Page 27 of Big Stick Energy
As soon as I pull up outside Darcy’s building, she darts outside, a rolling suitcase at her heels, and a shopping bag in her hands. “Can you pop the trunk?” she asks through the open window.
It takes me a second to respond, because I’m admiring the little dress she’s wearing. Specifically, the freckles on her smooth shoulders. And the cleavage.
But my mama raised me right, so I shake myself and do better. I hit the trunk’s release, then hop out of the car and lift her bags into the back.
“You don’t have to do…” she starts to say. “Never mind, you probably should. If I scratched this car, I’d have to shoot myself.”
“Let’s not get carried away.” I tuck her bags inside, then open the passenger door for her. “Got you a coffee because it’s a long drive.” Four hours if we’re lucky with the traffic.
“Thank you,” she says, giving me a sideways glance. “That was really nice.”
Was it, though? Since my phone call with DeLuca, I’m questioning all my reactions to Darcy. I notice her. A lot. I always have. But she’s a valued team member, and I know better than to noticeallher assets, if you know what I mean.
Until now, that is. I think her sexy DM broke my brain. Specifically, the part about my bow tie. As Darcy clicks her seat belt into place, I notice her smooth wrists, and I’m only human. So I picture them with silk wrapped around…
Stop it.I put the car in gear and glide away from the curb. “Hey, Siri?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Darcy snorts. “Really?”
“It’s supposed to be ironic,” I say, but my neck heats anyway. “Siri, get directions to the Blue Button Bay Resort in North Beach, Massachusetts.”
“Getting directions, Captain,” she says.
Darcy giggles.
“I’ll be reprogramming that at my first opportunity.” I raise the windows against the sticky New York City summertime. “Let me know if the AC gets too cold.”
“Yes, Captain,” she says, but it comes out sounding a little breathy. And suddenly my briefs are a little tight.
Seriously,whatis my problem? I’ve spent plenty of time in Darcy’s company before and kept my thoughts strictly professional. But then came that damn text, offering to lick me all over. I suppose I’m not completely at fault here. Not that it helps.
My thirsty thoughts are interrupted when a new text pings on my phone. “Can you tell me who that is? Kinda early for the usual group text shenanigans.”
“Sure,” Darcy says. She picks up my phone and takes a peek. “Well, he’s listed asROOKIEso it might be Weber?”
I crack a smile. “Yup. Until next season starts. Then Weber gets his name in my phone, and some other young dude gets therookiedesignation.”
“But what if there’s more than one?” she asks.
“Depends what mood I’m in. Sometimes I go with Thing One and Thing Two. What does he want?”
“The text just says—she’s mad at me again. So mad.”
“Ah.” I sigh. “Okay. I’ll call him later. He’s having woman trouble.”
“And so… he texts you about it on a Saturday morning?”
“Or at four a.m. Or any old time. The kid is struggling with his long-distance relationship. I’ll talk to him when we get to Massachusetts.”
Darcy is quiet.
“What? You think I need to be, like, happily married to be a good listener?”
“Nah. I just didn’t know you were everybody’s emotional support animal.”
“I’m the captain. It’s part of the job.”
