Page 96 of Wild Ever After
I stand and shoulder my bag. “Have some wings for me.”
Jade is waiting for me near the doors to the back parking lot. When she spots me, she smiles and starts walking toward me. I pick up speed, and when she gets close, I drop my bag, so I can lift her up.
“You’re killing me with all this team spirit.” She’s wearing that beanie with my name and number on it, along with a Wildcat jersey that I happen to know also has my name and number on it because I gave it to her.
I had no idea how good it would feel to have someone show up like that for me. Not the team.Me. It’s a gut punch. My grandparents never saw me play professionally, and yeah, the team has become like family, but this is different. It makes me crave more.
“It’s only fair. You in this suit does things to me.” She kisses me, lips coated in some sticky gloss that I’m determined to have all over me before the night is over.
“Wait until you see what’s underneath the jersey. I got new lingerie today.”
“Oh yeah?”
Mischief glints in her eyes. “Green lace.”
“Thanks for that visual,” I grit out. “I’m gonna be hard all night. I want to take you somewhere.”
She smiles at me, then places another kiss on my lips. “Home hopefully?”
“If we go home, we aren’t leaving, and I owe you a real date.”
“A date?” she asks, voice rising with excitement.
“Yep.” I set her on the ground and pick up my bag, then lace our fingers together as we head outside. “I realized we haven’t been on one.”
Jade’s grip on my hand tightens. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Well, am I dressed okay?” She pauses and glances down at her jersey, jeans, and boots.
Damn. I didn’t even consider that. I wear a suit to the game. Most of the time, I change into something more casual after, but I put the nicer digs back on for the date.
A smile spreads across my face as an idea strikes. “Not yet.”
* * *
Our options are limited on a Saturday night after ten, but I text Jack because he knows everyone, and sure enough, fifteen minutes later, a woman named Rose is opening her store so Jade can pick out a dress.
Rose makes me wait at the front of the store, while she dotes on Jade, selecting a dozen dresses and then ushering her into the back to try them on.
I wait for what feels like decades, scrolling my phone, leg bouncing, before Rose clears her throat.
I stand and slide my phone back into my pocket before I glance up. Then I swallow my tongue.
The black dress is somehow sexy, even though it doesn’t show that much skin. It’s long, with a slit showing off just a hint of one leg. The straps are thick, but hang off her shoulders, and her boobs are pushed up in a way that there’s no way to not stare.
Jade’s smile is tentative as she waits for my reaction. One hand goes to her stomach, and she takes a shaky breath. “Too much?”
I can’t seem to speak. Rose laughs lightly. “That’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
Handing Rose my card, I thank her, then turn to Jade. “You’re a jaw dropper, baby. Wow. I think I had a mini cardiac episode.”
Her responding giggle is a hit of dopamine. “This dress is the nicest thing I’ve ever worn. The fabric is so soft I feel naked.”
“Later,” I promise. I can’t wait to peel her out of it very, very slowly.
Rose tells us to have fun and come back anytime, and I promise we will.
