Page 8 of Body Heat
“I'm driving.”
Sera's announcement stopped me in my tracks. “I'm sorry, what?”
She tossed the keys she was holding into the air and caught them. “I'm driving,” she repeated.
That’s what I thought she’d said. I was the kind of guy who didn't like to have other people behind the wheel when I was in the car, but I didn't want to be a dick about it with her. “Do you know where we're headed?”
“Yeah,” she laughed. “Nice try, but I know where the stadium is.”
I had to give it to her; it was a stupid question. “Of course you do.”
“You can wipe that concerned look off your face. I'm not just a good driver, I’m an excellent one,” she boasted.
“It's not that—”
“No, I get it,” she interrupted. “Most guys aren't comfortable with a woman driving them around. But in this instance, you're going to need to get used to it.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because I've been extensively trained in both offensive and defensive driving. If anything happens on the road, I need to be the one behind the wheel.”
I considered her explanation and nodded. “That makes sense to me.” I pulled my key fob out of my pocket and tossed it to her. “But I think we should take my ride. It's a little less noticeable than yours.”
“I’m cool with driving your SUV.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “But why do I feel like you're expecting me to let you drive my baby if you let me drive yours.”
I grinned at her. “Probably because it’s what I’m hoping for.”
She started walking toward my SUV before saying, “Not gonna happen. Nobody drives her but me.”
“I used to be able to say that about my ride, too,” I grumbled good-naturedly.
She didn’t look the least bit guilty as she grinned at me, but she sure as fuck was gorgeous. “Too bad, so sad.”
I shook my head and chuckled as we climbed in to the vehicle. After she pulled out of my driveway, she asked, “Do you always start your day this early? Your schedule for this week looked pretty brutal.”
“In season, yeah. I pretty much live and breathe the game twenty-four seven. Team meetings, offense meetings, practices, media sessions; it all adds up.”
She asked questions about my daily routine until we were a few minutes from the stadium. “I never realized how much effort went into playing sports professionally. I have to admit it's more than I expected.”
“I can’t really complain, though,” I chuckled. “Not when I'm getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love. I work hard, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to the effort you put in when you served our country.”
“Yeah, a soldier’s schedule is intense. But my time in the military paid for my education, gave me lifelong friends, and ultimately led to a career I love.”
“And to me,” I murmured under my breath as she pulled into the stadium’s lot.
The guy who manned the gate at the players’ entrance spotted me in the passenger seat and stepped forward to stop the car. “Hey, Rowan. Everything okay?” he asked after Sera rolled the window down.
“More than good,” I confirmed. “This is my girlfriend, Sera. I'm going to give her a quick tour before I head in to the weight room.”
“Nice to meet you, ma'am.” The guard nodded and jotted something down on his clipboard. “Make sure you guys check in with security inside so they can get her a badge. I'll call and let them know you're coming.”
It was still early enough that Sera was able to snag a primo spot near the doors. As we were walking toward the entrance, I rested my palm against her lower back. Feeling her gun holstered there, I jerked my hand back and whispered, “I don't think you're allowed to have that while you're in here.”
“You can count on me having a weapon at all times. It's non-negotiable where your safety is concerned. I’m sure ownership will understand. The last thing they want is for their star player to get hurt while he's on their property. If I get caught with it, I'll figure out a way to talk myself out of trouble.” She didn’t look too worried about the possibility. “It shouldn’t be too hard since I have a concealed carry permit along with a private investigator’s license.”
I opened the door and waited for Sera to go ahead of me. When I spotted the guard waiting for us just inside, I groaned. I'd never had a problem with him personally, but I'd heard a few of my teammates complain that the guy thought of himself as a ladies’ man and wasn't afraid to flirt with their women. He was related to the GM and felt like his job was secure.
“I had to come down and see this for myself,” he drawled when we got close.
