Page 6

We did it, I was able to successfully get the kids off to their first day of school this morning after yesterday’s orientations went well. We’re off to a good start, and I’m feeling good about this year.

My morning is already productive, I just got off the phone with my grandfather’s secretary, Marissa, to confirm my meeting with him this morning. It’ll only be my second week in the office, but so far so good.

As soon as the call disconnects from my car’s speakers, I park outside my new favorite coffee spot in the city, Spencer’s Coffee Co.

I’m waiting in line but am surprised to hear my name called by a barista holding up a coffee order. Looking around, I figure it must be for another Scarlett. That is, until the shop’s owner grabs it off the pickup counter and walks it over to me in line.

Spencer Quist, or Spence, as he’s asked me to call him, saunters over to me with a shy smile on his face.

“Good morning, Scarlett,” he says as he holds out the cup for me. “A triple shot hot white mocha with oat milk, extra foam, and no whip. Right?”

Somewhat flabbergasted that he remembered my very specific order after only coming here the past few days, I try to hide my shock as I grab the drink from his hand. “Y-yes. That’s exactly right. Wow, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replies as he grasps the neck strap of his apron on either side and rocks back on his heels. “Listen, I’m just going to come right out and ask. Do you have time to stick around for breakfast with me? ”

Again, I’m completely caught off guard, this time by his forward question.

“Um, no actually. Unfortunately, I’ve got a meeting this morning that begins shortly on the other side of the city.” I hold my cup up in front of us before reaching into my purse for my wallet. “I just have enough time to pay for my coffee. Perhaps another time?”

“Yeah, a rain check?” he asks.

“Exactly,” I say as I look around for a spot to set down my coffee so I can dig around in my wallet for some cash.

Spencer must sense what I’m trying to do because he shakes his head at me. “On the house, Scarlett.” He winks before wishing me luck at my meeting.

I thank him and hurry back to my car, cursing myself for completely losing my ability to flirt with an attractive man. Even though Spencer isn’t the type I typically go for, he’s still good-looking and seems sweet.

My game is rusty, it’s been far too long since I’ve flirted with a man. My lifestyle change hasn’t exactly left a lot of time for dating the past few years.

After setting my coffee in the cupholder, I start up my Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, grip the steering wheel, and close my eyes to take a deep, calming breath.

I’ve got this. I can do this. It’s just my first day full of official meetings with board members and management.

At a job you’re unfit for, for a sports team you know nothing about, my subconscious shouts at me as I make my way across the city to my grandfather’s office, which is right next to the arena.

I shake those negative thoughts, push my shoulders back, and move through the lobby of the building a few minutes later .

“This is going to be great,” I whisper to myself once I’m closed inside the elevator. But I can’t seem to believe my own sad excuse at pumping myself up.

This is already going horribly, unless I just heard my grandfather incorrectly.

“You can’t be serious. I don’t have any prospects, how am I supposed to do that within a year?” I ask incredulously.

“You’re the brightest light I know, Firefly. You’ll be just fine,” he tries to assure me; however, that seems like an impossible task.

There’s a tall, dark blur in my peripheral that catches my attention.

And suddenly, I realize things have just become infinitely worse.

What the hell have I done to receive this karma?

My stomach sinks to my toes as I look out the glass door of the conference room only to find my one-night stand who so rudely dismissed me over six years ago.

The square edge of his jaw is clenched and his eyes narrow suspiciously when they meet mine from his spot in the hallway, where he’s paused with his hand grasping the door handle.

But why? I can’t for the life of me understand why Bennett is looking at me like that. If anything, I’m the one who should be upset with him for giving me the night of my life before promptly kicking me out of his suite the next morning.

Suddenly, Bennett’s face shifts as he opens the door, and it’s as if he slips on a mask of indifference.

“Ah, there he is. Come on in,” my grandfather turns and waves him in .

“Joseph,” Bennett says as he holds out his hand for my grandfather to shake.

How does he know my grandfather? And why in the hell is he here?

I do my best to keep a neutral expression, but I’m sincerely so fucking lost right now.

“Bennett, this is my granddaughter, Scarlett Carlisle. Scarlett, this is Bennett Wilson, the captain of the Wolverines.”

Record scratch. Come again? Did he just say captain ?

Bennett’s jaw ticks as he holds out his hand for me to shake, and when I do, I can’t help the shiver that slips down my spine from his warm touch. Unwarranted memories from that night six years ago cloud my vision.

“One more. Come on, Scar, give me one more,” he says as he adjusts my positioning so I’m hovering just above his face. “I’m famished, Red. I’ll perish if you don’t sit down and take what you deserve from me.”

Without warning, Bennett pulls down on my thighs and I can’t stop my hips from rocking in response.

Holy fucking shit, I’ve never been so wholly devoured in my life. The way Bennett’s mouth, tongue, fingers, and scruff of his beard work my pussy is enough to cause black dots to spot my vision.

“Oh, fuck! I’m so sensitive, I can’t,” I pant.

Bennett lifts me just enough to growl, “You can. Now sit the fuck down and fuck my face, baby girl.”

Well, with a demand like that . . . I hold on to the hotel headboard with one hand and grasp a hold of his brown hair in the other.

I’m thrust out of my trip down memory lane when Bennett says in an icy tone, “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Carlisle.”

Fuck my actual life. This should be interesting . . .