“Maybe this week you model off your ankles for a TikTok, give your hungry fans more material to work with.”
“Give them the goods like that?” He shakes his head, and in all seriousness, he says, “Penny, you can’t just give away the milk for free. You have to make them work for it. A little flash here and a little flash there to keep them begging for more. If you just hand it to them, they’ll become disinterested. And do you really think I want my ankles to be known as has-beens?”
A loud laugh erupts out of me from how ridiculous he sounds. “The absolute horror.”
“Exactly. So, I say we plan a two-year marketing project of showing bits and pieces of my ankles until the grand reveal of a full-on thirty-minute video showing clips of just my ankles. Talk about the ultimate apex. Think of the relief these fans will feel.”
“Like a pent-up, edged-out orgasm.”
“Precisely,” he says, his voice growing deeper.
I glance up at him, and when our eyes connect, all I can see is a yearning in his. I point my finger at him. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” He holds his one hand up in defense. “I wasn’t thinking about anything.”
“You are such a liar.”
We’re silent for a moment, and then he mumbles, “You’re the one who said orgasm.”
“Yeah, and you were the one who alluded to it.”
“I alluded to nothing. That’s just your filthy mind at work, Penny.”
Chapter Four
ELI
Let’s be clear about one thing—any woman I take to bed is a willing, consensual partner.
Do I flirt shamelessly to get them there? Of course.
But do I make them go against their own will?
Never.
That’s not how I fucking roll.
I want the woman to want me just as much as I want her.
So the way this evening is going with Penny is excruciating because I sense how this night might end. I’ve crossed a line with flirting with my best friend, my teammate’s sister and for nothing.
She’s too shy.
She’s too levelheaded.
She might be attracted to me, but she’s not going to give in.
Am I disappointed? Absolutely.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll ditch her and find someone else. I actually like her company. She’s funny. Interesting. When she’s more comfortable, she jokes around, and I like that. She’s just a cool person to hang out with.
Honestly, I’m glad I ran into her. She’s made my birthday enjoyable when usually it’s just a mindless day of me trying to forget I don’t have much family, nor do I have anyone who calls me on my birthday other than my teammates.
“Where is this place?” Penny shivers next to me.
“Just around the corner.” Releasing her hand, I wrap my arm around her shoulder, bringing her in close to keep her warm.
It’s not just cold out. It’s borderline bone-chilling. Hat, gloves, heavy jacket kind of weather. My ankles are cold, so I can’t imagine what she must be feeling right now.
I turn the corner, and the little bakery that I’ve grown very fond of has a neon sign in the window stating they are open. Just in time.
“Right there,” I say, pointing ahead. We pick up our speed, and when we reach the shop, I open the door for her. I like to say this bakery is the best-kept secret in Vancouver. It’s an absolute hole in the wall, a narrow building with a bakery case running the length of the shop, chipped and scuffed black and white tiled floors, and of course, an old man working the front register who has seen his fair share of flour spilled all over the ground.
He glances up from his register, and the smallest of smiles lights up his face.
“Eli, my boy, I was wondering when you were going to come in again.”
Right above the cash register is a framed jersey of mine signed and made out to Robert, the man beaming at me. I gave it to him last year as a seventy-fifth birthday present. It absolutely made his day.
“Hey, Robert,” I say. “Been busy and also trying to cut down on the sweets.” I pat my stomach. “Playoffs are just around the corner, and I need to be in top form.”
“I recall the night you came in for some red velvet cake. The next day, you had one of the best games of the season.” He lifts his chin. “I told everyone it was because you ate my cake.”
“You know, I do believe that was the reason.”
He chuckles. “Look at this guy making an old man feel good about himself.” He turns his attention to Penny. “And who might this be? I’ve never seen you bring a girl in here before. She must be special.”