Chapter 27
Fin
Vee pursed her lips. “I want to spend today here with you watching the two playoff games.”
“I can’t get ahold of the florist until tomorrow.” I clenched my jaw. “Vee, this is serious. Someone is threatening you. What do they think they have over you?”
She reached for her cup of coffee and took it to the couch. With her one knee to her chest and the other on the soft seat, she sighed. “I kept waking up last night wondering the same thing.”
I sat beside her, pulling her sock-encased feet to my lap. “This isn’t something we should take lightly.”
Closing her eyes, Vee stretched her neck back. “Fin, I want to concentrate on our playoff run.” Lowering her chin, her emerald gaze met mine. “I’m tired of police, accidents, and mysteries.”
“What about the security company your uncle used when you were in Vegas?”
“I forget their name. He hires them here too. They’re currently watching Daphne.
” Vee shrugged. “I don’t think they follow her around, but they monitor her house and stuff like that.
” She tipped her chin toward the hallway leading to the front door.
“We have a state-of-the-art security system.” Her smile curled.
“I have an NFL quarterback with me. I’m not going to let some roses scare me. ”
“Fine, you don’t have to be scared. Just call your uncle. Get the name and number of the security company. Let them dig into the roses and notes. You’ll pay them. They’ll probably work faster and harder than the police anyway.”
“Tomorrow?” She tilted her head, pleading with her eyes.
“Tomorrow, your day will start before seven when you meet with Coach Tilson. If I know you, you’ll be running from meeting to meeting, and triple-checking stadium operations for next Sunday’s game. When will you take the time to contact that company?”
She set her mug on the coffee table, retrieved her feet from my lap, and moved to her knees. The sexy grin on her lips was alluring. The way she crawled hand, knee, hand, knee, with a glimmer in her eyes was rerouting my circulation.
Her lips came to my cheek. Her voice was a husky, low whisper.
“There’s a fire in the fireplace.” She kissed me.
“We don’t have to be quiet.” Another kiss.
“And the AFC game isn’t on for another few hours.
” She lifted her brow. “Should I contact a security company, or can you think of a better way to spend our afternoon?”
Palming her cheeks, I kissed her pouty lips. “You’re playing dirty.”
“Dirty. I’m up for dirty.” She moved the cuffs of her sweatshirt, revealing her fair-skinned wrists. The bruises from the weekend in Green Bay had faded. “Show me who’s in charge.”
Moving her to my side, I stood. “I can think of plenty of ways to spend our afternoon. I’m down for every one of them. And I’m in charge.” I offered her my hand. “First, contact your uncle.”
Vee exhaled and laid her palm in mine. “Fine.”
I helped her stand and turned to see the dishes from breakfast on the counters and table.
Despite Mom’s multiple offers, we wouldn’t let her help.
“I’ll clean up the kitchen. You go call your uncle.
Get a contact from the company who you can reach out to.
” I lifted my eyebrows. “And then contact them.”
“It’s Sunday.”
“Security doesn’t take days off.”
Vee huffed. “Uncle Darin is going to ask why I feel like I need security.”
“Tell him the truth.”
“Fine.” She straightened her shoulders and made her way toward our bedroom.
A grin curled my lips because I knew I was right about Vee’s safety. It was also because I knew she didn’t want to do what she just agreed to. Fin’s-in-control was broadening its reach.
The kitchen was clean and the dishwasher running. Outside the windows the snow had ceased to fall. The monochrome sky was filled with varying shades of gray. Yet inside, the fire and AFC pregame felt warm and like home.
Reclining back on the couch, I watched as Vee returned from our room. I lifted an eyebrow in question.
“I called.”
“Good girl.”
Shaking her head, she came closer and cuddled at my side. “That phrase does more to me when it’s not about security.”
Her hands were like ice as I wrapped them in my grasp. “Did you go outside? Your hands are freezing.”
“No. I just need you to warm them.”
I wrapped one arm around her shoulder as she splayed her fingers over my torso. “What did you find out?”
“Uncle Darin and the Coopers use Stephens Security Company. He asked why I was looking for their contact information. I told him I received some suspicious notes of late, and I didn’t want to bother the police.”
“Did he ask for more information?”
She shook her head. “He thought calling Stephens was a good idea. Contacting the police could signal bad publicity for the Coopers. He gave me the number for the head of the company.”
“Are you going to reach out to them?”
“I did.” She laid her head on my shoulder.
“They’re sending someone to Maker’s Mark tomorrow around noon.
The executive meeting will be done. I like to eat lunch with Aunt Rachel when we can.
I’ll have to let her know I can’t tomorrow.
” She went on, her green orbs on me. “They told me to have the two cards, and that’s it. ”
I ran my palm up and down her far shoulder and arm. “Why are you so cold?”
“Have you looked outside? It’s cold and dingy.”
Bringing my face within millimeters of hers, I shook my head. Our noses rubbed. “I’m not looking outside. I prefer the vision I have right here.”
Vee stood and pulled a soft throw from a basket near the sofa. Covering herself, she laid with her head on my lap. Together, we listened to the prognosticators dissect the upcoming Kansas City vs Houston matchup as I gently stroked her beautiful hair. Rogue strands had come loose from her braid.
I wasn’t sure when exactly Vee fell asleep, but I couldn’t deny the flood of satisfaction that circulated through me at the discovery.
This complex and stunning woman on my lap was Maeve Hubbard, the queen of the NFL, the woman admired by women and men alike, the one who took on a task much sooner than she dreamed would be hers to bear.
It wasn’t just that she was sleeping soundly.
It was that in my arms or by my side, she was comfortable letting down her guard.
In a world of threats, Vee felt safe with me.
It was all I wanted when I chose to involve myself in her life.
Vee loved me and I her.
The AFC game was into the second quarter when her long lashes fluttered.
Blinking, Vee sat up. “Oh my.” She turned her focus to the muted television. “How long was I asleep?”
My grin grew. “I’m not sure. Kansas City is up by a touchdown, 14–7.”
“I’m sorry.” Her emerald gaze shimmered. “I think I promised you something other than a nap.”
“Don’t apologize. How often do you get to curl up and nap during the day?”
Her soft laughter filled the room. “I can’t remember the last time. Everything has been so busy since Dad…” She swallowed and forced a smile. “Since beating Houston in the final game of the regular season, it’s been nonstop into postseason.”
“And you said you didn’t sleep well last night.”
She moved back to her knees and came close.
Our lips united in a lingering kiss. This wasn’t breathless and frenzied.
As we continued, our connection felt as if we were building the foundation of our future, the groundwork of a relationship that was meant to endure.
More than the undeniable physical attraction, it would be strong enough to survive sadness and tragedy, as well as joy and victory.
When she pulled away, her smile beamed. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Thank you.”
I cupped her cheek. “For what?”
“I didn’t sleep well last night. I woke multiple times thinking about the roses. I also didn’t want to call Uncle Darin and the security company.”
“I know that.” My grin was back.
“But after I did those things, I fell asleep. I think that means I feel better about having someone investigate whatever is happening.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?”
“Accepting our Fin’s-in-control bubble.”
Leaning forward, Vee brushed her lips over mine.
The Texans beat the Chiefs in overtime. That meant the Coopers would play the Texans in the early game next Sunday—our third matchup.
We called for dinner from the restaurant downstairs and were eating when the Lions and Eagles’ game kicked off.
During the NFC game, the AFC championship round was a topic of conversation with the talking heads. They said that statistically, the Coopers had a sixty-five percent chance of sweeping the Texans next week.
“I hope they’re right,” I said.
Vee looked up from her sandwich. “They are. I’m convinced.”
“The AFC has been predictable. The Vikings are the bracket buster. A No. 5 seed is playing in the championship.”
“Have you called Zane?”
“I texted him last night. We always text one another before the other plays.”
“Does it bother you that your parents are going to his game?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Not at all. It would be nice if they could see me take the field in person, but going to Zane’s game is the right thing for them to do.”
Vee turned toward the television. The camera showed an aerial view of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The field was clear of snow, but white patches were visible in the parking lots and beyond.
“For your parents’ sake, I hope the Lions win.”
I chuckled. “The part of me that spent six years in Green Bay can’t find it in myself to cheer for the Lions.”
Vee stood and reached for the half-full mug of cold coffee and her phone. Her forehead furrowed as she stared down at the screen.
“What is it?”
“A text message from earlier. Cammy wants to meet with Trish and me tomorrow.” She shook her head. “I don’t know when I can fit that in.”
“Do you know what it’s about?”
“No. If it’s not vital, I’ll ask to postpone it. My schedule is packed.”