throat. “She was mugged.”
“Mugged?” Lachlan’s voice rose. I so didn’t need this lie getting out to the team. I couldn’t be the naked, sultry vixen and damsel in distress. Their heads would explode. “Jesus, Elle!”
“It’s not a big deal,” I said. “No one got hurt.”
Those sea-foam eyes were too green—intense, protective, playful. Lachlan played the charming prince and mischievous rogue all rolled into one hyper-active superhero.
“I should have known better than to keep the camera out on a sketchy street,” I said.
“This sucks.” Lachlan’s smile revealed otherwise. “No. You’ll get a new camera. Today.”
I turned, hiding my face from Peter’s view. “I’m handling it, Lachlan.”
“So am I. You tell me what camera you use, and I’ll get it for you. Right now.”
I couldn’t get him involved in this. “I have it covered. Insurances and things.”
“Nope. You’re my wife, and I’m buying you a new camera.”
Oh Lord. “It’s okay. Seriously.”
He rummaged through the bag, peeking at the broken equipment. “Let me do this for you. It couldn’t have cost that much. A couple grand? That’s pocket change for me, Red.”
Peter patted my shoulder. “Elle, the first rule of a happy marriage—always take money your husband offers.” He tried to joke, but I didn’t laugh. “The pictures are gone, but the camera isn’t as irreplaceable. You’ll need a new one soon.” He smiled at Lachlan. “Besides, everyone helps everyone else on the team. Remember that.”
Peter shouldered his bag and hustled to the team as they began warm-ups. Lachlan waited with me. I didn’t mind seeing him so early in the morning, but his butt should have been on the field ten minutes ago, especially as a rookie who had fallen from Coach Thompson’s good graces.
“Problem solved,” Lachlan said. “Don’t fight me, Elle. I’m trying to do something nice.”
“I appreciate it, but—”
“And since you won’t tell me what really happened with the camera…indulge me.”
I stilled. How the hell did he know? What did he know?
“What you mean, what really happened?”
“Just seems strange, those dangerous Gainesville streets. You catching a mugger and then losing the camera anyway?”
I crossed my arms “Do you think I can’t take care of myself?”
Lachlan expertly dodged the question. “Listen to us, bickering like an old married couple instead of newlyweds who haven’t seen each other in two days.”
I headed to the field. “You need to stop saying we’re married.”
“What if I like calling you my wife?”
“Then you’re either being cute…or suffering delusions of grandeur.”
“Fight me all you want, Elle…” He took my hand and ignored the whistles summoning the players to the field. The sun glistened off his blonde hair and the line of stubble on his chin. “But you like me. You can’t deny it.”
“I’ve already promised you a second date.”
“But you haven’t said those three magic words.”
“Temporary Restraining Order?”
“Run all you like, but you’ve seen my time on the forty. I’ll catch you soon enough, and then you’ll have to admit what you feel.”
I wished my heart hadn’t thudded so hard, fierce and raging. That damn adrenaline he loved so much was drowning me in my own fluttering panic.
Why did he have to look so sexy in his pads and uniform?
“What do you think I feel for you?” I asked.
“Utter enchantment.”
“Your nickname shouldn’t be Charming—I should call you Conceited.”
“I’m taking you out on our day off.” He wasn’t asking me. “Clear your Tuesday. I’ve got something perfect planned. You’re going to love it as much as you love me.”
“Setting the bar kinda low, aren’t you?”
Lachlan didn’t ask permission. He pulled me close, crushing me against his pads for a kiss. I should have fought him off, but his lips brushed me for only a moment before they were gone.
“Just wait, Red. I got some magic planned for you yet.”
He left me on the sidelines, sprinting to the field as Coach Thompson flipped shit. Lachlan didn’t stay with the team—he owed the coach a lap around the field at full speed for being late.
Idiot boy.
Sexy man.
Unwanted complication.
He shouldn’t have made me feel better. I still shook with rage and fear and painful betrayal, but Lachlan had calmed me. I could think a bit more logically. And I formed a plan for putting out the giant fire that was my life.
First, I’d do everything I could to build a case against the Rivets that didn’t implicate anyone innocent. Emails. Files. Pictures. Conversations. Everything documented and completely transparent.
And then I’d plan for my next date with Lachlan.
One down, two to go.
He still thought he could make me fall for him