He smiles and, fuck my life, I know the answer. I do. I really, really do.
“That one.” He points.
“Okay, I’ll get it going. Loosen up. Have fun with it.”
“I’ll try,” he says. “I don’t want to mess this up for you.”
I pop a hip and rest my free hand on it, then give him a quick but blatant once-over. “Not possible.”
“Switch the music playing over the speakers to this,” I say to Quinn, handing her Maverick’s phone. “And do not snoop in his phone.”
She chews her gum, jaw working while she stares at me with an annoyed and disbelieving glare as I boss her. Things have been friendly between us, and I don’t want to ruin it, but I have to fix this, and I don’t have time to worry about how much she might hate me when this is over.
Ignoring her, I look to Reese. “Can you grab a hockey stick from… wherever they keep hockey sticks. Bonus if it’s Maverick’s. We need to get him comfortable and fast.”
“On it.” Reese claps his hands and jogs off.
Blythe holds back a smile. “Do you have what you need?”
“I think so. I want this to work. It has to work.”
“It will.” Her ever-present phone rings in her hand. “I have to step out to take this. You have it under control here.”
“I hope so,” I whisper as she leaves me scrambling.
The bass of the music changes the mood almost immediately. Everyone, including Johnny, relaxes a little with an old, catchy Pitbull song, but when Reese places the hockey stick in his hands, I want to cry with relief. His shoulders relax, and his smile is genuine.
He wraps a big hand around the end and holds it up, aiming the other end at me and winking. Swoon. Damn it all to hell. Swoon. I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. “Okay, everyone, let’s do this.”
The rest of the shoot goes well. Really well. Lindsey takes a bunch of shots with Maverick and his hockey stick, and then Quinn and I start handing him products. He poses with them in all sorts of ways. Some are silly and ridiculous, others serious. How does one spritz ball spray and make it look sexy?
But by far, the best material is when we turn on the shower and have Maverick wash himself. Okay, it sounds seedy. It isn’t. I mean, he looks… so good, but he has fun with it, smiling and keeping the vibe really cool and casual. His dark hair slicked back, his hands working over his chest. Maverick meets my eye and smiles. I try to smile back, but I don’t seem to have control over any part of my body. If I did, I’d surely be able to ignore the ache between my thighs. I can’t imagine what he sees in my expression. I don’t even know myself what I’m feeling.
But whatever it is, that smile on his face falls and is replaced with heat that has a direct line to the butterflies swarming in my stomach.
I want him. And he wants me too.
21
Johnny
I’m shocked when Dakota comes home early from work. I’m doing sit-ups in the living room, and instead of heading straight to her room, she plops down on the couch with a tired groan.
“Long day?” I ask, stopping at the top of a rep.
“Being in charge is exhausting.” She grins. “But totally awesome.”
“You killed it.”
“I actually believe you.” She kicks off her shoes and goes into the kitchen.
I follow her, and she pulls out two wineglasses and then uncorks a bottle of wine, pouring two and handing me one of them. She hops up on the counter. Energy and excitement vibrate off her. “Even Quinn told me good job before we left.”
“Look at you making friends.”
“Yeah, she invited me to hang out tomorrow.”
I make a sound like a buzzer going off. “Wrong answer. You’re booked tomorrow.”
She cocks a brow and takes a sip of her wine. “I am?”
“Yep, Jack is having a pool party. Starts early, will definitely go late.”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea,” she says, pulling that wall back up between us.
“I promise not to let you strip off your clothes and sleep with anyone,” I say with a playful roll of my eyes as if I’m doing some noble deed instead of keeping her from hooking up with any of my teammates. It has the desired effect, and she smiles.
“Ha ha.”
“I’m serious. It’ll be fun. We cannot stay in this apartment another day. My couch is going to have a permanent indent of my ass.”
Her gaze drops to my butt, and then she catches herself.
“Spending time at a pool does sound fun.”
I clap my hands. “All right. It’s settled.”
“Is it okay if I bring a friend?”
“You’re bringing me. Aren’t I enough?” I pretend to be seriously injured, and she rolls her eyes.
“I want to invite Quinn. She’s the only sort-of friend I’ve made here.”
“What about Reese?”
“He has plans.”
“Fine, but if you need any help with sunscreen or—”
She holds up a hand. “I’ve got it.”
The tension between us seems to have eased, and I’m glad she isn’t avoiding me anymore. “What do you want to do tonight?”
“I’m not sure. I’m tired. I don’t think I want to go out.”
“Let’s order in.” I grab my phone. When I look up at her to ask what she wants, she has a weird expression on her face. “What?”
“Thanks, Mav.”
“For?”
“It would have been a lonely first couple of weeks here without you.”
“Right back at ya.”
The next afternoon Dakota comes out of her room with a beach bag under one arm and a hesitant smile.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Should you even be swimming?”
“Yeah. I’m good. It isn’t like I’m going to be diving off the side and getting crazy.”
She doesn’t look convinced until I add, “I’m not drinking, so that should help me behave… mostly.”
“I feel like I’m going to regret saying this, but let’s do it!”
Jack lives about twenty minutes away in a ritzy neighborhood where the homes are big and the yards are bigger. A few other teammates live nearby, and I can see why—it’s a cool spot with a private lake.
“This is a house for a single person? A bachelor no less?” Dakota shuts the passenger door and comes around to the front of the SUV, all while gawking at the mansion in front of us.
“A single person with lots of friends.”
Cars are already lined up in the circle drive, and I recognize a few of them as teammates. Jack himself answers the door, pulling it open before we have a chance to knock.
“Hey, come in. Glad you two could make it.”
“Thanks for having me,” Dakota says, slipping into her professional voice.
“Phones in the basket. James has the paperwork, and booze and food are in the kitchen. Enjoy.”
“Paperwork?” Dakota asks.
James, Jack’s agent, steps forward with a tablet. “Standard NDA.”
“You’re kidding?” Her blue eyes widen. “I’m not signing that.”
I don’t think James knows what to say or do at her refusal. On second thought, I have a feeling James has seen it all.
“I’ll vouch for her,” I say. “Plus, she works for the team.”
I take her phone and mine and drop them in the basket, then grab her hand. “Come on, before they toss your delinquent ass out.”
We stop in the kitchen for drinks. I don’t miss the way Dakota runs her hand along the marble countertop, taking it all in. I know it’s an impressive kitchen, but seeing her response makes me appreciate it a little more.
“What do you want?” I ask and grab myself an energy drink.
“What are my options?” she asks, still walking around touching appliances and cabinet handles.
“Anything your tiny, black heart could want.”
“Let’s go with vodka and tonic. Any lime
s?”
“Yep.”
“Of course, there are limes.”
I make her drink and then take it to her. “Are you going to mock everything?”
“Sorry. I’m still spinning on the whole NDA thing. Do you make chicks sign those?”
“Me? No, but I didn’t just sign a sixteen-million-dollar contract.”
She mouths the words sixteen million.
“Yeah, and that doesn’t even include his endorsements.” I hold out my arm for her. “You ready to do this?”
She takes my arm, and the smell of her fruity shampoo floats under my nostrils. “Ready.”
Outside, the party is already going strong. A lot of guys from the team are here, some of their friends and girls. So many girls. If you want to inspire young kids to grow up and be hockey stars, just drive by one of Jack Wyld’s pool parties—ass and titties galore.
The music pumps, and people shout hello from the pool. Dakota sticks with me as we make the rounds. I chat with everyone, introducing her when needed. She already knows most of the team, but I make sure to talk her up to the guys she hasn’t met yet. Easy to do, if I’m honest.
It’s late afternoon, and the sun sits high in the sky. Dakota pulls her long hair over one shoulder and squints.
“I forgot my sunglasses,” she says.
“Do you want my hat?” I ask. “It’ll keep the sun off your face.”
“What about you?”
I shrug. “I don’t burn, and I have my shades.”
I place my Wildcats hat on her head. It’s too big and falls down low on her eyes. “Adorable.”
I’m pretty sure there’s an eye roll, but I can’t quite make it out under the brim of the hat.
“Should we brave the pool?”
“You don’t have to babysit me,” she says. “I can mingle and make new friends.”
“Trying to get rid of me, so you don’t have to admit how attracted you are to me right now?” I tug on the collar of my T-shirt. “I kept it on just for you. I don’t want you to embarrass yourself drooling over my hot bod.”
“Yeah, that’s it,” she says sarcastically. “You figured me out.”
Just for that, I take off my shirt, and man is my grin big when her gaze sweeps over my bare chest. I don’t know who she thinks she’s fooling. Not me.
“Okay. Go away now. My friend is here.” She points to Quinn coming out the back door.
I hold a hand over my heart like she’s wounded me. “Ouch.”
“I’m sorry, but you know the rules. I can’t have them wondering if something is going on between us.”
“Knew you couldn’t handle all this temptation. I’ll be in the pool. Come find me when you’re ready to admit defeat.”
Declan is sitting on the edge of the pool with his feet dangling in the water. I take a seat next to him. From this position, the whole party is in view.
“It’s kinda like you’re the lifeguard sitting up here watching over everyone.”
He chuckles quietly. “Might need to be. How’s the knee?”
“Good.” I stretch out my leg. “I did a light workout this morning, and I should be able to participate in camp this week.”
“I’m getting excited. Vacation always feels too long.” Declan is a quiet guy, so usually, when he talks, I listen. He’s going on about hockey and the upcoming season, but it’s background noise because, across the yard, Dakota’s stripped off her dress and is standing talking to Quinn.
The black material of her bikini top pushes up her tits, and the tiny bottoms are just a step above a thong. And my hat. Damn, her wearing my hat in that outfit shouldn’t be so fucking sexy. Why is everything she does such a turn-on? It’s really inconvenient in this battle of her not admitting the attraction between us.
As if she can feel my eyes on her, she angles her body and meets my gaze. I don’t know if she can see my eyes pinned on her ass from behind my shades, but just in case she can’t read the lust pumping through my veins, I dip my chin and push my sunglasses down, so she knows I see her. I always see her.
I swear she shakes her ass at me as she flips her head and turns back to Quinn. It’s going to be a long fucking day.
22
Dakota
This party is nuts. It’s a lot like the huge parties back at Valley but with better alcohol and more girls that look like they model on the side. Who am I kidding? They probably do model on the side.
The sheer number of girls is pretty incredible. There are easily two girls to every guy. I doubt that’s an accident. Threesomes for everyone!
As afternoon turns into evening, the music gets louder and more people strip down to their suits. Quinn and I sit in lounge chairs next to the pool. Every once in a while, we get sprayed with water, but we have a great view without being in the middle of the team and puck bunnies.
“Come with me to pee,” Quinn says. Despite how she rubbed me the wrong way when we first met, she’s growing on me. She wears her insecurities like armor, and it makes her a tough nut to crack, but underneath all the name-dropping and obvious hero-worship of the players is a cool girl.
“All right.” I swing my legs to the side and stand. My skin is warm from the sun, and the ends of my hair are still wet from a dip in the pool earlier.
Maverick stands between us and the pool house at the back of the property.
He’s with Jack and Leo and a group of girls that just arrived. I swear every group of girls that walks outside is somehow more gorgeous than the last. These girls aren’t playing. They strut out, already stripped down to their suits, hair done, high heels, and a waft of perfume floats around them. I’ll give it to them. They know how to make an entrance.
A tall brunette with legs that never end and boobs that even I’d like to cop a feel of smiles at Maverick and leans in closer, resting a hand on his forearm. Listen, I’ve got nothing against puck bunnies. You do you, girl, but can you just not look at Maverick like he’s the next conquest on your list of players. I will cut a bitch that does him dirty.
I waggle my fingers as we pass by. His head turns to watch me, and I have to admit it feels good to have him check me out when there is an endless supply of drop-dead gorgeous girls here.
At the pool house, sliding doors open to a large open-concept space. There’s a bed on one side and a living area on the other. There’s even a small kitchen. It doesn’t look like it’s used often. It has a whole just-staged vibe with lots of whites and blues.
Quinn goes into the bathroom, and I sit on the edge of the bed to wait for her. I wish I had my phone. I’d love to talk to Reagan right now. I miss her.
Two of the girls that were talking with Maverick come in while I’m still waiting for Quinn. Including the boobalicious brunette.
They don’t see me initially or just don’t acknowledge my presence.
“His contract is less than a mil,” the brunette’s friend says as they walk back toward the bathroom. When they realize it’s occupied, they linger.
“I don’t care. I want to make my own money.” She pushes up her boobs and adjusts her bikini top. She’s working it. I would too. They really are something. “And Johnny Maverick would be a great career boost. His family already has money anyway. I bet he’d invest in my fashion line.”
“Yeah, you just have to make him fall in love with you first.”
They both laugh.
Quinn reappears as I’m imagining all the different ways I could make this girl disappear without going to jail. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” I stand and glare at the backs of the two girls as they walk into the bathroom together.
“Did they say something to you? You look murderous. Even more so than usual.”
“I feel it,” I mutter as we walk outside. My gaze goes right to Johnny. He’s smiling and laughing, totally oblivious to the chick inside who’s ready to con him. “I have to pee.”
“What? We were just in there.”
“I’ll be quick. Go ahead and make sure no one stea
ls our seats.”
“Okay.”
I catch Johnny’s eye, and he shoots me a confused look as I turn on my heel and head back inside the pool house. Tapping my foot impatiently, arms crossed over my chest, I stand outside of the bathroom door.
When it opens, the brunette’s smile falls, and she lifts two perfectly arched brows. “Can I help you?”
“Actually, yes, you can,” I say so sweetly that she buys it for a second. Her lips are coated in a super shiny nude gloss that reflects on the light as she smiles. I take a step toward her, and she backs up even though she’s got a good foot on me in those heels she’s wearing. “Stay away from Johnny Maverick.”
“O-kay.” She laughs. “I can stay away from him, but I can’t guarantee he’ll stay away from me.”
“I’m sure you are a lovely person, and truth be told, your boobs are the best I’ve ever seen.” I pause to collect my thoughts. I’m getting off topic. I swear I understand why guys end up sleeping with girls like her. Even I feel a little dumb with them sitting up staring at me. I can’t focus, and I have my own amazing boobs I could stare at all day if I wanted. “Back off.”
“Why? What’s he to you?”
What? Like he’s a thing instead of a person. “He’s my… friend.”
“Awww, I’m sorry you got friend-zoned, and now you want to ruin every other girls’ chance with him.”
I want to smack the smug look off her face.
“How about we let him choose?” She gives me an unimpressed once-over and then looks over my head. I whip around to see Johnny watching our interaction with a shocked expression.
I flatten myself against the wall, wishing I could disappear into it. Boobalicious and friend saunter past me in a victory walk toward Maverick.
“Come on, Johnny. Let’s take a swim.”
“Yeah, uh, I’ll be out in a minute. I just need to talk to Dakota.” He tips his head toward me and waits for them to leave. He shuts the sliding doors. I don’t move. Crap, I know I overstepped going all psycho chick on them, but I’m so angry about how blatantly they want to use him like nothing else matters but his money.
Wild Love (Campus Nights Book 4) Page 14
