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NAVY

What the hell was that?

Bodhi didn’t say a single word about my outfit and let my defiance blow up in my face.

He’s onto something, I know it.

But then again, Bodhi has always accepted me as I am and has never commented once about wanting me to change.

There’s no way he can be fine with me looking like this, right?

He still called me beautiful.

Judging by the stares and murmurs I hear in the limo ride from the group, it’s evident I look like Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus.

Gus even called me so, earning himself a death look from Callaway and Bodhi. I thought Tenley shit herself at first sight, and Kodi made no effort to hide her laughter, telling me I have some explaining to do later.

Fine. I made it this far, and I might as well flaunt it.

Bodhi’s large hand doesn’t stray from my thigh as we drive to the gala. He’s acting strangely protective, and I don’t hate it.

I also take time to catch Cal’s eye from the opposite side of the limo and don’t notice one trace of disapproval.

The limo pulls up to the awning entrance of the upscale resort hosting tonight’s gala, and my eyes take in the sleekness of it all.

Money was not an issue for the Strikers tonight.

Every corner of the space is adorned with gold and black, resembling the Strikers’ yellow and black colors. Crystal and leather accent the coolness of the space. The resort is the most luxurious I’ve ever seen, including the conference hall, which will host the gala for the night.

One glance out my window tells me the hall leading to the dance room is already packed. Staff members, sponsors, reporters, investors, players, and family gather for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

I swallow heavily. “Shit.” I’m most definitely underdressed.

Warm breath heats the side of my neck, causing goosebumps to disperse across my skin. “They’ve got nothing on you.”

I don’t move, only letting Bodhi’s kind words sink into my soul and give me the confidence I need to fight off the vultures.

“Why do I feel like I’m about to be graded for my appearance?”

Bodhi looks at me intently. “Fuck them. You’re Navy Hayes. Show them who you are.”

“Let’s do this,” Cal calls out to our group, and we all prepare to follow him into the gala entrance.

A steady hand lands on my waist as I round the limo’s rear, meeting Tenley and her date. Bodhi’s hand runs softly across my lower back, and despite the thick fabric of my dress, I feel him across every square inch of my skin.

God, I’ve missed his touch.

The touch he gave me once when he couldn’t bear to keep his hands to himself.

He’s teasing me; we haven’t even made it inside yet.

“Atlanta Boys, where you at?” Kingston chants out to the team.

“We right hereeee!” All the guys call out in loud howls as they charge the entrance, with their dates not far behind them.

Except for mine, he has yet to leave my side.

* * *

“My lady.” Kodi walks to stand next to me, handing me a whiskey sour.

I giggle. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not drinking.”

Her mouth hangs open in shock. “You’re not drinking?”

I laugh again. “Nope. Not tonight, at least.”

“What happened? You never turn down a drink you don’t have to pay for,” Kodi questions.

She’s right. Today is different.

“Bodhi’s not drinking, so I’m not drinking.”

Her eyes search the room for Bodhi, finding him less than ten feet away from us talking to Mack. “He’s holding a beer right now, Navs.”

We’ve discussed this before; she must have forgotten.

Kodi’s parents were killed in a car crash almost two years ago, and she’s handled everything with Bodhi’s past surprisingly well. Losing them taught her a lot about who people are to her.

I know she cares about Bodhi.

“He always does that, remember?” I remind her.

Kodi thinks about my words for a moment. “I do. Is it because of the accident? I know he was charged with a DUI, right?”

I nod. “Yes, but I don’t know the details. I think he does it to protect himself.”

“I get that. So then, why you?”

“I guess I don’t want to be the reason he has to excuse himself for not drinking. There’s too much pressure to drink to have fun nowadays, and it’s fucked up if you ask me. So, tonight, I’m cruising sober and praying my terrible dancing skills can handle it.”

Kodi replies, “That’s really cool of you, Navs.”

I smile. It’s not something I’m gonna go around announcing. I only told Kodi because she came up and offered me a drink.

“Yeah, well, he’d do it for me,” I tell her honestly.

Because he would.

He would also murder me if he knew I wasn’t drinking to be respectful of him, so I’ll keep it to myself.

“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night, you know.”

I giggle louder. “I know. I can feel it.” I don’t need to look his way to know his eyes are on me. It’s an invisible pull we have to each other.

“You really love him, don’t you?” Kodi asks.

Do I love Bodhi? I think I have for a very long time; I’ve just been too scared to admit it. Too scared to be hurt so deeply again by him.

Although, lately, things have been different.

“I always have,” I admit to her. “I think he’s my person.”

I know Kodi, my best friend, doesn’t take offense to that because she has the same thing with my brother.

“I can see that, babe. Talk to Callaway. I have a feeling he’ll surprise you,” Kodi tells me.

“Talk to Callaway about what?” The man himself appears out of nowhere, and the warmth of a touch I recognize far too well settles at my waist again.

“What’d we miss?” Bodhi’s masculine voice in my ear sends vibrations to my core. My body doesn’t care that my brother is a foot away.

Bodhi is being bold tonight.

The heat radiating off Bodhi’s tall frame brings me comfort and security, but also makes me feral for him to have his way with me.

I want him to drag me around like his little puppet—a puppet he fucks and cherishes.

It’s as if my mind can’t decide if I hate him or love him.

“Not much. I told Navy to go ask you when we get to eat. I wonder if they’ll have desserts?” Kodi murmurs.

“Who are you married to, woman? You know I’ve got you,” Cal tells her.

Kodi smiles innocently and leans into Cal as he wraps her in his arms.

I want what my brother and Kodi have.

I want a man unashamed to hold me like I’m everything to him—like it hurts to be away from me.

Like Bodhi is holding me now—except the real thing, not a fake date.

“You two almost look like the real thing. He looks like he can’t keep his hands to himself. Nice work, B,” Cal says.

Point taken.

I give him a timid smile while Bodhi ignores him, looking strangely serious.

“Any sponsors talked to you yet?” Cal asks Bodhi.

Bodhi lifts his eyes from the full beer in his hands. “One. Franklin . Offered me a five-year contract for batting and sliding gloves.”

“That’s incredible, B!” I yell out, unable to help myself.

He turns to me and grins. “Thanks, Navy.”

Cal steps forward to grip Bodhi’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. “Right on, man. I’m happy for you.”

“What about you, Callaway? I saw you talking to that man over there,” Kodi asks, pointing across the room to the short, bearded man in a charcoal gray suit.

Cal smiles. “Sure did. He offered me a Gatorade deal. Looks like you’ll never have to shop for them again, angel.”

Kodi giggles, jumping up and down in excitement for Cal.

We resume small talk while the DJ announces the dance floor will be open soon.

I can’t wait.

Dancing is one of my favorite activities. Kodi and I know how to put on a show with our moves.

“Can I get you anything?” Bodhi’s woodsy scent consumes me, and I almost tip over from the power his voice and smell alone have on me.

“I’ll take a water, please,” I respond before he nods and takes off to the nearest bar.

I need to breathe. I also need to check Bodhi out from afar because goddamn that man is a snack.

My eyes linger like a thirsty cougar, homing in on how delectably thick his thighs look in those black dress pants.

God, I want to see him shamelessly naked—large and in charge.

However, Bodhi St. James, in a jet-black suit, ironed and fitting his frame to perfection, will have to do…for now.

I bite my bottom lip on impulse and catch Bodhi staring hungrily as he impatiently waits for his order. He swallows hard and lets his eyes sear into my skin.

I don’t know what happened to suddenly make him look at me like this again, but I’ll take it—for tonight at least.

I deserve that.

Fuck, it’s hot in here.

“Look who it is.” No. No. Please don’t be who I think it is.

I spin on my heels, coming face-to-face with the one and only…Jared. “Jared, hey.”

Awkward. Christ, I haven’t seen him since he told me to leave his apartment all those months ago. Thankfully, his office is in the other building at work, so we’re scarce from each other during the offseason.

At least until now.

“It’s been a while,” he says, and if I’m reading him correctly, he has a darker tone I don’t love.

“Mhm.”

I look anywhere but at him. It’s strange to think Jared and I were ever friends. All it took was one polite rejection from me and he started treating me like shit.

Where is Bodhi? Or any of my friends when I need them.

“So, quick question,” Jared bites out.

“What’s that?” I ask him.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” Excuse me?

He steps closer and I freeze.

His proximity is too close and now I feel uncomfortable. I need to speak up and hope he gets the message to leave me alone.

“Whatever the hell I want. Now, fuck off.”

A sinister laugh escapes him as he reaches for the green scarf wrapped around my neck, running the fabric in his hands. “Did you have a blindfold on when you got dressed tonight, Navy?”

I hated this scarf then and I hate it even more now.

“Picked it out just for you.”

His brows raise. “Is that right?”

“You’re despicable. Go away, Jared.”

His eyes run the length of me, attempting to intimidate me, but little does he know, I’m stronger than that.

An evil smirk spreads across his face. “Nah, I’m good right here. And this dress,” he laughs. “You look like a clown.”

The hits keep on coming. Too bad Jared’s opinion of the outfit I chose to wear doesn’t mean a damn thing to me.

I freeze in place, but my guard is up. I’m a brick wall, firmly planted and refusing to move. He’s closer than ever now, settling himself directly before me. I think about letting my eyes leave him to scan the room for some help, but I don’t trust him.

“Hottest damn clown in this room,” I respond with glee.

“Maybe hot underneath.” Prick. “Oh, come on, Navy. Don’t you miss me? We were so good together.”

I grit my teeth as rage rolls through me. “You’re delusional.”

“Am I? You sure kissed me like you wanted me.”

What the…? Was he even there?

Also, I can now confirm I dodged a bullet. I don’t know this man, and don’t think I ever did. It’s wild to think we worked together as friends for two years before I saw him for what he is—an entitled douchebag.

Jared reaches his clammy hand to touch my face, and I slap it away. “Don’t you dare touch me,” I shout at him, thanking my lucky stars that no important people were around to witness our interaction.

But that also means I have no support.

If only Bodhi would?—

“Did you just fucking touch her?” Bodhi stands behind Jared with anger I’ve never had the joy of witnessing from him.

Perfect timing, catcher.

Bodhi’s massive frame that towers over Jared vibrates in fury. The rage he contains is palpable.

I wouldn’t want to be Jared right now.

I stand on the other side of Jared, watching Bodhi’s next move.

Jared stands motionless. Yep, he knows better.

Bodhi is the biggest and tallest guy on the team. Meaning: he will fuck you up.

He taps Jared’s shoulder. “I said…did you fucking touch her?”

I watch Jared think on it for a moment before finally speaking, “Nah, man. I wouldn’t do that.”

All patience evaporates from Bodhi’s body as a cold chill runs through mine. Jared is about to wake up in a hospital bed.

A dry chuckle leaves Bodhi’s mouth. “You see, Jared. I’m a very possessive man and I hate when my favorite things are mistreated. And you, sir, just mistreated my greatest treasure. My prize. So, I’m gonna give you one more chance. Did you or did you not touch Navy?”

All blood leaves Jared’s face as I watch his fate play out. “Nope. We were having a chat. That’s it.”

Liar.

“Ding, ding, ding,” Bodhi makes a bell sound before reacting, “Wrong answer.”

I watch awestruck as Bodhi palms the right side of Jared’s head and slams it into the wall beside us.

Holy shit.

Bodhi towers over Jared’s shaking frame that’s coming in and out of consciousness. “Don’t let there be a next time, reporter boy. I’ll fuck you up till there’s nothin’ left.”

I scan the room for an audience and find a few bystanders who saw what happened but pretend they didn’t. They must have watched the whole thing.

I hold my clutch to my chest, waiting as Bodhi walks to the bouncer at the door and whispers something in his ear before handing him a stack of bills.

He’s paying him off. Smart man.

Bodhi casually saunters to me as Jared runs in the opposite direction and brings his calloused hands to my face. “You okay? Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head solemnly. “No, he didn’t.”

Bodhi nods, and before I can think better of it, I grab his hands and drag him across the room.

I’m not sure what my plan is, but I know I’m tired of living my life based on what others think I should do.

Right now, I want Bodhi.

He stuck up for me in a way no one ever has. It’s as if my feelings for him broke through the barrier I've been keeping locked tightly all this time, not caring about the possible consequences.

I move at the speed of light, fast enough that Bodhi has to run to keep up. I drag him past the black stage curtain and pull him into the hidden corner behind the sound booth.

“Navy, if he hurt you, you can tell me.”

I don’t answer.

Instead, I pull his sleek black tie toward me and kiss him.

I kiss him like he’s my lifeline, and I won’t survive another second without my lips on his. Bodhi catches on and doesn’t hesitate. He brings his hands to my face and cradles me into his touch. My body heats with pleasure as the feel of his tongue sweeping in my mouth sends my core pulsing into a needy spiral.

I’m so fucking horny I could combust.

“You…you stood up for me,” I tell him, panting between kisses.

He’s so much larger than me, touching me like he wants to swallow me whole.

I’d be down.

“Always, terremoto. Always.”

A soft moan leaves my lips as Bodhi’s hands drift lower, running across the curve of my waist. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” I cry, but refuse to stop.

“Kissing?” Bodhi asks, kissing his way down my neck.

My body hums. “Yes.” I don’t think I’ve ever been touched this way, like he’s committing my body to memory.

“Kissing is all we should be doing. Should have done it sooner.”

A growl leaves Bodhi’s lips as I drive my hips forward, lining my throbbing core with the bulge in his dress pants.

I want him desperately.

Bodhi’s large hands find my thighs as he lifts me to sit on the edge of the stage behind me. We’re shadowed in darkness, except for the glow behind the curtain, but I can map out every square inch of his striking features.

Our kiss slows to a steady rhythm: pulling away, soft kiss, linger, heavy kiss, linger. It teases me comfortably.

“Best damn outfit I’ve ever seen,” Bodhi whispers in my ear, and the compliment alone causes a dry sob to leave me.

I choke it down.

Why am I being this emotional? I’m okay. Bodhi was there.

“I did it to piss you off,” I tell him, running my hands through his neatly styled hair and making a mess of it.

He chuckles. “I know, and I don’t care. You…in this dress… fuck, Navy. My cock is still so damn hard for you. Zebra fringe and all.”

I thrust my hips again, fighting to close my thighs enough to relieve the overwhelming ache. “I thought you were gonna kill him.”

Bodi lets his lips linger across my chest before pulling away and cradling my face in his palms. “He’s lucky I didn’t. I’ll never let anything happen to you, baby.”

Baby.

He stares at me like his world begins and ends with me.

I’m beginning to see that mine does, too.

“B…you’re confusing me,” I tell him honestly, despite the lust and emotion tethering us together. My lips find him in a long pull before I retreat and lean my forehead against his, allowing myself to breathe him in.

I love him.

He’s everything to me.

Bodhi whispers between his slow kisses, “Shhh. Not now. I’ll explain. Just be with me.”

I nod while my heart threatens to build a wall.

Except, I don’t want to; I want to trust him and just feel.

Pulling Bodhi to me, I murmur, “What now?”

His handsome face breaks into a wide grin, and my heart soars. “Follow me.”

Always.

* * *

Bodhi leads me down a long hallway. As we make our way around the backstage area, we notice the next band gathering equipment to take the stage as a tall man with gray hair stops him.

“Bodhi St. James, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

He was a little occupied with my tongue down his throat, sir.

Bodhi turns to face him, and I question if they know each other based on the firm embrace the man pulls him into. My hand detaches from Bodhi’s as I stay behind him while they chat.

But Bodhi refuses to let me go, reaching for my hand and holding it tight.

“Hello, sir,” Bodhi tells the man formally.

“It’s good to meet you, son. My name is Frank Vega. I’ve heard much about the infamous catcher Atlanta managed to keep since the beginning.”

So they don’t know each other. Weird greeting.

“Hopefully all good things, sir,” Bodhi responds.

Frank nods. “Listen, Bodhi, I am the vice president of Adidas Sports, and we would love the chance to talk with you a little more about?—”

A beautiful brunette woman approaches us. “And who do we have here?”

She might be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I don’t have a clue who she is, but she wraps her arms around Frank and looks at us.

Her smile is wide, her hair is silky, and I want to ask her where she got her stunning dress.

I hang back slightly and wait for one of the men to do the introductions before I chat her up.

Frank greets her, “Hi, honey bear. This is Bodhi St. James, catcher for the Atlanta Strikers.”

Honey bear? I snort to myself.

“No, I mean her, ” The woman points to me with venom in her tone.

That felt cruel.

I point at myself, trying to seem innocent when I legitimately don’t know why she would say that. Bodhi pulls me closer to him and settles his arm around my waist.

“This is my girlfriend, Navy,” Bodhi tells them.

That’s news to me.

I bring my heel to the top of his foot and step down, subtly enough not to draw attention but forceful enough to make Bodhi cough out in pain.

“Oh, sweetheart, do you need some water? Is your throat a little dry?” I ask Bodhi, teasing him.

Bodhi coughs again before sending me a side smirk.

“What about her, angel pie?” Frank asks the woman as she stares me down. I feel uncomfortable and very confused.

Why is she targeting me like I’m doing something wrong?

“Who let her in the doors looking like that?” Then she turns her attention toward me, continuing her beratement. “Do you have any idea how much money goes into planning an event of this caliber?”

Looks like I got my answer. She hates my outfit.

I shake my head. “I don’t, but I bet you’re about to tell me.”

So much for asking her where she got her dress. I’m always down to make new friends, but I can see that’s not happening.

She readjusts her Prada purse. “It’s out of your budget, love. Even the dinner napkins cost more than that atrocious thing you call a dress hanging from your body.”

I’m someone who can only tolerate so much.

No matter how much her opinion shouldn’t matter to me, it still hurts. Why can’t we support each other as women and cheer each other on for our choices? I made the choice to wear this on my own, and how dare she make me feel like I’m less than because the price tag is smaller than hers.

If only she knew I wore this on purpose.

“Navy. Stay here. Trust me.” Bodhi holds my vibrating body in place before I tackle this wicked witch to the ground.

“As a matter of fact, I bought her this outfit and I happen to love it on her,” Bodhi tells her, making my heart burst.

The woman rushes to speak, “Oh, Mr. St. James, I just meant?—”

“That’s not necessary.” He’s not being rude but firm enough to tell her he won’t stand here and let her treat me like this.

Bodhi lets go of me once he sees I’ve calmed down and steadily approaches Frank. “It’s gonna be a no deal, sir. Thank you for the generous offer.” He turns toward angel pie and looks her in the eye. “Lovely to meet you. Let’s not do it again. After all, we need to make a good impression.”

Bodhi pulls me away without another word and I gladly follow him to find our friends.

What. A. Man.