Page 128 of Playing to Win
It’s like this for the rest of the evening. Talk of family stuff. Ruby sending me flirtatious glances. Her parents watching me carefully, almost like they’re waiting for devil horns to sprout from my head or for me to say something wrong.
But I realize they’re just curious. I’m dating their youngest daughter and they want to know more about me. It’s natural. I want to know more about them too.
We’re leaving the restaurant when Ruby grabs my hand and gives it a tug, whispering in my ear, “Meet me at my place?”
I pull away slightly to look into her eyes. “You sure?”
She nods, her lips curled into this inviting, almost sexy smile. I glance around, making sure her parents aren’t paying attention before I lean in and drop a quick kiss on her pretty lips.
“You got it.”
That smile on her face is a sight to see. “I might be a while. You want my key?”
“Nah, it’s cool—”
She’s already unhooked the key from her keychain and hands it to me. “Just let yourself in. Natalie won’t be there. She’s out with Derek. Wait for me.”
We say our goodbyes in the parking lot. Her dad shakes my hand extra hard. Her mom wraps me up in a smothering hug, telling me she’s sogladwe got to meet. I hug Ruby and kiss her cheek, my hand lightly patting her ass and I swear her mom caught me doing it, a mischievous look on her face when our gazes catch.
Busted.
I crank up the music on my drive over to Ruby’s apartment, feeling on top of the world. I’m having a terrific season. I just met Ruby’s parents and they seem to like me. Pretty sure me and my girl are going to take things to the next step—as soon as we can reveal our relationship, that is.
Life is good.
I’ve got no complaints.
FORTY
RUBY
I entermy darkened apartment and make my way to my bedroom, slowly opening the door to find there are candles flickering on every available space inside. My dresser, the bedside table, my tiny desk. Little votives scattered everywhere.
And there’s a bare-chested Ace sitting in the middle of my bed, leaning against my mountain of pillows, his phone lying discarded by his side on the mattress.
“Hey,” I murmur, drinking him in, surprised by the romantic mood he’s set up while waiting for me to return.
“Hey,” he returns, his lips curled in a barely-there smile.
“Sorry that took so long,” I say, shutting the door behind me and locking it. I admire him for a few more seconds, a smile curling my lips. “My parents love you, by the way.”
“Really?”
He sounds pleased and even a little unsure and that’s so cute.
“Really. Dad likes that you’re a football player, though he’s never going to let me live down the fact that I said I would never date one.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m just that convincing.” He rubs his hands together and I laugh, pushing away from the door and heading toward the bed. Considering my room isn’t that big, it only takes me a couple of steps and I’m standing at the foot of the mattress.
“You’ve got way too many clothes on,” he observes as I get rid of the coat I had on. “Maybe you should take some of that off.”
“Maybe you should help me,” I counter, but he slowly shakes his head.
“I like watching you strip.”
He likes watching me do a lot of things, I muse, kicking off my shoes before I tug the hoodie over my head and dump it on my desk chair. I make quick work of my clothing, until I’m just in my bra and panties, the cool air nipping at my exposed skin.
“It’s freezing,” I say as I yank back the covers and slip into bed beside Ace. He scoots down and turns so we’re facing each other, the candlelight casting his handsome face in a warm glow and I just stare at him for a moment, going over everything that happened today.
