Page 16

HOLT

I won a game. Not just any game—the season opener.

And I got to second base.

I’m one lucky bastard.

Just thinking about last night…her soft breast underneath my fingertips, her peaked nipple between my teeth. It’s almost more than I can handle. And when I think about the noises she made when I was lapping at her skin? Well, that makes me wanna jizz in my pants like a pubescent fifteen-year-old.

Fucking sonnets should be written about her tits.

They. Are. Epic.

Full and heavy. Round and soft.

Kissable, suckable, and sensitive.

Hell, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’d go through all my surgeries again just to be with Merit. Just to see her smile. Just to taste her lips. And now? Just to watch the way her back arches when my thumbs graze over her bare-naked chest.

Quickly adjusting the growing erection in my pants, I knock on her door and glance at my watch. Technically, the party started at seven, so we’re already an hour and fifteen minutes late. But that’s fine by me. The less time I have to spend with these people, the better. When Merit told me she had to do some extra work after closing the store, I counted it as a blessing.

The second she pulls open the door, the glowing smile fades from her beautiful face. She looks me over. Once. Twice. Her eyes flare in desire; although, she does a pretty good job masking it with her scowl.

“Seriously!” She folds her arms across her chest. The chest I spent hours mapping and exploring. “This shit’s really getting old, Holt.”

I lean against the doorframe. I can’t help but laugh.

She tries to stay mad at me. Really, she does. But it’s a losing battle. She spins on her heels and heads back inside the condo before I see her smile. Of course, when I hear the soft snort of her giggle, I know she’s already forgiven me.

She’d never admit that, though.

Not my Feisty Merit.

She props against the kitchen counter, studying my white button up and black slacks. I’m even wearing expensive leather dress shoes. She fans her hand down her blouse and simple cotton skirt. “I can only assume I’m underdressed for whatever you have planned.”

Lazily closing the distance separating us, I slouch my body, grabbing the hem of her skirt. Rubbing the fabric between my thumb and forefinger, she gasps when my knuckles graze against her thigh. “Well, I can cancel the plans and strip down. Then you can join me. I’d hate for you to be underdressed alone,” I say with a wink.

A pink blush colors her cheeks. “Where are we going?” she asks, ignoring my request for nakedness.

“It’s a surprise.”

Offering me a little smirk, she plants her hands on my chest and gives me a gentle shove. When my fingers disconnect from her leg, I frown, pouting like a scolded child.

She walks down the hall, gifting me with a consolation prize—the sway of her perfect ass—and hollers behind her. “I don’t like surprises.”

“Don’t lie, Merit. You love surprises.” I watch her turn into her bedroom. “And no black. Wear anything but black!”

I sit on the couch, dreading what’s coming.

Typically, I do anything and everything possible to avoid these people.

But…I have to go. I gave a pretty sizeable donation to the new public library—especially for The Wizard of Oz movie switch. But I didn’t mind. Laura is addicted to reading. The donation was basically my love letter to my nieces and nephew. Unfortunately, that means I have to attend the obligatory kiss-your-ass reception with the other donors.

My plan is to make an appearance, do a little small talk, and steal Merit away.

I really hope all goes according to plan.

But when you’re in a mansion filled with assholes, you never know what may happen.

***

If you think about it, there’s about four really rich neighborhoods in our town. Like really rich.

I live in one of the neighborhoods. The mayor lives in another.

The closer we get to his house, the more sullen Merit gets. I can only assume, by now, she knows where we’re going. Ben’s been the mayor for several years, and I happen to know he’s a client of Plott, Ezzell, and Crispin. So, it stands to reason that Merit has been to his house before.

When I pull up in the driveway and Merit makes no move to gather her purse, I motion for the valet to give us a minute.

I clear my throat. “Surprise.”

I watch her reflection in the window. Her beautiful face is marred with a grimace. “I’m not going in there.”

“We’ll look pretty weird trying to small talk with everyone through the cracked windows of my truck.”

She spins in her seat. “The mayor’s house? A party with the mayor? You thought that would be a fun surprise?”

“I didn’t say it would be fun. I just said it was a surprise. And I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t come. And I refuse to spend a free night without you. You don’t work tomorrow, so that means I can keep you awake all hours of the night.”

She’s thinking about last night. My mouth on her, on her body. It’s written all over her face.

Making me want more.

Making me want forever.

“Well, I may not let you keep me up all hours of the night. Not after this stunt.”

She’s too cute to make idle threats.

“I didn’t wanna come either, but I didn’t have a choice. I gave that donation to the new library, so I have to make an appearance at this reception. It’s for the donors and supporters.” I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But I’m not going in without you. I meant what I said, I’m not giving up any free time with you.”

She sighs. “You have to go in. It’s a reception for you. You’ll look ungrateful if you don’t.”

“I know.” I cock my head to the side. “So, we better go in. The sooner we go in, the sooner we can leave.”

She gnaws on her lip. “The people in there know me.”

“Yeah.”

“I mean, they know me as Edward’s wife. I haven’t been around these people since before the separation.” She folds her hands in her lap and looks down. “Aren’t you worried about what they will say? When they see you with me?”

“I don’t give two shits what these people think.” I lift her chin. Sliding my finger down her throat, I caress the lines of her collarbone. “Mer, from the day I started playing college ball, I’ve had everyone giving me their opinions. They write about me. They do interviews about me. They have press conferences about me. Everyone has always wanted to tell me what to do. Tell me how to act, how to play, how to lead a team.” I have to stop touching her, or I’m going to lose my mind. I sit back and rub my hand across my jaw. “None of that matters to me. Outside of the Lord above, there’s a very small group of people whose opinions actually matter. It’s my family,” I swallow, “and now, you.”

She blinks, the brown and green swirls more prominent in her eyes tonight. “I used to live here. In this neighborhood. Our house was two streets over.” Hearing the word our rips my heart out. She corrects herself without me saying anything. “Edward’s house, I mean.”

I’m not sure what to say, so I just nod.

Opening her purse, she fishes around and comes back up with a five-dollar bill. She waves it in the air as she reaches for the door. “I’ve got the tip.” She jumps out of the truck, slapping the bill into one of the other valet’s hands before I can even make it around to her side.

Sliding my arms through my jacket, I soak in every single inch of Merit.

Holy hell.

I still can’t believe how beautiful she is.

Heeding my warning, she’s wearing a form-hugging red dress with cap sleeves. It’s still short, but several inches longer than her selection of black dresses—I mean, than Edward’s selection of black dresses. And trust me, the modesty does nothing but enhance her beauty. Her hair is curled and styled back in a simple ponytail. My eyes travel the length of her bare legs, absorbing every curve and muscle.

And I’m not the only one.

The remaining valets are eyeing my women like she’s a community birthday cake, just waiting on everyone to have a slice.

Over my fucking dead body.

Clearing my throat, I shoot them a death glare, silently declaring the woman in front of us is mine.

All mine.

Reaching for her hand, I tug her body next to mine as we walk up the stone steps to the ornate front door. My fingers graze across the bracelet on her wrist. A very expensive bracelet. Looks like rubies and diamonds. “This is nice. A gift?”

Please don’t say it’s from your ex-husband.

Her lips curl into a soft smile. “Yes, but not to me.”

“Any kleptomania I should know about?”

“It’s from Europe. My great-grandfather bought it at a small antiques store in Belgium when he was in the service. He brought it home for my great-grandmother. I only wear it for special occasions.”

I guide her into the house with my hand on the small of her back. She doesn’t freeze or shy away. In fact, she takes a small step closer to me. “And tonight’s a special occasion?” I ask.

She turns her head, whispering against my neck. “I figured it had to be. I mean, you are wearing church shoes.”

What I wouldn’t give to kiss her right now.

Of course, that desire is placed on hold the second we cross the threshold and are thrust into the lion’s den of the rich and privileged and entitled.

The next hour moves at a snail’s pace.

And I hate every second of it.

I can survive the boring small talk. I can survive the handshakes and attaboy shoulder slaps. I can even survive the lingering stares from the unhappily married searching for their next extramarital affair. But what I can’t survive is making Merit uncomfortable. I hate her fake smiles and her folded hands. I hate that she never talks unless specifically asked a question, and even then, she either agrees with whatever was said or makes some non-committal, non-controversial comment.

I’m standing out of the way, waiting on Merit to return from using the restroom, and checking my watch, wondering if we’ve made enough of an appearance to satisfy the masses when the mayor’s wife corners me.

Literally.

I have to basically shove myself into the corner of the room like a toddler in timeout to avoid having my hand graze her chest.

I’m not looking forward to this. I met the mayor and his wife right after I moved back home. Saying she’s a shameless flirt is like calling a mountain lion a cute little kitten.

“Holt. It’s great to see you. I was wondering when you would show up.”

“Georgia.” I dip my head, greeting her. “I’ve been here for a while, actually.”

“Well, I’ve been out back. I just had the veranda completely remodeled last month. All new landscaping too. We have the full bar set up out there. Come outside,” she purrs. “Let’s get you a fresh drink.” She leans forward, tapping my chest with her fingernail. “Something hard. Just like you,” she says with a small giggle.

I shuffle to the side, trying to avoid the temptation to roll my eyes. “Well, I’m not exactly sure how your husband would feel about you plying another man full of liquor.”

“Oh, Holt. Everyone’s entitled to a little fun. Don’t you think?”

“Well, I’ve never been a liquor person. Beer’s more my speed.” I make a big show of checking my watch again. “Besides, it’s starting to get a little late. We were just about to leave.”

Her perfectly manicured eyebrows lift in surprise. “We?”

“Me and my date.”

She cocks a hand on her surgically minimized waist and laughs. “And what fine female specimen did you bring this time? Are you still dating Bunny? She’s nothing but flash. Her family is new money, and from what I hear, her father’s company is already having financial difficulties.”

“It’s not Bunny, no.”

Her brow furrows. “Who then?”

At that exact moment, the crowd shifts, and we can see Merit on the opposite end of the massive living room politely maneuvering her way through the throng of people.

Well, we can’t actually see all of her through the masses, just her top half. Regardless, the look on my face must speak for itself.

Georgia gasps, “You’re kidding me. Merit Ezzell?”

My angered heartbeat ricochets against my eardrums. “That’s not her name anymore. She’s Merit Browning.”

For now.

“Oh, Holt,” she cackles. “You can’t be serious. Edward’s ex-wife? She’s a heathen, some country bumpkin. Completely uncouth. Edward even had to pay for etiquette classes so she wouldn’t make a fool of herself at business functions.”

My fists clench and my teeth grind. I have to remind myself over and over that hitting a woman is wrong—no matter the circumstance.

A guy with a really bad toupee blocks Merit’s way. He’s not even talking to her. He’s reaching around her trying to grab a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. Craning her neck to see me, she rolls her eyes and pretends to tug his hair.

She’s so freakin’ funny.

Once he finally moves, it takes only a split second for her to realize that I’m not alone. When she sees Georgia, her face falls into a somber frown. Quickly recovering, she lifts her head and dons her fake smile like a Halloween mask.

Georgia growls. She actually growls. Turning to me, she lifts on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear. “She’s pretty, I’ll give you that. But she’s not worthy of someone like you. Of all that you have to offer. You need someone of a certain pedigree. A certain breed. A purebred. Someone who can actually keep her husband content.” Her hand darts between us, and her fingers tug on my belt buckle.

Fuck you, lady.

I grab her hand, forcing it away from my crotch. “And I need someone single, Georgia. That’s a pretty standard request.”

“Single can be arranged. Just let me know.” Taking a step back, she straightens her dress and glances over at Merit. She scoffs, “And why does she have that look on her face? She looks ridiculous.” Georgia sniffs the air. “Does she smell something?”

Merit’s fake smile has faded in favor of her jealous look. Her nose is scrunched up, and she looks like she smells a rotten egg.

I love it.

Merit steps around another large group of people, and her full body comes into view. And she looks gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. Right down to the toilet paper stuck to her high heel. It trails behind her like the tail of a kite.

Georgia laughs like a hyena and walks away, mumbling underneath her breath. I can’t hear what she says, but I can guarantee it’s not nice.

“So,” Merit says, “I see Georgia kept you company while I was in the restroom.”

“I’d rather have a rattlesnake as a companion.”

“Hmmm.” She looks around the room, thinning her lips, pretending she’s not interested in what happened between me and the mayor’s wife. But it doesn’t take long before she gives in to her curiosity. “What was she laughing at?”

I stomp the floor next to her foot, kicking the toilet paper to the side. Merit’s eyes bulge and her face turns crimson. She groans, laying her forehead on my chest in embarrassment. “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe that just happened.”

Her hot breath steams across the fabric of my shirt. The sensation sends a chill down my spine. I wrap her hair around my hand and tilt her head to the side. I kiss the soft skin of her neck. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

She stands straight and sheepishly glances around, seeing if anyone witnessed our stolen moment together. Satisfied that our private moment stayed private, she nods, eagerly waiting on me to lead the way. I should feel bad for leaving, but I don’t. I think they’re actually giving out plaques or some shit to us donors. Oh well, they waited too long. They can just stick mine in the mail.

We make it to the front stoop when Merit’s cell phone starts ringing. Looking at the caller ID, she says, “It’s the alarm company.” She answers, and after a minute of talking, she covers the phone, telling me what’s going on. “The power flickered off at the store right when they were doing a software update. They want me to stay on hold while they reset everything.”

“Stay here and take care of it. I’ll have them pull the truck around. I’ll be back in just a minute.” I’m halfway down the steps when I realize that I’m a complete fool. Spinning on my heels, I jog back up and plant a soft kiss on her lips.

I catch her by surprise, and she jumps. Her hand darts up, hiding her face from the two older women who just walked by. “Holt?”

“How else am I supposed to get you used to public displays of affection.” I wink and leave her smiling on the steps.

Maybe this party wasn’t such a bad idea after all.