Big Dick Energy - Cindi Madsen Page 0,40

to be famous for.

Next thing I knew I was flat on my back, all my oxygen hovering a foot or two above me.

I popped to my feet and quickly regained my bearings. Then, with my shoulder down, I charged. My shoulder collided with his chest, the ball becoming inconsequential as our shoving match turned into thrown elbows.

Vaguely I heard people shouting, and then a whistle cut through.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught blonde hair and a flash of Penelope’s bright blue dress. Dylan was at her side, and he darted between me and Chase.

He threw up his hands, and I did too, smothering the urge to point out he’d surrendered first. “We were just messing around. Having ourselves a friendly competition.” He winked at Penelope, and my blood pumped in hot bursts. “How about a kiss for the winner, love?”

What a prick. He’d hardly won, and he was from Kansas, not the UK, so he could drop the pretentious love. My hand curled into a fist, and in that moment, I couldn’t care less that knocking out the Python’s golden boy would do the opposite of landing me in the club’s good graces.

“Thanks for showing us around the field,” Penelope said, stepping up next to me and hooking her arm through my elbow. “Archer and I have to get back to the office.”

Before I could argue that I’d gladly finish shoving Chase across the field, she dragged me toward the stadium exit.

It hit me that in this situation, I was the winner. So that the overly gelled douchebag would realize it too, I shot him a smug grin over my shoulder.

15

Archer

As we neared the office, Penny looked across the bench seat at me for what felt like the first time in hours. She’d released my arm as soon as we were near the car, and when I’d opened my mouth, she’d held up a hand that made it clear she didn’t want to hear it.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted out.

The slow blink and arched eyebrows conveyed I’d taken her aback. But she got over the shock quickly, her features hardening as she crossed her arms. “Sorry for what?”

Damn. She was going to make me work for it. “You were right.”

“About…?”

I reached up to loosen my tie before realizing I’d already removed it. I rubbed the side of my neck. “Most everything.”

She blew out a harsh exhale. “Most. Pfft.” She reached for the door, and I placed my hand on her shoulder, desperate to keep her from leaving like this. I might never have another chance.

“I underestimated you when it came to how well you knew soccer, and I wouldn’t have called a male coworker bossy, which does make me a misogynistic asshole. I should’ve listened to you better, and if you hadn’t stepped in with Chase, I might’ve thrown a punch and blown this account for the both of us.” Push out the words, one more time so she understands you truly mean it. “I’m sorry, Penelope. I really am.”

She pursed her lips and fought her emotions, and I wished I could see inside her head and figure out which one of them was taking the lead. “What were you thinking, taking on a professional player? Your issue about having to win is going to land you in over your head one day.”

As if we were battling it out over soccer.

Before I could decide whether or not to confess that much, she shook her head and said, “And yet Mr. Bishop thinks I’m the one who needs supervision. You get into a shoving match with someone who’s basically an extension of our client, and I can’t even raise my voice an octave or show an ounce of emotion. It’s such bullshit.”

“I agree,” I said, and she narrowed her eyes. “I know, it surprises me when we agree on anything as well, but you’re right; it is bullshit.”

She sighed, the sound on the relieved side, which I took as a good sign. “Thanks for dealing with Chase.”

I lowered my eyebrows. “I should be thanking you, not the other way around. I’ve been a fan of his forever. It’s too bad he ended up being a total tool.” The way he objectified Penelope, like a prize to be won, put an end to my respect and admiration.

Since I was hardly a stranger to ogling the woman, did that make me a hypocrite? Undisputedly so. But in my defense, I cared about more than just getting a peek or getting in