“Almost.” When she’s within reaching distance, I snake my arm around her waist and pull her into my chest. “Just need to do one thing first,” I say before my lips descend on hers. The kiss is slow and sweet, but it lights a need inside me all the same. “Now, we can go,” I say, forcing myself to pull my lips from hers.
“Yeah,” she says, “we should do that.” She tries to step out of my hold, but that won’t do.
“Do you have everything you need?” I ask.
“Yes, I just have a box by the door I need to take with us.”
“What’s in the box?”
“A poinsettia for Lena, and a bottle of bourbon for Stanley.”
“You trying to make me look bad, baby?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I still need to fill out the cards. I can add your name to them.”
“You ready for the meaning of that?”
“I don’t know,” she replies as I bend and lift the box into my arms. “When you’re ready, you let me know.” Shifting the box to one arm, I lace my fingers with hers and step outside. I wait for Sam to lock the door before guiding her to my SUV. I left it running so it would be warm. I quickly open the back door and place the box inside, before moving to open her door for her.
“You know, you don’t need to do all of this to impress me.”
“Do all of what?” I ask, confused.
“The flowers, carrying boxes, opening doors. I already agreed to go with you.”
Nodding for her to climb in the SUV, she does as I ask. Quickly, I shut the door to ward off the chill of the evening air and race around the front. Once I’m inside, I turn to look at the woman who has captured my attention. “I’m not trying to impress you, Samantha. I’m trying to treat you like you deserve to be treated. I know you don’t have a very high opinion of me, but I’m more than some dumb jock who plays on and off the field. I’m a man who desires your company. That’s it. This is me. It’s who I am. You’ll have to learn to take it or leave it.” I hate that I’m being harsh with her, but I don’t know what it’s going to take to prove to her that this is real.
Strapping on my seat belt, I back out of her drive. Neither of us speaks a word until the home of my best friend's parents, Lena and Stanley Riggins comes into our view.
“I’m sorry,” we say at the same time.
She reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, Jase. I’m being unfair. This is just… surreal to me that you, Jase Andrews, want to be with me.”
“Sam, I’ve been trying to get you to go on a date with me for over a year. How is this a surprise?”
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I never once thought you were being serious. I thought it was just another play for you to execute. That you were simply trying to convince the girl who turns you down to say yes. I’m sorry,” she says again. “You did nothing to deserve that and to be honest, I have reason to think that way. I’ve let the fact that you’re a professional football player, or were, get to my head.”
“Why?”
“I just didn’t think that a man like you, dripping with sex appeal, would want a woman like me. I’m nothing like the models or other celebrities I’ve seen on your arm.”
“Dates. Those were dates. You’re so much more than that.” I knew she was attracted to me and her words confirm it, but I want us to be about more than that. Yes, I’m insanely attracted to her, but it’s not just her body I want. I want all of her.
She nods and holds her hand out to me. I take it, not taking my eyes off hers. “My name is Samantha Wilson, and it’s nice to meet you.”
I grin when I catch on to what she’s doing. Bending my head, I kiss the back of her hand that’s still encased in mine. “Jase Andrews, the pleasure is all mine.”
“Lord have mercy. I’m never going to survive you,” she says, fanning her face with her free hand.
I don’t even try to hold in my laughter. “Come on, you. Let’s get this party started.” Turning off the ignition, I grab the box, and together, we make our way inside.
We’ve been here twenty minutes, and Sam’s already left me. She insisted that she help Lena in the kitchen, which is why I’m standing in the living room by the fireplace. It’s the best place in the house where I have a clear view of the kitchen, as well as the room around me. I can talk to those who want to relive their football glory days by chatting with me while keeping an eye on Sam at the same time. I don’t think she’s going to disappear or try to leave without me. I just… like to watch her. She’s gorgeous, and her smile and kind, loving heart just makes her more endearing to me.
“Is there a reason your eyes are tracking my assistant like a fucking hunter?” my best friend, and Sam’s boss, Royce, says, pulling my attention away from my girl.
“She’s my date.”
“What do you mean, she’s your date?”
“I mean, I bought her flowers, and picked her up and drove her here.”
“So, she finally said yes?” He pauses, and I see it when the light bulb turns on in his head. “You better not be playing games with her. She’s been with me since I started. I’d hate to have to cut you loose to keep her.”
“Are you telling me after years of friendship, I’d get voted off the island if things don’t work out between us?”
“Yes.” There is no hesitation or remorse in his tone. “I trust her, and you know how hard that is for me with the shit ‘she who shall not be named’ did to me. I refuse to go through training a new assistant.”
“Well, my dear friend, you’re in luck. I don’t plan on us not working out.”
“Fuck me,” he grumbles. “Why her? Why did you have to insist on going after my assistant?”
“What did you do this time, Jase?” Owen, Royce’s brother, one of the four of them, joins the conversation. “The vein in his forehead looks like it’s ready to burst.”
“He’s dating Sam,” Royce says accusingly.
Owen nods. “She’s a good one. Congrats, my man.”
“See, why can’t you be more like Owen? Where is your acceptance?” I ask Royce, pretending to be offended. I’m not. Not in the slightest. He’s never known me to be serious or settle down. He does, however, know me well enough to understand that I’m a man of my word.
“What are we accepting?” Grant, another one of Royce’s brothers, asks.
“Wait,” Marshall, the youngest brother, says as he and Conrad, another brother, joins us.
“What is this, a family reunion?” I ask, giving them shit. There are five brothers in total, Royce being the oldest. As CEO, he takes his responsibility as a leader seriously. Each of his brothers also plays an important role at Riggins Enterprises, but Royce always seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. I miss the fun-loving guy from our college days. I know it’s not the job, but more his ex that is to blame for this new version of him.
“We want the dirt,” Marshall says, ignoring my comment.