Embrace My Heart(48)
“You like football?” Jerry cocked a brow, appearing doubtful.
Vectra took no offense to the way the man eyed her. She realized she looked more the part of rich heiress than pigskin enthusiast, dressed as she was in a sporty-chic tan tennis skirt, matching top and pristine white sneaker-clogs.
“I haven’t had much time to enjoy it lately,” she told the coach.
Jerry chuckled, and his pale blues twinkled in contrast against a healthy tan. “Don’t worry, hanging around Qasim will change all that.”
Vectra noticed the man raised his head in a quick up-and-down move, and she followed the line of his gaze to find Qasim heading toward them at a light jog.
“Sim!” Jerry called. “Looks like you’ve got a football lover on your hands.”
Qasim grinned. “So she says.”
Jerry and Vectra both laughed.
“Have you guys met?” Qasim asked.
“Oh, yes, Jerry showed me in,” Vectra explained.
“I’ll leave you guys to it,” Jerry said and then tipped the brim of his cap emblazoned with the Bears’ mascot. “Enjoy yourself, Ms. Bauer.”
“Thanks, Jerry.” Vectra smiled.
“Sim.” The coach nodded and then jogged away.
Turning back to Qasim, Vectra acted out a playful cringe. “Will you try to break the man in half later for escorting me to the field?”
“Hmm...” Qasim made a pretense of considering the idea, and then shook his head. “Nah...Jerry’s an all right guy. Besides, he’s married.”
She laughed. “So married men are safe?”
Qasim shrugged as though accepting the observation as fact. Inwardly, though, he felt a measure of accomplishment. He’d experienced none of the lightning-fast possessiveness that had been jolting through him with such annoying frequency over the thought of another man touching her. Deciding he deserved a treat for his progress, Sim turned the brim of his cap backward and drew Vectra high against him for a thorough kiss.
“There’re kids present,” she reminded him while arching into his chest.
“’S all right. It’ll give ’em somethin’ to strive for.”
Vectra would have laughed, but her mouth was quickly occupied by another probing kiss. When applause and whistles reached their ears, she felt her cheeks burn. She buried her face in Qasim’s neck. Meanwhile, Qasim grinned and tipped his cap to the Arnold Bears Football Organization.
“It’s amazing that you’re able to send all these kids to college,” Vectra raved, her warm stare trekking across the activity-rich field. She and Qasim enjoyed the rest of the preseason practice from the stadium bleachers.
“Well—” he grinned somewhat bashfully “—I don’t send all, only the ones whose GPAs are a certain level. I’d love it if they all made it to the pros, but it’d be better for my wallet if their skills brought them to work for me.”
“Ah.” Vectra laughed. “So you’re trying to scout mini-Wilders, huh?”
“I like that.” He seemed to purr and then shrugged. “My goal is just to help ’em succeed. College isn’t for everyone, and I’ve insisted that foundation money offers help in whatever way the older kids require.”
“Your dedication is commendable.” Vectra squinted, not in reaction to the sun but to veil the hint of unease that talk of the foundation had triggered in her eyes.
It had been several days since her chat with Minka. Vectra was no closer to talking with Qasim about the woman’s concerns. She didn’t even know if she wanted to talk to him about them.
“You’ve started something really wonderful here, Qasim. You should be proud,” she said instead. “What was the inspiration? Did some mysterious benefactor give you your start in life?”
“Nah.” He chuckled, watching his hands while he rubbed them one inside the other. “I was a player but didn’t have the desire to continue school beyond what the law required.” He shook his head.
“My tune changed after the army. That was my benefactor, and I’ve never regretted the choice. I just want these kids to have another one. Kids from other backgrounds have them, why shouldn’t these?”
“What you do is amazing,” Vectra squeezed his arm. “A lot of people think so.”
It was true. The Wilder Warriors Foundation had gained praise from many quarters on a national scale and had even grabbed attention at the presidential level.
“Has it always run so smoothly?” She studied the hub of activity on the field. “I know how easily charities can see their fair share of drama.”
“You’re right, and I’m happy we haven’t.” His hands curved into fists that he clenched and unclenched. “The person who dares to betray us would spend the rest of their lives regretting it.”