Page 31 of Risking the Pucking Defense

I glance over at her as we start walking toward the parking lot.

“It wasn’t, and you know it. Without you, I probably would have spent the rest of the day hiding in my room. And I’d have regretted it.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

When I look over again, she’s trying to wrestle with her purse and small suitcase while attempting to take her jacket off.

“Let me take that,” I say, reaching for her luggage.

“No, it’s—” Her words cut off as my fingers brush against hers, taking the handle from her.

“I’ve got it,” I assure her, moving it against mine, wrapping my fingers around both handles. “Nice choice, by the way.”

“What?” she asks as she finally shrugs her jacket off, leaving her in a pink floral silk cami that’s tucked into her pants, the straps are so delicate against her slender shoulders and I can’t help wondering just how soft the skin is..

“Your luggage.”

She looks down at the two suitcases and laughs when she discovers they’re identical.

“Oh, what are the chances?”

Pretty fucking high considering I copied her when the luggage I brought to LA with me lasted all of three road trips. I figured that she had good taste and would have bought quality, so I bought the exact same ones.

“This is me,” I say, pulling my key from my pocket and unlocking my car.

As I pop the trunk for our luggage, I watch as Hailee takes in the state of it.

I’m sure most guys go out and blow their signing bonus on their dream car, or even a luxury apartment, but I had more important things to do with that money.

“It’s not so bad,” she lies.

“It gets me where I need to go,” I say, a little disappointed when she opens the passenger door herself and drops inside. “So, where are we going?” I ask once I’ve joined her and pull my cell free to use as a GPS.

“Can I?” she asks, holding her hand out.

“All yours,” I say. “Feel free to take a selfie while you’ve got it, so I can add it to your contact. The one I have now is a little serious.”

Without missing a beat, she ignores the Maps app and goes straight for my contacts.

“Oh my god. That’s awful. When did you take that?”

My face heats as I remember snapping it one day when we were waiting to start a press conference. She was losing her mind because it wasn’t running according to her plan. I was in awe of her fierceness as she shouted at men well over a foot taller than her as if they were nothing but little kids. She commanded that room and every single person in it. I always thought she was hot, but that day, she hit a whole new level.

“So, are you going to redo it?” I ask, avoiding answering her question.

“I don’t think I have a choice. I can’t have you looking at that every time I message you.”

“Planning on doing that often?” I ask, hoping like hell she is. I could use a little more of her in my life.

“I…uh…for work things, yeah.”

“You usually email,” I counter.

“And you usually reply with a GIF,” she points out.

“Just want to make you smile.” I glance over in time to catch one twitching at her lips.

Her eyes meet mine, and she shakes her head.