and soft. When I pull away to look at her, the words come out before I can stop them. “I think I might be falling in love with you, Anna.”
Her eyes grow wide. Then, as I watch, a single tear glistens off the edge of her lower lash.
“I think I might be falling in love with you, too,” she admits with a tremulous smile.
My heart feels like it’s going to pound out of my chest at her words. But somehow, I manage to keep my cool.
I reach up and gently wipe the tear away with my thumb.
“Come on,” I murmur, looking around. “Let’s get out of here. I just want to be with you right now, Anna. No cameras. No audience. No one but you and me.”
29
Anna
I thought I’d seen and heard the last of Kayla on the night of Aaron’s party.
But it turned out, that was just the beginning.
A few days later, I’m just finishing up a draft of a story I’m working on for the morning show, when Mackenzie comes walking up to me.
“Hey,” she greets me. There’s a strange look on her face, one I’ve never seen before. I can’t quite read it.
“Hi,” I say back, frowning. “Is there something wrong?”
“I just got off the phone. With someone you might know. Her name is Kayla Barnes.”
Ugh. There’s only one Kayla I know, so I’m guessing this must be her.
“What about her?” I ask with distaste.
“She contacted me personally by email yesterday,” Mackenzie replies. “Said she was reaching out to me because I’m young and a woman, and I would understand.”
Oh, brother. “Understand what?”
Mackenzie looks at me for a long moment. “That you stole Mason Robichaud from her.”
Mackenzie leads me back to her desk. I sit down in the chair next to it as she takes her seat.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” I tell her. “At all.”
“Why would Kayla Barnes bother to contact the media about this, if it wasn’t true?” Mackenzie asks me. “She says she’s got photographic proof that the two of them were together, and that the date stamps on the photos will prove it.” She hesitates. “She says you stole him from her. And that he’s only with you because you’re good for his image.”
Ouch. That one does sting a little bit, because of course there’s a kernel of truth to it.
“Mackenzie,” I murmur, “You’re not thinking about running this story, are you?”
There’s that look on her face again. I finally realize it for what it is.
It’s a combination of naked ambition, and a tinge of regret.
Mackenzie wants a scoop. She can smell it.
And I can’t figure out how to get her to let go of it without telling her the real story.
My stomach starts to churn. I’ve always known who Mackenzie is, but I thought she was my friend. I’m only now realizing that friendship only goes so far in this business.
“Mackenzie,” I say earnestly, trying as hard as I can to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “Kayla’s lying. And I can prove it to you.” I stop and stare at her, hard. “But it has to be completely off the record.”
I make Mackenzie come with me to a coffee shop. I make her promise not to record me, or take notes. And most of all, I swear her to secrecy, promising her another exclusive interview with Mason and me at a later date, in exchange for her silence.
“So, you’re saying Mason isn’t even an alcoholic?” she ask me, her face etched with doubt. “That’s kind of hard to believe, Anna.”
“It’s true,” I insist. “It’s his brother, Derek. Mason was never in rehab at all. But the media got hold of the story and it got out of control.”
“But you did end up in this fake relationship with Mason to advance your career,” she points out. “I knew you couldn’t have been seeing him that long! You would have said something.”
“Yes. But, he was never in a relationship with Kayla. They hooked up a few times, but that was it.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asks, raising a skeptical brow. “I mean, it’s basically his word against Kayla’s on this.”
“I…” I stop, realizing I am sure, but that Mackenzie’s right that I don’t exactly have proof. “Mason wouldn’t lie to me, Mack.”
She laughs out loud. “Why not? He’s lying to the public right now. As are you!”
“It’s not like that.” I know she’s trying to bait me, but it’s making me mad anyway. “Mason had to figure out some way to salvage his reputation after the media ruined it.”
“I guess we all do what we have to do, don’t we?” she murmurs, the corners of her mouth ticking up.
“You should tell yourself that about Kayla,” I shoot back. “Why else would she be coming to you with this story, except to get her fifteen minutes of fame?”
“That doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” she challenges.
“To save your own skin,” she counters.
“No! So that you know the truth!” I cry. A couple of the other patrons in the coffee shop turn to look at me. Embarrassed, I lower my voice and continue. “Mackenzie. You’re my friend.” I ignore the fact that I’m less sure of this than I’ve ever been. “I am not lying to you. Kayla came to a party one of the Rockets threw the other night, and tried to make me jealous with some obviously false story. She’s mad because Mason isn’t with her. She’s doing this to get back at him, and at me. Please,” I say, my eyes searching hers. “Please listen to me, and believe that I’m telling you the truth on this.”
My stomach is churning with anxiety. I stop talking and force myself to wait.
“Fine,” she sighs, shaking her head a little. “I believe you.”
“Thank God,” I sigh. “I promise to give you another exclusive interview with Mason for this.”
“When?” she retorts archly. “When you fake break up? Funny that you’re asking me to hold back the truth so you can give me exclusive access to another lie.”
The conversation with Mackenzie leaves me troubled and feeling off for the rest of the day. Technically, I’ve just broken the terms of my non-disclosure agreement, even though I did it for a good reason. I don’t think she’ll betray me, but there’s a little grain of uncertainty inside me, persistent and irritating.
I should talk to Mason about this. I need to let him know what I’ve done.
That night after work, I go over to his place for dinner. The whole way there, I’m steeling myself to have a difficult conversation, trying to phrase it in such a way that he won’t be to upset or angry at me.
When I get to Mason’s house, I see him already standing outside his front door, arms behind him.
“Happy anniversary,” he says when I walk up. From behind his back, he pulls out a gorgeous bouquet of delicate purple flowers.
“They’re called Peruvian lilies,” he explains as I gape at them. “The lady at the shop called them some other long name, but I couldn’t remember it. They look more your style than roses, now that I know you better.”
“Mason,” they’re beautiful,” I breathe as I take them from him. “But why?”
“It’s been three months,” he grins. “Since the day I proposed.”
In spite of myself, I have to laugh. “You’re so romantic!”
“Ain’t it the truth?” he agrees. “Come on, I’m making something special for dinner. I even bought champagne to celebrate.”
“Mason,” I breathe out as he takes me into his arms. “I really need to talk to you about something—”
He doesn’t give me the chance to, though. Instead, his hands cup my face, and suddenly he’s kissing me, passionately. I can't help the moan that slips past my throat, my arms going around his neck as I stand on tiptoe, my lips opening to his.
Suddenly, I can barely remember what it is I need to talk to him about.
“Wow, was that what an anniversary kiss is like?” I whisper once he pulls away, panting for breath.
Mason smirks, looking self-satisfied. His hands fall off my face, and his arms move to encircle my waist to hold me close to him.
“Wait until we get to the anniversary sex.”
I chuckle, breathless. “I can hardly wait!”
“Let’s start with that, then. As an appetizer.” He smirks. “And as dessert.”
He presses his mouth against mine for another hard, passionate kiss. And just like that, my resolve goes out the window.
I’ll talk to him about it later, I tell myself as he pulls me inside. I don’t want to ruin the moment.
I have every intention of doing it, too.
And who knows? If I had, then maybe telling Mackenzie the truth about Mason and me wouldn’t have ended up being the stupidest mistake of my entire life.
30
Mason
I contemplated taking Anna someplace special for our three-month anniversary, but in the end I decided just to make her something so we could stay in. Since we’re in the public eye so much, it’s easier to be myself when it’s just the two of us. And I think Anna feels the same way.
I take Anna into the bedroom and fuck her until we’re both breathless. Then, I give her one of my T-shirts and a pair of my sweats to put on, and we spend the evening out on my back deck by the fire pit, where I’ve set up an outdoor picnic for us. There’s a chill in the air, and the fire feels good. It lights Anna’s face in a warm glow that I just want to stare at all night. She looks fucking beautiful, and fucking happy.
The whole night, I keep stopping myself while she’s talking, to look around me and realize how goddamn lucky I am right now. My career with the Rockets is going great. I have a beautiful woman by my side. For the first time in my life, I’m looking at the future as more than just beyond the end of the football season.
And I think, just maybe, I’m gonna talk to Anna one of these days soon about going to the team lawyers and ripping up the contract.
So I can propose to her for real.
After dinner, I have champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, which I feed to Anna until she starts laughing and tells me she can’t eat anymore. I’m not much for champagne, but I like watching Anna as she drinks it and wrinkles up her nose at the bubbles. Somewhere along the line, we end up finishing the bottle, and then I carry her back to bed and make long, slow love to her in the dark.
“Mason,” she whispers as I move inside her.
“What?” I whisper back.
“Nothing,” she says, looking deep into my eyes. “I just like saying your name.”
In the morning, she has to leave early to go to the station. Luckily, she’s been keeping a couple changes of work clothes at my place, so she doesn’t have to go home to get ready. I get up with her, and make her coffee in a travel cup while she’s in the shower. Then I lie on the bed and watch her ass as she wriggles it into her skirt, and admire the lines of her legs as she pulls on her high heels.
“Are you ogling me, Mr. Robichaud?” she asks, giving me a cute sideways smirk.
“I’m not made of stone, Ms. Wilder,” I shoot back. “No man alive could resist ogling the sight that’s in front of me.”
“What are you doing today?” she asks, and sits down on the bed to give her hair a final brush.
I reach my arms out in a stretch. “I’m gonna sleep for a little while longer. Then I’ve got a session with the weight trainer. Then massage. Then practice later today.”
“I’ll miss you,” she murmurs, and leans down to kiss me. Immediately, my arms go around her, pulling her down. She squeaks in mock protest. “You’re going to rumple me!”
“If past experience is any indication, you like being rumpled, doll,” I say, giving her an exaggerated leer.
“Pig,” she laughs, swatting at me.
“Yes, but I’m your pig.”
Anna pulls away slightly, her eyes meeting mine.
“Are you?” she asks softly.
All the air in the room seems to still. There’s nothing but her, and me. And the question hanging between us.
“If you’ll have me, Anna,” I tell her.
I reach for her hand. The one that has my ring on it.
I wasn’t expecting our joking around to turn serious. It’s clear from the look in her eyes that neither was she.
But it’s good serious.
She leans down to kiss me, her lips soft against mine.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispers.
I sleep for another hour or so, and dream of Anna. When I wake up, I’m hard. I go into the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as I can stand it. Inside, I think about her riding my cock, and stroke myself to completion, coming so hard I probably put a dent in the tiles.
I don’t have a lot of time before I need to be down at the stadium. I grab a quick breakfast and take off
about half an hour later. It turns out that the trainer who was supposed to meet me there is sick, so I decide to just work out by myself instead. Not wanting any interruptions while I’m lifting, I put my phone on airplane mode and blast some pumping beats through my earbuds. I’m hitting the weights hard, and within five minutes I’m already dripping sweat, but it feels good. I’m feeling really strong lately. Stronger than I’ve felt in a long time.
It’s a testament to how focused I am that I don’t even notice Jesse Fawkes until he’s standing right in front of me, gesturing and making motions with his mouth.
“… you been?” he’s asking when I pull my ear buds from my ears.
“What?” I frown.
“Where the fuck have you been?” he repeats angrily. “Bull’s been looking for you.”
Bull Molinari is the team’s manager. Jesse is his assistant.
“Uh, here?” I reply sarcastically, looking around.
“Bull’s been calling you. Hell, everyone’s been calling you.”
“I had my phone off,” I shrug. “What’s up?”
Jesse gapes. “Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Are you gonna keep asking me stupid-ass questions?” I ask, getting up from the bench to face him. “Because yes, I’m fucking serious right now. What the fuck is up with you?”
Jesse takes an unconscious step back. I’ve got almost a foot on him in height, and easily a hundred pounds on him in muscle.
“You honestly have no idea?” he asks in disbelief. “Dude, if I was you, I’d turn on my phone.”
Then he turns and walks away. On his way out the door, he glances back. “And call Bull.”
PLAYERS: The Complete Series (Springville Rockets (Sports Romance Books 1-3) Page 50
