Chapter 37
37
NICKY
“H ere we are, sleepy head.” I feel Ronan gently squeeze my thigh as the car eases to a stop.
I blink my heavy eyelids and see that we’re pulling up to the main office for the Saints in Sin Valley. We’re on our way back from a string of successful away game. Before we landed, I told Ronan that I need to make a quick stop at my desk for some supplies I need to have at the guesthouse, since I’ll be working remotely for the rest of the week.
I shuffle out of the SUV, turning back around to point at Ronan. “You. Stay here. Don’t move a muscle.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “Thanks for saying that, Captain. I was actually planning on running away if you hadn’t mentioned it. But now, I’m totally staying put.”
Ugh . “Smart ass.”
Keycard in hand, I turn and dart inside the building. Things are really coming together in here. No more moving boxes line the hallways and there’s a massive embossed replica of the Saints’ logo affixed to the wall behind the reception desk.
Before I make it to my cubicle, I run into the head of PR.
She greets me with a smile.
“Nicky! How were things with Ronan Brighton on this away stretch?”
For a half a second, a surge of apprehension hits me.
Does she know that he ordered me to reenact the dirty parts of the romance book I was reading in his hotel room last night? Does she know that I liked it?
Does she know that he had me handcuffed to his guesthouse bed two nights before that?
No, Nicky. No. Again, Florence only cares about Ronan’s public perception. She’s not interested in what he does behind closed doors. With or without the handcuffs.
“Things are going well with Ronan,” I tell her truthfully. If you don’t count him being a total pain in my butt. “We’re actually headed back to his property right now. We just made a pit stop so I could grab some things from my desk.”
“Sorry I couldn’t make it to last night’s game. How was he at the post-game conference?”
“He was great. We’ve been working on it.”
She nods. “And it shows. The bosses have been talking. They see a huge change in him since you came onboard.” She squeezes my arm. "Great job, Nicky.”
We say our quick goodbyes, and I make my way over to my desk, absolutely grinning. It’s really nice to be recognized, especially as a junior in the organization. I can’t get the smile off my face as I’m digging around in my top desk drawer for some sticky notes.
I glance out the window on my right. Then I do a double take.
Are you kidding me?
Outside my window, I see Ronan and he’s certainly not inside his car, waiting for me like he promised. He’s skating around and shooting pucks with some kids on the ice rink at the park across the street from the office. Which probably wouldn’t be so bad, but people are taking pictures. His presence is drawing a crowd. A crowd that is growing by the second.
“Goddammit, Ronan Brighton,” I mumble. “I can’t turn my back for one minute.”
Supplies in hand, I rush back out of the building and back to the car. I wave my arms until I catch Ronan’s attention, and he quickly slips out of his skates and jogs back across the street.
He’s wearing a big ass, cheesy grin. I feel a grin coming on, too. But I hide it from him. Instead, I shake my head. “Troublemaker.”
The truth is, Ronan is great with children and I like that.
We climb back into the car. We only make it around the block when I realize that I forgot my external flash drive where I downloaded the documents that I’ll be needing. Ronan doesn’t complain. He only turns the SUV around and takes me back to the building.
“Come on,” I say to him.
“Huh?” He gives me an innocent look.
“You just showed me I can’t trust you by yourself. So you’re coming with me.”
The corner of his lips swings into a grin. “Fine. Now, I get to show all those uptight paper pushers what a hot babysitter I’ve got.” He leads the way, holding the door open for me and I just shake my head.
I try to make it a quick stop but as usual, Ronan is an attention-grabber. The Saints staff treat him like a celebrity, everyone congratulating him on his performance in last night’s game. I linger on the sidelines, pride stirring in my chest. Ronan may drive me up the wall sometimes. But other times, I just stand back in awe of this man and the towering presence that he is.
When we finally make it to the elevator, Ronan presses the button for the ground floor. The doors slide closed, trapping us alone in the tiny space.
He glances at me. “What are you over there smiling to yourself about?”
My first instinct is to brush it off or to change the topic of conversation. But then I think about this practice relationship between Ronan and me. The whole point is for me to get more comfortable sharing what I’m feeling and to let him know when he’s being a good practice boyfriend. So I do just that.
I hold Ronan’s gaze when I speak. “I just find you…impressive. That’s all.”
The man’s eyebrows jump. He takes a step toward me. “Impressive?”
I nod. “Impressive. And talented. And passionate. And exciting. And goddamned sexy.”
By now, Ronan has me cornered against one wall of the elevator. Staring into those mesmerizing eyes, I basically forget where we are. The ravenous look he’s giving me has my toes curling in anticipation inside my winter boots.
Ronan’s hand falls to my hip, curling into my flesh. Lust fogs up his eyes. His lips fall open as he’s lowering his mouth to mine. Right as he’s about to yank me up against his body, the elevator doors fly open.
We both snap toward that gaping hole in the wall and come face to face with a group of grim-faced billionaires. There’s no time to pull apart.
Darius side-eyes Cash.
Cash stink-eyes me.
Somewhere in the distance, I can almost hear dollar bills circling the drain.
“Ronan, can I have a word?” Darius’ voice cracks like a whip lashing off the elevator wall.
I jump in front of Ronan like his human bullet-proof vest. “Oh, sorry. Look at the time. We really have to go.” I nudge Ronan forward, shoving him toward the exit. “We just got off a flight. Jet lag. Jet lag so bad.” I force a wide yawn. “And we need to beat the traffic. Have you seen the weather forecast? They’re forecasting a mess. Gotta go. Buy.”
By the time we make it out to the sidewalk, Ronan is cracking up, fist over his mouth.
I sneer at him as he leans around me and opens my door. “Just get in the car.”
Don’t panic, Nicky. Don’t panic.
That was a close call but I think I can smooth this over. All I’ll have to do is make my cute, innocent kitten face and bat my lashes at Cash and all will be forgiven.
I’m a PR girlie now, I can figure this out.
But if our brothers find out what’s really going on between us, Ronan will be as good as dead meat.