Chapter 7

SEVEN

"We are on TV again!" Grayson waved at the crowd as he jumped up and down.

Sure enough, the television monitor inside the owner's suite at the Blaze stadium displayed a shot of the skybox and its occupants for the fourth time in the first half. Every time Noah completed a pass, or in this case, a touchdown, the cameras panned this way. The crowd roared its approval when the Blaze kicker sent the ball through the uprights for the extra point.

Charlotte clapped enthusiastically along with them. She was happy to see the Blaze—and Noah—playing so well. She was not happy that the network kept zooming in on her.

She slumped back down into her seat beside Sophie Osbourne. The young woman had the audacity to laugh.

"It's not funny," Charlotte ground out through the smile she kept plastered on her face just in case the cameras panned back to them.

"Oh, come on." Sophie elbowed her. "At least the media isn't crucifying him anymore."

Charlotte gestured to the field. "Because he's playing brilliantly. I have nothing to do with it. I swear, the media sensationalizes everything. It's obnoxious."

"Well, maybe you two should stop giving them sexy videos to use as click-bait."

Sophie swiped through her phone, sighing when she pulled up the video someone in the bar shot the other night. It featured Noah tucking her hair behind her ear. The stupid clip was all over social media. Charlotte hated having the private moment invaded, much less micro-analyzed by sports reports and the average Joe.

"That is an incredibly romantic gesture for two people who are just friends." Sophie said the last two words in a sing-song voice.

It was romantic.

She hadn't expected to find Noah at Devlin's Friday evening. All she wanted was a salad, a quiet place to think. Instead, she got a side dish of delicious jock to go with her meal while his mesmerizing touch scattered her brain cells.

It was getting hard to pretend she didn't like the guy when he kept touching her and seducing her to bare her soul. Why was it that she was comfortable telling him things she couldn't tell anyone else? And then, as if that wasn't enough, she kissed him. Ignoring his dumb challenge that she had to beg him for a kiss, she took his mouth like she had a right to it.

Her cheeks grew warm just thinking about it. Thank God nobody in the kitchen had their cell phones armed and ready. They would have gotten a screen full. For heaven's sake, she was practically dry humping the man in the hallway.

A day and a half later, she still couldn't fathom what had possessed her to jump him. Maybe it was that she knew she might never have the opportunity to savor his kiss again. And she wanted to thank him. He'd accused her of not being gracious. Simply saying the words would have probably been more appropriate than mauling the man, she realized too late.

Except Noah didn't exactly object. In fact, he'd kissed her back as though she was his type. As if he wanted to kiss her.

Don't read too much into it. He's a guy, she kept reminding herself.

The expression on his face when she revealed what she'd overheard three years ago puzzled her, however. He actually looked pained to have his words thrown back at him. More likely, he was simply embarrassed to be caught berating the team owner's sister and the look she saw was nothing but guilt.

She was just being whimsical, hoping it was something else.

"It is nice to see Noah getting positive press, though," Sophie mused. "He's a decent guy who deserves to be treated that way."

"If you like him so much, why don't you date him?"

The words came out of Charlotte's mouth with a bit more bite than they should have. Which was ridiculous because Sophie was perfect for Noah. Sweet, creative, and, having grown up around football, she wasn't easily intimidated by the jock persona.

They would look cute together, too. Sophie wouldn't have to worry about giving up her heels so she wouldn't tower over Noah. The young artist had outgrown her pink hair—it was now strawberry blonde—and ditched the nose ring she'd taunted her father with as a teen. They'd have adorable babies

That was not jealousy knotting up Charlotte's stomach.

"No thank you," Sophie replied. "Athletes are not my thing. Especially football players."

A melancholy look settled on the younger woman's face.

"I'm getting the sense there is a story here." Charlotte shifted in her chair so that she was facing her friend.

Sophie's laugh lacked any humor. "Just me being na?ve in high school. Never again."

"What happened?"

"It's a tale as old as time," Sophie said with a wave of her hand. "I got a little too star-struck when the quarterback of the football team claimed to like me. I was a geeky sophomore with outrageous outfits and wild hair. What could the prom king possibly see in me? But it was nice to finally sit at the cool kids' table for once, you know?"

Charlotte didn't know. Her trust fund put her front and center at the cool kids' table every day of her life. A twinge of guilt nibbled at her. Would she even have paid attention to someone like Sophie?

"Anyway, it turns out he was using me for an intro to my dad. He was trying to get a walk on spot with a D one football program and he thought a nudge from the Blaze GM would help." She shook her head. "Luckily, my dad saw right through him."

Charlotte squeezed her friend's hand. "You're very fortunate to have your dad looking out for you."

This time, Sophie's laugh was genuine. "I didn't think so at the time." She quickly sobered up, a soft smile forming on her lips as she peered over at her father and his second wife, Annabeth, the mother of former Blaze star, Will Connelly. "But he turned out to be pretty cool."

Asia Dupree-Carter, media director for the team, dropped into a chair on Charlotte's other side. "Can I bend your ear for a minute?"

"Sure," Charlotte replied. "What's up?"

"I've been fielding requests all day for a statement."

Charlotte waited for Asia to elaborate. "A statement?" she asked when it was clear Asia wasn't going to elaborate.

"About you and Noah."

"Uh, oh." Sophie sounded more smug than concerned.

"Does the team normally comment on the players' personal lives?" Charlotte demanded.

"It depends on the situation. And this situation sits firmly under the no comment heading." She leaned forward in her chair. "But now I'm in a pickle. We've been working behind the scenes to subtly elevate Noah's image among the fans."

Charlotte snorted a laugh. "Yeah, I saw how well that went last weekend."

Asia groaned. "That's on me. I didn't see it coming." She fanned herself with the program she was holding. "But honestly, can you blame them? And from where I sit, you looked like you were enjoying your purchase."

"It wasn't a purchase. It was a rescue," Charlotte snapped.

"Whatever you say," Asia said with a chuckle. "But your ‘rescue' is why I'm in a pickle." She sighed. "We invited a young heart transplant patient from Make-A-Wish to the game. He's going to meet with Noah after."

"That's sweet, but I'm not seeing the pickle."

"His sister, who, according to her mom, couldn't care less about football, came today because she wants to meet you."

"Me?"

Asia nodded. "Charlotte, there are little girls in the stadium wearing your affirmation bracelets, Noah's jersey, and waving signs cheering him on. The media is eating it up. No one else in the league is getting this kind of adoration. For Noah's sake, we need to tap into it."

Charlotte fingered the three silver bracelets circling her wrist.

"What are you proposing?" Sophie asked.

"That Charlotte join Noah at the meet and greet with the family after the game."

"With cameras rolling?" Charlotte choked out.

"Nope." Asia shook her head. "That would take all the attention away from Dalton, the little boy. We do want media exposure, obviously, so we've arranged a little press conference for Dalton and his family afterward."

"Oh, I like that," Sophie cooed. "They can tell everyone how nice Noah is. And Charlie, too."

Asia nodded. "Obviously there will be cameras as you both exit the stadium. But you two can just walk out with no comment. Like friends would do. Nothing scandalous."

"Good, because we are just friends." Technically, Charlotte wasn't sure what she was to Noah. Friends would be nice, though. She ignored Sophie's inelegant snort.

"‘Just friends' works for me," Asia said.

"What did Noah say?" Charlotte wasn't committing to anything without running it by him first.

Asia rolled her eyes. "You know how he is. Tight-lipped about his personal life. Except it's a little hard for you both to keep your friendship under wraps any longer. He said he'd do whatever you wanted."

"Aww." Sophie slapped Charlotte on the shoulder. "That's sweet."

It was Charlotte's turn to roll her eyes. "What does my brother think?" she asked Asia.

All three of them turned to focus their attention on Jay, who was playing a video game with Grayson while the game on the field was at halftime.

"I don't consult him with these types of things. I leave that up to the GM."

"So, this is Hank's idea?"

Asia nodded solemnly. "Hank felt every shot the media fired at Noah last season like it was directed at him.

"I'll say," Sophie chimed in. "Deep down, my dad is a big softy when it comes to his players."

Charlotte sucked in a deep breath. She'd felt those shots, too. Every one of them. Especially the ones Bucky Kincaid used to smear Noah's reputation. Because she was the guilty party who brought Noah into Bucky's crosshairs.

"Okay." She agreed before she could change her mind.

Noah had just played the game of his life. Thirty-one completed passes—three of them for touchdowns—without a single interception. He'd even scrambled for the first down twice. But what did the media want to focus on? Charlotte Davis. More specifically, why he couldn't keep his hands off her. As if he knew the answer to that. It had taken every ounce of composure he had to stand at the podium and deflect their ridiculous questions about his personal life.

"You handled that well," Asia said as they exited the elevator, taking them to the stadium's private suites. "I know it wasn't easy."

He didn't bother to answer, afraid that he might take out his frustrations on the woman who'd had his back the previous season. Especially when the media were piling on.

"Thank you for doing this today," she continued, her trendy sneakers squeaking on the concrete floor.

"I'll do anything for the kids. Especially the sick ones." He shifted one of the game balls from one hand to the other. Most guys would hold on to a keepsake from a monumental game. But Noah knew the ball would do more good to a kid recovering from a heart transplant than it would sitting in a dusty display case.

"Charlotte is already inside." She handed him a surgical mask. "Dalton is vulnerable to germs. He's also a bit worn out from all the excitement of the day. His mom asks that we keep this brief."

"I should have skipped the presser," he murmured as he secured the mask over his mouth.

Asia laughed. "If only."

Noah was prepared for a subdued mood to greet him when he entered the suite. The little boy still wasn't out of the woods. He should have known that wouldn't be the case with Charlotte there. Despite her leather pants and willowy peasant blouse, she was on the floor with Dalton on her lap. The two were playing a game on her phone. Beside her, a girl who appeared to be about middle school age sat hanging on every word Charlotte said, a worshipful look in her eyes.

"Here he is," Charlotte exclaimed. "The man destined to be named the player of the week." Her eyes were smiling as she led the room in applause.

Dalton gingerly rose from her lap and extended his fist for a bump. "I knew you could do it," the little boy said. "You're going to be the MVP for sure this year."

Noah's throat grew tight. It was humbling to have this kid believing in him with such blind faith. This is what it is all about, he thought. This right here.

He crouched down on his haunches. "Well, that would be cool, wouldn't it? I'll do my best. But you have to promise to do what the doctors and your parents say so you can come to the ceremony with me."

Dalton's brown eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Really." Noah bumped the kid's fist again. "And to seal the deal, I brought you a game ball. How do you want it signed?"

They spent ten more minutes with Dalton and his family before Asia herded them toward the elevator.

"It's time for your press conference, little man," she said.

Dalton looked up at Noah with pure delight in his eyes. "I'm going to be on TV," he said.

"Try not to get nervous up there," Noah advised. "Just pretend they're all in their underwear."

The little boy belly laughed. His parents thanked both Noah and Charlotte for meeting with their kids.

Charlotte tousled Dalton's hair. "Next time I'm in town, I need some Minecraft tips. You play better than anyone I know."

The doors to the elevator headed to the players' exit opened first. Asia inclined her head in that direction.

"That's your ride," she said to Noah. "Remember, just smile and walk."

Noah followed Charlotte into the elevator, where both shed their masks as soon as the doors closed. Charlotte gulped in a breath. Then another before bending over at the waist.

"Hey, are you okay?" He laid a hand against her back.

She trembled beneath his palm. Then he heard the sobs. He punched the stop button, causing the elevator to lurch to a halt. No way was he going to let the media see her like this.

"Shh." He gathered her up in his arms. "It's okay."

"It's not," she cried. "He's just a little boy. It's not fair."

It wasn't fair. But then Noah already knew life wasn't fair. He tucked his hand beneath her long hair and skimmed his palm along her back. Her eyes were shining when she looked up at him.

"It just as easily could be Grayson or Vivian needing a transplant," she said between gasps.

Her devotion to her niece and nephew was endearing. Noah pulled her into his arms. "But it's not either of them. And even if it were, they'd survive."

She curled into his chest. "But those parents. It has to be agonizing for them. I don't know how they are getting through it."

Memories came hurtling back. "It's no picnic for anyone when a family is going through something like that."

Charlotte went still. A long minute later, she shifted against him, lifting her chin so her eyes met his. "Why does it sound like you're speaking from experience?"

He wiped at the moisture beneath her eyes with his thumbs before speaking. "My sister had leukemia. They discovered it when she was twelve. It was the nasty kind. It took five years before they cured her of it."

Her hands traveled up along his chest, where she settled her palms. "Oh, Noah. That must have been devastating for your family. How old were you?"

"I was five when she first got sick." He swallowed painfully.

"It must have been difficult for you to understand."

He nodded. "I just wanted everything to go back to the way it was. My parents were stressed all the time. About Alexandra and money and…" He shrugged. "I did my best to be helpful and invisible at the same time."

She drew in a deep breath. "Oh."

"Don't. It all worked out. Alex is fine. Thriving, actually. Married with two kids. We all got through it. Dalton and his family will, too."

Charlotte's cellphone buzzed in her pocket. She tugged it out and glanced at the screen. "My security team is about to call S.W.A.T. to get us out of this elevator." She gave him a wane smile.

"Time to face the music." He reached for the start button.

"Wait!" She dabbed at her eyes. "I must look a mess."

He shook his head. "You always look beautiful."

A smile lit up her face. He felt a fission of pride at giving her a reason to smile. Even though what he'd told her was true. She was beautiful.

He punched the button to get the elevator moving again. A member of her security team was waiting when the doors opened. Behind him was a horde of cameras pointed in their direction. Reporters shouted questions as they walked the gauntlet of media outlets lined up in the long hallway.

"You were great today, Hudson," one of the janitors yelled out.

Charlotte linked her arm through Noah's and beamed at him. "You were better than great today," she murmured. "You were amazing."

Something in his chest swelled at her praise. Cameras whirred as he waved at the janitorial crew. Everyone was yelling at them to look this way or that, but Charlotte kept her eyes focused on him, a wily smile on her face. He laughed at her cheekiness.

Having navigated the maze of media, her security team steered them toward the doors leading to the private parking lot. The area was blessedly empty.

"Give us a minute," Noah said to her bodyguards.

Charlotte nodded when both men looked at her for confirmation.

"We need to hustle if you're going to make that flight," one of them said, before disappearing through the door.

"Are you going to be okay?" Noah asked once they were alone.

She nodded. "You have a way of making things better." She reached up and adjusted the collar of his shirt. "Thank you."

He stepped in closer, instead of doing what he should—take a giant step back. Way back. With a soft sigh, she leaned in, closing the remaining space between their bodies.

"I like your other thank you technique," he murmured against the corner of her lips.

"You said you wouldn't initiate a kiss again unless I begged," she whispered.

"I lied."

Noah had asked for these few minutes to reassure himself she was alright. But now all he could think about was kissing her. The little hum of pleasure she made when his mouth settled over hers detonated something inside him. He tangled his fingers in her hair, angling her mouth so he could take what he wanted like a marauding pirate.

Teeth and tongues collided as Charlotte did her own plundering while anxious sighs of need escaped the back of her throat. No other woman responded to Noah's kisses quite like she did. Her hunger was just as intense as his.

And if he had a lick of sense left in his brain, he would be running for the hills. Because this wasn't any ordinary woman in his arms. This was Charlotte Davis. Princess Charlotte. Wealthy. Privileged. World famous. And so out of his league it was ridiculous.

A loud banging sounded on the exit door. Charlotte tore her mouth away. Noah released her immediately. They both were breathing hard. She pressed her fingers to her lips. He dragged his through his hair to keep from reaching for her again.

"My flight back to London leaves in two hours," she whispered.

He nodded, afraid if he spoke that he'd embarrass himself by begging her to stay. Which was absurd, because she'd never choose Noah. Hell, she probably had another guy, a sophisticated playboy, waiting in Europe for her. The two would be laughing at her lapse in judgment over a bottle of ridiculously priced champagne later tonight.

She adjusted her blouse and her hair, but when her eyes met his, they were bewildered, as if she was confused about what to do. Noah knew what had to be done, though.

"Let's get you out of here," he said, despite it being the last thing he wanted. "You need to get back to ruling your cosmetics empire. You've got a CEO to hire, remember?"

He'd somehow muffed the play because her eyes were back to being glassy.

"I was trying not to think about that," she said.

Christ. Now he'd upset her again.

"You'll figure it out. You're a smart woman. Trust your instincts."

She gasped in a breath, then her lips formed a shaky grin. "You think I'm smart?"

The banging on the door grew more urgent.

"Not if you miss your flight," he teased, trying to lighten things up.

He pushed the door open. The confusion was back in her eyes. Her bodyguards rushed her into the SUV. She gave Noah an aggravated wave just before one of her team closed the back passenger door. Noah responded with a nod. He turned to the bodyguard.

"Take good care of her," he ground out through his tight jaw.

"Always. It's in the job description." The guy jumped into the passenger seat and the SUV sped off.