Page 12 of 4th and Goal
“He’s been everywhere…and with quite a few female companions.”
“Fuck.”
Lilly 9.
The doors open, creating a slight breeze, bringing his intoxicating scent with it. I try to focus, but it’s difficult with the ghost of his lips haunting me. It’s the worst at night, my mind and body replaying those precious moments where Brody and I were connected like I’ve always dreamed.
My dreams and fantasies never involved attempted murder, conspiracy, and a mountain of prep work, but the kiss…beyond my wildest imagination. Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to talk about it, let alone repeat it. I’ve barely seen him this week, working like a mad woman to protect the reputation of the university, ensure the safety of its students, and gather as much information as I can to seal Heacock’s proverbial coffin for good. Not necessarily within my job description, but I’ve always liked puzzles and mysteries and each time a little thread popped loose, I was forced to unravel it.
So, no time for smooches. Or any number of the other things Brody and I could be doing.
I’ve written more statements, press releases, reports, etc. in the last 5 days than I have in the last year. But it was all worth it to bring Heacock’s dirty dealings to light and drag his reputation through the mud. Edee came to me Monday morning with photos of the scene outside the stadium as Phia was being loaded into the ambulance. Those gave Brody and Eric a place to start,and they worked backward, tracing everything to two football players acting under the orders of their “beloved” coach, along with Eric’s own brother Jeremiah. I had to fight each gasp as more information was uncovered, lest I faint like some corseted socialite of the early 1900s.
I laid everything out for Adam, who ran it up the flagpole, so to speak, and Brody and I are now walking out of an emergency board meeting feeling pretty damn good about ourselves as the board begins the painful excision of its morally compromised members. To be presented with so much overwhelming evidence against Heacock and still try to argue on his behalf…Cut. Them. Out. They tried to fight for this to be handled in-house, but Adam and I took great pleasure in explaining that we’ve been working closely with the authorities since the attempted murder took place last Saturday. The police were able to uncover quite a bit of evidence on their own that we were not privy to; phone records, text messages, and so much more. Yanok and Chester are not the brightest bulbs in the box and Heacock clearly felt blind trust was more important than intelligence…or discretion. Heacock is on the hook for more than just Phia’s attack. I’m waiting for the police to finish their investigation before releasing any statements regarding his extracurricular activities. The university was unaware, truthfully, however, I do believe quite a few of his staunch supporters on the board will be feeling the cold steel of cuffs in the not too distant future.
I’m just happy the guilty parties are in jail and have been denied bail. Phia’s lawyer, Haylee Dalton, has been quite a busy woman. She’s working on behalf of her client, but in conjunction with the university’s counsel. She’s tenacious and the way her mind works is a thing of beauty to witness.
As Brody holds the main doors of the admin building open, I step past him and breathe in the fresh air, feeling a huge weightlift off my shoulders. Yeah, I have a lot of work ahead of me to preserve the dignity of this university, but Heacock is gone for good.
“Ding-Dong the wicked bastard is dead!” I yell, my arms thrown wide. “Not dead!” I amend. “But jailed!” A few passersby raise their fists in solidarity and continue on their way. Brody chuckles next to me. I glance at him and the breath stalls in my lungs at the look of unmistakable hunger in his eyes.
“I’m so proud of you, Lils.” I gulp in response. It’s weird to hear the words from anyone but Adam, but it’s not unpleasant. In fact, it’s titillating. My tits are lating. And my downstairs is pulsing. “Do you want me to drive you to visit with Phia?” I shake my head, my throat dry. “Video call?” I nod, the sound of his laughter enough to make my knees weak.
I was wrong about relationships. So very wrong. Passion. It’s vital and has been sorely lacking in every failed relationship I’ve ever had, sex or not. I’ve never felt anything like this before…
Without thought, I jump up, wrapping my arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips. His large hands grip my ass and draw me closer until his erection nestles between my thighs that cinch around his waist. He kisses me back, taking over and devouring me with such hunger I feel weak.
And just as quickly as it started, it’s over. I’m on the ground, shaky legs barely holding me up, Brody feet away, rubbing his hand over his wet lips. “I’m sorry—”
“NO!” he barks, the sound so loud in the silent aftermath of my gross overstep. “Do not apologize. Ever. For taking what you want from me.” It takes me a second to realize I’m pouting. The expression so foreign to me, I’m certain I’ve never done this before. Brody relaxes fractionally, rolling his eyes at me with a lopsided grin.
“Then why did you stop me? I wasn’t done taking.”
He looks pained, his hands fisting at his sides. “You are a respected member of this university’s staff, Lilly, we can’t do this in the open like that.”
“Oh.” That never occurred to me. My cheeks heat slightly, embarrassed I didn’t take any of that into consideration before jumping him like a bitch in heat. “I thought maybe you didn’t want me.”
Brody takes two steps, closing the distance between us, his hands cupping my jaw as his eyes dart back and forth between mine. “Baby girl, I want nothing but you.” I smile up at him, enjoying where this is going. “But not here.” I’m liking it less. “We still have work to do.” I frown, not liking this at all. I want more kisses and a lot more of that steel rod he’s smuggling in his tactical pants. “Let’s call Phia and Prib, get some food back at the office, and after work, I’ll follow you home and kiss you until you can’t breathe against your front door.”
“And then you’ll come in?” My inner hussy has taken over.
“No.” I’m back to frowning. He bops my nose and grins. “But we’ll see where the evening goes after our date tomorrow night.”
“Date?”
“First of many. It’s a bye week, and we’ve got a rare weekend off.” He leans down to whisper in my ear, “Whatever will we do to pass the time?”
Brody 10.
This isn’t what I thought we’d be doing on our first date. Or rather, before our first date begins. Even though she told me on the way over, I feel compelled to ask again, “What are we doing exactly?”
Lilly sits in the front passenger seat of my SUV and stares at the well-maintained two-story home we are currently parked in front of on this pretentious suburban street. Not my style, but…maybe it’s Lilly’s?
“I hate this house. I’m so glad this is the last time I’ll have to see it.” She mutters, grimacing. That answers that. She sighs, forcing herself to meet my eyes. “I need to return Conner’s things that he left at my place. And he agreed to have mine boxed up ready to exchange. And then I’m free and clear to begin…us.”
“I understand that. Like that you’re thinking of us as an ‘us’. But who gives a fuck? I’ll replace whatever you left there.”
She chuckles, some of the distress melting from her shoulders. “Normally, I would. However, I lost my grandmother’s necklace, and he claims to have it. It has my mom’s and grandma’s baby rings on it.”
