Chapter 10 #3
“Did I tell you that I’m also a mind reader?
” His deep voice boomed in the empty corridor, the tone sending shivers down my spine.
When he finally realized he still had a firm hold of my arm, instead of letting me go, he pulled me into the heat of his body and onto my toes.
“Purple today.” He nodded to my tennis shoes.
“I thought I’d show some team spirit. You’re not getting off that easily. What am I thinking?”
He took a deep breath, holding it in his lungs while narrowing his eyes. When he exhaled the intense stream, he purposely did it across my face. “That you’re eager to get out of here.”
I laughed, the sound almost filled with nervousness. “You’re getting warm.”
“And that you want me to come with you.”
“Now you’re overreaching. I’m a reporter and shouldn’t be seen with you.”
Being this close to him was destructive as my thoughts were turning wildly inappropriate.
“Just so you’re aware, I heard a rumor that we could be married. Even more important, we can cure that.”
“Oh? How so.”
“By remaining behind locked doors for one long… hot… night. We can make a clean getaway.”
As soon as I pressed my hand against his chest, I pulled my arm away, even curling my fingers. “The walls seem to have eyes. Plus, there are fans everywhere.”
Every time he grinned, he reminded me of a big kid. Very big and very muscular, but a kid anyway. “Not if we wear a disguise.”
“Now where in the world do you think you’re going to find a disguise in this building?”
“Do you trust me?”
My sigh was heavy and exaggerated on purpose. “A scary question, but yes.”
“Then leave it to me.”
His wink all but did me in.
Less than twenty minutes later, we were headed out a back door toward my car. He’d been right. He’d found disguises alright, hooking up with a couple of fans who followed the team anywhere. They were more than willing, even eager to help us.
There’d been one woman in the group, her skimpy dress fitting the purple and gold theme while reminding me of a milkmaid. At least the garish outfit matched my purple Converse shoes.
“You look hot, baby,” he said gruffly.
“This old thing?” I spun in a circle, someone managing to do so without exposing my butt.
When he threw his head back and howled, I rushed toward him, shushing him. “Stop. You don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention.”
“Who’s going to recognize us?”
He was right about that.
The group of super fans had even carried their own face and body paint with them.
I struggled to keep the huge Viking helmet on as we rushed away from the building.
I also had a difficult time not remaining in a fit of laughter.
He was carrying the garbage bag full of our clothes, swinging it back and forth.
The man was having the time of his life while I continually scanned the parking lot in search of the mystery man.
“You make a great Viking woman.” Beck’s voice was no longer recognizable. He’d died and come back a huge brute of a man from the Middle Ages.
And I was in heaven. Any woman would be.
We were both laughing as we approached my rental car. The guys had made certain no one would recognize him by the amount of war paint on his face. They’d even had wigs for both of us, and I had to admit, Beck wasn’t a bad looking blond.
In fact, he was hotter than sin.
By the time we made it to the car, I could no longer suppress my laughter. I was laughing so hard I dropped the keys and when we both went down for them, I fell smack on my butt.
Being the manly man he was, he whisked me off my feet, pulling me completely into his massive arms. He even swung me around, the parking lot lights providing an eerie backdrop while he peered down at me.
“Watch your step, wife. We wouldn’t want you to injure yourself.”
“You know that we really do need to be careful. I think that jerk was the one from the hotel.”
He shrugged as if it were no big deal. “I know what I said, but being married to you wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Ah, but being married to you would be dangerous.”
“How so?”
I yanked the key fob from his hand, pressing the unlock. The tweeting sound was a good cover for the heavy sigh pushing past my lips. “In every way.” The seriousness to my tone wasn’t what I’d had in mind, but his smile faded even though his eyes lingered on mine.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Just as he eased me down, we both heard a loud squeal.
“There he is!”
We both snapped our heads in the direction of the girl’s shrill voice. There were at least ten women who’d taken off running in our direction.
He chuckled, emitting the evilest sound. “Get in. I’m driving.”
There was no stopping the man when he made a decision. That much was very clear to me. The laughter continuing, I raced toward the passenger side, watching the women as I couldn’t seem to stop laughing. “Hurry up. They’re coming!”
“I’m getting there.”
As soon as I jumped in, he already had the key in the ignition, the engine started and revved. The second I slammed the door, he took off.
At that moment, I felt very much like the two of us were Bonnie and Clyde.
I only hoped the end of our saga wouldn’t mirror the infamous couple.
But what a way to go.