His Leading Lady (2 page)

“When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to
you,” Darvin spit back.

“In a test of wits, Sweets, you come up
empty…so, bring it on.” Mark silently thanked his twin sister,
Megan, for tutoring him in college, forcing him to learn.

“I’ll wipe the floor with you, Davis,”
Sweetwater growled.

“Not in a game of intelligence.”

“Come on, baby. Don’t get upset. Let’s get
outta here. Why don’t you come to my place for…uh…dessert?” Tiffany
cooed, placing her hands around Darvin’s huge biceps.

He looked at Tiffany then at Penny. “You want
to come along and make it a threesome?” He licked his lips as his
gaze raked over Penny’s body.

“Uh…not really. Not my thing. Don’t worry
about me. I’ll grab a cab home,” Penny said.

“I can drive you home,” Mark piped up.

“It’s okay. Really.” She raised her hand, and
her voice shook.

He cursed silently.
Shit. She thinks I’m
gonna jump her. Attack her, like Darvin. I’m nothing like
him.

Darvin narrowed his eyes, and a slow, evil
grin played at his lips. “Fine, Penny, if that’s what you want.
Leave Davis here by himself. Let’s go, Tiffany.” Darvin stood up,
reached into his back pocket, and pulled out his wallet. He dropped
two one-hundred dollar bills on the table then handed a twenty to
Penny.

“Here’s for your cab. You’re one hot chick.”
Darvin took Tiffany’s hand. “I’ll see you on the field, Davis.
Better watch your back…bro.” Sweetwater laughed as he and Tiffany
left. Penny twirled the twenty dollars in her fingers. Her gaze
dropped to her hands then up to her water glass. She folded,
unfolded, and re-folded the money.

Oh, my God. She’s afraid of me.
“Hey,
look. Do whatever makes you comfortable,” Mark said, resting his
hand on hers lightly for only a moment.

She jumped at the touch, fear evident on her
face.

“I’m not going to hurt you, try to take
advantage of you…or anything. I’m a regular guy. I’ve got a sister.
I like women, respect ’em.”

Penny continued to twist the twenty. “I’d
better go.”

“If that’s what you want. But I’m going to
have another cup of coffee, and I was considering dessert.”

Penny turned frightened eyes on him as she
began to stand up.

She looks like a deer caught in the
headlights. Make her feel safe, you idiot!
“No, no, real
dessert. I hear they have great hot fudge here. How about splitting
a hot fudge sundae with me? Three scoops—all your choice. Or you
can catch a taxi, if that makes you feel safer.”

Penny sat down and blew out a breath. “I love
hot fudge. How did you know?”

“Everybody loves hot fudge, especially me.”
He smiled at her and signaled to the server, who came over right
away. She rattled off six flavors of ice cream.

“You choose,” Mark said, gesturing with his
hand. “I like ’em all.”

“Hmm, let’s see. Mint chip for sure, vanilla,
and how about coffee?” Penny turned to look at him.

“Sounds good. Whipped cream and two cherries,
please.”

The waitress nodded, refilled their coffee
cups, and left. Mark couldn’t help looking at Penny’s chest.
Not
huge, just right. Big enough to fill my hands.
His fingers
tingled at the thought of touching her, so he tore his gaze away
and focused on her face again.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to act like a baby.
I’m twenty-five, not five, but he scared the crap out of me. Is he
always so…so…aggressive on a first date?” She added sugar to her
mug.

“Don’t know. This is the first time I’ve
doubled with him. I’m kinda new here. So when Reid offered to fix
us up…well, seemed like a good idea. I didn’t know you were
coming.”

“Oh? I was selected for Darvin. Got it.” She
nodded.

“Yeah. He was uh…looking forward
to…uh…being…uh with you.” Mark could feel the blood rush up his
neck.

“It’s okay. I figured out pretty quick what
he was after. He’s not the first, and probably not the last, jerk
who’s dying to make it with an actress.” She gave a short,
mirthless laugh.

He’ll be the last who tries to take
advantage of you, if I have something to say about it.
“Guess a
woman as pretty as you comes across this kinda stuff all the time.”
She nodded and added cream to her drink then took a sip. Mark stole
another glance at her cleavage while she was distracted.
Great
rack.

“Most guys aren’t usually that…uh…obvious.”
She licked a drop of coffee from her lip.

“Sweetwater is his own biggest fan. I’m
surprised they make a helmet big enough to fit him.” Mark’s gaze
zeroed in on her soft, pink, inviting mouth. He wanted to kiss
her.

Penny laughed. “Thinks he’s God’s gift to the
world, does he?”

“Definitely. His day’ll come. He’s not too
big to fall. Nobody is. I only hope I’m there to see it.” The
waitress returned with the biggest dish of ice cream Mark had ever
seen. He let out a low whistle and grinned. “We’re gonna be here
all night trying to eat this thing,” he turned it around and
reached for a utensil.

“All night?” She cocked an eyebrow at
him.

“I didn’t mean…”

“I know you didn’t. Just messing with you,”
she chuckled, picking up her spoon.

He let out a nervous laugh.
Sharp sense of
humor, like Megan. Gotta be on my toes.

****

Penny’s gaze was riveted to Mark’s eyes.
They’re blue green. Never seen anything like them.

“Do I have hot fudge on my forehead or
something?”

Blood heated her cheeks. She shook her head.
Caught gawking at this gorgeous guy. Bad form, Penny.

“You’re fine,” she said between spoonfuls of
ice cream.
More than fine, but I’m not telling you that. One
swellheaded athlete a day is enough.
Mark dug his spoon into
the cold confection and scooped up some mint chip and fudge sauce.
Penny’s gaze moved slowly down his straight nose, sexy lips, and
firm chin, all the way down to his chest.
God, shoulders as wide
as the Grand Canyon. Are all quarterbacks this hunky? Well, not
Sweetwater. Creeped me out.

“You learned about women from your sister?”
She scooped up some coffee flavor and topping.

“Megan. My twin sister.”

“Twin?” Her eyes widened.

“Yeah. Fraternal twin. Meg and I have been
Frick and Frack since we were born. She’s getting her M.B.A. at
Harvard. This is the longest we’ve been separated.”

“Miss her?”

“Sure do.”

“It’s refreshing to hear a brother admit his
misses his sister.”

“She needs someone to look out for her.”

“What about your parents?”

“My mom can barely handle her own life. My
dad isn’t around.”

She picked up a bitter tone when he mentioned
his father.
Wonder what that’s about.

Mark dipped his spoon into the mint chip and
offered it to her. She opened, and he shoveled the confection in.
Penny closed her lips over the food while making eye contact with
him.
Is it hot in here? He’s sexy.
The ice cream cooled her
some, but not enough.

“Do you feed your sister, too?”

“Hell, no!” He grinned.

The next spoonful came from Penny to Mark. He
opened wide. His gaze locked on hers then traveled down to her
mouth. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, burned by his
stare. Desire flashed briefly in his eyes before he looked away
from her.
A man who loves his sister and feeds me ice cream.
Where have you been hiding?

It took them almost an hour to finish the
sundae. Mark ate the lion’s share, as Penny had to curb her calorie
intake. She was satisfied fairly quickly and enjoyed watching him
chow down.
He must burn up a ton of calories every day. He’s
trim.
Her gaze trailed down his chest to his hips.
Bet he’s
got washboard abs under that shirt. Hope I get a chance to find
out. Not tonight! Girl, slow down.

Penny took a deep breath then hid her
embarrassment at her own thoughts by picking up her water glass for
a sip.

“Are you convinced I’m not a rapist?”

She grinned at him.

“Will you let me drive you home?”

“Only if you give this twenty back to
Darvin.” Penny handed the bill to Mark.

“I’d like to shove it, but hell, yeah. I’ll
return it to him. So, you’re coming with me?”

“Why not?”

Mark paid the bill and pushed to his feet. He
placed his hand on Penny’s lower back to guide her out to his SUV.
The warmth from his touch sent a small sizzle up her spine. He
opened the car door.
He’s a gentleman now, but is he going to
jump me in the front seat? When we get home? I hope not.
She
snapped the seatbelt on and sat back. Apprehension mixed with
curiosity about this attractive man filled her mind. Her fingers
played with the strap on her handbag as he put the vehicle in
gear.

Mark pulled into the parking lot of the
building where Penny lived and killed the motor. He inched his hand
closer to hers until they were touching. Can I see you again?” His
gaze met hers.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Look. Mark, you seem like a nice guy, but
I’m not into one-night stands, hooking up, or friends with
benefits. I’m serious about my career and don’t want to end up in
the tabloids, or screwed and dumped because you’re curious.”

“Wow. A bit defensive, aren’t we?”

“If you’ve had to deal with the crap that’s
come my way, you’d be like this, too. Even guys who seem nice end
up in a wrestling match. Star fucking is a popular hobby. I don’t
play.”

“Does that mean you don’t date?”

“I don’t date much. I’m very choosy.”

“Guess that lets me out, huh?”

Crap! Didn’t mean to shoot him down.
She placed her hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean that.”

“So, you do want to go out with me? I’m
confused.”

“Could we start slow?”

“Snail’s pace. Promise.” He raised his right
hand and crossed his heart with the other.

“Okay.” She blew out a breath.

“How about we…uh…go bowling?”

She laughed. “I haven’t gone bowling since
high school. Sure. Great idea.”

“Is there a bowling alley around here?”

“Dunno. You recommended it, without knowing
if there’s one near here?”

“It was the first safe thing that came to
mind.”

“You’re funny. Go look it up. I have no
clue.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. After gathering
up her sweater and purse, she opened the car door.

Mark’s hand on her shoulder stopped her.
“Wait. When? What time?”

Penny bit her lip and rolled her eyes. “Let’s
see. How about Friday night?”

“This Friday?”

She nodded.

“Can’t. Game on Saturday. I never go out the
night before a game. Saturday night?”

“Sure. Can I come to the game?”

“I’ll have a ticket waiting at the box office
for you. Two o’clock.”

She smiled. “Sounds great!”

“We’ll catch some dinner then bowling?”

“You’re on.”

“Can I have your number?”

She plucked his phone off the seat, punched
her number in, and then saved it.

“Call me, then I’ll have yours, too.” Mark
leaned over and brushed her lips lightly with his.

“Thanks for the dessert,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

“Until Saturday, then. Good luck, by the
way.” He smiled. She closed the door and stopped at the entrance to
her building. Touching her lower lip with her finger, she watched
him drive away.
Could he be real? They don’t make ’em like that
anymore.

Saturday was a sunny day in Las Vegas. Penny
took special care dressing.
Be pretty, but not too sexy. A
football game, dinner, and bowling. What to wear?
She pulled
out a pair of khaki pants and a dark pink cotton sweater. The
sweater had a scoop neck, showing a hint of cleavage. A gold chain
and earrings plus a bracelet helped set off the outfit without
being fussy.
Don’t want to have to keep track of a scarf
today.

Satisfied with her reflection in the mirror,
she gave herself a spray of perfume, grabbed a light jacket, and
headed out the door.

When she pulled into the parking lot, her
heartbeat quickened as a slight zing of apprehension shot through
her
. I hope he’s as nice as he seems, and I don’t run into that
ass, Darvin Sweetwater. If these big guys decide you’re having sex,
it’s impossible to fight them off.
Penny shook off her
apprehension, parked her car, and went to the box office. There was
a ticket with her name on it and a note.

Penny,

Wait for me after the game. I’ll be out
about twenty minutes after the last whistle. Meet me at my car.

Mark

P. S. Thanks for coming.

She entered the temperature-controlled
stadium and took her seat. The location was perfect, about ten rows
up from the field and right behind the Gambler’s bench. A quick
glance around told her she was in the wives’ and girlfriends’
section. A feeling of awkwardness combined with a bit of pride at
being there. She shifted in her seat. The players weren’t out
yet.

Announcements from the loudspeaker echoed
through the cavernous building. A few warm smiles came her way from
other attractive young women sitting in the same area. She returned
the greeting and settled back.

Within fifteen minutes, the men took the
field. A little thrill shot through her heart.
I’m dating one of
those guys.
She searched the team, looking for Mark.
Damn,
he never told me his number.
Her gaze hopped from face to face,
until she found one looking back and smiling. She grinned.
Number fifteen. Got it.
Everyone stood up when the national
anthem began to play.

The Gamblers won the toss and elected to
receive the kickoff. Her skin crawled when she noticed Darvin
Sweetwater sitting on the bench near Mark.
Pig.
It wasn’t
long before the Wyoming Wild Cats lost the ball and Darvin trotted
onto the field. He was a hair shorter than Mark, but wider. He
looked powerful as he went into formation.