“Me, either.” He wanted to drag her into his arms and press a hot kiss to her lips—the ones painted a pretty little shade of dusky pink today. She wore a brown dress and heels, her hair pulled up. He also wanted to kiss her neck, but he could tell she was wearing her professional persona today.
“I need to get down to the locker room,” he said. “You wanted to talk?”
“Yes. There will be media interviews after the game today.”
“There are always postgame media interviews.”
“Yes. And you haven’t always handled those well. Especially if your team loses. It tends to put you in a bad place and you take your mood out on the media.”
“Not gonna happen today. Have some faith in me. I have been listening to you.”
“Good. But just in case they come after you, and you know they will, keep your answers relevant to the game and to the Traders. No matter what.”
“All right.”
She stood. “Promise me?”
She wasn’t beating on him. She was worried about him, about how he was going to be perceived by the media and the public on this first game with his new team. He got that. “I promise.”
“Okay.” She grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
“Peaches.”
She paused. Turned. “Yes?”
“Don’t you think we should talk about the other night?”
She smiled at him. “Have a wonderful game. I’ll be rooting for you.”
SAVANNAH KNEW SHE WAS BEING A COCK-TEASING bitch, and that wasn’t in her nature. She’d gone to school with girls like that, girls who gave it out, then withheld it until they got what they wanted.
That wasn’t at all what she was doing. What she was doing was losing her ever-loving mind.
“Sorry I’m late. I had to deal with a couple other players, then I had to answer some calls, then email. It never ends.” She rolled her eyes.
Savannah looked up and smiled at Liz. Just what she needed, a friendly female who understood.
They were sitting in one of the private boxes, thanks to the team owner who graciously offered up one of his spaces for Elizabeth’s use. Liz had invited the Riley family, which included Cole’s family as well as Gavin and Mick’s family. The box was filled with a horde of Rileys today, except Gavin and Mick, of course, who were busy playing their respective sports. But Mick and Gavin’s parents had attended, as well as Cole’s parents, and they were all sitting huddled together. Savannah had greeted them when she’d walked in, then settled in at the front of the box so she could watch the game—and Cole’s behavior.
It was kickoff. Cleveland had deferred to the second half, so the Traders were going to receive. Savannah leaned forward and watched the return to the thirty-yard line. Good field position as the offense took the field to the raucous applause of the fans.
Savannah’s heart was pounding.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Liz said as she took a seat next to her.
Savannah laughed. “I might.”
“I’m sure you’ve done a great job with him, but this part is all up to him.”
“I know. But I—”
What? Cared about him? Wanted him to win so desperately her heart was in her throat? She had no idea what she felt about Cole. Her emotions were so mixed she didn’t know what to do or how to feel. That was the problem with having sex with a client, or at least with her having sex with a client.
She could have sex with just some random guy she was dating. If a relationship developed—which it typically didn’t—great. There was nothing to hold that back other than her own screwed-up views of love and relationships.
But with Cole, she was entering uncharted territory. Not only was he tangled up in her job, which had always been her one and only true love, she also felt something for him she’d never felt for another man.
She sighed.
“Hey, first play from scrimmage was a good run. Twelve yards. Cole wasn’t even on the field. I think you can exhale now, honey,” Liz said, rubbing her back.
Savannah looked up. “What?” She looked out at the field, realizing she’d totally missed the first play. “Of course. I guess I’m a little nervous.”
“I guess.”
Three plays later, Cole ran out on the field. Cassidy went into the shotgun, dipped back, and threw. Cole ran a slant and caught the ball, then sprinted for another fifteen yards and a first down.
The crowd erupted into cheers. Cole calmly threw the ball to the ref and reentered the huddle.
Savannah grinned. So did Liz.
“So far so good,” Savannah said.
Cole split his time at wide receiver with Davis and Fields and, depending upon the play called, sometimes occupied the field at the same time as one of them. Savannah made note of the number of plays he was given the ball. By the end of the first half it looked like he was sharing starter responsibility with the other two receivers. And he’d caught two long passes and scored a touchdown.
He was playing very well.
The rookie players got time in the second half, so Cole and the other receivers didn’t play.
By the fourth quarter, Savannah was relaxed. The Traders had the lead and were sailing on to preseason victory.
“Our boy looked good, didn’t he?” Jack Riley asked.
“He looked very good,” Savannah said.
“I think this move to the Traders will be the best thing for his career.”
“You can thank our Elizabeth for that,” Jimmy said, winding his arm around his daughter-in-law.
Liz grinned. “Just doing my job.”
“With a little bit of Gavin’s and Mick’s urging, I think,” Jimmy said with a grin.
“Maybe a little. But I wouldn’t have done it if Cole didn’t have the talent. Hopefully, this will be a good season for him.”
“I’ve watched a couple of his interviews, Savannah,” Cole’s mother said. “He seems so much more…polished.”
A high compliment, coming from one of Cole’s parents. “He’s learning a lot about the team. He’s done his homework.”
“He’s a little rough around the edges. I have to admit I’ve cringed a bit during his tussles with the media. I hope you can work with him on that.”
She smiled at his mother. “I’ll do my best.”