For the Record (Record #3)(54)

She could see the determination on Brady’s face as they squared off. For a second it felt as if it were just the two of them. Their competitive natures wouldn’t let them back off.

Liz raised her racket and served the ball across the net. Brady returned it where it was almost out of reach for her, but she got it last minute. It sailed over the net and hit the court once. Brady dove to get the brilliantly placed ball, but he was too slow by a fraction of an inch and it bounced out of court.

“Game!” Mollie cried. Her breath was coming heavily, but she was still jumping around victoriously.

Liz bent forward at the waist and took in a few deep breaths. Her heart was beating a million miles a minute. From across the court, she locked eyes with Brady and winked. She had beaten him. It didn’t matter that it was at a game she had been playing nearly her entire life and it had been kind of close. She had still won and it felt amazing.

“Okay, you two,” Mollie said, pointing across the court. “Since you lost, you have to take us to Schiller’s for Pimm’s.”

Chris groaned. “Killing me, woman.”

Mollie giggled. “It’s only fair.”

Liz walked across the court to shake hands with them, as was customary. Chris slapped her hand for a high five and then hobbled off the court mumbling to himself, “I knew there was a reason I didn’t play this game.”

“Hey, you,” she said, walking up to Brady. “Good game.”

“You were phenomenal,” he told her.

“Didn’t think a girl could beat you, huh?”

“You proved me wrong. It makes me want to take lessons. Is that guy Savannah is seeing available?” he asked.

“You can’t steal Easton from me! Find your own instructor,” she joked, batting at him.

Brady pulled Liz toward him.

“Ew. I’m all sweaty.”

“You’d think I’d be used to it,” he said with a smirk. “I have an idea. How about I ask my girlfriend to give me lessons?”

“Is she good at tennis?” Liz asked innocently.

“The very best. She’s so good, in fact, that her boyfriend is going to have to remind her who’s in charge the best way he knows how.”

Liz’s eyebrows shot up. “And how do you propose that?”

He dropped his mouth to her ear and nibbled on the earlobe. “Tonight when I have you all alone, I’m going to remind you exactly what happened the night you brought a Senator to his knees.”

Chapter 18

PAY UP

As promised, that night the guys planned an evening for the girls that included Mollie’s drink of choice. Liz went on a shopping excursion to acquire a cocktail dress. Brady tagged along and played Pretty Woman with the associate at Bergdorf Goodman. By the end of the encounter, Brady had insisted on a pair of Jimmy Choos and a dark magenta strapless dress that cinched at the waist to accentuate Liz’s figure.

When they returned to Chris’s apartment, Liz took over the bathroom. After a shower, she blew out her long blond hair until it fell loose past her shoulders. She spent extra time on smoky makeup to finish off the elegant ensemble. Chris greeted her with a whistle when she exited the bathroom. Brady just shook his head at his best friend and brought his girlfriend in closer.

“You look stunning,” he told her. He kissed her once on her nose.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she said.

Actually he looked f*cking unbelievable in a tailored black suit with a checked green tie that complemented her dress. And that smile . . . as bright as the fireworks on the Fourth of July, all for her. She could have melted right then and there.

“I think I could get used to taking you shopping if you look this radiant in everything I purchase,” he said, assessing her.

“Am I not good enough for Brady Maxwell in a T-shirt and sweats?”

“No. Certainly not.”

Liz arched an eyebrow. “I do hope you’re joking.”

“Someone as beautiful as you should be wearing designer clothes at all times. It suits you.”

“Are you getting me designer sweats?” she asked.

“I’ll put in an order.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“For you. Though you already know that I love you in whatever you’re wearing. It’s this brain of yours that I fell for.”

“And here I thought it was my body,” she purred.

He slid his hand down the curve of her waist. “Don’t get me started. I have a promise to keep tonight.”

“Time to head out,” Chris called, interrupting the lustful glance between them. “We still have to pick up Mollie before the show.”

Brady placed a kiss on her lips and then ushered her out the door. She followed Brady and Chris down to the lobby of the building. A black stretch Hummer limo greeted them at the curb.

When Liz had first gone home with Brady that night at the Jefferson-Jackson gala, she had been shocked by the luxury. Even though she had been in a limo since that night, it still made her heart jump. It fit them.

“After you,” Brady said.

He took her hand and helped her slip into the dark interior. Expensive champagne chilled in a bucket, and soft music played in the background. She had to down two glasses of champagne that first night together to calm her nerves. She hadn’t been sure about her decision to leave with him. Now she thought it was the best one of her life.