Chapter 11

"... My dad owns the OFL. My real dad."

Eve's eyes got wide, making the connection. "You're kidding me?"

"No. Martin Ashford is my real father. He and my mother dated when they were younger. It was a year before he was married to his current wife." Adam filled his plate, trying to act unaffected.

"So, you know about the new job openings working with talent. Oh… I guess that's what the big meeting you have been planning for is about. If your agency gets the deal, then I guess I may not get the chance to get that job. You will probably take care of their talent." Eve felt like the rug was pulled out from under her.

"Oh, no. That's different. I just work with the individual players. I work to get them better: contract deals, advertisement endorsements, that sort of thing. The deal I am making with them is opening a new exclusive sports agency in New York. My father may back it. He's thinking of investing."

"That's great. He seems to be very supportive of his children. I know you said you just met him not long ago, but it's great he's trying to help you out. You have a lot of brothers and sisters now, I guess. Martin Ashford has seven children. Can you imagine? Well, eight counting you."

Adam shrugged. "I guess. It's going to be a huge opportunity. I just hope Drew can manage to behave himself for a while. I don't want my half brother screwing things up for me."

"I'm sure Drew will be fine. He is a little immature, but I've seen him in action working the clubs. He can be professional when he really wants to be." Eve reached over and touched his hand. "Honestly. It will be fine."

"I'm glad someone sees some hope in Drew. Thank you, Eve."

After dinner, Eve and Adam settled down in front of the TV just talking and getting to know each other. When the sports news report came on, Eve was glued to the TV. Adam tried to seem interested, but he really just wanted to focus on the date.

"I'm sorry. I just really like to keep up on the progress of the whole business. If I get this job, I have to know everything about it."

"I understand. You really want that job, don't you?"

Eve smiled from ear-to-ear. "It's my dream job. Everything I have worked for was to get a job in sports. I always wanted to be a recruiter or an agent. I think being a recruiter is where my passion is. I want to help new talent get started. That's why Martin and Hunter Ashford started the OFL and I look up to them so much. I want to give more people a chance to be involved in the big leagues. Also, I want to do what my father did for Greg."

Adam sat back, pretending to be interested. "Your father was in pro sports?"

"Not exactly. He loved sports. He was our high school football coach. Greg and my brother Wayne, were close. He was at our house all the time when we were in high school. My two brothers were into sports too, but nothing like Greg. Greg put everything into it, so my dad took a liking to him. Greg's family was not always supportive of him. His dad is a doctor, and Greg always wanted to be a pro football player. His dad told him sports were a waste of time."

"I can understand that. My stepfather wasn't always supportive of me either."

"The man hates that Greg and I are so close. Mostly because I support his dreams. We both bonded over sports from the start. His father wanted Greg to be a doctor too and always said Greg was a dumb jock. He is a horrible father. He doesn't realize how great of a son he has. All he cares about is impressing his rich friends. Greg deserves better than that." Eve sipped on a glass of wine, remembering Greg's horrible, verbally abusive father.

"So your father took him under his wing. That's nice."

"Yes. Greg was always at our place to avoid his father. When my dad realized how shitty of a father Greg had, he started looking out for him. My dad was friends with the coach at the University of Louisville football team. It's no secret in the sports community Greg is dyslexic and how he overcame it to get his PHD in sports therapy. Greg is really smart, but the dyslexia almost cost him his scholarship and any chance at college."

"How did he overcome that?"

"My dad and I helped him. He got Greg a tutor, and I helped teach him to be able to function with his disability. By the time Greg finished high school, he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Now he does a lot to help kids with dyslexia. Greg has fought really hard to get where he is. My father was his mentor, so when my dad died of leukemia, Greg watched out for me, and he has ever since. I want to do what my father did for Greg by helping other kids in sports to reach their dreams."

Adam reached over, pulling Eve into a side hug. "That's really nice, Eve. Greg seems really special to you. I hope you get the job, because you seem very passionate about it. I could give you a reference to my father --"

"Oh, no. I wouldn't ask that of you. You are so busy with your business right now. Focus on that. Besides, I may need to hit you up for a job in the agency if this goes to crap," she teased.

"I'm not sure I could focus on my job with you there. I would be trying to figure out ways to get you alone in my office. I'd have to schedule a lot of private business meetings with my personal assistant." Adam ran his hand on her leg.

Eve's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Personal assistant?"

"Well, yes. I wouldn't want to have to share you with the rest of my staff. You do have a PR degree. The fact that you're hot is just a perk."

"And what about these 'private' meetings? What exactly would take place during these meetings?"

Adam slipped his hand up the hem of her skirt, letting his hand ride up her thigh, making Eve's breathing hitch. Leaning in, he kissed at the tender skin just below her earlobe. "I'm sure we can find something we need to take care of."

"Mmm… I'm sure you could take care of things quite well, Mr. Weston." Eve looked over at him seductively.

"I'm very thorough with my work. I like to take time and pay close attention to every aspect." He started kissing her neck and Eve stretched to allow him better access with a moan, closing her eyes to take in every sensation.

As they were getting more bold in their caress, the news report came on. Quickly, Eve backed away and Adam noticed her sudden change. He huffed in annoyance at her sudden loss of interest. He clearly had more on his mind than watching TV.

"I'm sorry. The report is on. I can't miss this."

Adam took her hand and relaxed back into the couch, watching the sports channel report, even though he had no interest whatsoever in what was on the screen. He was slightingly annoyed and shifted in his seat to relieve the pressure of his arousal, as he casually drank his wine.

When they announced the man who was doing the interview, Adam felt Eve's body tense next to him. Looking over her body, he watched as her legs tightened together and she bit her bottom lip, watching intently as Hunter Ashford came on the television. The clear body language was there. She had a crush on the man. Adam shook his head in disgust as his jaw tightened in frustration.

Eve's eyes were glued to the television as she pointed out, "It's Hunter. He's my favorite player. Well, he was until he retired."

Adam felt a sting of jealousy as he watched Eve's reaction to the oldest Ashford sibling. Just watching the man on the screen made her flush.

"He's a charmer and loves the ladies. Maybe a tad too much. I heard he has gotten around a lot since his divorce. Hunter's a known womanizer. I met him when I met my father and my siblings. He's pretty arrogant too. He does well, seeming professional in interviews, but behind the scenes, he's a jerk." Adam tried to make her jealous that Hunter may have so many women, and maybe put some negative images in her head, too.

"I've heard. He's also said in a few interviews that his ex wife leaked all that fake info out. He claims it's all lies for the new reality show she's on. I think she made it all up. I bet she's trying to get more ratings for her show from the gossip. I can't stand those reality shows. From what I read, it was a way for her to get more money from the divorce, too. Hunter will probably run all of OFL one day. Maybe even all of Ashford Sports with his sister Grace. He really knows the business."

Eve watched every move of Hunter's lips and clung to every word as she watched with a gleam in her eyes. Meanwhile, Adam sat stewing as he watched her in annoyance. He could tell by her body language she was attracted to the man, but her quick defense of him made it clear she really did. It had never been an easy fact for Eve to hide.

"You like him, don't you? You have a little crush on my half-brother," he blurted out.

"Huh?" Eve looked over at him with a guilty look.

"You do. I can tell. Well, if you're trying to get on his staff, I will have to work even harder to keep my girl interested. And apparently keep her away from his charms. Won't I?" Adam put his arm over the back of the chair, playing with her hair, almost as if he was laying claim to her.

Eve giggled at his sudden burst of male ego. "Jealous? It's not like I would ever work close to him. I'll probably end up as some low-level grunt answering phones or something. I haven't had my degree long enough to get the job I really want."

"You don't think so? Greg's coach told me, you know more about this industry than anyone he has ever met. He thinks you will run the OFL someday on your own, if given the chance. I, for one, can't say I disagree. You are a marvelous woman, Eve."

She blushed. "Thank you. Okay, let's turn this off. I've heard enough. Why don't we head upstairs to my bedroom."

"I like the way you think." Adam raised his brows.