“Let’s just get on with it. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we never have to see each other again.” I heard the clipped tone of my voice. Bryant took a step toward me, closing the gap between us, which backed me up right against the wall. He bent his head so his mouth was right next to my ear. His breath on my neck was so seductive that I could feel fire course through my veins.
“I’m an asshole, Holly, but I’m also driven. And from the moment I saw you, I couldn’t seem to focus on anything other than you.” He leaned back and stared into my eyes. A second later, he turned around and walked away, leaving me once again trying to get myself under control.
Chapter Five
Holly
I walked into the living room, and Trevor and Bryant were both sitting down, attention on paperwork, both focused.
“Gentlemen, I’m ready.”
“Miss Thompson,” Trevor said. “I have the contracts here for you to sign.” I walked over to them and stared down at the paperwork “The job is for three weeks. Two weeks of training, if you will, and then the final meeting with Patrick Spenser, the general manager of the Panthers. The goal of this is to make everyone believe that Bryant here is a doting boyfriend who is head over heels in love with you. At the end of the three weeks, once Bryant is made captain, we’ll let a few more weeks pass. Then you two will have a mutual respectful termination of your romantic relationship.” Trevor was going a mile a minute, and I was having a hard time keeping up with him. This seemed so much more complicated than we originally planned. He made it sound like I had to be seen with Bryant.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t appear in pictures. I have my daughter to consider. I really don’t want her involved in this, and with Bryant pretty high-profile, I’m afraid they’ll target her.”
“We can hide your face. We also have very good security.” Trevor stated matter-of-factly.
“You have my word that your daughter will not be exposed or touched by any of this,” Bryant said firmly.
“Thank you, Mr. Sommers. That is very kind. I accept the terms.” I looked over the paperwork. “It says here I’m working every night from seven to eleven, and Saturdays I owe you three hours. But Sundays are my own? Don’t most people spend Sunday with those they love and family? Wouldn’t that look strange?”
“I do spend Sunday with family. At the cemetery. I visit my parents. That’s where I’ve gone every Sunday for the last ten years.”
“Oh.”
Here he was telling me that his parents were dead, his Sunday dinner was in a cemetery, and all I could say was oh.
“You don’t need to feel sorry for me. I can see that look in your eyes, the same expression the social workers, cops, and doctors gave me after they passed away. They died a long time ago, and I have done okay. Let’s get this signed and get started.” I felt my heart race at his words. “Trevor is going to give you $10,000 tonight and the rest when the job is completed. Once all this paperwork is completed, he’s leaving and we’re having dinner.” Trevor handed me a cashier’s check, and I just started at the piece of crisp paper in my hand. For Bryant, that money might be peanuts, but it was a safety net I had never had. I was going to pay off my tuition for next semester and deposit the rest in the bank. For the first time in a long time, I finally felt the noose around my neck loosen.
“Well, I guess you’re buying my time. Where do I sign?” The ink on the paper was not even dry before Bryant was kicking Trevor out of his house. I started to collect my coat and bag when Bryant grabbed my elbow and turned me toward him.
“You don’t leave until elven.” His touch was like fire, but his voice was ice.
“I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere.” My words were just as cold as his sudden attitude. Bryant turned me around, my back now facing his front. He moved my hair away from my neck and placed his lips just above my collarbone. In what seemed like the longest moment of my life, I heard nothing but the sound of his breathing. I felt nothing but the rhythmic beating of his heart. Then he moved his lips to the shell of my ear, his breath tickling me and causing all kinds of sensations to awaken I thought were long dead.
“Don’t lie, Holly. You feel it too. When I touch you, it’s fire.” He was right. I felt it. Every look, every touch, every moment I spent with the man, I felt the heat between us. I couldn’t deny it even if I wanted to.