Chapter 5 Brooke
brOOKE
Next day, I was the first to arrive at the Lords headquarters. I wasn’t a big fan of the open-floor office plan. It lacked privacy, and it was a bit too loud, but this early it was just perfect.
I started by sending out an email to all players, informing them that I’d finished reviewing their files and had proposals for each of them that we would be discussing during our one-on-one meetings.
I reminded them they could come to me with questions at any time, then proceeded to call a few companies we could approach for sponsorships and endorsements.
When I checked my emails two hours later, my inbox was flooded with replies from the players.
And even though Jace’s wasn’t the first one, I started by opening his.
Jace: I’m impressed. Ready so quickly? Or did you start with me?
Brooke: That was a mass email.
I’d put everyone in bcc though, so I could see why he’d gotten confused. He couldn’t see I’d sent it to every player.
Jace: Damn. And I thought I was special.
Brooke: Aww, sorry to disappoint you. Just doing my job.
Jace: Are you as thorough in your research with everyone as you are with me?
He was calling me out on my scouting activity regarding his shirtless pics. I couldn’t admit to giving him more attention than the other players, especially after last evening.
Just remembering how he looked at me was enough to make me feel hot and bothered. My entire body was on fire whenever he was close.
Brooke: Always.
I went on to reply to another player’s email, but the second the thread with Jace showed another unread email, I went back to it. I couldn’t resist.
Jace: You wound me.
Brooke: You’ll survive.
Jace: Will I see you tonight?
I’d given the outing some more thought, and Jace was right. It was smart for me to get to know everyone in an informal environment, especially since Dad wouldn’t be there.
One of my friends had set up a blind date for me tonight, but honestly… between having to put on a show for a perfect stranger and spending the time with the LA Lords, I preferred the latter.
I’d sent a text last night to my friend to let her know about the change in schedule and had zero regrets.
Brooke: I’ll let this be a surprise.
Jace: Come on, have mercy on me. Give me something to look forward to other than the ass-chewing I’m gonna get from coach today.
Brooke: You’re going to spend time with your teammates. Aren’t you looking forward to that already?
Jace: I already know all of them. You, on the other hand, are a secret waiting to be explored.
I licked my lips, drawing in a shaky breath as I reread the last words, shimmying in my seat. I shot him a noncommittal response. I wasn’t looking to keep him on his toes for any specific reasons, but I did think Jace deserved a little punishment for his constant pushing of boundaries.
Brooke: Nah, you don’t deserve mercy. Wait and see.
The get-together was taking place at a sports bar two blocks away from the club. Only half the management was attending, and I walked there with two of my colleagues, Veronica and Sheila.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for days,” Veronica exclaimed. “Gives me a chance to unwind.”
The two had been with the Lords for three years and were clearly friends. Veronica had been a little frosty with me, but I chalked it up to the fact that I was a new hire.
Veronica and Sheila both launched into a conversation in which they ranked our players by looks. I stayed out of it, even though I was dying to join in the fun, ask them more about themselves. Keeping people at an arm’s length wasn’t really my forte. I had no idea how Daddy managed it.
The pub was full when we arrived. We spotted a few of the players gathered around a pool table and headed that way.
Jace was sporting an ear-to-ear grin when I approached him. “You made it.”
“I did.”
“And you left me to wonder all day. You have a mean streak.”
“Only where you’re concerned.”
“Ouch.”
“Thought you wanted special treatment.”
Jace’s grin became, if possible, even wider. I found myself grinning right back at him. Seriously, this man’s good mood was infectious.
I had hoped that my reaction to him at the gym was simply a product of seeing him in workout gear. With that shirt stretching thin over his six-pack, he’d looked positively delicious. But right now, I reacted to his gaze the same way as that night. Energy zinged through my veins. My breath caught.
“Come on, let’s go get drinks.”
When he kissed my cheek, warmth pooled low in my belly. Oh, God. It was going to be a long night.
I ordered a glass of merlot at the counter, Jace soda.
“No alcohol for you?”
“We have a game in two days. I feel better without alcohol. You want some insider info?” he asked as we waited for our order.
“You’d betray your teammates?”
“Again, assuming the worst of me.”
“My bad. Fire away.” I took a sip of wine as soon as the bartender put the glass in front of me.
“So, Mark is generally friendly. Luke plays the tough guy, but if you compliment his game skills, he softens. Don’t approach Henry after we lose. We’re all in a bad mood, but he takes the cake. Even his wife avoids him. Andrew will try to get in your pants.”
I nearly choked on my drink. “You can’t know that.”
“You’re a beautiful woman. He’ll try, trust me.”
He thought I was beautiful? Until now, I’d figured Jace was fooling around because he was a rule breaker in general and didn’t think much of work barriers. But what if there was more?
“Gaston is an open book. Be careful though, once he gets started, there’s no stopping him.”
“Thanks for all the information. I should go talk to everyone.”
“Go ahead. But I didn’t forget about our pool game.”
“I didn’t think you had.”
Maybe it was the informal ambiance, but the players were more open with me than I’d expected. I’d briefly wondered if Jace had exaggerated anything, but he’d been spot on, right down to Andrew trying to flirt the pants off me.
“Can I tempt you with a pool game later on?” he asked after I’d turned down his offer to buy me a drink.
I’d barely opened my mouth to decline when I realized Jace had stepped next to me.
“I don’t think so.”
He laced an arm around my shoulders, drawing me closer. I felt the heat radiating off him. His jaw was nearly touching my forehead, and my nose was close enough to his neck that I couldn’t ignore the light whiff of his body wash.
“She’s mine tonight.”
His voice was determined, his stance straight and self-assured, as if he wanted to dominate Andrew, as if he’d staked his claim on me.
I licked my lips, hoping Jace couldn’t tell that my pulse had sped up at his words.
“My bad. Should have moved faster. Whenever we have the next outing, I’m calling dibs on those games.”
I laughed, going for the diplomatic route. “Easy there. I’m not booking my time so far in advance.”
“I’ll be the first to ask next time, then.”
Andrew pointed his forefinger at me before leaving me with Jace and joining two other teammates who were playing darts.
“Told you there’s no stopping him.”
“Or you, apparently,” I volleyed back good-naturedly.
“So you’d rather I hadn’t saved you?”
“Who said I needed saving?”
Jace set his jaw. “You want that game with Andrew?”
“I promised I’d play with you, and I keep my word.”
He opened his mouth, but before he could add anything else, two of his teammates dragged him to the darts board.
I admired Jace as he moved through the room. The man was simply beautiful. Not just hot, or handsome… but beautiful. Maybe it was that permanent joy of his that lit him up, but whenever he captured my gaze, I found myself unable to look away.
Apparently, I couldn’t look away even when he had his back at me. In my defense though, that back was just as impressive as the front. Muscle-laced and broad, tapering to a trim waist and a very impressive ass. He wore those jeans so well that he should come with a warning sign or ten.
Close to midnight, as the crowd thinned, most of management left, but I chose to stay. I still owed Jace that game of pool. Everyone but the team had left before they decided to start their pool game.
When they gathered around the table, I walked up to Jace.
“Ready, partner?” he asked, handing me a stick.
“Yes.”
“Boys, nothing personal against you, but you’ll lose,” Jace announced to the others. Ah, he had no idea what he was getting himself into.
But he found out exactly four rounds later. I’d missed both times it had been my turn. Jace took my hand, pulling me a little further away from the others.
“Are you doing this on purpose?” he inquired.
“No.”
“You just missed those two straight shots?”
“You never asked if I was any good at it.”
“And you didn’t think to set me straight?”
“Where would be the fun in that?”
“What am I going to do with you?” he murmured. He was so close now that I had to tip my head back to look up at him. Jace’s gaze dropped to my mouth for a split second.
“Teach me how to play or learn to lose.”
I’d meant it as a joke, but the joke was on me because when we resumed the game, Jace announced he’d be showing me how to play correctly. I’d expected the others to protest, because it essentially meant Jace would be playing the entire game, but they didn’t.
They preferred losing to engaging in a lousy game.
I couldn’t fault them for that. Jace was taking his teaching role very seriously.
I was doing everything wrong, from holding the thick end of the stick too high, to leaning forward too much.
Correcting my pose and aim meant that he had to put his hands on me constantly.
“This angle here is what you need,” he murmured in my ear, placing a hand on my waist, bending me over the table.
I didn’t know if feeling his hot breath on the side of my neck, and the fly of his jeans rubbing against my right ass cheek were messing with my mind, but all I could think about was him bending me over and stripping me naked.
Holy shit!