Page 28 of Player For Hire
I had just enough wine in me that her suggestion sounded like a very fine idea.
CHAPTER 9
COLDER
It had been the longest Friday night in a damn long time. The rain had finally let up and it was like the hoards had been released after dinner. There’d been no time for a break or even a sip of water tonight.
My head ached and my back was screaming from being on my feet the entire time. We’d even called in three extra people to help, and we’d still been slammed.
I nearly groaned when the elevator opened to my floor. It was quiet and the lights were dimmed due to the late hour. 2AM was last call and we’d still had stragglers until three.
The only good thing about rolling in this late was the utter quiet of my floor.
I dragged my ass off the elevator to my door and dropped my keys in my exhaustion. A bang from the other end of the hall dented my haze. Then the breathy tones of Taylor Swift’s new album floated out from the girls’ apartment.
Guess even they were up late tonight.
Even exhausted, a flash of memory from my moment in the elevator with Naomi intruded as it had all afternoon. Those big blue eyes and that mouth—fuck. I thumped my forehead against the door. I definitely didn’t need to think about that again.
I dumped my keys in my dish on the inside of my door and saw the little gift bag I’d picked up while I’d been out with Eli for lunch. It was stupid but seeing how engrossed she’d been in the book and her clear interest in that dragon, I’d been unable to resist getting them both for her.
I should probably just go down and set the bag in front of her door since I’d probably crash most of the day tomorrow. I’d slept for shit the night before with Naomi on my mind and now after this endless exhausting workday? Yeah, I’d probably end up down for the count for hours.
With keys and bag in hand, I went back out into the hall. The closer I got to their door, the louder the music got. The song had changed to one of Taylor’s anthems and the pair of them were singing their hearts out.
I had a feeling they’d both be sleeping it off all day too.
Maybe I’d just give this to her later.
Suddenly, the door swung open. “Oh, you’re not delivery!” Naomi leaned against the door with her hair wild around her face. Her eyes were soft, and her cheeks flushed with exertion and alcohol.
“Nope. Well, I have something but it’s not food. Sorry.”
Her lower lip jutted out. “We ordered pizza. Did you know Jimmy’s delivers this late? Isn’t that crazy?”
I pressed my lips together. I did know that—I’d convinced my big brother that staying open on Friday nights would be a good return since so many places closed early. “You don’t say?”
She dropped her head back. “Ugh, a greasy pizza sounds so good right now. I’m starving.”
All of a sudden, I was very un-tired and starving for something else entirely. Her long neck was bare, and she was wearing a cropped baseball shirt with sparkles across her chest. And no freaking bra.
Her nipples were twin points, proudly showing off the faded letters of Syracuse University. Not to mention her endless legs in the navy shorts that barely hit her thighs.
Fuck me.
I cleared my throat. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“S’okay. We’ll survive.” She spotted the gift bag in my hand. “Whatcha got there?”
“A little welcome to the building present.”
“For me?” She closed the door and the music dimmed slightly as she leaned against the door. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.” I gripped the back of my neck and held it out. “It’s not much.”
She took it and crushed it against her chest. “I love it.”
“You don’t even know what’s in there.”