This Christmas Rivalry Read online

Wade gave her a smile that was as fake as a three-dollar bill. “First, we want to offer our condolences on your grandfather’s passing.”

  “Thank you.”

  When she didn’t say more, he glanced over at her unreadable face and cleared his throat. “Let me get to the point. I’m here to make you an offer for the Freighters. From what I hear you’re a pretty busy lady, so I’m sure you’re looking to sell so you can get back to California.”

  Wade Jr. added, “And we know you probably don’t know the first thing about running a football team.”

  Tasha’s frosty eyes made the smile on his face tremble. Looking chagrined, he dropped his gaze.

  She turned back to Wade Sr. “How much are you offering?”

  “Considering the team isn’t really a moneymaker and that you have no home field, I think fifty grand would be fair.”

  Tasha folded her arms and sat back. “Fifty thousand. And what happens to the Freighters if I agree?”

  Kev spoke for the first time. “The franchise will be sold. Dad already has an interested buyer.”

  “I see. And if say no because I plan to make the Freighters a winner and a moneymaker, too, then what?”

  Wade Sr. laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

  “I never joke when it comes to business, Mr. Blount.”

  He paused and studied her. Tasha sensed him trying to decide if he’d underestimated her. Of course he had, so she decided to give him something else to ponder. “I’ve wanted to own a football team since I was eight years old. I’m not interested in selling and especially not for a paltry fifty thousand. Isn’t your franchise fee one hundred and twenty thousand?”

  His jaw hardened.

  “I didn’t become a rich pretty lady by not doing my homework. The Freighters are not for sale. Please let the other teams know that my team will have a home field this season and they should adjust their schedules to reflect that. Is there anything else, gentlemen?”

  From the wide-eyed wariness staring back, the answer appeared to be a resounding no.

  “Then I believe we’re done. In the future please make an appointment. My housekeeper will see you out.” Rising to her feet, she left the room.

  Upstairs, she watched them drive away. She supposed they’d place her name on their hate list right above or below Colonel Virginia Powell’s, who she planned to get in touch with first thing Monday morning. And it was now official she didn’t care for the Blounts either. The only good thing that came out of the meeting was that they’d given her legitimate reason to put in a call to Drew. Pulling out her phone, she did just that.

  * * *

  When Drew saw Tasha’s name on his phone’s caller ID, he allowed himself a small smile. Who knew he could miss a lady so much after just one night? “Hey, Tasha. How are you?”

  “Doing well. Just had a visit from the Blounts. They wanted to buy the Freighters. I’d like to talk to you about it.”

  He froze. “You didn’t accept the offer, did you?”

  “Of course not. Come on, Drew. Give me some credit here.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No problem. How about we meet on Monday?”

  “You busy now?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then I’m on my way.”

  “Thanks, Drew.”

  He ended the call and smiled now that he had a legit reason to see her again.

  * * *

  Over in the Bloom mansion, Tasha put down her phone and smiled, as well.

  When Carmen brought him out to the deck where Tasha sat killing time, the first thing that came to her was how much she wanted his kiss. Everything she told herself she had no business feeling she did. The memories of last night’s lovemaking returned so vividly she was inwardly breathless. Standing to greet him, she just hoped she could keep it together. “Hey, Drew.”

  “Tash.”

  Carmen asked, “Mr. Davis, can I get you something to drink?”

  “Yes. If you have more of that great iced tea, I’ll take a glass. Thanks.”

  “I’ll bring you some right out. Tasha do you want a glass?”

  “Yes, please. Thanks, Carmen.”

  After her departure, Tasha gestured him to join her. He sat. Initially, all they seemed capable of doing was visually feeding on each other. Needing to distract herself, she asked, “How’s your day been so far?”

  “Good. Yours?”

  “Can’t complain.”

  Silence.

  Carmen returned with the iced tea, then quietly withdrew. They sipped and set their glasses down.

  “So,” he started. “Tell me about the Blounts.”

  Tasha gave him a quick rundown. “They weren’t happy when they left.”

  “Good. I’m not even going to speculate who this potential buyer might be.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Our team’s not for sale. I emailed a few local landscapers about the field. I’m hoping to hear back soon.”

  They spent the next little while discussing team-related things, like the upcoming draft, new equipment and the league schedule. They both knew they were making small talk in an effort not to deal with the elephant in the room—last night.

  But the distance they were trying to maintain wasn’t working for Tasha. Because of his nearness her nipples were hard and the Ice Princess of the Western World was melting in her chair. All she wanted was to be in his arms again, and if the heat radiating from his eyes was any indication, he wanted the same.

  Drew decided to hell with it. Just being near her had him hard as iron and all he could think about was the softness of her skin and the heat of her kiss. “I want to make love to you again, Tash.”

  On the other side of the table, Tasha dissolved.

  “No?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Then how about we take a drive over to my place and I show you another awesome view?”

  “Let me grab my purse.”

  * * *

  By the time they reached his high-rise apartment they were so hot and eager that as soon as he ushered her inside all hell broke loose. First came fiery steamy kisses, then clothing was snatched open and shucked off. He greeted her nipples with a lusty hello and all she could do was moan. They somehow stumbled into his bedroom and when he finally gave her his pulsing shaft she took it in with greedy welcome.

  They spent the next few hours giving and taking, coming and gasping, and when they’d finally satisfied their every need, they fell back to earth fulfilled.

  He rolled his head her way and was surprised by her smile. “What’s so funny?”

  “Us. Last night was supposed to be one and done. Guess not, huh?”

  “No. I could make love to you 24/7, from now ’til now on.”

  “Same here.”

  Taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips. “Can we toss the one and done and just enjoy each other for however long this lasts?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Then come here.” He pulled her atop him and they began again.

  * * *

  Later, after taking a shower and getting re-dressed, she sat with him on his balcony. His place was on the twenty-third floor and the view of downtown and the river was as spectacular as promised. “You never see this view of the city in the national news,” she remarked. “All you get are abandoned houses and people who look homeless.”

  “I know. It’s an uphill battle to make the media see we’re more than that. Take the two new stadiums, for example. They’re great venues but outside of sports coverage, you rarely see them either.”

  “I haven’t seen the new stadiums.”

  “Do you like baseball?”

  “It’s a little slow for me, but I watch it occasionally.”

  “I ca
n get tickets for the Tigers game tonight if you want to go. They’re playing Chicago.”

  Her face brightened. The invite meant an opportunity to spend more time together. “Yes.”

  “Then how about I run you home so you can get ready and I’ll pick you up around five? Game starts at seven.”

  “You sure you aren’t going to be needed at the club?”

  “Hazel can manage for one night.”

  Tasha could just about imagine Hazel’s reaction, but she was Drew’s employee. Tasha was sure he could handle whatever came up. “I’ll be ready at five.”

  He drove her home. She gave him a long, sweet kiss goodbye, then went inside.

  She found Carmen seated in the kitchen on the phone. The perturbed look on her face made Tasha wonder who she might be talking to. “Lisa, stop trying to tell me what to do! I am not marrying him.”

  Lisa was one of Carmen’s daughters. Tasha wondered if Tony had called them about the ring. Both daughters were already on his team and, like Tasha, thought him perfect for their mom.

  Seeing Tasha, Carmen said, “Hold on a minute, Lisa,” then placed her hand over the phone. “Do you need anything, Tash?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m going to the baseball game with Drew later.”

  “Okay.”

  She almost added, “And don’t look for me until morning,” but at her age, there was no curfew, so she left Carmen to work out her issues with her daughter.

  Giddy at the thought of spending the evening with Drew, she hurried up the steps. In the hallway she met Monty pulling his suitcase. “Thought you weren’t leaving until tomorrow.”

  “Found a flight out tonight. Instead of going home, I’m flying to Copenhagen. Client issues.”

  “Okay.”

  They shared a long hug that reflected their mutual affection and the sadness of parting. “Take care of yourself,” she told him. “I’ll be in touch about the team.”

  “You do the same. I left those files that we never got a chance to discuss. The thumb drive is next to your laptop.”

  She nodded.

  He asked, “Have you found a solution to your Harry Heisman dilemma?”

  “Going to a baseball game with him later.”

  “So the answer is no.”

  She smiled. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  “You do that, and if I need to buy a tux to give you away, let me know that, too.”

  “Will do.”

  He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Bye, dollface. Love you.”

  “Love you more.”

  In her room, Tasha shelved thoughts of Monty’s departure and of Drew for a moment to do a quick run-through of the financial files he’d left behind. It was an accounting of all her grandfather’s assets, and she was blown away by the fact that he was far more wealthy than her initial tallies indicated. She knew he loved cars as much as he did breathing. What she didn’t know was that he had investment fingers in automotive pies from engines to the fabrics on the seats in enterprises worldwide. He owned a Brazilian company working on a prototype solar engine. There was a long list of stocks in tire and auto-glass manufacturers. He’d invested heavily in two small enterprises in Paris specializing in engine computers and was partial owner in a company that had a contract with the Defense Department to supply plating for armor-clad vehicles. Even by her standards it was unimaginable wealth. Maybe she’d see if Drew wanted to build a hundred music schools. Smiling at that and making a mental promise to do nothing but good works with all the money now in her name, she shut down the laptop and got dressed.

  He picked her up promptly at five. She tossed her overnight bag in the backseat. “I need a change of clothes when I’m with you.”

  “I was going to suggest that, but I figured you’re a smart lady.”

  “That I am.”

  He grinned and drove them away.

  * * *

  The stadium was grand. The entrance gates sported two huge stone tigers. Inside there was a merry-go-round of all things and a Ferris wheel with seats that resembled baseballs. “I want to get on the merry-go-round, Daddy,” she said mimicking a happy kid.

  He chuckled. “Do you see that line?” There was a long line of children and adults waiting. “It’ll be next week before you get a turn.”

  She pouted.

  Laughing, he promised, “Next time, we’ll come earlier.”

  “Okay.”

  Tasha loved the family-friendly atmosphere and decided it was the type of vibe she wanted her Freighters to shoot for.

  They made their way through the crowds to the concession stations and loaded up on hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soft drinks. Their seats were on the third baseline and offered a panoramic view of the playing field and the Detroit skyline. Tasha was in heaven.

  It had been a long time since she’d seen a game in person and it was way more fun than watching on television. She booed the umpire’s bad call, cheered the strikeouts thrown by the Tigers’ Cy Young Award–winning pitcher and jumped to her feet with the screaming crowd to celebrate the grand-slam homer that tied the game in the fourth inning. During the fifth inning, Drew left to head to the men’s room and was gone for such a long time that she began to worry, but he returned with gifts.

  “I bought you a hat and a jacket. If you’re going to be in D, you need to look like it.”

  Tasha immediately donned the cap with the Tigers’ signature Old English D on the front and the matching jacket. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The Tigers won nine to six, and on the ride home, her happiness knew no bounds. She liked hanging out with Drew. Looking over at him behind the wheel, she was reminded of his earlier words, for however long this lasts, which to her meant he had no intentions of them being long-term. Normally, she was the person defining the limits of the relationship. Now that the shoe was on the other foot, it pinched big-time, but she decided she was just going to enjoy it. The future would take care of itself.

  CHAPTER 8

  For the rest of the month, Tasha spent her days on the phone with her home office, faxing documents back and forth to Monty and making decisions and plans as team owner, but she spent her nights making love with Drew.

  One evening after yet another hot and heavy session in his bed at the high-rise, she said, “I need to have a team meeting.”

  He slid a finger over her nipple. “And here I thought you were thinking about what a bomb lover I am.”

  Her voice held her amusement. “Oh, that goes without saying, but I rarely get a chance to do anything but moan and come when I’m with you, so I thought I’d say something about it before I get distracted again.”

  His hands and lips began doing their distraction thing.

  “See?” she whispered.

  He kissed her mouth while his expert hands went exploring. “Am I distracting you?”

  “Yes,” she breathed. She couldn’t believe how hooked on him and his loving she’d become. Just a look from him across a room made her heart race.

  He stroked the small temple between her thighs. “Is this distracting?”

  As if by command her thighs opened so he could play.

  “How about this?” He circled a nipple with his hot tongue and caused a moan of pleasure to slide from her lips.

  “Drew?” she protested weakly.

  “What, baby? Go ahead and tell me about this meeting.”

  But he was teasing and touching and making her mind go into pudding mode. “I can’t think.”

  He met her eyes with a pleased male smile. “No?”

  He proceeded to make a slow lusty journey down to the sapphire adorning her navel and the sweet heat made her eyes close. He flicked his tongue against the jeweled nook while his fingers circled the damp warmth waiting in the cove
below. “You’re very wet, Ms. Natasha Bloom. Open these gorgeous thighs, so I can taste your flower…”

  And when she did, he treated her to a scandalous bit of loving that made her cry out with bliss before sending her into a shuddering, world-shattering release.

  Moments later, he entered her hot, hard and ready and burned away all further mentions of talks or meetings.

  * * *

  A few days later, she floated the idea of combining the meeting she wanted to have with a Fourth of July barbecue for the team and their families.

  On the phone, Drew listened to her plan and replied, “I think that’s a great idea. We’ve never done anything like that before.”

  “Then I’ll send out invitations.”

  At the club that evening, Drew alerted those players who worked for him about the event. Donnie and Sammy were quiet but agreed to come. Tommy, on the other hand, had plenty to say.

  “What? She think she can make us forget her granddaddy by feeding us some ribs?”

  Drew sighed. Donnie and Sammy left to resume their stations at the door. Tommy tended to have an opinion on everything and apparently they weren’t in the mood. Drew wished he could join them but as team GM, he had to at least listen. “What’s your problem?”

  “She’s the problem.”

  “Are you planning on playing somewhere else this year?”

  “Hell, no. My girl likes living here.”

  “Then you need to put away that attitude concerning Ms. Bloom and be grateful.”

  “For what?”

  “That little thing called a paycheck.”

  “Yeah, well. Hope she knows she’s going to have to pay me a whole lot more than her granddaddy did. I’m the only one here who played pro ball. I should get extra for that.”

  Tommy was a typical young player who’d been coddled since coaches learned he could play the game. Even though he’d lasted less than two years in the pros, it was all about him. A bad attitude, two off-field arrests for being drunk and disorderly and a tendency to get burned deep by big-time receivers who were faster, stronger and bigger brought an abrupt end to his professional career. Walker Bloom hadn’t fallen for Tommy’s delusions of grandeur and neither would Tash. “And if she doesn’t?”