Chapter Three
Olivia
PR Specialist for the Dakota Dragons
The Dakota Dragons play hard and party harder. All of them except Carter Storm. He’s the guy everyone looks up to. The guy the coach and the owner want the rest of the team to emulate.
Light spills across the bathroom tiles as I flick the switch on. The shower hisses to life, steam curling upward while the phone rings in my hand. Ralph, the team’s lawyer, picks up on the second ring. Older, sharp, and loyal, he guards the team like a dragon guards its hoard.
“Who is it now?” he grumbles.
“And good evening to you too, Ralph.”
“Olivia, just cut to the chase. Who is it?”
“Carter Storm.”
A sharp huff bursts through the line. “And pigs fucking fly.”
“He called me himself. I’m jumping in the shower, then meeting you at the Ninth Street police station.”
Ralph makes a tutting sound. “Well, I never thought I’d see the day. What’s the charge?”
Shit.
Didn’t even ask, I was too stunned.
“We’ll find out when we get there.”
“I thought he was one of the good ones. See you in half an hour.”
Me too.
The words stay trapped behind clenched teeth. At least Ralph didn’t lose his shit over the fact I forgot to ask what Carter got arrested for.
The shower’s more about waking up than getting clean.
Some women can roll out of bed and dive straight into their day, but that’s not me.
Warm water beats against my skin, chasing away the last threads of sleep.
A quick scrub, a rinse, and a triple face wash later, at least I look awake.
At this hour, makeup and hair aren’t worth the effort.
A towel takes care of the worst of the damp before my hair’s pulled into a ponytail.
Jeans, sandshoes, and a T-shirt finish the job.
I’m out the door and behind the wheel within ten minutes, the city is still half-asleep. Early hours mean blessedly light traffic, and fifteen minutes later, the car slides into a no-parking zone in front of the police station.
Climbing out, I spy Ralph’s car and head for the entrance of the police station. A wolf whistle slices through the quiet. My middle finger answers before I even glance up.
“Aw, come on, Olivia. Is that any way to treat an officer of the law?”
“Bite me, Carlos.”
“You know, one day I just might.” His chuckle rumbles as he strolls closer, badge glinting under the streetlight. “You can’t park there, you know.”
“Is Ralph inside?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll be in and out. You know how this goes.”
Carlos tilts his head, flashing what he clearly thinks is a killer smile. “What do I get for making sure you don’t get a ticket?”
Fingers dip into my pocket, producing two tickets to the next home game. “My undying love and these?”
His grin widens. “Done.”
“You suck, you know that?”
“That’s what she said.” He winks and drops onto the hood of my car, settling in like he owns the place.
Sergeant Carlos, a local charmer and resident pain in my ass.
We do this dance every time I’m called in to clean up whatever mess one of the boys has gotten themselves into.
Pretty sure they give him a heads-up the moment they know I’m coming.
He hasn’t worked up the nerve to ask me out yet, but it’s only a matter of time.
With a quick nod and a smile, I head into the station. The officer on duty grins and jerks his thumb toward the police chief’s office.
“He’s in there?”
“Yep. Came in from the break room a few minutes ago.”
“Seriously? No holding cell for him?”
The officer shakes his head, a hint of awe in his voice. “He’s Carter Storm, one of the greatest football players of all time. It wouldn’t be right to put him in with the common folk.”
Unbelievable.
Shaking my head, I make my way down the hall, stop outside the chief’s door, knock once, wait a beat, and then push it open.
Ralph, Carter, and the Chief are all standing, matching grins plastered across their faces as they turn toward me.
“Are we all good?” The question is aimed at Ralph, though my eyes flick to the Chief.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, voice full of satisfaction. “The young lady who made the allegation against Mr. Storm here has retracted her statement. So, he’s free to go,” states the Chief.
Carter steps forward, hand extended. The Chief shakes it, both of them smiling like old friends.
“I appreciate you coming down, sir. If I can get you tickets or help out in any way, please let me know,” Carter offers smoothly.
“Well, now that you mention it…” the Chief starts.
Great. Here it comes. You pat my back, I’ll pat yours.
“We’re hosting a charity dinner for the Widows and Orphans Fund,” the Chief continues, still gripping Carter’s hand.
“It’d mean a lot if you and a few of the Dakota Dragons could take a table.
” His grin widens. “And if you were to put yourself up for auction—a date with Carter Storm—it would go a long way to boosting morale and raising funds.”
Carter’s grin widens, and he nods. Only then does the Chief finally release his hand.
“Not a problem. Olivia will figure it all out. Thanks again.”
His chin dips in polite acknowledgment, but when his eyes find mine, they’re anything but pleased.
Reaching into my purse, I hand the Chief my card. “If you’ll email me the details, I’ll make sure the team promotes the event through our socials. The more money you raise, the better.”
Carter frowns as he strides past me, and Ralph takes the Chief’s hand, shaking it firmly.
“Good seeing you, Tom. Say hello to that pretty wife of yours for me.”
I push the door open wider for Ralph to exit, then follow them both out into the cool night air. We stop on the pavement, the station lights casting long shadows around us.
Ralph turns to Carter. “You got lucky tonight.”
“I know.”
“See that it doesn’t happen again,” Ralph grits out, all business now.
“It won’t.” Carter’s jaw tightens, irritation flickering in his eyes as Ralph climbs into his car and drives off.
Carter shakes his head and starts walking away.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I call after him.
Carter stops and turns, eyes narrowing. “Do you need something?”
The thought hits me, he’s never been in this position before and has no idea how this works.
“Get in my car, Carter. You and I need to talk.”
“No offense, but I don’t need you to spank my ass and tell me I’ve been a bad boy.” He pivots to leave.
Carlos pushes off the hood and laughs. “That’s a first. The other boys in your team know better than to sass, Olivia.” He winks at me and walks away.
“Get in the car, Storm.” My voice hardens. “It’s my job to make sure you get home in one piece, and to know exactly what happened so I can spin it before the press gets wind of it.”
The passenger door creaks open as I plant a hand on my hip and glare at him.
“Lady, it’s nearly four in the morning. I need sleep.”
“Guess you should’ve thought about that before you let your dick do the thinking. Get. In.”
A smirk crosses his handsome face. “Do you talk like this to the others?”
“Worse. Come on, now, I don’t have all morning to babysit the all American football star. I have a job to do.”
He arches an eyebrow at me and with that smirk, my heart beats a little faster.
“Okay, Rivers,” he says using my last name. “Can we do this at my house?”
“Yep, I just need your address.”