Mercy: Second Chance Military Romance (53 page)

“I won’t,” I said quietly as I got into the vehicle.

I need to tell him about Scott and the article he wants me to do.

After I got in, he closed the door then walked around the front, staring at me in the passenger seat as I buckled in. Once he got behind the steering wheel, he started up the car and pulled out of my driveway.

“About that story,” I said. “I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Don’t tell me. You want to do a hit-piece on me.”

“I don’t, but my boss does,” I said, turning to look at his reaction.

He nodded his head calmly, not taking his eyes off the road ahead.

“Are you going to write it? I mean, you could really screw me over right now.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” I said, disappointed he would think that about me.

“Hey, a lot of women want to sleep with me to advance their career or screw mine over for whatever reason, usually money.”

“Boo-hoo. Poor Tony.”

“It’s tougher being me than you might think.”

“I’m not sure what I’m doing yet, but I thought I should tell you. Scott is a real asshole.”

“I know who he is,” Tony said. “He’s had it out for me since I joined the team.”

“Really?”

He nodded.

“Yeah. I’m not sure if he’s jealous of me or what, but he’s been attacking me on his Football Bark blog for years.”

“You don’t read that shit, do you?”

I laughed at his folly.

“You never Google yourself?”

“That’s different than reading a sports editor’s blog when they love to talk about you in a bad way.”

“He brings up some good points sometimes.”

I laughed even harder.

“You’re kidding, right?”

He glanced over at me and smiled, so damn charming.

“He’s an asshole. You’re right.”

“Damn straight. I have to work with that monster.” I paused, then added. “We’re going to the stadium? Wait a minute. I’ve heard about this…”

“What have you heard?” he asked.

“That you bring women here to wine, dine then fuck them in the locker room.”

“You believe everything you read online?”

“No, but you have a reputation.”

“I’ve already slept with you,” I said. “This isn’t that at all. I thought we could have a romantic evening together.”

“So you’re not going to put the moves on me?”

“No. I like where this relationship is going.”

He pulled into the parking lot and stopped in a spot near the stadium.

“We had fun, but I’m not sure I would call it a relationship.”

I had been thinking about what I had with Tony ever since we had slept together, not coming to any conclusions. Men were difficult beasts sometimes. At least the ones who attracted me.

“Wow. Okay. No problem,” he said, taking it in stride. “I’d hate to waste a dinner.”

“I’ll have dinner with you. I’m just not sure about anything else right now.” I smiled. “Besides, why would I want to be with a guy who treats me to dinner at the stadium concession stands.”

“You underestimate me,” he said, grinning. “Let’s go inside.”

After we got out of his luxury SUV, he took my hand in his and led me to the player’s entrance.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to be here at all while you’re on suspension,” I said as he opened a door.

“It’ll be fine. Trust me.”

For some strange reason, I did more than I’d trusted any man in my life before.

What is happening to me? Could this actually be love?

Inside the stadium, I stopped walking and put my left hand over my mouth as it hung open. I saw a table for two set up in middle of the field.

“You did not set this up,” I said, even more impressed with him.

“I did.”

We walked across the turf. Two young men dressed in white dress shirts with classy red vests stood next to the table. The moon above and a few candles on the table were the only source of illumination, making the scene even more romantic.

He pulled a chair back. I sat down, scooting it forward as I took it all in. After sitting down across from me, he turned to one of the young men.

“We’re ready to begin,” he said simply.

They went to a food cart nearby then brought two bowls of salad to the table. As the novelty wore off, I remembered he had done the same thing for many other women. I wondered briefly if I should go ahead and do a true story on him.

“Uh oh,” he said. “I’ve seen that look before?”

I looked up and innocently asked, “What?”

“It’s your disapproving look.”

“You know me so well, huh?”

“Glass of wine?” he asked.

“No, not tonight. You go ahead.”

“I’m back to no alcohol.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Coach said I might be let back in for the playoffs.”

“That’s big news,” I said.

“That’s off the record.”

“You’re supposed to say that before you give the information,” I teased, then added. “And there’s your look.”

“What’s my look?” he asked then took a drink of water.

“I’m not sure. Maybe your I’m-bored-with-this-woman look?”

He grinned, his eyes lighting up.

“That’s not it.”

“No?”

He shook his head then proceeded to eat his salad. I did the same. After a few minutes of silence, I spoke up, wanting to dig more information out of him.

“Are you excited about making the playoffs?”

“I am,” he said. “It means a lot to me. Beyond the money.”

I nodded.

“I’m surprised they suspended you so long.”

“No one likes me on this team,” he admitted.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, even the Coach has it out for me.”

“Do you think it’s their fault or is it connected to your behavior?”

“Ouch,” he said then chuckled. “Tough hitting questions from the journalist at our romantic dinner.”

“I’m just making conversation,” I lied.

Over the years, I’d learned ways to get sports players to open up and reveal themselves to me. It was different with Tony because we’d slept together and were obviously physically attracted to each other.

He pushed his salad bowl back then motioned for our main course. I wondered how many women he had treated to such a dinner – and where he took them afterwards.

Did I really want to be involved with someone like him? Bad boy players rarely turned their lives around, always chasing their next piece of tail. Was Tony different?

“You’re quiet tonight,” he said while cutting his steak.

“Just a lot on my mind.”

“Good or bad?”

He popped a piece of meat in his mouth.

“It’s not that simple,” I said then took a bite of my own.

“Everything is simple when you boil it down to the basics.”

“Must be nice to live in your world.”

We made eye contact across the table. I saw how the romantic quality of the meal might get most women to spread their legs for such a powerful and sexy man.

“It’s not bad,” he said. “But it’s not all good either.”

I wanted to press him for more of the things he considered bad in his life, but I backed off, content to enjoy the meal with him as the stars in the sky shined down on us.

We made small talk the rest of the dinner. Both of us declined desert. As the two young men cleared the table, he stood up and walked around the table to me, stretching out his hand.

I wrapped mine in his and let him help me to my feet.
Here it comes
, I thought as we walked across the field to the locker room
. He’s going to make a move
.
Am I going to stop him?

As we reached an opening at the far end of the field, he whistled smugly.
Does he assume I’m going to give it up to him again? Am I?
While I wanted to fuck him, it would be better to wait while we worked out our true feelings for each other. Would he understand?

In the locker room where I’d first met him, he stopped and turned to step in front of me. Our eyes met again. I saw how women seeing them would melt, but I held firm.

“I’m not just someone to screw, you know. We need to talk about our relationship.”

“That’s not all I want,” he said.

Looking into his hazel eyes, I believed him with all my heart and soul.

“What do you want?” I asked, studying his face carefully.

“To be happy again. You make me feel good to be alive.”

Our bodies pressed together and our lips met. I pulled back, my heart beating so quickly.

“I need to go,” I said.

“Really?” he snapped, shaking his head. “I went through a lot to put this night together, especially since you couldn’t do it last night.”

“And you expect me to suck your dick now or something?”

His anger fueled mine.

“No, but come on, this is romantic as hell.”

“It was before,” I said, staring him down.

“Why do you have to play like this?”

“I’m not playing. I need to know where we stand with each other before we move forward.”

He turned his head and yelled, “Fuck!”

I stepped back, never having seen his temper up close before. When he slammed his fist onto the metal door of a locker, I jumped back in surprise. Before I had a chance to say anything, I saw Coach Tom walk into the room, followed by Keith Alderman.

“What the hell is going on in here?” the former asked.

Keith stood next to him, shaking his head with a grin perched on his face.

“Nothing, Coach,” Tony said. “We were just leaving.”

“I thought I told you not to come to the stadium until I said it was okay.”

“I know, Coach, but…”

“But nothing,” he yelled then turned to me. “And who might you be? Some damn football groupie?”

“I’m a reporter for the Denver Post,” I said proudly.

“Get the hell out of here!” he yelled, pointing to the door. “What the hell are you doing bringing her in here, Tony? I’ll talk to you about this later.”

I slinked toward the door we’d entered. Tony jogged over and put his hand on the small of my back.

“It’s okay,” he said in a consoling voice.

“It’s not okay,” I snapped, moving my body so his hand fell away.

Keith laughed behind us. Tony turned to lunge at him, but I took his hand and dragged him into the hallway.

“Take me home,” I said furiously.

He did. I was silent the whole way.

FOURTEEN

Andrea

The next day, he called me three times before I finally answered.

“What?” I asked. “I’m at work.”

“I want to make up for last night.”

“Yeah? How? Take me to your favorite strip club?”

“Ow,” he said. “You’re still mad?”

“A little bit. I’m not just a piece of meat.”

“No, you’re not. I told you that you’re special.”

“Words are easy. Actions are hard.”

“Let me take you to dinner again tonight.”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m super busy.”

That wasn’t a lie. Scott had me working on five stupid stories plus the one on Tony.

“We can talk.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. About us.”

“Interesting.”

“I’ve been thinking about that story your boss wants you to run. What if I let you do it?”

“Let me do it?”

“You know what I mean.”

I sighed.

“Fine. We can have dinner and talk.”

“Sweet,” he said. “I’ll pick you up around six at your house. That work?”

“Perfect,” I said. “Would you please stop blowing up my phone now?”

He laughed.

“My mission is accomplished, so yes.”

“Talk to you later, Tony.”

“Bye.”

I ended the call then sat back in my office chair to stare up at the ceiling. My spirits boosted, I stood and walked over to Scott’s desk in the far corner. He glanced up at me and quickly closed the browser window as I stopped next to him.

He looked up at me, annoyed.

“What’s up, Andrea?”

“About that story on Tony Carlotti…”

“Is it done yet?” he interrupted.

“Not yet, but it’s going well. You need to give me a bit of time.”