Page 7 of Payback
“Okay, so does this mean you’re not on a Harris Brother ass-kissing mission anymore?” I ask as he walks beside me down the kitchen hallway. I pause to glance around the corner into the lobby and see the coast is clear of Harrises.
“It would appear so,” Roan murmurs, the deep timbre of his voice like an instrument playing notes on my lower belly. He leans in close and lowers his voice to add, “But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not make that fact obvious to your cousins.”
“Um, same,” I reply, barking out a nervous laugh. “Is it weird for me to thank you for doing this?”
I can feel his gaze on me, so I look over to see him staring at me with humour in his eyes. “It is weird, but there’s a lot about this night that’s already weird. I seem to have hit the literal gold mine of women, who happens to be related to a family that can make or break my career. But something tells me I would regret it forever if I decided to exchange a night with you in that sexy fucking dress for a team-building exercise with the Harris Brothers.”
“Glad to hear it,” I reply, unable to hide my delighted smile as we walk through the lobby and toward the hotel ballroom that’s already overflowing with people.
“Are you skipping?” Roan asks out of nowhere, his gaze glancing down at my legs.
“No!” I exclaim, my voice louder than I intended it to be. “I’m, um, just hurrying because we’re late.” I turn my attention toward the doorway but can feel his sexy, curious eyes on me. “Let’s do this.”
Roan pauses our momentum as he hooks my elbow and twirls me into him so our lips are a mere whisper apart. His voice is low and urgent when he says, “Yes, but first tell me how long we have to stay down here, because all I can think about is the fact that I felt a goddamned garter belt through the fabric of your dress.”
I inhale sharply, unabashedly staring down at his lush lower lip that I really want to sink my teeth into. My eyes are still focused on his mouth when I answer, “Two hours. Tops.”
He closes his eyes as if in pain. “I’ll try to manage.”
“Good,” I reply, my voice high-pitched because of the overwhelming butterflies happening in my belly. “Now, let’s play a little game I like to call Avoid the Harris Brothers.”
I turn to look into the ballroom and both of our gazes land on something terrifying. A murderous-looking Tanner is storming right toward us.
Roan grumbles, “Ag, I’ll be at the bar fetching us drinks.” He squeezes my hand in a reassuring way before leaving me to fend for myself against my very pushy cousin.
A moment later, Tanner reaches me, his eyes laser-focused on Roan as he walks to the bar before he turns back to me and barks, “Allie, a word.”
“What’s up, cuz?” I smile brightly.
“Don’t you ‘cuz’ me. What the bloody hell is going on?”
He looks pissed, so I do the doe-eyed blink just to piss him off more. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Why are you here with my fucking teammate?”
“Vi didn’t tell you?” I ask innocently.
“Tell me what?”
Vi’s voice cuts in to save the day. “Tanner, I’m having some cramps. Would you mind getting me a water? The doctor says it’s good to stay hydrated when this happens.”
Tanner’s jaw muscles clench. “I don’t like what’s going on here. It feels like you’re trying to distract me.”
“Don’t start, Tanner. It’s a family affair,” Vi replies casually. “Allie needed a date, so I found her one. Roan will be a perfect gentleman. End of. Now stop upsetting me. It’s not good for the baby.”
“I’m upsetting you?” He watches Vi’s hands stroke her belly and then closes his mouth, stifling any further argument. I almost feel guilty when his brow furrows with worry. He murmurs, “I’ll get your bloody water,” and is off without another word.
As soon as he leaves, Vi straightens as if she feels perfectly fine. “Give me a hug! I’ve missed you, Allie.”
“Likewise, Vi!”
We hug and she tugs on my golden strands. “Look at how long your hair is now. It’s gorgeous. And your big blue eyes are as stunning as ever!”
“You’re one to talk,” I reply, looking her up and down in her red, floor-length maternity gown. Her blonde hair is pinned off to one side and draped over her shoulder. “Your body looks exactly the same except for that perfect little basketball right here.” I touch her belly because I can’t help myself.
Vi laughs affectionately. “We call it a football in the Harris family, Allie.”
She winks and we have a giggle over how easy it was for her to manipulate Tanner. “I promise I’ll take care of Booker, Camden, and Gareth, too. Don’t you worry.”
