Page 81 of Jilted Jock
“Oh no you don’t,” she admonished playfully. Her long hair hung in big waves around her shoulders and I fingered a strand and pulled gently. “It took hours to look like this. I need photographic proof before you wreck it.”
There’d be plenty of photographers snapping photos tonight, but I pulled out my phone and held it in front of us. She leaned close, and we both smiled as I took a couple.
“There. Proof.”
I offered my arm and she linked hers through mine as we walked inside.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I don’t know anyone.”
“Are you planning on leaving my side?”
“No.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
The place was already loud and crowded. There were a lot of media and people important to the organization in some way, but I had no idea who most of them were. There was a private dinner for the team first while everyone else had cocktails outside. I didn’t let go of Adele’s hand as I led her into the dining area.
Most of the guys were still standing around and talking before the meal was served, but I led her straight to the table.
Foster spotted us and came over carrying three flutes of champagne.
“Hey, you guys made it.”
He tried to hand us the flutes, but I shook my head. “We’re good.”
“Adele?”
“No, thanks.” Her voice was a little off, but I didn’t know if it was being offered a drink or just her nerves about meeting everyone.
He shrugged and an easy smile tugged at his lips. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Judd Foster.”
Shit. “Sorry, right. Adele, this is my buddy Foster.”
“Good to put a face with the name,” she said.
Foster smiled, but thankfully he avoided any cheesy comments about his face. I knew he was dying to interject something like,And what a face it isor something equally as awful. The guy was one bad pickup line away from being in the douchebag hall of fame. Always working the charm. In his world view, even the women he wasn’t interested in needed to be wooed.
“Lauren went to the ladies’ room, but – ah, never mind, there she is.” He smiled and tipped his head to Lauren making her way into the room. She sauntered over and Foster made the introductions.
After that, more of our teammates drifted over and Adele seemed to relax once conversation flowed around us. And thankfully, no one else tried to hand her a drink.
I squeezed her hand and leaned down. “Are you okay?”
“Stop looking at me like that. I’m fine.”
I didn’t entirely believe her, she still looked a little nervous, but my asking her nine thousand times wasn’t going to help. I took her at her word and tried to loosen up. I let Chance get in my head and I kept finding myself tensing for the second she was gonna freak out.
When Kenton called for a round of shots, I turned him down, but then Adele smiled and nudged me forward like maybe it was important to her that I not treat the situation any differently just because she was there. I took the shot but didn’t feel quite right about it and decided to pass on drinking anymore.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” I asked, brushing my lips against hers.
“Only about a dozen times.”
“Plan on hearing it a dozen more.” I kissed her harder, sweeping my tongue inside. I was starting to think maybe Dick, the fucker, had the right idea about staying in – getting her naked would have to wait and I was running thin on patience.
She pulled back first and pressed a hand to her lips.
I did my best to keep it PG after that and focused on getting through the event. I’d mostly avoided team social calls since Cindy. It was awkward as hell at first knowing all my teammates, hell, the whole organization, knew how I’d been stood up on my wedding day. The pity, the weird apology speeches some of the guys gave me. Everyone meant well, I think, but I’d just been too embarrassed about the whole thing to feel comfortable being around anyone.
