to me, Cole, and Jack, then aimed a finger across the room at Coach Thompson and a few members of the defense. Point taken. Team events plus Leah’s PR spin machine meant this would be one well-documented party.
“Well, here.” I handed her my champagne. “At least have a drink.”
She backed away from the glass like it was filled with acid. This time she tapped the camera harder.
“Really?”
She shrugged, stroked her wrist where a watch would go, and pretended to aim the camera. I had no idea what it meant, but whatever. I downed the champagne instead. It definitely wasn’t strong enough to mask the aches and pains from practice, but it was a start.
Another flash captured us. This time, Elle’s boss, Peter, held the camera.
“Don’t you all look fantastic?” He greeted us with a smile. “And Elle. You’re absolutely lovely.”
She gave a knowing shrug and motioned to return to the party. Peter stopped her.
“Elle, why don’t you enjoy yourself tonight?” He took her camera. “Go on. Spend some time with your husband.”
The group laughed. Elle didn’t.
“You’ll have plenty of overtime during these next few weeks,” he said.
“Oh? The exhibition games?” I asked. “You’re covering those?”
She nodded, quickly.
Peter patted her arm. “It’d do you some good to have a night off. Give me one picture of the happy couple, and you can have all the fun you want.”
Perfect.
I seized the opportunity while Elle couldn’t yell at me. I twirled her in my arms, dipped her, and took my kiss.
The camera flashed, and Elle’s heel jammed into my shoe.
“Yeah, I deserved that.” I grinned. “Totally worth it.”
“You two probably know it…” Leah said. “But you make the cutest couple.”
“That’s what I keep telling her.” I kissed Elle’s hand this time. She pulled her wrist back, thwapping my nose with a chastising finger. “She doesn’t know how good she’s got it.”
Her hands poised over her hips, but that insulted back arch pushed up those tits even more.
“First she doesn’t remember our wedding.” I baited her with a smile. “Then she refuses my advances. Teases me. Uses me. And yet, here I am…asking for more trouble.”
“Yeah.” Jack nodded. “That’s marriage.”
Leah flicked his ear. “And you love it.”
“Was never planning on it.”
“You got it anyway, Play-Maker.”
A waiter passed by, and I plucked a champagne glass from his tray. I handed it to Elle.
“Now that you’re off the clock...”
She set the glass on the table with a shrug. Her hand patted her throat once more, but Piper’s startled gasp shocked the group.
Leah pointed too, her eyes widened. “Oh my God. Elle—?”
Elle grabbed my hand and yanked. I tripped over the damn dress shoes—shiny and black, but without any cleats for traction. Elle waved a rushed goodbye to the women and hauled me from the table.
“What the hell was that?” I asked.
Elle led me to a darkened corner of the dance floor and placed my hands on her hips.
Her soft, full, sexy hips.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “This…this is good.”
My cock swelled as she pulled close to me. Her arms looped behind my neck as she swayed to the music’s sensual beat. Every movement this woman made was pure magic.
Her chest bumped against mine, and I lost myself in her wide-eyed, almost curious gaze.
“You look fucking amazing, Red.”
And I didn’t just mean the ample, caramel skin that plumped from her corset. A lock of hair, streaked with that punk red, fell over her breasts. I followed the ringlet to the gentle curve of her cheek, the delicate tease of her eyebrow, and into the dark curls of her hair.
“You have no idea how…delicious you look right now.” I could hardly speak. “Something’s changed.”
She shook her head no.
“Nope. Something is definitely different with you.”
Her shoulders shrugged high. I didn’t buy the coy act, especially as she tightened her hold on me. Even mid-song, with our bodies touching and the music coursing through us, Elle tensed.
Something bothered her, and it wasn’t just that she had gone mute during the afternoon.
“Maybe I can guess what’s changed,” I said.
Her eyebrow arched.
“Have some faith in me. You’re my wife. I can read you like a book.”
She cracked a smile. A challenge?
“I bet I know what’s happened to you.”
Her eyes widened, and she held her breath.
“It’s obvious, Elle. Has been for a while. Everyone’s already noticed.”
She stopped dancing, glancing over herself, her dress.
“I’ve known since the river.”
Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
“You’re absolutely crazy about me. Got the love-bug for me so bad you can’t function.”
Elle dropped her hands, but I didn’t let