Steamy Dunk (F*** on the Court)

Chapter One

Violet didn't care that she was going down to pick up her packages on a Saturday morning in her pajama pants. It had been that kind of week.

She loved her job designing interiors for restaurants. Really, she did. It was fun to create the design for the walls or how the bar area would look. There were also the accent pieces she had so enjoyed searching out, finding some unique art for the walls or a specific fabric for some booths that would really catch a diner's eye.

But this current project she was working on was a nightmare. There were advantages to working for a company that would send her out to consult in all different places across the country. She wasn't even disappointed when they told her the next project would be in Kansas City. After all, Violet had never been there before.

She also hadn't worked with this particular restaurant owner before. But after only a week, she was convinced someone in her company had a grudge against her. The owner had a very particular view of exactly how his restaurant should look and he clashed with Violet all week about every idea she gave him.

She wondered why he even hired her as an interior design consultant if he knew exactly what he wanted.

Luckily, she got weekends off, which is how she ended up here in the lobby of her building in her pajama pants waiting at the front desk for her package.

"I see you dressed up for your trip downstairs."

Violet tried not to roll her eyes at the man making a snide comment about her clothing this early in the morning. Instead, she figured she would pull out her Midwest nice and give him a polite smile that would be holding back daggers.

But when she turned, her eyes landed on a man's chest and then her eyes kept going up and up until she finally saw his face.

That's when Violet remembered the gossip from someone she was on the elevator with the other day that a basketball player had moved into their building. This must be the guy. Would it be wrong for her to give him more than just a polite smile?

"I'm wearing my ball gown down here later."

He gave her a teasing smile. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out."

"Violet!" Charlie bellowed as he stepped out of the concierge storage area. "You had two packages, not one."

He set them down in front of her at the desk and then turned, his eyes lighting up when he saw the person standing next to her. "You're Parker Blakeman, right?"

"Yep, and I didn't get your name yet."

The concierge stuck his hand out for Parker to shake. "Charlie. Weekends and some nights. Let me know if you ever need anything. Ever. I can always help you out."

Violet was trying hard to hide the confusion on her face. Suddenly, this was not her usual desk guy. He had been transformed into some flustered teenage boy or something. She didn't realize Parker the basketball player had that kind of pull in this city. Perhaps she should pay a little more attention to basketball or whatever.

"I was supposed to have a courier drop off a tuxedo for me. Has it arrived yet?"

"Let me go check," Charlie said hastily.

The tall guy was hot, and maybe Violet would stay here a bit longer if she wanted to chat up the new guy. But he did live in her building, which could complicate things, and her packages contained her candle subscription box and two thrillers she was craving to read. She didn't need to be here anymore and it was probably in her best interest to not be here anymore. Self-preservation and a good book and all that.

So with a polite wave, she told Parker whatever to have a nice day and walked away. And no, Violet wasn't going to pretend that she saw a flash of disappointment on his face. Better to just move along. She was a consultant and worked somewhere that wasn't Chicago during the week. She had learned already that most men couldn't handle her travel schedule. It was better to not get involved than to get involved and be disappointed later on.

Violet headed to the elevator and pressed the button. She loved this building for its old-world charm and some more traditional features compared to the modern glass and steel buildings further down the lakeshore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. There was something unique and special about this place.

But the elevators were also unique -- and not in a good way. They took forever. She would even consider taking the stairs aside from the two unwieldy boxes in her hand.

"Hey, can you wait up?"

Oh no. Hottie basketball player again.

"That won't be a problem." She turned and gave him a smile. "You know how these elevators run at a glacial pace."

He gave her a sheepish smile. "Actually, I just moved here so I'm still learning about the building."

"Ah, gotcha. Well, welcome."

He smiled and turned to look at the old-fashioned elevator indicators to tell them what floor the elevators were on. "Can I ask you a question?" he said without looking away.

"Sure."

How harmless could a question be from the new guy? She could tell him to get take-out from the pizza place down the street or avoid the dry cleaners next door because they ruin everything or yes, the elevators do in fact take forever.

"Do you really own a ball gown?"

Yeah, that was definitely not what she was expecting him to ask and she couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. "I do, but I'm really not going to walk around the lobby of our apartment building in it later."

Parker nervously shifted the garment bag from one arm to the other and finally turned back to look at her.

"Right, yeah. It's just..." His voice trailed off. "So, this is going to sound crazy, but I have to go to this charity thing tonight and my ex is probably going to be there and it's a whole thing. Anyway, do you want to go with me tonight?"

"Excuse me?"

"Right, a little sudden, I know. But I'm kind of desperate."

Violet must've made one of those faces her mother always told her not to make that would say so much without saying a word.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that," he said. "Not like I'm desperate and you're my only option and I'm just settling, because I'm sure you probably look fabulous in a formal dress and--"

"You don't even know my name."

He looked down at the box in her hand, his eyes narrowing as he took in the label. "Violet Petree. But your hand is covering your apartment number. Probably a smart move. You never know who you're going to run into by the elevator."

The elevator dinged in front of them and she could hear the doors open, but neither of them moved. "I'm sorry, who are you exactly?" she asked.

Yeah, she heard his name the first time he told Charlie, but she needed to hear it again if only because this whole thing was throwing off her typical brain function.

"Parker Blakeman," he said with an awkward smile. "I play basketball for the Chicago Ignition."

"Yeah, I figured out that part."

Violet waved her hand in the general direction of Parker, and a sexy smile spread across his face.

"OK, so now that you know who I am, do you want to get dressed up and go with me to a charity thing tonight?"

Violet heard the elevator doors slide shut. Her possible escape was gone. But was this something she wanted to escape? She took in Parker again, his brown eyes staring down at her, his tuxedo draped over his delicious forearm. He was definitely an athlete based on the way he was built and she definitely liked that.

"Yes, it's black tie, and I know it's last minute, but bringing a date would really save my ass."

Violet put her free hand on her hip while the other one gripped her box tighter. "What's in it for me?"

Parker's smile grew bigger as if he knew she was going to say yes. "So it's at The Cheshire Cat on Michigan Avenue. It's gorgeous inside. Plus, amazing dinner, free drinks, dancing but I promise I will stand a respectful distance. Car service there and back."

Violet tried to calm her nerves. Free food and drinks sounded good, she didn't mind the dancing.

But he thought it was gorgeous inside? She was on the team that spent a year working on that project. It was her favorite project of her career. There was no way she was going to tell him that, but the fact he thought it was gorgeous was the push she needed to agree to this crazy plan.

"OK, I'll go."

"Yes! You won't regret it, I promise."

"We'll see," Violet said as she pressed the button again for the elevator. "So what's your plan, basketball guy?"

The elevator dinged again and this time they got on. Violet pressed the button for the fourth floor and saw Parker hit the PH button. She imagined his place probably had a beautiful view of the lake.

The elevator doors slid closed and Parker leaned his lanky frame against the side of it, his head precariously close to the ceiling. "Let's say six o'clock in the lobby since you promised you would be in the lobby with a ball gown." He gave her a knowing smirk. "I'll be there with my tux and the car will be waiting outside. We'll go over our story in the car in case my ex comes over and asks questions."

The elevator stopped at her floor and Violet stood in the doorway, holding the door open as she looked back at Parker. "Six o'clock in the lobby. And you really think this is a good idea?"

Parker's smile was infectious. "Best idea I've had in awhile."

"Uh, OK. I guess I'll see you at six."

Violet took a step back into the hallway and heard Parker say "See you then, Violet Petree!" just before the doors shut.

This was ridiculous. A little flattery about her work at The Cheshire Cat persuaded her to go on a date with a man she had met five minutes ago in her building lobby. Yep, totally ridiculous.

Violet wasn't kidding about the dress though. She had a go-to in her closet for black-tie restaurant openings for her projects. Dressing up for a formal charity event was an easy thing for her to do.

But going with a basketball player she just met? Well, that part would be interesting.