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“Yeah. Pretty hard to hide when you’re six-five and play for a New York football team. Some days I wish I’d get traded to a place like Kansas City.”
“I’m sure you don’t.”
“Of course not. But I’m always reminded of the old saying about fame. People dream of being famous and then when it happens they go through life with sunglasses on.”
“I wouldn’t know, but it sounds about right.”
“That’s one reason I like to vacation out of the country, where no one watches American football and I can be anonymous.”
She looked out the window. “So where are we going?”
“Up to you. But I need to be asleep by midnight.”
“What, is it a school night?”
“No, we’re in the middle of the season and athletes need proper rest. Besides, we have team meetings and workouts tomorrow at ten.”
“Right, forgot about that. So what did you have in mind?”
“We can ride around the city, go to a club, go to my place and talk, or I can take you home.”
“Well, I get the idea that after the scene we just left you’re not wild about going to a club, but then again, neither am I. I think I’ve outgrown that stuff. And though I have enjoyed our evening so far I’m still not ready to tell you where I live. Hope you’re not offended by that.”
“Not at all. I meant I could have the driver take you home after he drops me off. Wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
She reached over and patted his hand. “I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. I guess we could go to your place for a while and talk. If that’s actually what you have in mind. Talking.”
“Regardless of what I might have in mind, you’ve been in control of things the entire night, wouldn’t you agree?”
She laughed a bit. “Yeah, I guess so.” She leaned forward toward the driver. “Home, James.”
“Yours or his?” asked the driver.
“His, first. But mine later.”
“My pleasure, Miss.”
***
Lexi’s eyes bugged out as the elevator opened into a spectacular penthouse. She stepped out onto the polished white marble floor and took in the amazing panoramic view of Manhattan through floor-to-ceiling windows. “Whoa.”
“Welcome to my humble abode.”
“Let me guess… you’re house-sitting for Donald Trump?”
He laughed. “Nope, it’s mine. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like a glass of champagne?”
“Bring it on.” Even though champagne makes me let my guard down and I’ve already had two glasses at the restaurant.
“Meet you in the living room.”
She stepped down into the sunken living room, amazed at the decor. It sure didn’t look like any bachelor apartment she’d ever seen, as he obviously had a decorator and a maid. She grabbed a seat on one end of the white-leather sectional couch, took off her heels, curled her legs under her and put a pillow on her lap. Jake returned carrying two glasses of champagne, handed one to her, studied her for a moment, then took a seat at the opposite end of the couch. She furrowed her brow. “What are you doing way over there? Am I supposed to yell, or call you on the phone?”
“I thought you’d be more comfortable if I sat here.”
“Why would you think that?”
“My sister is a body language expert. Woman with a pillow in her lap means look but don’t touch. At least that’s what she told me.”
“So, your sister taught you how to read women?”
“Of course not. Your logic is in a foreign language.”
“Very funny. As for said pillow in lap, I was just getting comfortable.”
“Well, I thought in light of the fact that you didn’t give me your address, I didn’t want to scare you away.”
“Men don’t scare me, Jake. I can take care of myself. And if I didn’t want to be here, I would have gone home.” She patted the seat next to her. “C’mon, I won’t bite.”
He smiled, got up and sat next to her, then clinked her glass. “To new relationships.”
“We’re off to a good start.”
“Good to know.”
She looked around the room. “So I was expecting something that looked like a sports bar. Where are all the trophies, awards, autographed jerseys?”
Jake shrugged. “I was never much for that stuff. They’re really just things. Memories are more important. Every award I’ve gotten I’ve auctioned off for charity. The total raised is up to six hundred thousand now.”
“Damn, your stock just went up.”
“Hey, if an inanimate object can help someone in need, why not? And it’s not like I need anything. Other than a woman to fix me.”
***
About two hours later his grandfather clock chime signaled it was the witching hour. Jake turned and looked at the clock. “Damn, it’s twelve already?”
“And we haven’t even gotten to a discussion about favorite TV shows.”
“Well, I hate to kick you out but—”
“I know, you need your beauty sleep during the season. Not a problem.” She put her champagne glass on the glass coffee table, put her heels back on and stood up. The room began to spin a bit. “Whoa.”
He stood up and took her arm. “You okay?”
“Between the drinks at dinner and three glasses of champagne here I’ve got a nice buzz going.”
“Well, thankfully you have two options to get home. I can send you in the limo, which means my driver will know your address, or I can give you the cab fare.”
She studied his face. “I think you’ve proven yourself trustworthy enough to know where I live. Besides, that limo beats the hell out of a cab.”
“Very true.”
“By the way, you didn’t have to order one on my account.”
“Oh, it’s part of my contract. It also insures I’ll never be behind the wheel after having a drink, and I do like a drink or two. Sometimes three.”
“Smart man.”
“By the way, before I was hounded by the paparazzi I would always walk a girl to the door, but you’re already going to be on Page Six tomorrow.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I spotted the photographer from The Post. Caption will probably read Jake Frost at upscale restaurant with unidentified stunning redhead.”
She tried to hold back a smile but couldn’t. “Stop it, I’m not stunning. Especially considering your previous dinner companions were in the Victoria’s Secret TV fashion show and on the covers of swimsuit issues.”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“Nope. Need something to hold over your head. And not the one you used to think with.”
“Very funny.” He walked her to the elevator, put his hands on her shoulders and turned her so she was facing him. “Lexi, I really enjoyed tonight.”
“Me too.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been out on a date and just talked to a woman for five hours.”
“So when you were out with a garden-variety supermodel you talked for two minutes and then—”
“Sorry, that didn’t come out right. Just another example of me being a total mess off the field. I meant I really enjoyed talking with a woman as smart and funny as you.”
“Ah, so you’re only interested in my mind.”
“Oh, I’m definitely interested in the rest of you too, but your mind is certainly intriguing. So, can I see you again?”
She tapped her chin with one finger and looked to the side. “Hmmm… I think you’ve behaved well enough to merit a second date.”
“Have I behaved well enough to merit a goodnight kiss?”
She moved closer to him. Lexi craned her neck to look up at the man who towered over her. “Sure, if you’ve got a stepladder handy.”
“When you’re six-five, you don’t need one. But I can fix the problem.” He reached down, placed his hands on her sides and effortlessly lifted her up so that she was at eye level with him. She took his head in her hands and gave him a soft kiss. Their lips parted and she locked eyes with him, getting a look that went right into her soul. The kiss from an incredibly attractive man, along with too much champagne and a subconscious desire to get even with Dave, all dropped her inhibitions down to near zero. She slid her arms around his neck and their lips met again as she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands slid under her hips, supporting her as she kissed him with a hunger she’d never known with anyone else.
Ten minutes later she stopped, rested her head on his shoulder as she ran her hands across his back, savoring the feel of the massive, rock-hard muscles under his shirt. “Damn.”
“Yeah. So much for the look but don’t touch body language.”
I was referring to the fact that your muscles have muscles, but whatever. She leaned back and smiled at him. “I told you I was just getting comfortable.”
“You comfortable now?”
“Very. But you need your sleep and I’ve gotta work tomorrow too.”
“And if you stay here any longer I’m not going to get any sleep at all.” She tried not to blush but her freckles caught fire. He set her back down and pressed the button on the elevator. “Next Tuesday, then?”
“To be continued.” The elevator door opened and she backed into it, not breaking eye contact.
And as soon as the door closed, she knew she’d gone too far.
CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_b29818c1-a898-5673-a77b-9ded64ca868d)
“Well, if it isn’t the unidentified stunning redhead.”
Lexi studied Chandler’s face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He handed her the day’s edition of the New York Post, open to the gossip section known as Page Six. Her eyes went wide as she saw the photo of herself with Jake Frost getting into the limo. “Holy shit!” Then a smile slowly grew. “Hmmm…. they actually called me stunning.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“The holy shit part or the fact that you’re surprised they called me stunning?”
“I’m not at all surprised at your description in the publication, as you have, since the day I met you, consistently underestimated your appeal to those of the male persuasion. As for the expletive involving excrement, since when are you being escorted about town by a professional athlete? Were you unable to log on to Ashley Madison’s website?”
“Oh, stop it. I don’t need to visit an affair website. I met him at the Jets’ news conference the other day. He asked me out and seemed like a good guy.” She pulled off her sunglasses. “Damn, it’s bright in here.”
Chandler moved closer to get a good look at her bloodshot eyes. “Ah, revenge of the grape.”
“Don’t remind me. But do remind me not to drink champagne on a weeknight when I have to go to work the next day. I feel like someone’s hitting a Chinese gong in my head. I think I’ll just work on those press releases all day.”
“Perhaps not. Mister Caruso called again with yet another emergency request for your help with one of his clients.”
“When did he call?”
“Five minutes ago.” He handed her a message slip.
“Okay, let me see what he needs. This could be a very lucrative client. And he seems like a really good guy.”
“You met him?”
“No, we talked on the phone forever the other night. Really had a connection.”
“Speaking of connections, what’s the story with the aforementioned professional athlete?”
“Yeah, we had a connection as well, but I’m regretting it this morning.”
“Since you’re wearing a different outfit than yesterday, I assumed you were not doing the proverbial walk of shame.”
“Hey, what kind of a girl do you think I am? No, I meant that since I’m on the rebound I should be taking things slow and they got a bit out of hand last night. But not that far out of hand. Champagne on a first date is a bad idea for me. Anyway, let me get back to Kyle and see what he’s got for me.”
