Chapter 5
FINLEY
My first date with Rhodes was amazing, but it wasn’t until early afternoon the next day that I realized I had forgotten how I had teased him about his rusty dating skills when we were at the stadium.
He’d definitely proven himself with the Italian restaurant he brought me to.
And his kisses, even though I had wished for more of them.
Even though Rhodes had held back, the feel of his lips against mine had left me breathless. So much so that I never thought to tell him how impressed I was with his arrangements.
Taking a break from checking the market for trades I was thinking about making today, I reached for my phone to send him a quick message.
Me
Good afternoon! You definitely weren’t exaggerating about knocking the rust off your dating skills.
I set my phone back down, assuming I wouldn’t hear from him for a while since the Nighthawks were due to fly out soon for their game on Saturday. Much to my surprise, a notification pinged only a few minutes later.
Glancing at the screen and seeing his name, I curved my lips into a grin.
Rhodes
Told you I’d make sure you enjoyed yourself. ;)
Remembering the surge of desire I’d felt when he kissed me, I used my hand to fan myself.
Me
I’m still thinking about the manicotti and wishing I hadn’t eaten it all so I’d have leftovers for lunch today. Great pick!
Rhodes
Vince’s cooking is the best. He’ll be happy to hear you liked it so much that you needed another serving today. Don’t be surprised if you get a double portion. Thanks for the perfect idea for another gift.
My brows drew together as I stared at my phone, trying to figure out what he meant.
Me
Another gift?
Rhodes
Keep an ear out ’cause you’ll be getting a couple of deliveries today.
I didn’t think I could have dreamed up a more perfect guy if I had tried. He had wiped away any doubts I’d ever had about waiting so long to date by being so thoughtful. And sexy.
I could so easily picture Rhodes getting a lot of my firsts. Maybe even all of them. I’d already given him two, after all. My first real date and kiss.
Me
You really didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it.
Rhodes
Just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you.
Me
I’m thinking of you, too. Fly safe and kick butt in your game on Saturday.
Rhodes
Wish you could be there, baby.
A delicious shiver raced up my spine. I loved hearing him use “baby” in his deep voice, but something about seeing it in black and white was special.
Me
I’ll be watching from home, and then if you win, I’ll be at the next game. Promise.
Rhodes
When, not if.
His confidence only made him more attractive.
Me
Protect Prentice Wright like you’ve been doing all season, and I’m sure you’ll be right.
Rhodes
Gotta admit, I love how much you know about football.
There was a soft tap against my door, and then Glynnis called, “Got a delivery for you, Finley.”
She had a key to my apartment but never used it without my permission.
“Come on in!” I yelled back.
Me
Need to run. Sounds like your first gift is here. Talk to you later.
Rhodes
I might not be able to reply quickly, but I’d still like to hear from you while I’m gone.
Me
Whatever you want.
Rhodes
Be careful what you offer, baby. I might take you up on it.
Glynnis trotted toward me, carrying a shopping bag from a Midtown East store with an eclectic array of gadgets. Her gaze darted toward my phone and asked, “Ooh, are you sexting with that handsome hunk of yours?”
“No, we’re just texting. Like normal people.” I set my phone down and pushed my chair away from my desk.
She jerked her chin toward my cell. “If you aren’t sexting, why did you put it face down so I couldn’t see what you two were saying?”
“Please stop saying sexting.” Walking toward her, I shook my head with a sigh. “I don’t even want to know where you come up with this stuff.”
Glynnis quirked a brow, planting a hand on her hip in a sassy pose. “I’ll have you know that I put a lot of effort into keeping up with the times. It’s one of the reasons I’m so adept at attracting my gentleman callers.”
Hoping to distract her from telling a much too detailed story about whatever she’d gotten up to during one of her recent dates, I gestured toward the bag. “Thanks for bringing that up for me.”
“My pleasure.” She handed the gift to me with a sly grin. “And I really mean that since I only brought it up so I could see what’s inside.”
“Oh, wow,” I breathed as I pulled out an LED ticker that could track stocks and would fit on my desk.
“That boy gives good gift.”
Rhodes was hardly a boy, but I could understand why she would call him that at her age. “He really does.”
“Hang on to him.” She winked at me. “Especially if he’s as good at giving orgasms as he is gifts.”
My cheeks heated as I whispered, “Um…I wouldn’t know about that.”
“Maybe not yet, but I saw how he looked at you last night.” She wagged her brows. “Like a lion eyeing up its next meal, with zero doubts in its mind that it’ll be able to catch what it's hunting.”
Considering how I’d wanted to beg him to come up to my apartment when he dropped me off after our date, Rhodes had every reason for that certainty. But I wasn’t sure what to think about her analogy. “So I’m his prey?”
“Only if you’re really lucky.”
I sputtered out a shocked laugh and turned around to set up my gift before Glynnis came up with something even more outlandish to say. I loved my landlady, but I wasn’t always sure how best to handle her. Even after three years.
After I finished getting the LED ticker up and running—and discussed Glynnis’s stock portfolio since she’d had me take it over last year—the buzzer went off.
She rubbed her hands together. “Ooh, another surprise from your sexy footballer?”
“Have you been watching British shows again?” I asked as I padded over to the panel to see who was at the door and buzz them in. While we waited for the food delivery, I explained, “I’m pretty sure footballer only refers to soccer players since it’s used in Europe.”
“Pish posh,” she chided with a laugh, making me giggle.
There was a knock on the door, so I grabbed the bag, the delicious aroma of Italian food wafting up toward me. “Thanks.”
“Enjoy.”
“Mmm, that smells yummy.” Glynnis peered inside the bag as I carried it over to the kitchen counter.
“Rhodes ordered me lunch from the restaurant we went to last night.” She gave me an odd look, so I explained, “I mentioned how much I wished I hadn’t eaten it all at dinner because I was kind of craving it today.”
“I said it once, but it bears repeating”—she wagged her finger at me—“Rhodes is a keeper.”
“I’m the last person who would argue with you about that,” I assured her, dishing up the manicotti onto two plates to share with her.
“But unfortunately, my uncle isn’t on the same page when it comes to Rhodes and me dating.
We met while I was at that charity gala with him and Aunt Brie, and he warned him off me. ”
She waved off my concern. “Just handle him like I do with Don…pretend you’re doing what he says, and then do whatever you want.”
I handed her a plate before grabbing silverware from the drawer. “You don’t have any better advice than that?”
“Sorry, girlie.” She shook her head. “You’re on your own.”
At least for the short term, I would seriously consider what she suggested. I refused to be a distraction. Updating my uncle on the status of my dating life would have to wait until after the Nighthawks finished their season.