“Did you bring a date that night?”
He frowned. “What?”
“When you took your parents out to dinner for their anniversary. Did you bring a date?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s why you had the media stalking you. You’re a hot commodity, Cole. You’ve had big endorsement deals, you’ve done commercials, and you’ve been known to date high-profile women. That makes you attractive to the media. Next time you want to take your parents out for a quiet dinner, don’t bring a date.”
“It shouldn’t matter whether I bring a date or not. The media should leave me alone.”
She smiled at him. “What you want and what you’re going to get are two different things. You’ve been in the NFL for six years now, and you were hot even when you played college ball. If you don’t want this life, then maybe you should consider retiring.”
He was about ready to let Peaches hoof it back to her car. “That’s a bullshit suggestion.”
“And you’re a whiner. You have a great career, you make more money than most of the people in this country will ever dream of. You have a ton of perks, you can retire before you’re forty and live a life of luxury—provided you’re financially astute and haven’t pissed it all away. Yet you’ve cornered yourself into a terrible reputation and your career is hanging by a thread. What? Fame, money, and success aren’t enough for you? Are you unhappy?”
He pushed his chair back, pulled a wad of bills out of his wallet, and threw them on the table, then tossed some extra at her. “You can take a cab back to your car, Peaches. We’re done here.”
He walked out.
NOW THAT WAS THE COLE RILEY SHE’D RESEARCHED. Savannah took a deep breath and reached for her glass of iced tea to take a sip.
Carmen came over. “Are you all right, dear?”
She smiled up at the woman. “I’m just fine. Thank you for asking. I believe Cole left more than enough money to cover the bill.”
She clasped her hands together. “He always does. He’s very generous.”
Yeah, he was generous, all right. She left the money he’d thrown at her, figuring Mike could use it. She pushed back her chair and stood. “The meal was wonderful, Carmen. Thank you so much.”
“It’s so unlike Cole to be so, to be such a…”
Jerk? Asshole? Prick? Baby? Seemed to her he’d acted just as she’d expected. Exactly as the profile had indicated. She laid her hand on Carmen’s arm. “It’s quite all right, Carmen.”
“Men. They’re difficult to understand sometimes. My Fred. Most of the time he’s so warm and loving. And then sometimes I’d like to bash him upside the head with my cast-iron skillet. Of course they’d arrest me if I killed him, so I call him names instead.”
She couldn’t imagine a mean word coming out of the tiny woman, but Savannah laughed. “Well, yes, killing them is illegal.”
Carmen linked her arm with Savannah’s. “They’re all a pain in the ass every now and then and require a lot of patience. But the great sex is worth it.”
Savannah blinked. “I’m sure it is. Thank you again for lunch, Carmen. I’ll just call a taxi.”
“You wait in here, then. It’s hot outside.” Carmen wandered off and Savannah stared after her.
Clearly Savannah had a lot to learn about men and women and relationships. Right now she was happy to be single.
She pulled out her phone when she walked outside, surprised to see Cole parked at the front door. He was leaning against the passenger-side door, his arms crossed in front of him.
“So maybe I do have a temper.”
She slipped her phone in her purse and walked toward him.
“And maybe I can be an ass**le.”
She put on her sunglasses and tilted her head back.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “But not everything in your super secret file there is true.”
“Then start proving me wrong instead of proving everything in it is right.”
He clenched his jaw, but then he gave her a quick nod. He moved away and opened the door for her, helped her up, then climbed in on his side.
“Where to now?” he asked.
“I’m yours to command. Take me wherever you’re going.”
He relaxed his shoulders, shot her a grin, and started the car.
At least he didn’t stay angry long. Point in his favor.
FOUR
COLE DROVE SAVANNAH BACK TO HER CAR FIRST AND told her she’d need a change of clothes for later.
Since she intended to shadow him to determine his routine, she told him he might as well follow her to her place, then they could go in one car.
He’d expected her to live in a condo like he did, so he was surprised when she pulled into the driveway of a single-story home. The lawn was well maintained, with a huge tree in the front and a nice porch where two chairs and a table sat. Hanging pottery made it seem…homey.
“Wow. Nice digs. Team footing the bill for this?”
She didn’t answer and instead went to the door and opened it. He followed her inside, where it was also nice. It wasn’t a new home, but it was decorated nicely—all warm colors with overstuffed sofas and pillows and wood tables and flooring.
She laid her briefcase on the table. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Water is good.”
“Help yourself in the kitchen.” She headed toward her bedroom, then stopped at the doorway and turned to face him. “What kind of clothes will I need?”
“Got a party dress?”
“Define party dress.”
“Night club.”
“Yes.”
“Bring that. You can change at my place.”
“All right.” Savannah went to her closet and selected a black and white cocktail dress and a pair of shoes, bagged her makeup and some jewelry, and came back into the kitchen.
Cole had a bottled water in his hand and was standing at her back door, looking out at the lake.
She’d bought the house for the lake view. She liked having the unfenced property, didn’t want the obstruction to mar the beauty of the lake. She liked sitting out back and watching kids play and parents walking them along the path. Occasionally, ducks would frolic in the water. It gave her a sense of peace and allowed her mind to settle.
Her mind was definitely not settled now, not with a stunningly attractive man standing in her kitchen. He’d struck a casual pose and hadn’t yet noticed her, so he was relaxed and unguarded, just peering out at the water.