very indecent kiss on her lips. She swats at him, and suddenly, Vaughn is beside them, pointing at the pitch and talking to his son with zero amusement on his face. Cam smiles playfully and rejoins his team for warmups.
“God, they are adorable. Two small kids at home and they still snog like teenagers in public. Though I can’t judge, I’m busy checking out Tanner myself.” She points towards the end of the pitch where Tanner is standing with Booker in his keeper kit. “He debated cutting his hair when he got the coaching position to look more professional, but I begged him not to. I have a thing for the man bun, caveman look.”
I laugh at that. “To each their own.”
“What’s your type?” Belle asks, nudging my arm playfully, her dark eyes glittering with mischief. “Anybody caught your eye in London since you came back?”
My cheeks flame instantly. “Oh…no, not really. I do enjoy a classic tall, dark, and handsome type, though.” I glance over my shoulder, wondering when Santino will get here. He texted me earlier this morning and told me to “get ready for his surprise”. Whatever that means.
Belle’s eyes widen. “Would you hate me if I introduced you to my brother, Ronald?”
“Your brother?” I repeat a bit distractedly.
“Yes! He’s a single father and a corporate lawyer. He used to be completely under the thumb of my pompous, social-climbing father, but since he lost his wife a couple of years ago, he’s so different. He’s been coming around a lot more, a bit desperate for a taste of what normal life is that doesn’t include staff, lavish parties, and constant arse kissing.” She eyes me up and down with a big smile on her face. “You look like you’d be a nice dose of fun for him. He’s the heir of a Lord if that’s your thing?”
“It’s not,” I reply instantly, running a nervous hand through my hair.
“No bother, it’s not something he brags about anymore, thank God.” She turns around to look back into the suite. “I wonder where he is. He said he was on his way a while ago.”
“I’m going to go get myself a drink,” I state quickly, trying to figure out an excuse not to meet this brother of Belle’s. “Need anything?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks. I’ll find you later!” She gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, and I smile awkwardly while making my way towards the bar.
Glancing over, I see Mac and Freya are settled in their little corner with Sloan, Gareth, Leslie, and her husband Theo, plus Allie, and Booker’s wife, Poppy, so I head straight for the bar for some much-needed space. Apparently, it isn’t just Tanner who struggles with boundaries but his wife too. What should I have said, though? That I’m seeing someone and my brother doesn’t know? That would have been a huge opening for questions I cannot answer. This is the trouble about being exclusive with someone in secret.
“Can I get a club soda with lime please?” I ask, splaying my hands out on the bar and feeling a chill run up my spine.
The bartender retreats just as a deep voice whispers in my ear, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
The familiar smell of Santino’s cologne wafts over me, and I can’t fight the smile that spreads across my face. I turn to look at him, my eyes drinking in his pale grey suit. His dark hair is artfully mussed, and it’s literally painful not to stand on my toes and kiss him. “Look at you quoting Godfather to me.”
“The student surpasses the teacher.” He has a wicked look in his eye that I don’t like. “Plus, it’s a very fitting quote for what I have in store for you today.”
“Which is what exactly?” I glance over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking at us, but Santino doesn’t seem the least bit concerned.
He hands me a small gift bag. “I have a little gift for you.” His eyes dance with mirth.
“A gift is not very discreet.”
“Don’t worry. It’s well concealed at the bottom.” When his eyes drop to my lips, I feel my insides clench with need.
This dating in secret thing wasn’t an issue for me until right this moment. I inhale a cleansing breath and turn my focus to the gift bag. “What’s in here?”
He lifts his brows. “Just a little payback for your cheeky mouth yesterday.”
I fight back a satisfied smirk. “I was just stating a fact that you clearly want me