Chapter 6

Eliza

I kick off my shoes and fall back onto my bed, looking up at the ceiling of the guest room at Mom’s house. Why did I turn down going home with Steve? Or I could have easily invited him up. I enjoyed the last time we were together, so what could be holding me back? Maybe I’m smarter than I give myself credit for. I need to work on this boyfriend-to-fiancé thing my dad is looking for, not anything else. And I don’t think Steve is going to be up for that.

I call Tanya.

“Are you just getting home from work?” she asks when she answers. “It’s nearly ten thirty.”

“No. I went out to dinner with Steve McCormick. He was leaving when I was, and we were both hungry.”

“You were hungry for his dick again, weren’t you?”

“Well, I did order six oysters on the half-shell and stare at him while I swallowed them. ”

“You’re cruel. It’s amazing he didn’t throw you down on the table.”

“He invited me home with him.”

Tanya gasps. “What? His home? Not a hotel?”

“He said his home.”

“Where does he live? I bet it’s in Shaughnessy Heights.”

I chuckle at the thought. Shaughnessy Heights is the most expensive neighborhood in all of Vancouver. “No, I got the feeling he doesn’t live the life of a trust-fund baby.”

Tanya snorts. “Have you seen his car collection?”

“I know what he gets paid working for the team, and I can imagine roughly what his salary at the hospital is. He can afford those cars.”

“Have you considered him for this thing your dad wants?”

“Not even for a second,” I respond immediately. If only that were true. It’s an impossible option, but it did cross my mind several times during dinner. And then I didn’t go home with him. “What would be the benefit of that for him?”

“Girl, having you on his arm.”

“He could have a lot of women on his arm.”

Tanya huffs. “Can’t you come up with something that will appeal to him? Something he needs?”

“The man doesn’t need anything.”

“He needs you.”

It’s useless to try to convince Tanya of anything when she’s like this. She’s so headstrong. Instead, I bring up the strategic plan I’m working on.

“I hope it includes details about you capturing a man, making wild monkey love, and having a boatload of kids,” she says.

She’s not listening to me at all. “Monkey love?” I clarify.

“You know…monkeys are rarely still, so it means lots of positions, lots of touching.”

“I thought maybe you meant we’d be grooming one another. ”

“That could be fun. Or having him brush your hair for hours.”

“Your kinks are definitely different than mine.”

“Oh, do tell,” she says eagerly.

“Goodnight, Tanya.”

She laughs. “See you in the morning.”

I lie in bed and wonder where Steve might live. There are plenty of condos downtown, and if he lives in an actual house, there are lots of those too. When my mind tires of thinking on that, I go back over the night we spent together. He was a generous lover. I left because I didn’t want the awkward morning. Now, I’m wishing I had stayed.

My alarm goes off at five, and I drag myself into Mom’s home gym. It’s well equipped with a lot of Pilates equipment. I would love a treadmill, but the stretching and resistance is good for me. It mixes things up.

I’m just finishing my workout when my phone pings.

Steve: Good morning. How do you like your coffee?

Me: I like it to taste like Earl Grey tea.

Steve: With milk and sugar?

Me: Yes. Why? Did we make plans this morning that I forgot about?

Steve: I’ll be by to pick you up at 7:30 to drive you into work. That way you don’t have to take a rideshare.

Me: You don’t have to do that. I can get myself to work.

Steve: I’m sure you can, but I’m offering, and I’ll have your beverage of choice.

Me: People may talk…

Steve: If we get there before 8, most won’t even know, and the ones that do will be too worried about their jobs to say anything.

He’s right, but I still think this is a mistake. Yet for some reason, I agree.

Me: I’ll be downstairs at seven thirty. What should I bring to our morning gathering?

Steve: Since you’re asking, I can’t get those sexy panties I peeled off of you that night we were together out of my mind. Maybe today’s pair?

My eyes nearly pop out of my head.

Me: You’re funny. You want people to see us together.

Steve: Why does it matter? You won’t be renewing my contract because of the new CFL requirements. I’m not a neurologist.

I sit back and reread his comment. He knows the bind we’re in. If I had control of the team, I’d fight it. Steve is an asset to the team.

Me: I’ll be downstairs at 7:30 .

Steve: With my favorite panties, I hope.

Me: We’ll see.

I race to the bathroom and shower. After, I lather up with my favorite lotion before I dress. The panties he referred to came from Agent Provocateur. They’re sexy, but not the only sexy pair I own.

I love sexy underwear, and I often wear it just for me. I love the way silk feels against my skin, the power it gives me, and the way it energizes me.

Today, I slip into another favorite set, but Steve will never know.

When seven thirty arrives, I’m downstairs, wrapped tight in my raincoat as I watch a Toyota 4Runner drive up to the door. The window rolls down, and I can see it’s Steve.

I rush out through the rain and into the car. “Another car?”

“This is the car I use the most, particularly if it’s going to rain or snow.”

I pull on my seatbelt, and he hands me my tea. When I take a sip, it’s perfect. “Thank you. This is just what I needed this morning.”

“Did you bring what I asked for?”

I roll my eyes. “I thought you were kidding.”

He shakes his head and grins. “I was just curious whether you’d do as I asked.”

He has no idea. I’m enjoying his game. “And what is my punishment for not complying?” His dick has started to tent beneath his pants.

“I imagine a spanking would be in order.”

I stiffen in my seat. But two can play this game. We’ve already arrived at the stadium. He pulls into the parking garage and then into his assigned spot.

Once he’s parked, I look over at him. “I guess I need a firm hand. ”

He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you said that now .”

I reach into my bag and hand him a pair of panties. They’re favorites of mine. “Enjoy.” I give him a wink.

His eyes grow wide. “You’re such a dick tease.”

“Only with you.”

“I’m taking you to dinner again tonight.”

“We’ll see how the day goes. It’s a busy one.”

“No. You be ready at seven, or I will take you over my knee right there in your office and spank your ass so hard you’ll feel it for a week.”

I shiver. “We’ll see.”

I get out of his vehicle and head toward the building, leaving him with a giant hard-on and my panties in his hand.

I have a day full of meetings. And I soon realize I’m completely distracted. I must check my phone a dozen times, but he doesn’t make any contact. I should be relieved, but I find I’m disappointed.

When seven o’clock rolls around, I look up from my computer and stretch my neck from side to side to release the tension.

“I know other ways to relax you,” I hear from the doorway.

I have to smile as I look over. “I know you do, and there’s a line of women willing, ready, and waiting.”

“Like there isn’t a line of men waiting to do the same for you.”

I smirk. “In my experience, there are two types of men attracted to me. One sees my money and thinks of all the things they could buy if they got their hands on it.”

“Same with the women you described.”

“And the other kind want me for the doors I can open.”

Steve looks at me thoughtfully. “We have a lot in common.”

“That doesn’t mean we need to repeat our close encounter. I didn’t think that was your thing anyway.”

He shrugs. “We’re two adults. We can enjoy some mutually beneficial workouts.”

“That’s what you call it?”

“Hey, I’m not doing my job if both of us aren’t breathing hard—at least three times.”

“Oh, that’s what this is about? You didn’t get your third time?”

He smirks. “I thought we both had fun.”

“I definitely had fun, but right now, with the season underway, I don’t have time to have fun.”

“I’m keeping the panties you gave me.”

“I figured you would.”

“Do you need a ride home?” He holds up his hands. “Just a ride in the car. Nothing more.”

“Thanks. I’ve got a few more hours of work, and then I’ll drive home. I have a car downstairs.”

He looks at me, his eyes wide.

“It was easier to take one car than two.”

“Will I see you at the game on Sunday?”

“I should be there.”

He smiles and disappears down the hall.

I need a cold shower. Damn, what he does to me.