Page 33 of The Keeper and I

“I can stay there. I can sleep in my pants for one night.”

She heaved a sigh and leaned against the counter, her legs suddenly weak. It was stupid to ask this of him, and clearly, they weren’t pulling anything off. If Jordan did stay the night, what did it matter? None of it convinced Dane. He was watching them too closely. He still thought he had a shot, and unfortunately for Laci, the relationship wasn’t real. She locked her phone and slid it into her pocket.

“What now?” Jordan asked, moving to stand in front of her.

“I feel like maybe we should cut our losses,” she said. “He’s clearly not giving up, and I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“No one’s putting a gun to my head,” he replied. “I want to help.”

She held his gaze. “Are you sure? Who knows what he might do next?”

He stepped closer and took her face in his hands. For a moment, she stopped breathing. Then, she was breathing hard, her chest heaving. He was so close. Was he going to kiss her? If pouting was all it took, she could do that more often. But he stopped inches away.

“I’m a keeper, Laci,” he said, an edge to his voice she hadn’t heard before. “I’m good at protecting what’s mine.”

Chapter 8

ThetouchofLaci’shand against his drew Jordan’s gaze from the window to her stunning face. She was glammed up and glowing. The gentle smile on her lips made his leg stop bouncing after a ride spent with his teeth on edge.

“Ready?” she asked.

He stole a glance over her shoulder and his breath hitched. Camera flashes illuminated the red carpet in the light of dusk. Several of his teammates were lined up, dates on their arms, and adjusting their ties and cuff links. Among them were Ethan’s Chelsea teammates plus managers and staff from both clubs. Even Craig, the Stanmore kit boy, was there with a woman Jordan could only assume was his mother given her age. It was the first public appearance for him and Laci, and he was already considering slipping out the car door and bolting.

Not because of Laci. He loved spending time with her, but this would be their first attempt at showing the world, not just Dane, that they were together.

It hadn’t occurred to him until he had arrived at her house and was surprised at how accustomed he’d grown to the sight of her front door. Two weeks ago, he never thought he’d meet Laci Miller much less act as her boyfriend or be invited to pick her up at home. Yet there he was in a tailored tux rapping his knuckles against her door. It swung open, and she had appeared, stunning in a light pink A-line gown with a floral lace appliqué. She almost came to his shoulders in the ankle-breaker heels she had on, but she did not appear to be struggling with balance. She smiled at him, and Jordan could hardly breathe.

“You look beautiful,” was all he had managed to say.

Now, an hour later and a hundred times more anxious, he held her gaze and nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

She gave his hand a squeeze. He swore ten thousand bolts of electricity went up his arm. “Let’s go, then.”

The driver opened the door. Jordan took a deep breath and stepped out to help Laci and to ensure the driver didn’t close her skirt in the door. Together, they walked up to the line in front of the red carpet.

“Nervous?” he asked and immediately wanted to kick himself.

“A bit,” she said, and he lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “I’m comfortable enough in front of a camera. But usually, I’m alone.”

“Making it challenging for you, am I?”

“Afraid so. I know my angles and my good side, but I’ve only seen you photographed in action shots.”

“Well, have a look. Tell me which side is better.”

He stared straight ahead stoically. She reached up with her hand and took his chin, turning his face left and right, then her brows knit together as she contemplated.

“I don’t think you’ve got a bad side,” she said. “You’re almost perfectly symmetrical, which works out well since my bad side is my left and—”

“Stop right there, I’ll not allow you to disparage any part of your face,” he said. Before he could stop himself, he added, “You want perfect? Look in the fucking mirror.”

She blinked, and her mouth parted. “I—”

“Next!” the PR director called while ushering them forward before Laci could say anything. She held Laci back. “Mr. Frawley alone first, please.”

Jordan glowered at her. “She comes with me, or I’m walking away right fucking now.”

The PR director heaved a sigh. “Fine.”