Authors: Collette West
“Because I intend on dropping off the radar for a little while.”
“Sounds great to me. The less you’re seen in public right now, the better. I don’t want the image of you hobbling around locked in the public’s mind. Season ticket holders aren’t going to be too anxious to renew their packages if they think your career is over.”
“I’m glad you think I have that much sway over them.”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know how valuable you are to this team.”
“I just like to hear you say it.”
“Now get out of here if you think you can stop this from blowing up.”
I try not to wince as I hurry over to where Arnold is sitting, the brace digging into my leg. He looks up at me expectantly as I rest my hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Mr. Heimlich, for everything.”
His eyes pierce mine, but he doesn’t respond.
“I’ll report back as soon as I know more,” I say to Terry, and he waves his hand at me, already immersed in his Blackberry.
Out of instinct, I linger outside to hear what they’re going to say. Rhonda’s busy, talking on the phone. Her back is turned, so she doesn’t even notice me. I press my ear to the door, leaving it open a crack. The minute they think I’ve vacated the premises, Terry starts talking.
“Your ploy worked, boss.”
“Humph.”
“Last night, Dr. Brownstein knew there was a chance that Chase might make a full recovery, but his scare tactics worked. Chase played right into our hands, not even asking for more money.”
Those greedy bastards… They had my own doctor lie to me to get what they wanted.
Arnold’s as helpless as a venomous python. What an old shrewd.
It’s not like I need the money, but knowing the backhanded maneuvers they just employed to get me to resign with the team sickens me. They preyed upon my weakness and used it to their advantage, looking out for their own self-interest. Yeah, I didn’t sign anything yet, but if I have my agent try and fight them, they won’t help me keep this video of Grey under wraps. Hell, they might even release it themselves, effectively silencing my demand for more money. It’d be so easy for them to turn the tide of public opinion against me. I’d be playing right into their hands.
That makes me even more reluctant to tell them about Noah. God knows how they’d twist his involvement to fit their version of the truth. I should handle him on my own, not let them get any more involved in my personal life than they already are. They’ve just proven they can’t be trusted.
I’ve got to look out for myself and for Grey.
Chapter Twenty-One
Grey
“Tell me, Noah. How do you know your way around New York so well?”
It unsettles me that Chase is feeling uncertain about Noah. Being a member of a team for so long, Chase lives and dies by a code of loyalty and brotherhood. If Noah betrayed him somehow, Chase is going to want revenge, and he won’t stop until he gets it. If that happens, there will be nothing I can do to stop him from destroying Noah.
“I drive people into the city all the time for my dad, usually to a Broadway show or a basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Sometimes I take businessmen to a convention at the Javits Center or drive someone to a doctor’s appointment at Sloan-Kettering.”
“So you know the city like the back of your hand?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I know enough to get around.”
“You must have flipped out when you heard you were going to be driving Chase around Stockton.”
“Yeah. When the Kings called my dad, I nearly shit a brick.”
“I’m surprised your dad didn’t want to drive him around himself.”
“No way. He knows Chase is my boy. He wouldn’t go dashing my hopes like that.”
“How did you end up coming back to New York with Chase?” I prod him gently, hoping he’ll open up to me.
“It was a last-minute thing. The Kings wanted him back right away, so Chase made me an offer to come and work for him. Be his go-to guy. I guess I make him laugh. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of people in his life he can let loose with.”
“So he talks to you about stuff?”
“Yeah, kinda.”
“Does he ever say anything about me?” I gulp nervously, afraid of what he’s going to say.
“All the time. The boy can’t shut up about you.”
“So I’m assuming you’re aware of the connection you and I share.” I hold my breath, waiting for him to respond.
He rubs his eyes before staring vacantly out the windshield. “You mean…The Blue Room?”
“Uh huh.” I squirm uncomfortably even though Noah keeps looking straight ahead.
“We sort of put two and two together. I worked security there for a while, but relax, I didn’t see much. They always had me stationed at the door.”
“You were a bouncer then. Were your friends constantly hitting you up? You must have been letting people sneak in all the time.” I guide him along, subtly pumping him for information.
“On occasion, but not too often. Stanley doesn’t put up with that kind of shit.”
“Did you get caught?”
“Yeah. One time my buddy Keith got nabbed. I think you saw him that night at Buster’s Crab Shack. His parents own the place.” The corner of my mouth turns up when I recall how I nearly ran Keith over with my truck when he started cussing me out in the parking lot.
“What did Stanley do to him?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. He took him in the back and I guess chewed him out, threatening to press charges. I thought I’d be the one taking the heat, but neither of them ever said a word to me about it.” Noah shakes his head, disconcerted.
“So you quit? You weren’t fired?”
“Yeah, I had enough. It just wasn’t my scene.”
“Not many guys would say that.” I appreciate his honesty. It helps me put more stock into what he’s saying.
“I know. I’m the resident oddball.”
If he’s going to be up front about everything, then he deserves the same from me. “No, you’re not. I should have never stepped foot in that place either.”
“So why did you?”
I pause for a second, debating how much I want to tell Noah. Chase doesn’t seem to trust him anymore. But he seems like an okay guy to me, like he wouldn’t hold it over my head or anything. It appears he hates The Blue Room just as much as I do.
“My mom was sick, and it was my stupid way of coping.”
“Is she okay now?” he asks, his eyes finding mine in the rearview mirror.
“Not exactly.” I place my elbows on my knees, clasping my hands, hoping to ward off the queasy feeling that grips my stomach every time I talk about my mother.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Lung cancer.” I sigh, training my eyes on the flags fluttering across the top of Kings Stadium.
“Shit.”
“Yeah, it’s not good.”
“You and Chase have a lot in common then,” Noah remarks, attempting to console me.
Okay, now I’m confused. “How’s that?”
“Well, after all he went through with his sister and all.”
“What do you mean?” My heart drops as I try to process what he’s telling me.
“Oh fuck, I thought you knew. He warned me not to say anything about it.”
“Noah, I don’t care what he said. You’re damn well going to tell me.” I grab the headrest on the passenger’s side, scooting myself up closer to Noah.
He glances at me ruefully over his shoulder. “But don’t act like you heard it from me, okay? Nobody knows outside of his family. He’ll kill me if thinks I can’t keep my mouth shut.”
“I’m not going to lie to him, Noah, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Not lie. Just don’t let on like you know about his sister until he tells you himself.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Of course he will. I’m assuming you told him about your mom?” Noah looks at me for confirmation. I nod, and he continues, “Then he’ll probably want to do all he can to help her.”
I don’t hold back. I ask the question that’s burning on my lips. “Jesus, Noah. Did J.J. have cancer?”
“Yeah, but she’s in remission now. Chase even paid for her fertility treatments. That’s how she was able to get pregnant.”
“Jesus. And he never said anything the whole time.” I sit back in shock.
“It doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to. There’s been a lot going on, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“But I met J.J. and his mom today and he never even mentioned anything.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of it all.
“The only reason he told me was because I saw his tattoo. I think I caught him in a weak moment and he just started talking about it.” Noah rolls down the window to get some air.
“Now I feel like such an asshole, going on and on about myself when he went through the same thing and handled it so much better than I did,” I groan, burying my face in my hands.
“That’s not true. Everyone handles stuff like that differently. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“But, Noah, he has the whole world watching his every move and he didn’t crack the entire time J.J. was fighting for her life. And little ol’ me had to turn to stripping as a way out. Real mature.” I clutch my arms to my chest, my cheeks burning with shame.
“Maybe he didn’t act out because he knew everyone was watching him. It kept him in check, even though he probably wanted to.”
“Thanks, Noah, but there’s no point talking my way out of this one. I screwed up. I couldn’t behave like an adult when things got tough and now Chase may have to pay the price for it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Noah asks, alarmed.
I might as well tell him. If Chase is right and he’s in on it, then he already knows anyway. “The Kings know I stripped at The Blue Room. That’s why we’re here. That’s why they called him in.”
“How?”
“Erin told me our little coffee break at Starbucks is all over the internet. Apparently someone must have tipped the Kings off about my previous employment.”
Noah shifts around to look me in the eye. “Shit. Chase doesn’t think it was me, does he?”
“I hate to say it, Noah, but you’re the most likely candidate. I mean, who else could it be?”
“I know exactly who it could be,” he says with conviction.
Noah abruptly gets out of the car, leaving the keys in the ignition.
“Hey, where the hell are you going?” I yell out the window as he breaks into a run.
“To straighten this out while there’s still time!” he cries over his shoulder, not breaking his stride.
Fuck. He’s leaving me alone to ponder that cryptic remark in silence. Well, not silence exactly as the screeching brakes of a train rumble overhead. Noah barrels up the steps to the platform, hopping clumsily over the turnstile and dashing onto the subway just before the doors start to close. The attendant at the gate starts to chase him, but it’s too late. The train’s already pulling out of the station. Noah’s holding on to a handrail as the attendant shakes his fist at him through the window. People on the platform start to clap, happy that Noah nabbed a free ride. I guess everyone likes to shove it to people in authority. I just didn’t think Noah had it in him. And hell, I didn’t think he was capable of moving that fast. Is he that afraid of facing Chase?
Whatever it is, I need to find out why he bolted, and soon.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chase
“I can’t believe Noah just up and left you there.”
I shift into park and leave the car idling in front of the Roosevelt for Luis’s assistant. After exiting Kings Stadium and finding Grey alone in the driver’s seat, I was livid. I wanted to hunt Noah down and demand some answers, but considering we have no freakin’ clue where he went, Grey convinced me to go back to my place in order to regroup.
Grey didn’t want to turn the car over to me at first, insisting that she was quite capable of navigating through the streets of New York. But I put my foot down. No way am I ever going to be caught sitting in the passenger’s seat while my woman carts me around like a child. That’s one demand I’ll never give in to. As long as I can stand, I can drive. I still cringe when I think about how I huddled in the front seat of her truck that night in Stockton. That’s the first and last time she’ll be driving me anywhere.
Luckily, the press has given up their siege on my apartment building. The cops must have scared them away. The Kings don’t fool around when it comes to security. They practically have the NYPD in their pocket. Whatever protection I need, I get, no questions asked. That’s why I never hired a bodyguard. Why bother when I have an entire police force at my disposal?
“I have a feeling Noah went back to Stockton,” Grey whispers as we hurry through the lobby.
“How? By bus?” I ask as soon as the elevator doors close.
“Probably. Or else he’s having someone pick him up him.”
“Keith doesn’t have the guts to come here. This is my turf. I have home-field advantage. I could have the cops run his license plate number and he wouldn’t make it past any bridge or tunnel.”
“You have that much power, huh?” Grey watches me as I slide me keycard through the slot before entering the penthouse suite.
“And you’re lucky I do.”
She quirks an eyebrow at me before following me through the door.
I didn’t tell her about the video. I just made up some lame excuse that someone got a hold of her tax records and that’s how the Kings found out. But I can’t get what I saw out of my mind. And now, having her in the flesh right in front of me, I just want to rip off her damn clothes. Feel those supple breasts fill my hands and swirl my tongue around her nipples until I can’t see straight.
But she doesn’t seem in the mood to have sex with me right now, even if all I can think about is getting her naked. I know it’s wrong, but I want a copy of that video. I want it for my own viewing pleasure. I’d never seen anything so fucking hot in my entire life. I can’t believe the owner of the club just let her walk away. She had that room full of men eating out of her hand, and that was only one night. There’s nothing more arousing than a good girl trying to act bad since the type of girls who strip and shoot porn aren’t exactly delicate. They usually have a rough, hard-edged look to them—pouches of saggy cellulite, garish makeup, cheap spray tans. It’s why most guys focus on the tits and pussy and nothing else. The rest of the package can be pretty repulsive.
But seeing Grey up on that stage… It’s no wonder those pricks in the audience fucking lost it. What guy wouldn’t? She wasn’t just a source of titillation. She was the real deal, an A-list beauty slumming it in some rathole of a dive. They must have been counting their lucky stars that they’d wandered in on her performance. They thought they were in for the same old shit. But boy, were they surprised.
It made me want to be there too. I can’t stop my imagination from going wild. Seeing her eyes fixed on me as she shimmies around that pole, taunting the other men with what they can’t have. Watching her touch herself while she looks directly at me. Ogling her as she removes her top before throwing it at me. And when she wants to leave the stage, she’ll wrap her legs around my waist as I carry her out the door and into the back seat of my car. Shit. I’m as a hard as a rock just sifting through all the different scenarios running through my head.
I didn’t think I could have such a fevered desire for her body. I watch her as she sits on the couch and removes her sandals, completely unaware of my thoughts. I’d like nothing more than to go over there and ravish her. Even with all the shit that’s going on around us, I don’t care. I want her. I want her bad. And I’m going to have her. Tonight.
“You shouldn’t be on your feet. After today, I’m in charge of that body of yours.”
Her words have more of an effect on me than she realizes. I never give up control. I’m always the boss. I listen to no one. But I think I’d enjoy letting her do whatever she wants to my body.
“What are you doing standing over there? Come sit by me. I don’t bite.”
Oh, but I wish you would.
I prowl over to her, determined to get what I want. Hampered by my limp, I unfasten the Velcro on my brace, freeing myself and tossing it aside. Nothing’s going to keep me from taking her. Nothing.
She sees the fire in my eyes and immediately knows what I’m after. For a moment, she looks scared, but I don’t know why. I intend to make her feel good, better than she’s ever felt before. I’m going to pleasure her with my hands, my fingers, my lips, and my tongue before slamming myself inside of her.
I hunker down on the far end of the couch. I need her to do something for me before we begin. I need it so bad it hurts.
“Strip for me.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“Get up. Stand in the middle of the room. And strip for me.”
“Chase, I don’t—”
“Grey, I need this. Understand?”
Comprehension flickers in her eyes as she slowly nods. She knows I want what all of those other men have already had. I want her to grind and shake it for me—me and only me. She looks away, realizing that she might not have a choice in the matter.
“What are you waiting for?” I stretch my arm across the back of the couch, sinking deeper into the cushion.
Her shoulders rise and fall. Why is she so nervous? I’m used to having girls suck me off on this couch. What can I say? It’s the only way I know how to be sexy, how to get in the mood. I’m not good at romance and flowers and all that bullshit. This is all I know.
“Please don’t ask me to do this.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest like she’s fortifying herself against me.
“Why not? You had no trouble doing it in front of a bunch of strangers.” All I want to do is fool around with her, indulge in a little foreplay.
“Why are you acting like this?” She seems confused as she hugs her arms even closer to her body.
“I don’t know why you feel so uncomfortable with me all of a sudden. I just wanna have some fun.” I raise my leg, extending it along the length of the couch.
“Having to strip for you isn’t my idea of fun.” Her anger resurfaces as she glances at me over her shoulder. I’m startled by the tears that are flooding her eyes. Shit. I didn’t mean to upset her… Too late now. I suck at dealing with all this emotional crap. I’ll never understand women.
“Sorry. I was under the impression that you’d want to please me.”
“As your love slave? I don’t think so.”
“You’re driving me fucking crazy, you know that?”
“Why? Because I won’t give you what you want?”
“Don’t twist this around on me.”
“I’m not that kind of girl. Not anymore.”
I bite my tongue. She is that kind of girl. I saw it. The fact that she keeps on denying it is making me see red.
“Stop objectifying me like that. That’s not the way I want you to look at me.” She runs her fingers through her hair, pushing it back from her face like she’s disappointed in me. Man, this could be so good if she’d just let it happen. Why is she fighting me every step of the way?
“Grey, I thought it’d be fucking hot for you to take your clothes off for me, put on a little show. You’re making way too big a deal out of this.”
“Is that what you’re used to? Having girls do whatever the hell you want?”
“I know what I like. What’s wrong with that?”
“Because I don’t want our first time to be like this, okay?”
So she was thinking about sleeping with me. I knew it. I’ve been waiting for this to happen since that night in Stockton when she left me alone in her bed. She keeps holding herself back from me, afraid to go too far. But I’m sick of waiting. I don’t think I can take much more if she insists on dragging this out.
“Grey, we’ll try as many variations as you want, I promise. I just thought this would be a good idea to get us started in the right direction.”
“But—”
“But what? I haven’t gone without sex for this long since…I can’t remember when. I just want to be with you, Grey. Why is that so hard to understand?”
“It’s not that simple.” She lowers her head, hiding her face from me like she’s embarrassed about something.
“Then why are you making it so complicated when it doesn’t have to be? You’re into me. I’m into you. Let’s just do this.”
I clumsily drag my leg off the couch and get to my feet. She starts to back away from me as I approach. For fuck’s sake, she’s even trembling a little.
“Grey, why are you so scared of me?”
“I’m not,” she whispers, walking backward until she’s up against the bank of windows.
“Something’s going on with you, and I want you to tell me what it is.”
“I don’t want to be dominated, all right? I’m not some plaything you can amuse yourself with.” She glares at me, her eyes filled with indignation.
I run my hands over my head, not quite sure what to say. “It’s just my style. I don’t mean anything by it.”
“Yeah well, it’s not working for me.” She curls into herself, hugging her knees against her chest.
“I’m not the kind of guy who does it tender and gentle. I like it rough. I like it hard. I like it dirty.”
She sighs, pressing her cheek against the glass.
“Would you rather that I lie to you?” I ask, exasperated.
She shakes her head but doesn’t say anything.
“You know I have an appetite for women. I always have. Is it a weakness? Yeah. But I need you to meet me halfway on this.”
Her eyes burn into mine, a mixture of longing and fear.
“Grey, you might even like it if you gave it a chance. It’s not like you’re so innocent or anything.”
She lowers her eyes at my last remark. “You’d be surprised.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You were fine just kissing me on that rock outside my trailer.”
“That was different,” I groan, kneading the back of my neck with my hand to drive out the tension.
“How?” she demands, her eyes searching mine, insisting on an explanation.
“Because I didn’t know you were a stripper then. After that, things changed. I can’t look at you the same way.”
“I don’t sleep around, Chase, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Yeah, but you’re not exactly a virgin either,” I goad her, my voice tinged with regret.
Again, she pauses, skimming her finger absently over the glass.
It seems like she’s pondering my words, but I don’t know why. “So you’d be okay with respecting my boundaries if I were a virgin?”
“Well, I’d kind of have to, wouldn’t I?” I shouldn’t be getting sarcastic with her, but I can’t help it.
“So you’d be fine with taking things slow if I were inexperienced, but since I was a stripper you expect me to participate in these kind of sex games?” she asks, finally raising her eyes to mine.
“It’s only to keep things interesting. I tend to get bored easily. I’m not a vanilla type of guy.” I shrug. What’s the big deal?
She knits her brow, like somehow I’m baffling her. “So what is it about virgins then? Why are they the exception to the rule?”
I’m indignant that she’d even have to ask that. “Jesus, Grey. I’d take my time. I wouldn’t rush it.”
“Have you ever been with a virgin before?” Her voice quivers a bit as she looks out at the nighttime lights of the city.
“Hell no. To be honest, I’ve never had the opportunity. The majority of the women I hook up with are pretty knowledgeable.”
“And a virgin wouldn’t bore you?”
“No, quite the opposite actually.”
Her head whips around. “Why?”
“She’d be mine and mine alone.”
There’s a flicker of understanding in those brown eyes I can’t get enough of. Maybe I’m finally getting through to her. “Is that why you asked me to marry you back in Stockton? Because you thought I was a virgin?”
“Partly.”
“Do you still want to marry a virgin?” The weight of expectation is heavy in the air.
I pause, not wanting to let her down. “I’m not going to answer that.”
“You just want something not many people have. You think you’re entitled to something special like that. Like you deserve it or something just because you’re Chase Whitfield and Chase Whitfield deserves the best.”
She’s got me. She’s right. I never thought of it that way before, but she’s right. I do have an exaggerated sense of entitlement. But what’s wrong with that? I don’t like to share what’s mine. Never have. Never will. And I’m not going to apologize for it.
“You’re damn right I deserve the best,” I admit without hesitation.
“Too bad you can’t see what’s right in front of your face.”
She shifts onto her knees, pulling herself up off the floor. Fuck. Where’s she going? I didn’t want to talk about virgins. She’s the one who turned this into a whole big thing.
“I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Grey, c’mon—”
But she doesn’t stop. Swinging her sandals in one hand, she doesn’t even look at me before proceeding down the hallway and locking herself in one of my spare rooms.
Shit. I really screwed this up.
And what kills me is that I should be celebrating right now. I have a real shot at getting my job back. The Kings are safeguarding Grey’s reputation. We were going to spend the night together. So why did things have to take such a weird turn?
I head into the kitchen and open the freezer, staring at a multitude of gourmet meals that were prepared by my personal chef. I grab the container neatly labeled ‘lemon encrusted chicken’ and pop it into the microwave. Shit. Grey must be starving, but I’m too afraid to knock on her door and ask her to join me. I have to figure out what this is all about first. There has to be a reason why she started acting so strange.