As Tiffany hurried off, Amber said, “Do you think we can meet Johnny later? He’s such a big star.”
“First let me get my football gear.” Dash leaned in for a kiss, then averted her luscious red lips and kissed her cheek. “Your lips are driving me mad. Let’s go say hello to my buddies before I haul you into a dark corner.”
As he guided her toward the blackjack table, she said, “A dark corner sounds good to me.”
It sounded damn good to him, too. “You’re going to try my willpower tonight, aren’t you?”
“That’s the plan,” she said sweetly.
“Amber?” Sophie, a petite brunette, and her husband, formidable security expert Brett Bad, sidled up to them dressed to the nines.
“Sophie!” Amber hugged her as Dash greeted Brett. “You look gorgeous. How’s baby Brenna?”
“She’s wonderful. Getting too big too fast.” Sophie eyed Dash. “This is new. I didn’t even know you and Dash knew each other.”
“We’re not that new,” Dash said, taking Amber’s hand. “I went to Oak Falls for a break before starting my book tour about a month ago and met this beautiful woman who set my world on fire.”
Sophie and Amber exchanged an appreciative glance that made Dash feel pretty damn good.
“Congratulations on your book. I saw you hit the New York Times bestseller list,” Brett said as he put his arm around Sophie. “I could have warned you about Oak Falls. That place is the Bermuda Triangle of love. It lulls you in with its small-town charm, but once you get there, you go all in, and there’s no turning back.”
“I can think of worse fates.” Dash brushed another kiss to Amber’s cheek. “But that’s good to know. I thought it was Marilynn’s special body wash that made the difference.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “She gave you Roxie’s love-potion body wash?”
“Yes, and let me tell you, that stuff works,” Dash said.
“What are you talking about? I never got any body wash,” Brett said.
“Maybe you didn’t need it as much as I did.” Dash cocked a grin. “I had to use every trick in the book to get Amber’s attention. I used the body wash, shampoo, and lotion every damn day, and I’ve already ordered a lifetime supply.”
They all laughed.
“We’d better finish making the rounds,” Brett said. “Why don’t we all get together sometime?”
“We’re leaving town tomorrow. Amber’s heading home, and my book tour runs until the weekend before Thanksgiving. How about after the holidays?” Dash suggested.
“We’d love that,” Sophie said.
“I can’t wait to see Brenna.” Amber hugged her again.
Brett cocked a grin. “You could always make her a playmate.”
“Brett,” Sophie chided. “Let them enjoy each other before they get into diapers and sleepless nights that don’t include orgasms. Ignore him, you guys. He’s so in love with our baby girl, he thinks everyone should have kids. We’ll catch up soon.”
As they walked away, Dash drew Amber into his arms. “Are you okay?”
“Great. It’s so nice to see them.”
“Did Brett’s comment bother you?”
“Not at all. They’re in baby-making mode. Brett’s not thinking about my medical issues.”
He was relieved. “Okay. Let’s go see my buddies. I’m excited for you to meet them.”
As they headed for the blackjack table, Amber asked, “What’s the Brat Pack?”
“That’s what Tiffany calls me and my buddies: Troy Stewart, Clay Braden, and Tyrell Thompson. She reps all of us, and we all played for the Giants.”
“That’s Troy, right? In the tux with tails and the ascot?” she asked as they neared the table. “I recognize his crooked smile. Gosh, I think he’s even bigger than when I saw him a few years ago.”
Dash bit back a sting of jealousy over his burly, dark-haired friend. “Yeah, that’s him. Clay is the dark-haired guy next to him, wearing the blue plaid suit, and Tyrell is the African American guy on the other side of the table, wearing the regular black tuxedo.”
“I’m starting to understand why some girls like to watch football.”
He slid his hand down her back and squeezed her ass. “You’re definitely testing me, aren’t you?”
She fluttered her lashes. “Who, me?”
“Hey, there’s our man.” Clay tugged Dash into a manly embrace, clapping him on the back. “It’s great to see you.”
“You too,” Dash said as he gave him a quick hug and was handed off to Troy. “Good to see you.” He moved to Tyrell. “How’s it going, T?”
“Not as good as it is for you.” Tyrell lowered his voice. “Thanks for bringing me a date.”
Dash laughed. “You wish.”
“Amber? It’s been a while.” Troy leaned in to hug her.
“Better watch Slick,” Clay teased. “He’s trying to steal your girl.”
“It’s nice to see you again. How’s Dani?” Amber asked. Dani was Troy’s three-year-old daughter.
“Cuter than ever. What’re you doing with this guy?” Troy hiked a thumb at Dash.
“She’s not slumming it, like she would be if she was with you.” Dash slid his arm around Amber’s waist. “Amber, this is Tyrell Thompson and Clay Braden.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Tyrell held out his hand. “If all I’ve got to do is quit football to go out with someone as beautiful as you, I’ll resign tomorrow.”
“I don’t know what they’re feeding you football players, but y’all are too much.” Amber smiled at Clay. “You’re Graham and Beau’s cousin, right?”
“Sure am. We Bradens are everywhere.” Clay leaned in for a hug, prying her away from Dash with a chuckle.
“I can see it’s going to be a long night,” Dash said, making everyone laugh.
“Are you going to be at Zev and Carly’s wedding?” Amber asked Clay.
“I am. Zev’s working with my brother Noah at the Real DEAL. My whole family will be there. So will our cousins from Colorado,” Clay answered. “I guess I’ll see you there?”
“Yes.” She beamed at Dash. “Hopefully you’ll see Dash, too.”
Dash pulled her into his arms. “If you think I’d leave you alone with this guy, you’re crazy.” He kissed her temple, then turned his attention back to his buddies. “You guys look great out there this season.”
“It’s not the same without you,” Troy said.
Tyrell agreed. “You should come out of retirement next season and blow everyone away.”
Clay looked at Dash and Amber and shook his head. “I don’t think he’s in any hurry to go anywhere.”
“You’ve got that right.” Dash tightened his hold on her. “I’ve got a few irons in the fire to keep myself busy.”
“Is that what they’re calling it now?” Tyrell teased.
They joked a lot, and the five of them made their way around the room playing casino games. Amber sat on Dash’s lap as they played poker, and she foiled nearly every hand with her horrible poker face. She squealed when they got three of a kind and clapped at a full house. But she was so freaking cute, everyone at the table adored her. Dash and the guys cheered her on as she played the slot machines, and when she hit it big, they made a ruckus, inciting a round of applause throughout the ballroom. Amber blushed a red streak, and of course his generous girl gave her winnings as a donation to the event. His buddies stuck with them all evening, and when Tiffany introduced Amber to Johnny Bad, Johnny teased her about having more bodyguards than he did.