Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Riggs

I have a toothache from how fucking sweet Clara looks.

She was the reason I came over. I saw her first, the moment I walked into the café. Not Alex, not Elliot, and definitely not Gavin. It was her. All her. My eyes immediately set on her, in all pink, her lips glossed to perfection, her hair half up and half down in curls that frame her stunning face. She has on a little pink tennis dress that should be illegal with how it hugs her breasts, shows her toned shoulders, and I'm sure if she stood, her ass would barely be covered. She's also wearing white socks with high-top pink Converse.

She reminds me of bubble gum that I want nothing more than to savor and then swallow completely.

Fuck me.

I readjust my cock that's more a steel pipe than anything as I lean on the table, trying my hardest not to notice her, look at her, or fall to my knees before her. I've never wanted that. I'm used to women falling for me, but I'd break my knees for a taste of her. To feel her flesh under my mouth, my fingers, and around my cock. The thought has me grimacing as I shake my head. She's too young and probably doesn't know a thing about the deviant things I dream of. Peppa used to tell me all the time that I wanted things she wasn't down for. Sex by itself was good, but it was never satisfying enough for me. Or her, I guess, since she went elsewhere for it.

Great, now I'm thinking of my shitty marriage.

I exhale, and while I don't want to be in their conversation, I can't help but listen to Gavin. He's a good kid, smart, and funny. But surely he knows Clara is out of his league. Seeing them together had my heart racing and my fists clenching. Jealousy so strong eats me alive as I listen to him try to flirt with her. I don't want Clara near him, and I sure as hell don't want him looking at her the way I want to. I chance a glance toward them, and my gaze falls on her. She looks so uncomfortable and not her usual sunshine self. She leans on her hand as Gavin tells her about his family in Florida. Her eyes aren't as shiny as they were when I first got here, and I wonder if it's because of me.

"How about you?"

She sits up then, almost as if she wasn't really listening until now. "Well, I have my peepaw, Dan Davenport, and then my sisters. I'm the youngest of five. Louisa and Austen are in Nashville, Eliza is back and forth between here and Nashville because her husband, Coleson, is rehabbing his leg, and then Elliot is here with me." She throws a loving look at her sister. "Though, with how well Alex is doing, I'm sure they'll be off to a different team before I know it."

Elliot flashes a sad smile as Alex wraps his arms tighter around her. "No matter the distance…"

"…we'll always be with one another," Clara finishes with a small sigh, and my heart clenches at the words they share before looking at each other with such overwhelming love. There is raw protectiveness in Elliot's gaze for her baby sister, while Clara looks at her like she hung the moon and stars above. It's a beautiful sight to see, and I'm in awe of their bond.

Or rather, I'm in awe of Clara.

Her eyes shine like a sky full of stars, and I want to get lost in them. Forming constellations and memorizing everything about her. Her gaze moves to me, and when her eyes widen, I have to look away. It is wrong how much I want her. If I didn't need her to watch my boys, and she weren't my boss's granddaughter, I'd lose myself in her. A smart man would fire her, but I'm proving to be a damn fool. I can do no such thing. Even if I can't have her, I want to watch her from afar. But can I watch her be with another man?

While the answer is flashing like a damn electronic billboard, I ignore it.

Well, I ignore it as best I can.

Thankfully, our food is brought out then, and soon, we're all digging in. It's Gavin who speaks first. "Do you think you'll stay here in Blitz?"

I look up then and find that she has taken a huge bit of her lemon shrimp pasta, the same thing I got. Unable to keep the words at bay, I answer, "I assume so, when she has a very successful business here."

"Yeah, she wouldn't leave what she's built here," Elliot adds. "Coach, she's going to keep your pups while you're gone, right?"

I nod. "Yeah. Hopefully she doesn't spoil them too much."

Elliot snorts. "She will. The only thing Clara knows how to do is shower pups and people with love."

Clara's face flushes as she shrugs, and I love how cute she is when she's embarrassed. When she directs her eyes to mine, I stare into hers and can't help but say, "That's obvious, with how bright she is."

Her face flushes more, the red along her chest and neck begging me for a taste. I shift in my seat again, pulling my gaze from hers as Elliot adds, "Very true. Since she was a baby, she's been a walking ball of sunshine for us."

That's a perfect way to explain her, but I don't say that or ask Elliot to tell me more. I want to know everything, but I have no right.

She's not mine.

Beside me, Gavin beams. "She really is."

I don't miss how Clara looks away to her food, her blush subsiding as she focuses on the pasta in front of her. Unable to resist, I ask, "It's good, isn't it, Clara?"

Her gaze jerks to mine, and a wide smile moves across her face. "So good."

"It's my favorite."

"Mine too. We come here every Saturday."

I nod. "I order from here twice a week, but I only get the pasta when I eat in."

Her eyes fill with a sureness. "So, I was right? Steak and potatoes?"

"You were right, and sometimes a burger."

She scrunches up her face. "The burgers aren't that great. Have you tried the cod sandwich?"

I furrow my brows. "I haven't, actually."

"Try that with the asparagus. You'll love it." Her eyes are so damn bright, her smile even brighter, and I can't stop.

"Are you a fan of asparagus?"

"Huge!" she says with excitement. "I coat them with Parmesan and fry 'em. Chef's kiss, fantastic!" she gushes, kissing her fingers loudly, and I want to beam back at her.

"I bake them with garlic and Parmesan."

"Oh, that sounds divine," she says so animatedly, I'm breathless. We continue our discussion of different ways to cook the vegetable. Our conversation is easy, flowing, and I'm consumed by her. She's so vibrant—with her hand movements, the flush on her face, and the sparkle in her eyes. We then move on to brussels sprouts and somehow find ourselves discussing how to make golden paste for dogs.

"You're doing too much!" She laughs, shaking her head, and I can't help but smirk at her. "I'll bring you some of mine on Monday. You're adding too much, and that's why the boys don't like it. Dogs have simple tastes. They want meat. I'll show you how to make it."

"Fine, but I don't think your way is right." Shit, am I teasing her?

She grins. "I know I'm right. I'm the expert."

I scoff. "Should you really speak this way to your client?"

She waves me off. "You're not my client right now."

"No?" I ask, challenging her with my eyes. "Then who am I?"

Her eyes darken, hooding a bit. She pauses, and I swear I see lust in her sweet gaze. It can't be, though. Or could it? "The guy I'm not on a date with."

That has me chuckling, but then I notice I'm the only one laughing. I look around to see that Gavin is gone, and so are Elliot and Alex. I bring in my brows. "Where did everyone go?"

She pulls her gaze from mine and mirrors my expression. "What the hell?" She reaches for her phone, and then her face fills with a blush. "They left. Elliot said they couldn't get a word in edgewise with us."

I mean, we were talking, but surely it wasn't like that. "I didn't even notice."

"Neither did I," she agrees as she sets her phone down. Clara moves her gaze to mine, and I have to fight for my next breath. Fuck, she's gorgeous. I might not be the guy she came here for a date with, but I sure as hell feel like this is a date. She swallows hard, and my cock roars for her attention.

Down, boy.

I lick my lips and exhale. I need to get away from her before I start thinking with my dick and not my brain. "It's getting late."

She draws her lips between her teeth. "It is, and I gotta be up early for my pups." I notice that the check is lying beside her, and I reach for it. She tries to take it, but I wave her off. "What are you doing?"

"Well, since your asshole date left without even covering your bill, I'll make sure it's taken care of. And trust, he'll be doing some extra laps."

Her face flushes as she looks up at me through her lashes. "It's okay. It wasn't really a date."

"No?"

"No. I wasn't interested in him. I only came for the food and because Elliot asked me to."

Why does that make my heart do a wee jig? "You like food, aye?"

"Ugh, yeah. Food is life."

I smirk a bit as I nod. "You're a wee thing for eating the way you do."

"I work out a lot. So I can eat."

I nod. "I do the same."

"I don't ever see you in the gym at the Bears compound."

"I usually run the trails by my place."

"Ah, that makes sense," she says softly. "I've never run on a trail before. Is it fun?"

"Aye, and the dogs love it. I'll take you out some time. Darcy's crazy ass would be thrilled."

She snorts. "Leave my dog alone."

"He's a heathen."

"He's the goodest boy!"

"Sure, but a heathen."

She feigns a glare, her cheeks reddening with color. "I will fight you for talking about my boy."

I snort at that. "A wee thing like you? Bring it."

Heat crackles around us as we gaze into each other's eyes. This is dangerous. I press my lips together and look away. "Ya ready?"

"Sure." Her voice is small, and I don't dare look at her. Next thing you know, I'll pick at her just to get her to fight me.

I stand then, and she does the same. We walk to the counter, and I pay before I follow her out to the parking lot. I want to touch her, place my hand on the small of her back, and guide her to my car.

But I refrain.

Barely.

"Thank you for dinner." She points to the other side of the lot. "My car is over there, so I guess I'll see you Monday?"

"Of course, and I'll walk you over."

"You don't have to."

"I want to. Gotta make sure you're safe."

She presses her lips together as she wrings her fingers into a tight knot. I walk beside her and fight every need to touch her. I can't. I know I won't stop if I do. When we reach her car, I watch her as she unlocks her door and then climbs in. As I expected, the skirt doesn't cover much, and I get a great view of silky, tanned thighs. I want nothing more than to push her against the hood of her car and trail my tongue along her thighs. Taste her. Devour her. Make her scream my name.

I swallow past the lump in my throat as she waves to me. "Thanks again, Riggs."

"Of course. Goodnight, Clara."

"Goodnight."

Then she drives away, leaving me out of breath and hard as stone.

I am so fucked.