+ Excerpt +

Dylan

Arriving early at the restaurant to rehearse my strategy for the evening, I followed the hostess to a two-person table in front of the windows. The Rusty Scupper was located three stories above the Inner Harbor Marina in Baltimore boasting impressive views of Harbor Place, the Inner Harbor, and Fell’s Point.

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The fresh flowers on the table, the pianist playing softly in the background, and the lights of the city reflected on the water was romantic.

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“Ms. Gannon?” asked a familiar gravelly voice.

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I rose from my chair, taking in the way Reid’s thighs strained against his suit pants, his trim waist, broad shoulders, and his dark hair. His chin held a delicious amount of scruff though his brown eyes were wary.

 

I’d seen pictures of him in uniform, even the head shot they used for games. I wasn’t prepared to see the man in a suit. My heart picked up, pounding in my chest, roaring in my ears.

 

He stopped in front of me, his eyes flickering down my body to the red evening gown which I knew clung to every curve. I licked my suddenly dry lips, my head light at his proximity and his impressive size.

 

“Nice to meet you.” I held out my hand as if he was a potential business associate even though the tumbling of my stomach indicated attraction.

 

His large hand closed firmly around mine, engulfing me with warmth and strength, sending tingles up my elbow.

When he released me, I cleared my throat, moving to sit as he pushed the chair underneath me, smoothing my evening gown over my legs to quell my sudden nerves. My plans to pitch Kids Speak flew out my head. This felt like a date with a man I very much wanted to impress.

 

I was adept at social interactions, speaking engagements, and charming anyone in a room. Meeting him unsettled me.

He sat across from me, his large body filling my view. His leg brushed mine under the table, his steady gaze meeting mine. “You won a date with me.”

 

“I did.” My lips curled into a smile when he moved his leg so it wasn’t touching mine anymore. Was he as affected as I was?

His brow raised. “Am I what you expected?”

 

I wanted to say something witty and funny, but I couldn’t. My gaze fell to the tablecloth covered table between us. I’d called the front office to request him. I couldn’t tell him that.

 

I lifted my eyes, attempting to infuse my voice with a teasing tone. Instead, I sounded breathless. “You’re more than what I expected.”

 

He regarded me for so long I shifted in my seat. Had I admitted too much?

 

“You love football?”

 

I hated to admit I didn’t, especially when I needed his help. I placed my elbows on the table, leaning toward him. “I don’t. I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know much about it.”

 

His eyes dropped to my cleavage. The move was like a caress, heating my bare skin.

 

He slowly lifted his gaze, tilted his head as he considered me. “Then why did you bid on the date?”

 

There was something about you. I found you attractive. I wanted to get to know you better.   “I wanted to help out Kids Speak.”

 

He let out a breath. “I’m happy you’re—” he cleared his throat, “not an enthusiastic fan or a cleat chaser…”

 

His voice dropped on the word chaser. I snorted, covering my mouth with my hand to cover the unladylike move. “I don’t know what that is. I’ve never chased anyone.”

 

His eyes sparked. “Is that so?”

 

I nodded, a smile playing on my lips.

 

I’ve never been attracted to athletes. Their size or large muscles never did it for me. It was his turbulent brown eyes that intrigued me. I wanted to sift through the shadows, weighing each one before turning them over in my hands.

 

I wanted to know what he thought of me. I hadn’t anticipated the attraction flowing through my veins, hot and heavy. Did he feel it too?

 

“I’m glad you’re the one who’s here.”