Page 115 of Renegade Rift

“Uh-huh.”

“And not only did I win, I made a spectacular play.”

Juliet plays along spectacularly. “I might have been aware of that.”

“Are you also aware that Manila Stadium has one of only three manually operated scoreboards?”

“I wasn’t.”

“It’s really a sight to see. Incredible the way they update the score by hand with metal plates and lightbulbs.”

“Is it now? Well, maybe you should show me.”

“I think I’d like that.”

My hands never leave her body as I escort her through the stadium, using the side hallways and tunnels, and every chance I get, my lips graze hers. A stolen kiss in the freight elevator. Brushing a hand across her thighs as we climb a stairwell. A nip to her earlobe when I press her against the wall to allow the custodians to push a cart through a narrow hall.

I can’t get enough of this woman, and I don’t give a damn who knows it.

By the time we reach the top concourse and the door that leads into the scoreboard, all those lingering touches have left me needy as fuck. And with the way Juliet smiles up at me, heat smoldering in her gaze, I’d say she’s feeling about the same.

“Won’t it be locked?” she asks, as we come to a stop outside the door.

I pull out the keys Graham gave me after the game. “When your field manager is a romantic at heart, he helps you out.”

Of course, he has no idea exactly what I imagined might happen here. He might have been reluctant to give me these if he did.

“You had this planned?”

A grin hitches on my lips. “I hoped we might find our way here. But if you had wanted to go home, I would have just as happily taken you there too.”

Sliding the key in the door, I twist the knob and push it open.

“This is…” Juliet looks around, taking in the narrow room and the large wall of panels that slide in and out to reflect the score. Her face morphs from surprise to awe. “Can you imagine how many games have been recorded here?”

And this is why I love her. Because any other woman would be focused on the fact we’re here alone and I’m Ford McCoy. But Juliet is more taken by the history of this space.

“It’s pretty incredible,” I whisper, giving her hand a squeeze. “Wait until you see the view.”

Dropping her hand, I cross under the staircase that leads to the upper half of the scoreboard and pick a panel in the middle. I twist the small hinges that keep it in place and let it fall from its window, then repeat the process three more times so there’s three open spaces.

Juliet joins me and immediately steps up to the center space, letting out a soft gasp. “You’re right. This view is spectacular.”

She’s looking at the field below—my sanctuary—but I’m looking at her. “It is.”

I slide up behind her, pressing my chest to her back, and grab the window on either side of her. The scent that is uniquely Juliet fills my nose, instantly relaxing and ramping me up at the same time.

She spins around and wraps her arms around my waist. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to sayI want to share everything with you.

God, have I always been such a sap?

I chuckle in my head. When it comes to her?

Yes.

She stretches and presses a kiss to my stubbled jaw. Then another below my ear that sends a shiver down my spine, straight to my balls. Her breath tickles the shell of my ear when she whispers, “Now about that fantasy of yours.”

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