Scored(15)

Even more, I want him to kiss me.

The door opens.

“Mr. Drake. So glad you could stop by. I’m Layton Price, events manager for the library.”

I jerk back, sending my chair careening across the room. Layton stops it by grabbing the arm before I crash into the wall. Today is so not my day with office furniture.

“We have tricky office chairs,” she explains, trying to make it look like it’s totally the chair’s fault instead of mine.

“Pretty sure my foot slipped and I accidentally kicked it,” he replies, and I want to swoon. He’s taking the blame. “Sorry about that, Paige.”

“It’s okay.” Who am I to disagree?

He gives me another heart-stopping smile before focusing on Layton. “Nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” Layton gives him a sunny smile. “If you don’t mind, Paige, I’m going to give Mr. Drake a tour of the third floor and see if our space works for his event.”

This is the moment I’ve been dreading. It’s the moment I’m always dreading.

Nine times out of ten, when a guy I’m interested in finally meets Layton—with her perfect curves, poise, clothes, and wavy dark hair—they don’t seem to care she has a steady boyfriend or now wears a diamond engagement ring so big it can be seen from Pluto without a telescope. There’s just something about her they can’t resist and everything about me that is… forgettable.

The only consolation is that Layton is oblivious. Instead, she talks me up, like a best friend should, and trots me out almost like a show pony. I’ve never told her that I notice. Because she’s such a kind person and a true friend, it will always be a secret I keep from her.

“Will you help give me a tour, Paige?” he asks, not even looking her way. He’s not Mr. Wickham from Pride and Prejudice. He’s a total… well, I can’t think of a literary boyfriend who plays football and is completely into the girl no one else is.

I sigh a little. This has to be the most romantic moment ever—possible concussion and all.

Layton glances at me. “Do you have time?” She turns her attention back to Dallas. “Paige’s services are requested so often that I don’t know how she does it all.”

I have to fight the urge to hug her, kiss him, and dance around the room. It’s a lot harder than you think. “At the moment, I’m completely free.”





CHAPTER 6




Dallas


In my experience, people usually say one thing while thinking another. This is not the case with Paige, and I find it… refreshing. Adorable. I never equated quirky with sexy, but after listening to her and watching the way she moves, it’s a total turn on.

As for the asshole who called her a nut job, I’d like to show him exactly what crazy is. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with oral on a first date, to be so fucking cruel is unacceptable.

I can’t imagine hurting Paige—beyond the whole almost making her fall three feet to the floor—like that. Those big blue eyes would fill up with tears, and I’d feel like a total jerk. Hell, when I thought she was hurt and actually crying, all I wanted to do was make it better. Then she laughed, laughed so hard that tears fell, which admittedly, aggravated me for a while… until we talked.

Fucking adorable—it’s the only way I can describe her.

Women like Paige don’t exist in my life. They are too afraid to be themselves because they might be rejected. The faker, the better. The less emotional, the less of a chance of getting hurt. I guess on some level, it’s the same for us players.

Layton stops right in front of the elevator and turns. “Paige, I left my notes in my office. Why don’t you share the history of the Franklin-Hayes House with Dallas while I run back to my office?” She flashes an apologetic smile. “I’m not normally this disorganized, but it’s a Monday and I’m trying to plan a wedding.”

“She’s telling the truth,” Paige says as her friend walks away. “She’s the most organized person in existence.”

“Organized enough to laminate a pocket-sized list for you?”

A pleased smile kicks up the corners of her mouth as she presses the UP button. “You remember that?”

“The requirement about kissing the best man stuck with me.”

The doors of the elevator open slowly, making ominous creaking sounds as they do.

“Don’t worry. It can handle whatever you put in it and go all night long,” she says cheerfully.

“I come with that guarantee too, sweetheart.”

Paige gives me a sideways look as we step inside. “Do a lot of people put things in you, Dallas?”

“Feels like it sometimes,” I say dryly. “Wasn’t even twenty minutes ago you were putting your elbow in my mouth.”

She winces. “Sorry again.”

I laugh. “It’s really okay. I was just yanking your chain.”

The elevator’s ride is smoother than expected. When the doors open, Paige steps through first, allowing me the privilege of following and ogling her fine ass.

“Do you really want the history of where I work?” she asks, casting a glance over her shoulder. It’s a completely sexy move, yet it’s one that’s not coming across as calculated. “Because if you don’t, I have more questions about dating you.”