Chapter Nineteen

C hapter Nineteen

A rna

S tepping onto the field with Marlee and the small group of photographers, I spotted Andy right away.

Positioned on the other side of the field with his back to us, he stood talking to a small group of players. He motioned to one side of the field before sweeping his arm to direct their gaze to the other end. Whatever he was saying held their full attention and observing the authority in that alone was sexy as all hell. I was often described as both confident and assertive, but lately I wondered if maybe there was a hidden submissive streak lingering in my bones. I contemplated the baritone of his voice giving me instructions in the bedroom and I shivered as a chill moved down my spine.

When he took a step back, they dispersed immediately, beginning whatever it was he asked of them, and I admired the way he moved with such agility and precision while continuing to lead his group.

"Holy shit, Arns. I might actually pee my pants." Marlee whispered in my ear, and I turned towards her, focusing on the look of awe which painted her features and not how amenable I could potentially be given the right incentive.

"I've never been a sports lover, but even I find it overwhelming out here." I kept my voice low, mindful of anyone else overhearing that I was conducting, what was pitched as the sporting article of the year, with almost zero care for football itself.

I observed a little while longer before remembering it was a work day and I was on the clock. Taking a moment and stepping away from everyone I glanced around the stadium. The scoreboard was dark, situated above the vacated pale blue seating which directly contrasted against the luscious green of the field, creating a calm serenity. There were a couple of people touching up the white lines which marked the measurements of the field and a few coaching staff strategising in the centre of the oval. Otherwise, it was small clusters of Hearts' players running a variety of drills, and us, standing over near the fence. Marlee was taking photos on her phone in what she probably thought was a discreet manner and I stifled a giggle, glad I brought her with me to experience this.

Noticing the photographers still standing idly to the side, I looped them into my vision on exactly how I wanted this to look.

"Team - we will need several options for this feature. I haven't yet spoken to Andy about what he would like, however, I will require you to be both attentive and considerate today. If I need a certain shot, I will ask. Otherwise, do not take photos without either mine or Andy's permission. I want to remind you of the non-disclosure you all signed. The images you take today are to be shared with no one other than myself or my boss. Before you even take your cameras out of their cases, I need to know you understand this."

The two younger females nodded, practised smiles on their eager faces. The third, a male who appeared to be the most experienced of the three based on the way he directed the younger women, stepped towards me as if speaking on behalf of his team. He smiled, his eyes flicking down to my chest for the briefest moment before returning to my face.

"You won't have any issues with us breaching confidentiality, Arnabelle. We are at your service."

The implication could not have been clearer if he wrote it on his forehead and just as I was about to firmly put him in his place, someone cleared their throat behind me. Spinning around, I was met with a very sweaty, very handsome and very close Andy. He was glaring over my shoulder with a focused look, that if I wasn't mistaken, held an element of possession.

I quickly peeked over to Marlee who was flapping her hands around and mouthing, ‘ Oh my god, ' before biting my lower lip to prevent the laugh which threatened to break loose. Looking back at Andy, I smiled.

"Hey, you."

His face immediately softened into a grin, sending a tingle through my body. The things I would let him do to me.

"Hey you, yourself." He said, hitting pause on my vision which involved him and I in a much more private setting. "I didn't realise you were here already. Time gets away on the training paddock." He lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Was he purposely trying to make me faint? I tore my eyes away to check on Marlee who appeared as though she were about to join me in the land of the unconscious and that was enough to snap me back to the moment.

"Should have photographed that." I said softly, so only he would have heard my cheeky words. Andy laughed and any tension I was feeling after our last encounter melted away. He was so easy to be around, and he brought out a side of me that not many were able to see. At work I maintained a specific focus. An almost hyper-vigilance where I was waiting for someone to do something I would need to manage or fix – mainly since Darren was appointed. However, my usual guarded demeanour didn't feel necessary here.

"Andy, this is Marlee. She is part of the - argh - team at Urban Pulse." I gestured for Marls to come closer as she masked her awe with a face that only I could see her excitement through. She reached out her hand and Andy leant forward, accepting the gesture with his own.

"Nice to meet you, Marlee. And what is your role at Pulse?" His voice held a hint of humour, which she also noticed if her brief look of horror was anything to go by.

"I am, ah - ah, an editor. But junior. Not as experienced as Arna over here. I am following her today as a learning experience."

Nice save, Marls.

Andy turned back to me, his eyes creased from his smile and Marlee seemed to relax a little. He looked at the photographers and his smile faltered before he spoke.

"What are you thinking for today, Arna?" He spoke with confidence, loud enough for everyone to hear, before leaning closer and adding, "Your assertive little speech before was impressive by the way."

I inhaled a quick breath, suddenly feeling a little flushed. Clearing my throat, I ignored the way his words made me light up and gestured to the field before I responded with something inappropriate. "Well, I was thinking of taking some photos with just you and then some of you with the team. Afterwards we could possibly move into the rooms and get some in the gym." I shrugged as if the thought alone didn't cause another hot flush.

"Sounds great. I'll rally some of the boys," He replied. "If you guys want to set up over there, we can come over." He signalled to an unoccupied section of the field, and they nodded. Once they began walking, he reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. My cheeks flamed at the unexpected contact, and he grinned, very aware of the effect he was having on me and seemingly enjoying it too.

"You look really good today." He spoke as if it were perfectly natural for him to compliment me, sending a flutter of butterflies swarming in my tummy. Composure was what I needed right now, but I was having a hard time even remembering to inhale let alone finding equanimity. Without awaiting my response, he walked away and only then was I able to breathe easier. When he was far enough away that he was no longer in ear shot, Marlee shrieked.

"What the hell was that? He practically eye-fucked you like he did in those photos. I'm struggling to hold it together for both of us. I feel like I'm about to hyperventilate." She narrowed her eyes at something behind me and froze. "Shit! Is that Jay Towlson and Jack Grant coming over?"

I turned to follow her gaze and spotted Andy and a few of the players approaching.

"I think so, but you'd know better than I would. Keep your cool, you weirdo." I hissed, warning myself just as much as her.

"Says you, bitch. I bet you need to change your panties after Andy flashed you his abs. Please let me be your bridesmaid." She mumbled before turning to face them with a shy smile.

I stepped forward, ignoring the way my heart was still beating a little too quickly, and put my work persona firmly back in place.

"Hey guys. Thank you so much for having us here. We won't keep you long, we would just like a few photos of you training if that's okay?"

Jay moved quickly, stepping towards Marlee before looking her up and down. I would intervene, especially as she was now dating someone, but judging by the stars in her eyes I didn't think she minded.

"I don't believe we've met as I would definitely remember if we did. I'm Jayson, but you can call me Jay." He said and I looked on in anticipation.

"We all call you Jay, you fool." Jack laughed, slapping him on the shoulder jovially, extending a warm smile in Marlee's direction.

Andy laughed and the rest of the boys joined him as Jay grinned cheekily, appearing unfazed by being called out.

"Please ignore these clowns." Andy said to Marlee and I. "Let's get these photos before it gets too hot."

Getting the images was less challenging than expected and I had Andy to thank for that. While he clearly hated being the centre of the shoot, when it was his turn, he transitioned into the perfect model, and we rarely needed a second take. Anytime anyone began jostling, he held them accountable, and they listened, ensuring we got what we needed. When the cameras weren't focusing, however, he was funny, thoughtful and kind. He peppered Marlee with questions about her role at Pulse, confirming that he didn't believe she was a colleague of mine, but also took time to show her all the Hearts' facilities, like he had with me the first time I visited.

When it was time to leave, he escorted us out to where we were parked and thanked us for our time as though we had provided him the favour. He shook our hands in farewell, and I didn't miss the way his eyes lingered on mine a little longer or the way his thumb caressed my hand for the briefest of moments almost involuntarily.

Marlee barely breathed the entire drive to her house in between describing every thought, feeling and emotion she experienced over the previous three hours. And there were plenty. I hadn't even told her I was having dinner with him tonight, and given her reactions to everything else, I was glad he didn't mention it either.

It wasn't as though I was intentionally hiding it from her, something I would never do, but I wasn't ready to answer any questions. I needed to be sure I wasn't reading him entirely wrong before I allowed myself to get my hopes up and I was expecting this evening would allow for that.

When I returned to the office, I was excited to find the images already waiting in my inbox. I scrolled through them, mesmerised by the way the light bounced off Andy's tanned biceps, highlighting the intricate pattern of his muscles. There were some of him mucking around with his teammates and I lingered on one where he was frozen in a silent laugh. His eyes were scrunched, and he was leaning back slightly with his hand resting on his stomach. Staring at the photo, I could almost hear the dark cadence as it rumbled from deep within.

It seemed that the relaxed and happy version of Andy was my favourite, and I again admired the way he held the full attention and respect of his team – his role so obviously apparent in both the title and his demeanour. What I couldn't yet determine though, was how someone as sexy, intelligent and respected as he, didn't have a significant other. Did he prefer to sleep with a woman once and then move on to the next? Would I be interested in that if he were to offer? I pondered what that might look like as I navigated through the last of the files from today.

There was no doubt these photographs were going to compliment the article coming to fruition. That was another exciting thought, yet I couldn't help but notice how the idea of not needing to see him sat uneasily in my chest. He made it effortless to want to be around him and it wasn't something I wanted to end anytime soon. A thought which only a few months ago would have been laughable.

Realising it was nearly time to leave, I grabbed my things and headed out, needing every second I had to prepare for dinner. I bit my lip as I remembered his invitation and the anticipation that tonight might be different. Maybe he wanted things to be different.

Not as a reporter .

His words hopped around my mind – a nerve inducing yet titillating thought which lingered the entire time I readied myself for our date.