“And you always do the right thing,” I joked. Isaac was so honorable it wasn’t funny. His time with the Navy Seals was imprinted on his soul. There was no way to separate it from his character.
I tried to remember a time when he and I had ever been with the same girl. Or if we had ever fought over one. Not that that was the case now. We knew there was a brotherly code between us that wouldn’t be broken. Especially not by a woman. I trusted him.
“But she's okay with the whole thing?” I realize how fucking stupid I sounded. Like the nervous prom date.
Isaac slapped me on the shoulder. “I think she's in over her head. She doesn't know anything about the business, or running the team. It’s clear that Steve pushed her into this. I kind of feel bad for her.”
“Then I promise to take really good care of her.” I smiled. I knew there were a lot of ways I could take care of Vanessa McCade. One of them was in my bed.
“I’m sure you will. Hey, I'm going to head down to the locker room. I've got drills in 30 minutes. You do too,” he warned. Isaac always had to be early.
“I’ll see you down there. I want to talk to Vanessa before practice starts.”
I left Isaac in the elevator, while I went in search of Vanessa. She was behind her desk again, her head buried in her hands.
“Is this a bad time?”
I startled her. She knocked a stack of folders onto the floor.
“Shit,” she mumbled.
“Sorry.”
I walked toward her, stooping to help her with the folders. My hand brushed over the warm silkiness of her wrist. Damn, there was something about this woman that drove me wild. It shouldn't be like this. This was all part of the game. Part of the season. Part of my job to keep the team going. But I couldn't help it, I was fucking drawn to her.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “Isaac told me there was an auction last night.”
“Yeah, I'm pretty good at bidding.”
“This is awkward. I don't even know what to say.”
“Don't be nervous, darlin’. I’ve got this under control. Let me handle Steve and everything else.” I saw the tenseness ease from her shoulders as the words left my mouth.
“Really?”
I didn't know what I was saying. I had committed to more than a fake relationship.
“Yeah, really. You look a little overwhelmed, darlin’. Did you ever think to ask for help?”
Her eyes fell to the floor. “I did, a little. I just met with Isaac. I wanted to get the players’ perspective on what's happening with the team transition. I know everyone is worried about the money and the salary negotiations.
We rose from the floor and she restocked the pile of folders on the corner of her desk.
“Right. The Isaac meeting.” I broadened my shoulders.
I couldn't help it. There was something damn territorial ripping through me. It had taken hold of the lining of my muscles. I knew my best friend’s lips had been on hers. That he had felt her under his hands. I didn't know if it turned me on, or made me want to claim her as my own. My palm pressed into the desk as I cupped her cheek. Her eyes lifted to mine.
“I know he kissed you.”
“You do?”
I nodded. “So it’s my turn to try something.”
I didn't give her a chance to respond. I pressed my lips against hers, pushing my tongue inside her mouth.
“Oh God,” she mewed into my lips.
My tongue flicked along hers. I sucked her soft lips. It was like holding innocence and sweetness in my arms. It had been so long since I had touched a woman who felt pure. My cock throbbed. It was a turn-on I had forgotten about. I brushed the hair from her face.
What the fuck was happening? I had tried to sear my lips into hers. To wipe the taste of Isaac off her mouth. But I fucking loved it.
I took a step back, watching her try to catch her breath.
“I guess we get to do that and a lot more this season.” I knew my voice was dark and husky. It was the one I reserved for bed. When women begged for me to say their name in the dark. When the sheets were tangled around us and they were coming hard on my cock.
Vanessa made me feel primal. She made me feel animalistic. I wanted to pick her up, lay her across the desk, and show her what a warrior could do for her.
“I-I don't know what to say. Dylan, I need time to think. To process this. I know it's all a game to you and Isaac. My grandfather just died and I'm dealing with so much right now. I don't know if the engagement is a good idea. And all the kissing…the kissing is confusing.”
Fuck. I had gone overboard. Done too much. Pressed too hard. Too fast.
“Come on, darlin’. Don't say that. I'll be the best damn fiancé Austin has ever seen. I promise you that.”
She twirled in her chair, dropping her face into her palms. “It's just too much. All of it.”
I was a bastard. A damn bastard for taking advantage of her in this situation.
“I’m sorry, Vanessa.” I raised my hands in the air. “From here on out, I'll be a perfect gentleman. I swear.”
Her head rose from her hands. “I don't know if I can believe that. I've read a lot about you. The infamous Dylan James isn’t exactly known as a gentleman.” I thought I heard teasing tone in her voice.
“Is that so?”
I sat on the corner of her desk, facing her. If anyone walked in the office now they would think something was going on. But I didn't give a shit. The switch had flipped. I realized Vanessa needed something more than a quick fuck.
“I know a lot about you. My grandfather used to talk about you, you know.”
“He did?”
“You and Luke. Always causing trouble for him.” The corners of her pouty lips turned up. Damn, she had the most beautiful kissable lips.
“I didn’t know that, I’m sorry I caused your grandfather any trouble.”
“You’ve caused a lot of trouble for this team, haven’t you?”
I felt my cock twitch, straining in my jeans. I wanted to touch her again. I wanted to run my hands over her entire body. I wanted to do things to her no man had ever done.
“I think you're proud of your reputation.” She settled into her seat, crossing her arms. “You think it's some kind of badge of honor, don’t you?”
I shrugged, wondering how much she liked that side of me. Did I turn her on? “I live life to the fullest, darlin'. I like to have a good time.”
“Then why would you sign up for something like this? All eyes are going to be on us this entire season. Is that something you really want? Do you want to be tied to one woman for months?”
Did I do dare tell her the truth? Did I tell her I didn't care about the press or headlines? I cared about the Warriors making money, and I cared about fucking her so the only thing she remembered was me being deep inside her.
“Dylan?”
“I want you this season. That's what I want.” My eyes locked on hers, watching her breasts rise and fall with heavy breath.
She wanted it too. I could see it in her eyes. They glistened and sparkled. A shimmery blue that would take most men to their knees.
She still hadn’t found words. I could tell she was struggling to speak. “Maybe we should have a meeting with Steve.”
“I think we need to leave Steve out of this.”
I placed one foot on the floor and then the other, bringing my body over hers. My hands landed on the armrests of her chair, keeping her between my legs. She looked up, her eyes flickering with desire.
“I think it's time you realize who is gonna make the rules this season.”
“And who is that?” she whispered.
“Me.”
Thirteen
Vanessa
I felt desperate. I felt like things were out of control, and I had no way of getting them back to center. Between Isaac and Dylan I didn't have a hold on reality. Owning the Warriors was overwhelming enough. Throwing them into the mix complicated my world to an inexplicable level.
<
br /> It was late by the time I pulled up to the gate at the ranch. The guard waved me past him, and I drove through the iron gates with the large W for Warriors emblazoned into the center.
If it hadn’t been for Candy I wouldn't have eaten again today. She made another lunch run for me, worried I wouldn't be able to make out of the office between all the meetings.
I wanted a glass of wine and a hot shower. I drove past the fountain, illuminated from below with lights. It was one of my favorite pieces on the property. As I drove past the main house I glanced up at the upstairs bedroom windows. The lights were still on. I made a quick U-turn and parked the car in the circle drive.
Gretchen greeted me at the door. “Hi, Vanessa. Are you here to see your grandmother?”
“I know it’s late, but I saw her light is still on. I think I’ll just go upstairs and say good night.”
My grandparents’ housekeeper closed the door behind me as I marched up the staircase.
It had been several years since I’d lived in the main house. I owned one of the buildings a quarter of a mile from this part of the estate. It was close enough that I was inside the property’s fence line and could enjoy the security perks. But I had my own space and privacy.
“Grammy,” I called, running up the rest of the stairs. “It’s me.”
Her bedroom door opened. She was wearing a set of Warriors PJs.
“What are you doing here so late?”
I sighed. “I’m just getting home from work. I thought I’d stop in.” I gave her a gentle squeeze.
“You were at the office this late?
I nodded. “Yes. I can't seem to get out of all the meetings.”
She shook her head. “This shouldn’t have happened. Never should have happened. It’s not right.”
“I’m fine, Grammy. Really. It’s going to take me a little while to figure everything out. But I’ll get it. Please don't worry about me.”
Her eyebrows rose. “It’s only been two days and you haven’t made it home before 10 o'clock. This is too much for you. I’ve never been happy about this arrangement. The lawyers have no idea what they’re doing.”
I put a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her. She had been worked up ever since Granddad’s death. She was constantly agitated and annoyed. Everything irritated her. I hadn’t seen her shed a single tear. Her grief seemed to surface in bouts of anger.
“I have to do this. Who else is going to run the Warriors?”
I looked to her for an answer. If she had one, I’d take it. Just one suggestion. One idea. One way to get me out of that damn office. There was a reason I wasn't a business major. I’d trade the spreadsheets for a brush in an instant if I could. But we had been round and round with the legal team. The will was explicit. I was listed as the sole heir of the Warriors. So much for being the little sister.
She stood on her tip toes to kiss me on the cheek, as her frail hands wrapped around my shoulders. “Don’t work too hard. And don’t stay in that office this late tomorrow,” she directed. “I’m going to call and check on you.”
“I’ll try better tomorrow,” I promised. “Sleep well. I'm headed home.”
“Vanessa?”
I stopped on the staircase. “What is it?”
“Have you tried to call Danny?”
I knew that was the last shred of hope she was holding out for. As if my older brother was going to swoop in here and suddenly give a shit about anything related to the McCades. He hadn’t bothered in five years.
“No, Grammy. I left him a message about the funeral. He didn’t come. I think we need to accept he’s not coming back to Texas, and certainly not back to Austin.” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.
“Fine. But I might try him myself.”
I exhaled. I didn’t want her to keep getting her hopes up. He was only going to disappoint her. Hurt her more than she was already hurting. One of these days she would let go of the anger and show us how vulnerable she was without my grandfather.
“Good night.” I waved, descending the rest of the way down the stairs. Gretchen smiled as I walked outside.
Five minutes later, I walked through my house, turning on the lights. I loved my little ranch. Well it was 3000 ft.² but, compared to the main house it was tiny. Zeus ran up to me.
“Hey, boy.” I kneeled to nuzzle in his neck.
“I bet you're hungry.” I walked to the pantry where I kept his food.
I couldn't keep working all day like this, leaving him cooped up inside. He was a ranch dog. Ok, maybe more of an oversized lap dog, but he liked to run. He loved chasing a tennis ball. I felt like I hadn’t spent any time with him lately.
“I promise tomorrow will be better. I promise.”
I kept making promises to people. I was wondering if I could keep any of them.
I was startled when I heard the speaker buzz in the kitchen. I walked to the video screen, and tapped the confirmation button. “Yes?”
“Miss Vanessa, you have a visitor.” It was George at the main gate.
It was nearly 10:30. “A visitor, this late? Who is it?” I asked.
George cleared his throat. “Looks like Isaac Price, Miss Vanessa.”
I felt the sudden thunder rumble through my ribs. Isaac? I nervously tapped the button. “Ok, thanks, George. I forgot we had a team meeting.” Why was I lying about Isaac to the guard? “You can send him to my house,” I instructed.
Fourteen
Isaac
I waited in my car like some kind of idiot. I’d never done anything like this. The woman had gotten to me so quickly. She had gotten under my skin. It didn't happen like this for me. I never let it. I didn’t want to be interested in someone. I didn’t want to think about her. But it was there whether I wanted it or not. But what was I doing here?
The guard glanced down at his phone, while we waited for Vanessa to answer his security request. The guy might have been playing a word game. I thought about turning around. My headlights shone straight ahead, making a broken shadow through the entrance of the gates.
Before I shifted into reverse, I heard a voice crackle through the speaker. The guard nodded, and looked at me. “She said you can go on in.”
“Thanks.”
He pointed. “Her place is past the main house. You just keep driving and you’ll see it.”
“Thanks again.”
“You putting up big numbers this season?” he asked.
I put the car in drive. “Yeah. I’m planning on it.”
“We’re all big fans around here.” He gave me a big toothy grin.
“I would guess so. Good night.” I waved as I moved forward when the gates swung open, allowing me inside the McCade compound.
It was hard to believe I had never been inside this place. I'd heard about it, but I never tried to arrange a meeting here. And the old man didn't exactly invite any of us over.
Part of me expected the property to be as rundown as the Warriors stadium, but it was the exact opposite. It was pristine. It was fucking off the charts. I kept driving, eyeing the mansion as I rolled past it. I hadn’t thought about Vanessa in this context. I didn't picture her here. But her last name was McCade, and I was a damn idiot for thinking that didn’t matter now.
I spotted her house ahead. There were a few lights on downstairs. It wasn’t like she was tucked away in a guest house. Her place was easily as big as my ranch. I parked my truck, and climbed out. The heels of my boots scuffed on the pavement.
Maybe this was a cheap trick. Maybe I was crossing the line I wasn't supposed to cross. I didn’t want to betray my best friend. I never wanted to betray him. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Vanessa. The way she tasted. The way she felt. It was like kissing her had awakened a primal thirst I couldn't stop with just one drop. And I was going to ride the loophole I had as long as the engagement wasn’t official.
I climbed the steps to the front porch. The door swung open.
“Isaac, what are you doing here this late?” She h
adn't opened the door all the way.
I rocked back on my boots, shoving my hands in the front pockets of my jeans. I shouldn't be here. But I couldn't think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
“I didn't think we got to properly finish our conversation today,” I answered. It was the truth. I wanted more.
“Oh?”
I pressed my palm into the doorframe. “Can I come in so we could talk some more?”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “I don't know, Isaac.”
“Why don't you know?”
“I don't know if it means something that you showed up on my doorstep at 11 o’clock at night. Does it?”
“Do you want it to? That’s the question you need to answer before you let me in.”
Her eyes fell to the porch floor. She nodded. My finger lifted her chin upward. “Let me inside,” I commanded.
Slowly, she took a step backward, creating a wide gap. I strolled over the threshold, knowing there was no going back. I had one more night. One more night to take something I wanted. Then I'd hand her back over to my best friend. I wouldn't touch her again. I’d keep my word. I always did.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Vanessa asked.
“Sure. What do you have?”
“Wine. I have a lot of wine.”
I didn't like the stuff. I was surprised a Texas girl didn't have a fridge full of beer, but I wouldn't hold that against her tonight. There were other things that mattered more.
“Ok. I guess I'll have a glass of whatever you’re having.”
Vanessa rounded the island, carrying two huge goblets of red wine. She placed one in my hand. “I still can't believe you’re here.” Her eyes lifted to mine. “I’m used to seeing you on TV. Or from the box. But here … it feels surreal to have you in my kitchen.”
“Are you glad I stopped by?” I took a step, concealing how I really felt about the taste of the wine. I gulped it, hoping I felt a buzz quickly.
“I guess I shouldn't be shocked by anything anymore. If the last two weeks have taught me anything, is that I should expect the unexpected.”
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