5. Francesca

5

FRANCESCA

I push open the double doors, exit the arena, thankful to have gotten through the day. I gasp as my lungs take in the frigid mountain air. I've been here almost a week, and I may never get used to this cold.

I miss Florida.

I yank on the zipper of my coat and force it as close to my neck as the fabric will allow. I tie my scarf tightly around my neck and pull the fabric over my mouth and nose.

Great. Now my glasses are fogging up.

Thankfully, it's a short walk to my apartment.

I let out a breath when I step through the front door of the apartment building. A blast of warm air from the ceiling fan blows across my face. I pull my scarf down.

Warm, at last.

I hurry to the panel of mailboxes, pull the key from my purse, and unlock my box. Not expecting any mail, I grin when I pull out a note that I have a package waiting at the front desk.

"Good afternoon, Miss." I'm greeted at the front desk by an elderly gentleman. "How can I help?"

"Hi. I got this note in my mailbox that there's a package for me."

The gentleman studies the note. "Apartment 312. Let me check on that."

He disappears through a doorway behind the counter. I pull out my cell phone and check for any new text messages. Someone bumps my elbow, and I almost drop the phone.

"Excuse me," I say, my tone sharp. I jerk my head toward the culprit and there he is again, a big annoying grin on his face.

Theodore "Moose" Thompson. His hard body towering over me, the scruff on his chiseled chin even more pronounced than it was earlier today. He's wearing a brown leather coat.

Just when I think I have this guy out of my mind.

"Hello, Doctor Messina." He grins and waggles his eyebrows.

This man exudes pure sex appeal. I can see why women want to be with him. Men want to be him, and he definitely puts the physique of Greek Gods to shame.

My eyes widen. "What are you doing here?"

He smirks. "I live here."

Of course he does. I just can't get away from this guy.

The elderly gentleman returns to the counter with three large boxes. "Hey, Theo. Great game last week." He sets the boxes on the counter.

Theo grins. "Thanks, Edward. Was your niece able to make it to the game?"

"Oh, she did." Edward lays a hand over his heart. "Thank you for the tickets. They had a wonderful time."

"Glad to hear it." Theo puts his hands on the counter and leans in. "What about Bonnie? How's she doing?"

"Well, of course she couldn't make it to the game, but she watched on TV. You know she wouldn't miss a game for anything." Edward's smile disappears. "She had a treatment the day before, so she's had a rough week."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Theo consoles. "Give her my best."

"Always do."

"I'm sorry, Miss." Edward slides the boxes closer to me. "I have two addressed to Francesca Messina and this small one is for Frannie Russo," Edward says as he points to a small box.

I clear my throat. "My name is Francesca Messina. My granny gets mixed up sometimes." Adrenaline courses through me as I feel the tips of my ears burning. "I'll just take these," I say as I start to pick up the boxes.

"Whoa, hold on." Edward holds up his index finger. "I have another batch of boxes for you in the back. I think you're going to need a cart."

"A cart?"

"No worries. I can have one of the fellows load them up and bring them to your apartment."

"That won't be necessary, Edward." Theo pulls the boxes toward himself. "I'll assist Miss Messina with the boxes."

Theo and I ride the elevator up to third floor with him in charge of the two-wheel cart with my boxes stacked neatly.

I tap my foot. "I told you I'm capable of pushing a cart of boxes to my apartment."

"I know." Theo shrugs. "How was your first day on the job?"

"Most of it was good," I admit.

"Like the part where I showed up and gave you a taste of this body?" He puffs up and points to his wide chest.

I roll my eyes. "You know, I'd like to forget about everything that happened when we met that first night." I swallow hard, my mouth full of cotton.

"Why's that, sweetheart? I don't want to forget it."

I let out a sigh. "I'm a physician's assistant for the team. This is a great opportunity for my career, and I don't want to blow it by getting involved with one of the athletes."

Theo strokes his throat and nods. "Wow. Why don't you tell me how you really feel?"

"No offense. It's nothing personal."

Theo holds up his hands in surrender. "None taken."

The doors of the elevator open and I lead Theo down the hall to my apartment. I pull the key card from my purse and insert it into the slot. Nothing happens. The light stays red.

I sigh and try it a second time. "Damnit," I mutter. "This thing."

"Here, let me try. Sometimes these key cards can be a pain in the ass. I've struggled with my own a few times." Theo slowly and gently pushes the key card into the slot. "You've gotta have just the right touch."

The light stays red.

He tries it a second time, a third time, and grumbles. "Piece of shit." He rubs the card on his shirt and tries the same technique of slow and gentle. The light turns green, and I let out a breath when the door makes the audible sound of unlocking. Theo pushes open the door and turns to me. "Sometimes it's all about slow and gentle, you know?" He winks.

My heart flutters out of my chest and my brain and body turn to mush.

Why does he have to make everything sexual?

He pushes the cart through the door. "But sometimes it's not about slow and gentle. Do you agree?"

My body tingles and I can barely speak, my mouth suddenly going dry. "Sometimes."

He lifts the first box off the cart. "Where do you want this, sweetheart?"

I point to the floor near the couch. "Over there is fine."

"What's with all the boxes?"

As he unloads the cart, I can't help but enjoy the view as I stand behind him. Strong legs, a nice ass that fills out those jeans, and that leather jacket. A guy in a leather jacket is sexy… dangerous.

Before I'm caught ogling his backside, I glance at the return addresses on the boxes. "My sister," I say as I see the first label. I pick up the second box, "My parents."

"Is it your birthday or something?"

I shake my head. "No, they just want me to feel at home here."

"Nice."

"What about your family?" I sit down on the couch and point to the empty spot next to me.

Theo unloads the last box and sits on the other end of the couch.

"Just my dad and an older brother. Dad comes to my games when he can. I see my brother a few times a year. He lives in Chicago."

"My family is all back home in Florida. My parents have been married for thirty years." I put my hand over my heart and flutter my eyelashes. "I have two older brothers and an older sister. I also have another brother and a sister that are a few years younger."

"Wow. What? Six kids?"

"Yep."

Theo rises from the couch. "I should probably let you go."

"Would you like to stay for dinner? We could order in. Maybe you know of the good places that deliver because I have no idea."

The invitation pops out of my mouth before I can think better of it. For some reason, I don't want him to leave and I'm enjoying the conversation.

Theo rubs the back of his neck. "You want me to stay?"

"If you want to. I'd at least like to be friends. I shrug. "Besides, I owe you for helping me with the boxes."

"If you like Italian, I know of a place that has the best spaghetti and meatballs."

I grin. "You know I love Italian."

"With the name like Francesca Messina, I figure it's a win." He slips off his coat.

It's a win for sure. Although I know Theo is completely off limits, I can't help but find him attractive. And sexy. His body is chiseled from stone, and I swear his biceps are trying to break free from his black T-shirt. His abs are solid and it's easy to see he spends hours in the gym.

I'm not sure how I'm going to eat dinner with him and not let this relationship go off the rails. Straight for the bedroom.