Page 36 of The Bet

“Does she look like a Linda?” Rich glares at the guy and wraps his arm around my middle. “If you grope my woman again, I’ll kick your ass.”

“Dude, I’m sorry. My wife was behind me, and she’s wearing the same team jersey.” It’s hard to tell if the man’s face is redder or not due to the paint.

“Right. That’s what they all say,” I mutter ready to junk punch the guy.

“Doug?” A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a red jersey with Tony’s team number on it, grabs the man’s arm. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Let’s go.” He grabs her hand and drags the woman away.

“Well….” Rich shrugs. “I guess it was an honest mistake.”

I sigh and lace my arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

“Sugar.” He winks. “I’ll always come to your rescue. That’s what firemen do.” He sobers and cups my cheek, staring down into my eyes as people rush around us, and the crowd thins. “I won’t let anything happen to you if I can help it. I didn’t want to hurt you. And I’m sure not going to let anyone else do it.”

As his hands rub in a circle on my back, I step into him. “I love you.” I shake myhead in constant disbelief of my good fortune. “I still can’t believe this is real. I didn’t think you would ever notice me. At least not as anything more than Jenna’s pesky friend.”

“I would have told you ages ago that I wanted to date you, but you were as sweet as cotton candy. Hell, you never even cursed. I was sure you thought I was an oaf and not good enough for you.”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I cuss plenty, and always did.” I waggle my eyebrows. “But never in public. I didn’t want my mom’s shoe upside of my head. I’ve never been as wholesome as you made me out to be, and I never thought you were an oaf. You’re sexy, smart, hardworking, and so hot in your fireman’s gear. How could I ever resist you? I don’t want you to be anything other than what you already are. I want you to be you because that’s who I fell in love with.”

“If I ever need a cheerleader, I know where to find one.” He laughs and lifts me off the ground. “I love you, Sugar.”

I reach up and grab his shoulders before I plunge forward and land on him. This time, I don’t mind being in the air. Helowers me and as I return to my feet, I’m plastered to him from head to toe.

“I love everything about you from your heart of gold to your sweet mouth.” His lips land on mine, and I whimper at the contact. It’s hours until we’ll be alone. And that’s way too long. His erection presses into my stomach, signaling I’m not the only one who’s suffering. Maybe we can skip the locker room. I can see half naked guys any time.

Hold the phone. There are half naked football players. There won’t be other opportunities. And Jenna will want a play-by-play.Just because she hates one of the players doesn’t mean another one might not interest her. It’s my civic duty to scope out the landscape.

I pull back. “We should get this over with so we can get out of here.”

“Hussy.” He glares and smacks my ass. I squeal and try to wiggle away from him. “I think there’s an ulterior motive in your quest to get away from me. Are you hoping to catch a glimpse of Gunner in the buff?”

“Do you really think he’ll be naked?” I bite my bottom lip to keep from giggling.

“You’re rotten. And don’t even think for one second that I’m not going to make you pay for teasing me.”

When he tries to step away from me, I grab his hand. “Don’t go too far. You saw what happened the last time. Some guy felt me up.”

He spins around. “He felt you up?” His jaw flexes as his eyes dart around the empty concourse. The only people remaining are the janitorial staff, who’re pushing brooms and tossing trash into the bins.

“No.” I press my lips together. “But you were getting upset, and I wanted to use an unfair advantage to get back into your good graces.” I wrinkle my nose and give him an innocent look. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you.”

He cups my face and rubs his thumbs over my cheekbones. “I’m not worried about you running off with someone else. I know you love me. I should have always known, but I was too afraid to believe it. You can tease me anytime you want. I want to havethat type of relationship with you. One where we can play around–whether we’re in bed or not. Okay?”

“Yes.” I swallow. “I’ve never been in a relationship, and I don’t want to do anything wrong, and ruin what we have. If I do something that hurts your feelings or makes you question us, please tell me.”

“This is what I mean. You’re too good for me. But I’m not letting you slip through my fingers again. I’ve never been in a relationship either. I’ve dated, but I’ve never wanted anything to work. Everyone was a poor substitute for you.”

“Like applesauce when you don’t have vegetable oil?”

“Exactly.” He lays his arm over my shoulders and kisses my temple. “Let’s go see the guys so you can ogle them, and I can take you home.”

As we walk side by side, a row of cars honks down below in the parking lot as they crawl along the street. He smirks, and I elbow him. “You wasted all this time, so they’d be showered and dressed by the time we get there, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “Maybe.”

I shake my head and wrap my arm around his waist. How did I get so lucky? Just a few weeks ago, I was dating a total pig out of sheer desperation. Thank God I never went all the way with him. For one thing, he was gross and for another, our escapades would have been on some social media platform for everyone to see. Disgusting.

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