Liz looked over at Savannah. “She thinks she’s some kind of superhero. We all think she’s insane.”

“I don’t know,” Savannah said. “She looks pretty capable to me. I’ll bet she can handle it.”

Tara nodded. “See? Savannah believes in me.”

“Oh, I believe in you, honey,” Jenna said, patting Tara’s hand. “I just don’t want you to overdo it. Isn’t it enough to have a new baby to take care of?”

“Mom and Liz and you will help. I’ll have plenty of people to help with the baby, and God knows Mick will be all over that baby when he or she arrives. So, see? I’ll have plenty of time to deal with the wedding.”

By the time Cole came back to drag her out of the chair, she was immersed in wedding and baby talk and reluctant to leave.

“Hey,” Jenna said. “Where are you going with Savannah?”

“It’s halftime, Miss None-of-your-business. I’m taking her outside for a walk.”

“Sure you are,” Liz said. “Will we see her again tonight?”

Cole laughed. “Yes. I promise to bring her back.”

He directed her toward the back of the room, his lips near her ear. “The women will suck you into their vortex of female talk and soon I’ll lose you forever. Next thing you know, Jenna will hook you into to helping her with the music club.”

“I am very good at PR and image building, you know. I could offer her some assistance.”

“Don’t tell her that. She’ll sink her claws into you and never let you go.”

She laughed as he led her out the back door and into the garden. There were tables set up, places for people to eat and drink overlooking a lovely garden with trees and flowers. Of course no one was out here tonight since there was a game going on. Inside it was raucous. Out here, it was peaceful and quiet. Such a night-and-day difference.

“This is nice.”

“It’s still hot outside, which is why no one is out here. Well, that and the game, of course.”

“Of course. And I see Mick’s team is doing well.”

“They are. Up by fourteen points at the half.”

She turned to face him. “And did you lead me out here to give me a score update?”

He laughed. “No. I wanted you all to myself for a minute or two.”

“Really? And why is that?”

He gave a quick glance at the door, then pushed her up against the wall. “For this.”

His lips met hers and she wound her fingers into his hair. They hadn’t touched tonight and she missed the contact. Now, as his tongue touched hers, her body ignited in passion. Maybe it was because his family was only a few feet away—crowds of people who could walk outside any moment. The thrill of the forbidden, perhaps, or maybe it was because she craved his mouth on hers and his hands on her body, but she swept her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, wishing they were at her place or his so she could have him right now.

When he pulled away, the half-lidded look of his eyes and the hard breaths he expelled told her he felt the same way.

“Damn, I wish we were alone right now,” he said as he gripped her h*ps and pulled her against him. His erection made her cl*tthrob.

“Me, too.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I want you, Cole.”

He looked around, then took her hand and led her around the side of the building, casting them in darkness.

“How about here?” He wound his arm around her and squeezed her butt, drawing her against the hot, hard part of him that made her bite down on her lower lip.

She knew what he was suggesting, and a couple months ago she’d have never gone for it. Outside, no. A bar filled with people just a short distance away? Not a chance. Anyone could walk outside for some air or a cigarette or to make a phone call.

But her body pulsed for him, and she trusted him to take care of her.

She raised up and pressed her lips to his throat. “Yes. Here.”

Cole didn’t think Savannah would actually go for it. But as soon as she said yes, he popped the button on her jeans and slid his hands inside, dipping his fingers into her moist heat. He kept his focus on her face, watching her eyes widen, her lips part as he found her center and rubbed it with the heel of his hand as he coaxed his fingers into her pussy.

She reached for his wrist—he thought she was going to be too reserved to do this out here. He should have known better. She held him steady and rocked her pelvis toward his fingers, panting as he thrust deeper.

She laid her head on his chest while he pumped inside her.

“Cole. Oh, god, that’s going to make me come.”

His dick felt as hard as the bricks behind them, and if he didn’t get inside her soon he was going to come, too—right in his goddamn pants. His balls quivered every time she let out one of her sexy little moans and gasps.

She was whispering to him, clutching his shirt like a lifeline and riding his fingers hard, spilling hot juices over him as she tightened and shuddered. She tilted her head back and he kissed her when she cried out with her cl**ax, absorbing her cries, sliding his tongue in her mouth while she jerked and trembled with the force of her orgasm.

Damn, that was good. He withdrew his fingers and let her watch as he licked them.

“I like the way you taste, Peaches. I wish I could pull your jeans down and lick your pu**y and make you come again.”

She shivered against him. “I’d like you to do that to me out here.”

He liked her wicked little thoughts and wished he could follow through with them. But they had a limited amount of time and he needed to be inside her. So he jerked her pants down, unzipped his own and grabbed a condom out of his pocket. He put it on and pushed her up against the building, spread her legs as far he could and thrust into her slick heat.

“Oh,” she said, digging her nails into his arms as her pu**y clenched around his shaft. He slid his hand under her shirt, pulling her bra aside to flick her nipple with his fingers.

“Cole. Yes. Oh, yes.”

Their coupling was fast and furious. He swept his hand around her butt, shielding her skin from the brick while he tunneled hard into her, his balls filling fast with come. He ground against her, releasing his hold on her breast so he could grab her hair and pull her head back for a punishing kiss. She gave exactly what she got, whimpering against him and making him crazy. He felt her tighten, knew she was coming again from the sounds she made. He couldn’t hold on and let go, his cl**ax so hard and fast it made his legs buckle. He leaned against her and gave her all he had, powering up into her with one last, hard thrust, emptying himself with a loud groan.

He needed a minute to catch his breath. They were both panting. Savannah raised her gaze to his, hers so trusting and open and filled with an emotion he couldn’t name.

“Wow,” she whispered, her lips lifting in a sexy smile.

“Yeah.” They adjusted their clothes.

“My hair’s a mess. And I’m sure I’m blushing a hundred shades of pink,” she said.

He pulled her to him and kissed her again, this time slow and easy, which was all he’d meant to do when he took her outside. “You look beautiful, like you always do.”

“You always know just what to say.” Her lips curled in a warm smile that never failed to punch him in the gut.

He grabbed his phone. “Halftime’s over. We should go back inside before someone comes looking for us.”

He slipped his hand in hers and led her back around toward the back door. But what he really wanted to do was take her home and make love to her again, this time slowly, without clothes on, so he could love every inch of her body.

He’d do that later.

TWENTY

FOUR GAMES INTO THE SEASON, AND THE TRADERS remained unbeaten.

It was still early, but Cole was filled with a sense of destiny. The team was firing on all cylinders. Defense was a beast, holding teams to few or no points. Recorded sacks were off the charts, their best season so far. Offense was hot everywhere, from the running to the passing game. The offensive line was blowing open holes everywhere and giving Cassidy plenty of time to stay in the pocket and get the passes off. It was a perfect storm.

They’d even won on the road. Coming off two road games in a row, the team was confident there was no one they couldn’t beat. And Cole knew after playing in the NFL for a lot of years that confidence was everything in this game. You had to believe you could win.

They all believed they could win.

While he’d been playing, Savannah had been working on setting up his foundation. The paperwork had been set up and they were ready to get started on the first playground and community center. He’d been advised to wait until the off-season to begin work, but once the idea had formed, he didn’t want to put it off. He might not be able to be as hands-on during the season as he would be when he wasn’t playing, but there was no sense in delaying. The faster the playgrounds were completed, the sooner the kids would have somewhere to go.

After practice today he was meeting Savannah, the contractors, and family, friends, and teammates at the playground site. They were going to get their hands dirty. He was anxious to dig in.

Concrete had already been poured and construction started on the community center, but in the meantime they were going to work on clearing out the area for the playground. That meant mowing and weeding and clearing out trash.

That his teammates had offered to help meant more to him than he could say. Savannah had been the one to mention it to them. He never would have thought to say anything to them, but they’d all gone out for dinner one night after a home game, and she’d brought it up and said they could use some volunteers to clear the field.

His entire offensive line had spoken up and said they’d help. So had Grant Cassidy, the quarterback. So had Kenny, Jamarcus, and Lon.

He’d been surprised. Savannah had laid her hand on his arm and told him this was what it was like to have friends.

He was realizing that. People had his back now, both on and off the field.

Another thing he had her to thank for.

He picked up Savannah and they arrived at the field early enough to go over the plans with the contractor. Everything was on time and in order. The community center would take about six weeks to build. The foundation was already in the process of hiring staff for the center. Everything was falling into place.

His teammates and family arrived, and everyone dug in right away clearing debris and rocks.

“Some of this stuff is heavy,” he told Savannah as she bent to try to pick up a rock. It wouldn’t budge.

“You’re right. There’s no way anyone can pick this up. We’ll need a loader.”

Kaman, one of their linemen, nudged Savannah out of the way. “I got this.” He picked up the rock like it weighed nothing and toted it over to the trash bin.

Savannah looked to Cole, who shrugged and grinned.

Savannah was having the time of her life. So much of what she did involved sitting at a computer, challenging her mind. It was nice to get out and work with her hands. Even with gloves on it ruined her manicure, but she could get that fixed later. Just being with Cole’s family and friends was always a plus.

Not only had his team members shown up, but Cole’s family was here as well. Tara, Jenna, and Elizabeth had all said hello to Savannah when they arrived, and Savannah had noticed Cole’s sister, Alicia, his parents, and even his aunt and uncle.

Savannah went over on her break to grab some water. Alicia was there chatting with Tara, who was in charge of the drink tent, since she’d been given strict instructions by Mick to do no heavy lifting.

“How’s it going out there?” Tara asked.

“Good. Everyone’s doing such a great job.”

Tara sighed. “And here I stand, handing out bottles of water.”

Alicia laughed and shoved an errant hair away from her sweat-soaked face. “You can hardly move boulders in your condition.”

“I know, but it’s frustrating. I’m not incapacitated. I’m pregnant. I’m healthy. I do yoga. I work out all the time.”

“But you can’t lift heavy objects. And what if someone whacks you with one of those old rusty metal pipes or a board?” Savannah asked.

“I know. You’re right. I’m safer here. I’m just whining.” Tara handed out a couple waters to a few of the players who stopped at the tent.

Pizza was brought in for lunch. The guys came in, grabbed several pieces, then ran off to chat and eat, leaving the women to sit under the tent together. Savannah was more than happy to take a few minutes to sit down. She was in good physical shape, but all that bending and lifting was hard. Her back was going to be killing her by tonight.

“I’m exhausted already,” Liz said as she swiped the napkin across her lips. “I won’t need to work out for a week.”

Alicia laughed. “I know the feeling. Pilates was never this hard.”

“I was just thinking how nice a hot bath is going to feel tonight,” Jenna said.

“So maybe I’m not jealous of you all anymore,” Tara said, biting into a slice of cheese pizza. “The baby makes my back hurt enough.”

Jenna stretched her back and let out a loud groan. “Between this and the work we’re doing over at the new club, I’m ready to throw the white flag. I’ll end up in great shape when we’re done, though.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Bitch, please. You’re a stick.”

Jenna flexed her biceps. “Yeah, but I’m a stick with hard-core muscles now.”

Savannah laughed.

“Isn’t it fun being around us, Savannah?” Alicia asked. “All the bickering and bitch-slapping?”