Chapter 32
thirty-two
I walk into Monarchs Stadium with all eyes on me.
We planned on this happening. It’s why Luke is walking a few paces behind me like a bodyguard instead of a boyfriend.
We went back and forth about it on the car ride over.
I wanted to hold hands, no longer concerned about Damien or whatever trash the media might feel inclined to write about me.
But after running over a few scenarios with Luke, Nick, and Luisa on speakerphone, we thought it would be best for the Monarchs organization to try to minimize the public scrutiny.
This will already be a media circus after all, since it’ll be my first public outing since the wedding that never was.
These players work themselves to the bone for this team, and I already feel bad enough that my story is overshadowing the beginning of their winning streak.
So I agreed to show up, using my usual entrance instead of the private one Nick had put in, and show the world that I’m back to work and it’s business as usual.
Though my look is very different from the last time I was seen. I’m usually strutting into the office with a tweed suit of some kind and designer pumps, with my hair straightened in a slicked back ponytail.
But today? I’m taking full advantage of my brother and sister-in-law being the owners, knowing they won’t have an issue with my lax attire.
I’m wearing a flowy black long sleeve tunic that hits right below my ass, which is perfect because the leggings I’m wearing underneath do absolutely nothing to hide my tempting ass—Luke’s words, not mine.
I’m wearing my white Converses too, and my tussled curly hair is styled half up and half down.
The security guard did a double take when I asked to be let through because I didn’t have my work badge with me. His answering smile hinted that he approved of my new look, and Luke’s not-so-subtle growl behind my back let him know to keep those feelings to himself.
We round the corner to the executive offices, and with each step, I can feel Luke inching closer to me.
I know he was on board with keeping our relationship out of the spotlight for the time being, but up on this floor, only trusted personnel are allowed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck us into his office to burn off some of the frustration that’s been nipping at us since we left the cabin.
I’m about to suggest just that when an unexpected welcoming crew comes into view. I start laughing to myself, because I should have anticipated this.
Luisa and Isabella come barreling into me, giving Luke a split second to get out of the way before he finds himself engulfed in a very teary group hug.
“It’s been eighty-four years,” Isa starts, and I swat her and Luisa off me with a giggle.
Luisa takes one long perusal of me from head to toe. Then nods my way as she speaks to Isa. “Now that. That is a woman who’s been dicked down.”
Luke sounds like he’s choking, while Nick shouts a pained “Angel!”
I’m about to throw in a very mature “Ha, take that. Now you know how it feels to hear about your siblings’ sexual escapades.” But the words die on my tongue as I realize that Mateo Martinez, Ace Middlebrooks, and Julian Vega are standing next to my brother as well.
If Mateo’s grin gets any bigger, it’s going to turn creepy. Whereas Ace and Julian are sporting identical looks of shock.
I should probably cruise my ass over to the HR department, because it doesn’t seem like any professionalism will be found around these parts.
“Coach?” Ace points at Luke. “And our sweet little Daisy?” he asks in a dramatic whisper.
Julian simply shakes his head, feigning disapproval.
He’s the newest member of the team, having been acquired by Luisa in an impressive three hundred-million-dollar deal as our new first baseman.
But he’s seamlessly settled into the Monarch family and into the role of Ace’s best friend.
“You think you know people, and then they run off and forget that they have a team to coach.”
Ace places a hand on Julian’s shoulder. “Did you know that Vega over here couldn’t remember whether he had to hit the ball with a racket or a bat? Poor thing was lost without you. Lost.”
“So lost.” Julian nods.
I cover my mouth with my hand to keep my laughter from breaking free.
Luke steps closer to me, nudging my chin with his lifted knuckles.
“You think these clowns are funny or something?” I see the tension melting from his shoulders and could kiss those two fools for distracting Luke from my current media debacle.
But I’m sure that wouldn’t go over too well with Luke’s current caveman antics, so I think I’ll telepathically send my gratitude.
When I don’t answer, Luke slips his large hand over my cheek and leans down, faintly brushing his lips over mine.
The women start to squeal while Nick attempts to break up our moment.
“Coach Weston. My office. Now. We clearly have a conversation that needs to be had… and some HR paperwork to sign,” Nick grumbles the last part.
Luke nods, brushing the tip of his nose against mine. “Hmm, that sounds urgent.” He turns, giving our little audience a blinding smile before he continues. “But I need to take care of something important first.” His lips are on mine in a bruising show of longing and possession all at once.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll be waiting in my office.” Nick stomps off.
“All right, boys, keep your mouths shut and get your asses on the field before Coach has us crying in the weight room.” Mateo says, ushering the men off.
“We’ll wait for you in Luisa’s office. Take your time. No rush at all,” Isabella all but sings as the last footsteps fade.
And then it’s just us again.
Me in Luke’s arms, his lips doing wonders in helping me forget everything I need to deal with today. And as the kiss deepens, I have to force myself to escape this man’s clutches. Otherwise I’ll be putting on a whole other show in front of our coworkers.
Luke protests. “Why did we come back here again? I think if we leave now, we can make it back to our cabin before midnight.”
I try not to lose myself in his use of “our cabin.” Although it certainly feels like ours after the week we had.
Sitting out back sipping beers by the firepit. Watching endless movies on the couch. Cooking meals while dancing in the kitchen. Making love surrounded by daisies under the big oak tree.
But we have a game tonight, and I need a debrief with my girls and set my past in its place before I can focus on my future with Luke. So I take a step back.
Luke watches me with the intensity of a hunter.
I point at his chest. “You have a job to do.”
He nods. “Hands, mouth, or cock? Your office or mine?” My body flushes with heat, but my eyes narrow in his direction as I take another step back.
“Oh, no you don’t. You get your ass on that field, Coach. We need to make it through tonight’s game in one piece. And then…” I trail off.
“And then I’m coming over to my girlfriend’s place and testing out that new mattress.” I quirk a brow at his boldness, but he simply shrugs. “Let me taste you now, and I might consider letting you actually get a full night’s rest tonight.”
I continue to back up in the direction of my office as I shake my head. “No deal. Besides, I’m well acquainted with your midnight wakeup calls, and in case you haven’t been paying attention, I’m a big fan of them.”
“Oh, I pay attention plenty, Daze.” He takes one step my way, but I lift my hand, halting his movements.
“Field, now. Play later.”
“I want you in my office as soon as the game is over, Daisy. Don’t make me have to chase you around this stadium.” A slow smirk unfurls across his face. “Although now that I think about it…”
“Not at work.” I fight to keep the sternness in my voice as I near the corner hallway that will lead to my office. “Have a good game. Love you.” I smile and he instantly softens at my words.
“Dammit, woman. I love you too.” A smile overtakes his face in a way that’s becoming more common for Luke, and the thought alone almost has me running back into his arms. But then we’d have to start this whole song and dance again, and I really need to debrief with my friends.
But first I need to make a pit stop at my office to drop off my things and quickly check my email for pressing matters I may have forgotten.
Finally, I wave and turn, and a few moments later, I hear his boots walking farther away from me. I smile like a goof, imagining him standing there, waiting to see if I’d change my mind and run off into his office with him down by the clubhouse.
But that smile and any sense of levity drop like stones in the ocean the second I push open my office door.
Because there, sitting in my chair with a smug expression on his face, is my dear old dad.
“Ah, there she is. The prodigal daughter returns after all.”