Page 51 of Offsides

“That’s the other half,” Cowboy laughed. “But we’re going to concentrate on the having fun part.”

Theo swallowed hard, her pulse racing for reasons other than feeling Cowboy pressed against her. If anything, knowing he was right there was the only thing keeping her semi-calm at the moment. Did he really want them to hurtle through the air, multiple stories above the ground? There was having fun and then there was putting her life at risk.

“What’s the matter, darlin’?”

Theo shook her head, not wanting to own up to the nerves that were consuming her. He’d planned this out for them, presumably because it was something he enjoyed, and she didn’t want to take away from that. She could suck it up and do this, right?

“Theodosia, what’s going on in that pretty head of yours? I can tell something is bothering you.”

“I…” she started, stopping herself. Theo looked into Cowboy’s eyes, concern staring back at her. He tugged her in closer, tightening his arms around her body, making her feel safe. “I’m scared.”

“We don’t have to do it if you don’t want.”

“But you want to.”

“I do, I think it’s fun. But if it freaks you out, there are plenty of other fun things to do in this city.”

Theo sighed, letting herself relax into his embrace. Damn, was this man special. How he saw right through her, she was sure she would never understand. But he did. It was more than that though. He put so much thought and effort into everything. Whether it was something for the team, his friends, what takeout place they ordered from, or making sure that she had the perfect first Vegas experience, he poured his heart into it. A heart that she was quickly becoming attached to.

A heart that she was starting to have very deep feelings for.

“We’re doing it together, right?”

“They won’t allow us in the same harness, but yes. I’ll be right behind you, or in front of you if you want me to go first. Your call, darlin’.”

Reaching down deep inside, Theo grabbed ahold of her courage. Cowboy was right. Part of being here, in this wild city, was letting loose and having fun. Zip-lining seemed as good a way to get that started as anything.

“Then let’s go.”

Twenty minutes later though, Theo was starting to rethink her position on letting loose. Strapped into the seated harness by a pale, heavily tattooed teenager with dreadlocks, she stared down the seven-story-high tower from where they would launch. Her chest felt like horses were galloping across it, her heart pounding against her rib cage. This was easily the craziest thing she’d ever done.

“I’ll be waiting for you on the other end, darlin’,” Cowboy said, blowing her a kiss as he launched himself off the platform.

Theo watched as his muscular body slid down the line, his thighs bulging in his tight jeans, making her mouth water. He was so fucking sexy, no matter what he did.

“Ready, ma’am?” the teenager asked.

Theo nodded, reaching back down inside, trying to find that same courage she had earlier. Stepping to the end of the platform, she looked at the kid, who nodded solemnly, giving her a gentle push, sending her flying.

Warm, desert air rushed against her face, a squeal escaping her throat as she whizzed over the crowd below. Adrenaline coursed through her, a weightless feeling taking over. So this is what it felt like to fly. Theo could feel a giggle start to bubble up, replacing the squeal, unable to control her smile.

Looking forward, she could see Cowboy standing on the rapidly approaching platform, his arms open wide, a giant grin matching hers taking over his face. She slowed down, the built-in mechanism catching the line, her feet finding solid ground again. Still, her heart leapt, feeling freer than she had in forever. Pure glee rushed through her veins, spreading through her entire body. She jumped into Cowboy’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, as the attendant tried to unhook her. Her lips found his immediately, crashing together hard and fast, her whole body thrumming with excitement. He kissed back, just as passionately, his embrace welcoming her into him. She continued to kiss him, not caring who was watching. The whole world seemed to fall away, her mind amazingly unburdened. So much so, she could hear her heart loud and clear. Calling his name.

This wasn’t just a fling to her. This wasn’t just about having fun. She was falling for Britt Callahan.

Hard.

* * *

Cowboy had absolutely no idea who invented high heels. But right about now, he figured he owed that person a drink. Or twenty.

Theo glided across the floor of the Bellagio as they exited the theatre, her long legs perfectly accentuated by the four-inch black heels she was wearing. The simple black sleeveless dress she was wearing, hugging her in all the right places, was nice too. But those shoes—well, they were just driving him crazy. They had been since he’d knocked on the door separating their adjoining suites at the hotel.

After Theo had shared with him in the pool that she had never been to Vegas, he knew that he had to make this memorable. The tournament schedule didn’t allow for a lot of wiggle room, with daily games starting tomorrow and going for the next week, or at least until the team was eliminated. Given the bracket structure, with the amateur teams playing first, progressing their way to the fourth round where the professional teams entered, each pro team could usually plan to have to play in at least three rounds. There was always an exception—some Cinderella team who defied all odds, beating the pros and making their way into the round of sixteen. But Cowboy was confident that the Rising would not be meeting up with Cinderella this year—and if they did, they were going to send her home packing.

A schedule like that, though, meant that he was going to have to front load their fun.

With some help from Felicity, and a little white lie to Theo about media not being allowed in the tournament quite yet, Cowboy’s plans had easily fallen into place. Zip-lining, a late lunch on the strip, then back to the hotel to change for a night out at Cirque du Soleil, followed by what he hoped would be a nice romantic dinner in the Eiffel Tower. It might not have been the most extravagant plan, but it was one that Cowboy thought combined much of what the city had to offer, and more importantly, would make Theo happy. He seemed to hit the nail on the head.