28. Paris
TWENTY-EIGHT
PARIS
My fingers fly across the keyboard, this week’s supply order coming together on the screen in front of me.
It’s Friday, and the Renegades are headed to Los Angeles tomorrow, so I’m getting my first taste of how busy things get around here before a game.
Everyone who works here is flying around the building, tying up loose ends and attending meetings to prepare for the big weekend.
I send in the order, pulling up another tab in my browser and logging into my email.
I’ve been asked to wait for a very important contract from the team’s lawyer and print it off before delivering it to Mr. Grant’s office for his next meeting.
I’m expecting it to arrive any moment, but when my inbox loads to reveal nothing new, I decide to cross a few more daily tasks off my to-do list.
First, I check the waiting area, ensuring that the magazines lining the sleek glass coffee table are up to date.
Everything is clean and tidy, including the brand-new coffee cart Sydney and I set up last week.
Austin still insists on delivering Brew-La-La, since it’s my favorite, although there’s no sign of him yet today.
I miss him.
It’s been a busy week for all of us, so we haven’t spent much time together.
The boys had their last practice of the season yesterday, where they were given awards and trophies for their hard work.
Austin bought the whole team pizza, and they ended the evening with a water balloon fight that had every player soaked from head to toe with the biggest smiles stretched across their little faces.
As much as I’ll miss warm evenings at the field, I’m definitely ready for fall.
In fact, we’re gearing up for some school clothes shopping soon, since the boys’ first day is right around the corner.
I’d love to be one of those moms who has everything done with plenty of time to spare, but unfortunately, that’s not a skill I’ve acquired just yet.
But, hey. There’s always next year, right?
Moving to the storage room, I slip inside, heading toward the back to gather some printer paper and binder clips. If the incoming contract is anything like some of the others I’ve delivered over the past few weeks, I’m going to need a refill of both for sure.
I’m stretching up for a ream of paper when a set of large hands settles on my waist. Months ago, I’d have been startled, and maybe even screamed, but now? I’d know that strong grip and clean, manly scent anywhere.
A soft smile plays at my mouth, and I tilt my head, offering full access as warm lips press to the sensitive skin of my neck.
I hum quietly, enjoying the sensation of wet kisses and licks, my eyes rolling back in satisfaction.
I get lost in it, the feel and smell of someone who’s become my calm in the chaos, his breath puffing against my heated flesh as he finally speaks.
“How’s my girl? Ready for the weekend?”
“Almost,” I tell him. “What about you? Busy schedule today?”
“Never too busy to follow the sexiest woman alive into a dark supply closet for a quick make-out session. What do you say, Baby Girl? Can I taste those sweet lips of yours?”
My smile grows, and I spin around in his arms. “That’s a very silly question.”
His mouth is slanted over mine a second later, his tongue sliding across the seam of my lips as they grant him entrance. He licks and sucks, our quiet moans and growls mingling in the air around us while our hands slowly explore one another.
“I have a surprise for you,” he murmurs as he pulls back, nipping at my lower lip. His palms glide along the waistband of my black pencil skirt, finding my ass before he yanks me into his muscular body. His erection is trapped between us, hard and demanding as it pulses against my lower abdomen.
“I can see that,” I reply with a smirk, wiggling just enough to make him groan under his breath.
“Funny,” he replies. “But that’s not what I meant. I got a delivery with your name on it yesterday. Thought you might be interested, so I brought it with me. It’s in my truck.”
My eyes light up with excitement. Last week, I made a sizable order with an online adult toy store, purchasing no less than twenty items that caught my attention.
We had them sent to Austin’s place instead of mine, since the boys tend to get excited and tear packages open the moment they land on our doorstep.
Unwilling to risk it, I figured he could just sneak them to me at work, and I’d have a better chance of getting them home without little eyes seeing them.
“Sounds like I’m going to have an eventful night by myself,” I tease, knowing damn well that the thought of me trying everything out on my own will rile him up. The words hit their mark, and his fingers flex, making me squeak in surprise as his mouth hovers over my ear.
“It’s cute that you think I’d let you have that kind of fun without me, baby. The first time you come on one of those toys, I’ll be right there, making it happen. Understood?”
I flutter my lashes, looking up at him innocently. “Understood.”
“Good girl,” he praises, giving my ass one more squeeze as he stamps a quick kiss to my lips. “I have a meeting with Paul in about five minutes, but I’ll see you before I leave. Coffee’s on your desk.”
“You’re too good to me.” I sigh whimsically, my heart flipping in my chest at the way he’s always so thoughtful.
He leaves the room, heading down the hall toward Mr. Grant’s office as I grab the items I came in here for and hurry back out to the reception area.
There’s a new email in my inbox when I check it, so I load more paper in the feeder before sending the attachment to the printer’s queue.
Sipping my cappuccino, my gaze wanders to the sheets as they’re spit into the output tray, my eyes widening as I take in the words printed on each one.
My heart gallops, excitement and pride flowing through my veins as I do everything I can to stop myself from screaming out loud.
I remain as composed as possible until the entire document has been printed, my hands shaking as I clip the pages together and head down the hallway toward the owner’s office with the biggest smile plastered across my face.
Austin Baker’s life is about to change, and I can’t think of a more deserving man to get everything he’s ever wanted.
AUSTIN
“Have a seat, Austin,” Paul says, gesturing to the chair across from him, right next to where Tony types away on his laptop.
Renegades’ head coach, Darius Hendricks, is also in attendance, giving me a good idea as to what this last-minute meeting may be in reference to.
I don’t want to get my hopes up, since there’s also a chance that we’re here to discuss a possible future with the team that doesn’t start as a member of this season’s coaching staff.
Just because I’m eligible doesn’t mean they think I’m ready yet, so they could be here to tell me that.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” I say in greeting, shaking each of their hands firmly before lowering into my seat.
My heart pounds a heavy cadence in my chest, my stomach in knots as every bad outcome of this thing flashes through my head like a horror movie.
I’m glad I got a few quiet moments with Paris before I came in here, because her kisses and soft giggles did wonders for my nerves.
Without that connection, I’d probably be crawling out of my own skin right now.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Paul continues, leaning back in his luxe desk chair.
The leather groans, filling the otherwise quiet room.
More anxiety plucks at my nerves, because where there’s usually a casual atmosphere when we meet in this office, I’m feeling nothing but professionalism and solemnity.
Sweat begins to bead on my temples, my throat feeling dry and tight with every second that ticks off the clock.
It’s like they’re dragging whatever this is out for some reason, and it has me ready to beg for a crumb of fucking context.
Just as I’m about to launch into a nervous outburst of this week’s forecast, since the weather is obviously my go-to topic when I’m trying not to lose my shit, a set of quiet footsteps enters the room.
I whip my head up to find my beautiful girl walking toward the desk with a giant stack of papers in her hand.
Our eyes meet briefly, but she looks away, tugging her lower lip between her teeth before setting the documents in front of Paul.
“Thank you, Paris,” he says with a tight nod. “If you don’t have anywhere to be, why don’t you stick around for a few minutes. We won’t be long.”
“Yes, sir,” she replies, one corner of her mouth twitching. But before I can make any sense of it, she spins on her heel, saunters toward the corner of the room, and plops down into one of the plush purple accent chairs.
“Anyway,” he chimes in, pulling my attention back to him.
I’m on pins and needles, my fingertips drumming on my thighs in an attempt to channel some of the jitters that are coursing through me.
But it all comes to a very abrupt pause with the next words out of his mouth.
“How do you feel about taking over the offense this season?”
My eyebrows shoot up, probably disappearing into my hairline as the question settles in.
I knew there was a strong possibility that this was coming, especially since I’ve been through multiple rounds of interviews over the last few months, but still.
The moment is actually here, and it feels better than I ever could’ve imagined.
This is really it. The same franchise that gave me a home and stuck by my side through a catastrophic injury is breathing new life into my career, and I couldn’t be prouder to accept.
Clearing the emotion from my throat, I nod tightly. “Can’t think of anything I’d rather do, sir. Thank you for the opportunity.”
“Alright, then,” he replies, the seriousness in his expression fading to reveal the same friendly and approachable smile I’m used to.
My shoulders slump in relief, and I look around to see Tony, Darius, and my favorite girl in the whole world grinning proudly.
My heart is fuller than it’s ever been, and it’s all thanks to the Rock City Renegades.
Everything I’ve ever dreamed of was given to me right inside these walls, including the family I’ve always longed for.
“We’ve got a contract for you to go over, but I think you’ll be pretty happy with the terms. It’s three years, six mill—”
“Respectfully, Paul,” I interject, shaking my head, “I don’t really care about any of that. I’m just grateful that you’re trusting me with your team.”
“Our team, Austin,” Tony corrects from beside me.
“You’ve been a Renegade just as long as the rest of us have.
We’re lucky to have you.” My chest fills with gratitude, the rest of my body’s tension melting away as warmth flows through me.
After everything I’ve endured—losses, injuries, and defeat—I’d go through it all over again a million times just to be here in this moment.
I’m a coach in the fucking National Football League.
“Alright, then,” Paul says. “You’ll be eligible to start next week.
I’d still like you to go over the contract, but I’ll take your verbal agreement as the green light to let you know that your brand-new office on the fourth floor is ready to be moved into.
Unfortunately, the three of us have to head down to the field to prep the guys for tomorrow’s trip to Los Angeles”—he gestures to Tony and Darius—“but Paris can accompany you and put in an order for anything you want or need. Feel free to decorate it however you’d like…
you’re going to be here for a long time. ”
He smirks, dragging his gaze from me to Paris, who looks like she’s ready to vibrate out of her chair with giddiness. “We left a little gift for the two of you in there, as well. We figured you might want to celebrate the occasion.”
My brows furrow in confusion, but I decide to keep my mouth shut for now.
If he knows about our little meetups in the supply closet and all the extra time we’ve been spending together, I’d much rather live in ignorance.
After the number of relationships that have come to be right under his nose, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s become more observant to the signs, or the way his employees often disappear to hook up.
I just don’t want to know exactly what he’s seen or heard.
They congratulate me with handshakes, and I thank them for once again giving me an opportunity to be a part of the team in such an essential way.
We go in separate directions—them down toward the field, where today’s pregame walk-through is in full swing—and Paris and I to the reception area, so she can gather her things.
I wait to make sure we’re completely alone before darting my hand out and yanking her to me, my grip firm around her waist.
“Did you know that was going to happen, bad girl?” I ask, lowering my lips to her neck. She moans in response, tilting her head to give me access as I trail soft kisses down the flesh beneath her ear. “Were you keeping secrets from me?”
“No,” she breathes, her fingertips finding my chest. “The email came through while we were in the storage room, and I didn’t read it until it came out of the printer.
Congratulations, by the way. I’ll show you exactly how proud I am the moment we get some time alone.
Maybe this weekend, if I can figure something out for the kids. ”
I twist my expression in faux contemplation, sucking my teeth. “That doesn’t really work for me. I can’t wait that long.”
Her tinkling laughter makes my heart squeeze in my chest. “Well, when you come up with somewhere we can sneak off to without getting caught, you let me know.”
My brow lifts, the mischief in my expression reflecting in her pretty brown eyes. “I have just the place, baby. Meet me in my new office in twenty.” I kiss her chastely. “Don’t be late. We’ve got lots of work to do.”
She narrows her gaze, but I level her with a challenging, yet playful glare before she utters those two words that get me every damn time.
“Yes, Coach.”