I’m extra pumped for the game against Vancouver, not only because they’re our closest rivals geographically or because Coach Casey and their coach have some kind of long-standing beef. No, I’m brimming with adrenaline because I know the hottest woman I’ve ever locked lips with is in the crowd tonight. I caught sight of Lana in the team’s family section when I skated out at the beginning of the game, and I raised my large goalie stick in her direction, winking as I cruised past. She looks so fucking hot in a Whalers jersey, even if it does say Landon on the back. Note to self: get her a Bergman jersey as soon as possible, provided she gives in to what this thing between us could be. There’s nothing sexier than claiming a woman like that, putting your name and number on her, even if my brain is still thinking of her as being off limits and all.
It’s like my body refuses to believe nothing will ever happen. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve jerked off to the memory of our kiss at my apartment the other night more times than I dare to count, recalling the feel of her soft lips moving with mine, her full breasts pressed against my chest and my fingers brushing the line of bare skin on her back where her shirt had ridden up.
Fuck, remembering it makes me harder than ice.
But now is not the time to get a poorly timed hard on. I’ve got a Vancouver winger speeding toward me with the puck at his stick, and Bugs and Nate are nowhere to be seen. We’ve got a comfortable three-nothing lead, but that can change in a heartbeat if we take our eye off the game. I make myself as big as possible on the doorstep and try to read the winger’s body language—what shot is this kid going to take? At the last minute, he shows his hand, and I lift up on my knees to block his top shelf shot with my shoulder, sending the puck bouncing off toward Nate. He captures it on his blade, drops it to the ice, and skates behind my goal. He shouts his apology for being late and then takes off up the ice, passing to Ford who immediately gets slammed into the boards by a Vancouver enforcer.
I roar in outrage as his head bounces awkwardly off the Plexiglas, and he crumples to the ice, not moving.
Mother fucker! I charge out of my goal toward my injured brother as all hell breaks loose. It doesn’t take much for us to drop our gloves against Vancouver, but that check was reckless. The fight that’s breaking out between Nate and the offending player is happening way too close to Ford, who still lies up against the boards, trying to sit himself up. When I reach him, I slide to my knees and help him up, glancing over to make sure the wrestling match isn’t going to land on top of us and injure him further. As I help Ford to his feet, the team’s assistant coaches slide over and begin to check him out.
I look over and see Nate land a crunching roundhouse on the side of the Vancouver player’s head, knocking his helmet off, sending his ass down onto the ice. At that point, the officials step in and send Nate and the dazed player off for a penalty. I smirk when I see Beth pressed up against the glass, screaming encouragement at her man as he skates to the sin bin to serve his penalty. I also catch a glimpse of Lana a few seats to Beth’s right. She looks adorably concerned so I smile broadly at her when I skate back to my goal.
“What the fuck was that?” the gruff voice of my Assistant Captain asks as I squirt water into my mouth while the blood is cleaned off the ice.
Matt skates around the back of my net and fixes me with his angry stare.
I think quickly and reply, “Yeah, that was a bad hit. Hope Ford’s okay.”
“Not that, man,” he growls. “Why have you been making puppy dog eyes at my sister all night?”
I laugh loudly despite the fact my stomach almost drops out of my ass. Have I been that obvious with my sneaky looks toward the family area?
“You’re insane!” I protest. “We’re friends, that’s all. You know she’s teaching me to cook, and she looked upset after the fight. There’s nothing going on.”
Matt squints at me and I see his teeth grinding. “That had better be all it is. I know you’re going to the benefit together tonight, and I’m letting it slide because Mila thinks it’s a good idea to get Lana out of her funk. But I swear to god, if you make a move on her, I’ll end you.”
Fuck me. He’s this angry after a few looks. How the hell would he react if he knew his little sister’s tongue had been in my mouth?
I scoff and roll my eyes, pulling my grill down over my face so he can’t get a proper look at me in case my guilt is painted all over it. “Of course, that’s all it is. We’re friends. End of story.”
God, I feel like an asshole for lying to one of my best friends, but I want to take Lana to this benefit more than anything in the world. So, I tell the lie that Matt needs to hear to allow that to happen. For a heart-stopping minute, I think he can see right through my deceit, but then he gives me a sharp nod and skates off to back up Bugs at the puck drop. Fuck me, that was close. I can’t let my feelings for Lana bubble to the surface tonight, no matter what.
Approaching Bugs’ front door, I pull at the bow tie that’s currently pressing uncomfortably against my Adam’s apple, and I wonder how long it’ll need to stay in place tonight. Just like the dress shoes I’m wearing, the tuxedo also had to be custom tailored to fit my huge frame. It fits like a glove, and it should for what it costs, but the bow tie is a pain in the ass. I should’ve just bought a clip-on, but the tailor almost had a stroke when I suggested it.
So here I am, dressed up like an enormous penguin in this tuxedo, heading out on a non-date with a beautiful, albeit off-limits woman. I huff out a frustrated breath just as Bugs opens the door and greets me, Nate, and Beth with high-fives and hugs.
“Here’s the man of the hour!” he announces loudly, ushering me into the house. “Another shutout for the mighty Thor!”
I accept a beer and hold it up to toast the rest of my line who are already here. “Couldn’t do it without all of you,” I boom, holding up my bottle. “Well, I could do without the kid forgetting that he’s there to cover my ass.” I tip Nate a wink and receive a good-natured middle finger in return.
As I cruise the room, greeting everyone in turn I notice Matt, Mila, and Lana aren’t here yet. My stomach knots uncomfortably as I imagine the worst: Matt didn’t believe my denial earlier, and he’s decided they won’t be coming to the benefit after all.
“You okay, man?” Bugs asks, approaching me with a sleepy baby Sawyer pressed against his chest. “You seem a little out of it.”
I laugh quietly so as not to wake the baby. “I’m fine. Just a bit wasted after the game. This getting old shit is no fun.”
Bugs chuckles and nods in agreement as Cam joins us and takes Sawyer from him, leaning up to press her lips to his smirking mouth. When they part, she smiles and gazes between her man and their baby and yet again my heart wants what they have. Despite the rocky road, they got their happy ending, and I’ve never seen either of them so content.
“Oh, c’mon now. You boys aren’t old.” Cam laughs. “I can tell you for certain that Warren is absolutely in his prime.” She lifts her eyebrow and winks, making Bugs pull her in for another kiss.
“Thanks, Sawyer. It took you long enough to realize that.” He smirks, giving her ass a gentle pat.
“Hey, I got there in the end,” Cam protests, shaking her head. “I’m gonna put this little lady down so the babysitter can at least have a few hours before she starts demanding attention again.”
“Good night, baby girl.” Bugs leans in and kisses his daughter’s chubby pink cheek before Cam disappears with the babysitter to put her to bed.
We continue to enjoy drinks and shoot the shit as we wait for everyone to arrive. The team has laid on a couple of limos to take us all to the benefit, so we decided to pre-game at Bugs’ house as it was big enough to hold us all. Ford still wanted to come despite the hit he took in the game, but I notice he’s not drinking tonight, which is a sensible move.
Knox has turned up with yet another random bunny who clings to his arm, eyes as big as saucers as she takes in her surroundings. I’ve seen her around with a few other players, but if that’s the game Knox wants to play, I’m going to leave him to it. He’ll soon learn these girls generally want one of two things: to sleep with or marry a pro-hockey player. I’ve warned him enough times, but the kid has to make his own mistakes.
Nate and Beth stop sucking each other’s faces long enough to have a conversation with me, and we make a plan to get brunch tomorrow morning to help with the inevitable hangovers we’ll be nursing. The Whalers Charity Auction has a reputation for getting rowdy, and Coach Casey did warn us before we left the locker room that there should be no repeat of last year’s streaking incident that landed several members of our second line with hefty fines from the GM.
We’re just arguing about whether to meet at eleven or twelve when I hear the front door slam, and Matt and Mila enter the room, looking every bit the happy couple. Matt’s arm is slung protectively over Mila’s shoulder, and she’s laughing loudly at something he’s just said.
However, my eyes quickly flick back to the door just as Lana follows, and suddenly my mouth dries out and my throat bobs painfully behind my stupid bow tie. She’s an absolute vision in a dark blue evening gown that hugs every one of her banging curves, flaring out at the knee to hit the floor in a fishtail, the neckline plunging dangerously between her breasts. I can feel my fingertips tingling with the desperate need to get my hands on her, so instead I shove them deep into my pants pockets and try not to stare.
I watch impatiently as Lana greets Beth and Cam with hugs and kindly shakes hands with the bunny that accompanied Knox. She fiddles self-consciously with her hair that’s pulled into an elaborate twist, tempting tendrils cascading down her slender neck. Fuck me, I’m getting a boner just at the thought of my fingers releasing her chestnut waves from the jeweled clip that holds them in place.
As she approaches, I quickly drink the last of my beer and straighten the cuffs of my tuxedo jacket, pulling them down slightly in order to have something to do with my hands. If I don’t, I’m likely to reach out and pull her into a show-stopping kiss.
“Hey,” she says in her sweet voice, looking up at me through her dark eyelashes. “Great game today.”
Jesus, this is awkward as shit. The sexual tension between us is crackling like static electricity, and I’m surprised my hair isn’t standing on end. I’m desperate to reach for her, but I know I can’t, especially in the presence of her ever-vigilant brother.
So instead, I take a small step back and bunch my hands into fists in my pockets. “Yeah, it was great. The shutout pretty much sealed the deal on our place in this year’s cup run. Just the road trip to Tampa next week, and we’ll have our playoff spot secured.”
Lana looks a little hurt that I’ve moved away from her. Her eyes cloud over as she flicks them toward Matt who’s drinking a beer with Bugs, side-eyeing the shit out of us. She nods sadly as if understanding why I’ve put some distance between us and clasps her hands in front of her, pressing her breasts together in a tempting valley that I just want to bury my face in.
Jesus Christ, I need to lock this shit down.
“Right, everyone. The limos have just messaged to say they’re five minutes out, so finish your drinks and head out front,” Bugs calls, pulling on his tuxedo jacket.
I’m thankful to my captain at that moment because I think if Lana and I have to stand here much longer making awkward small talk, I’ll do something stupid.
“Shall we go?” I say instead, ushering her toward the door, unable to resist the need to place my hand on the small of her back. Lana flicks her gaze up at me and can’t seem to keep the shy smile from her plump lips. “I thought Zac might be your date tonight?” I ask, desperate for something to say.
Lana laughs and rolls her eyes. “I did ask him, but he’s got a hot date. As much as he loves hockey and being in a room with so many of his favorite players would be a dream come true, his need to get laid takes priority.”
I join her in her laughter and am just about to ask her who Zac’s favorite player is when her cell phone rings in her small purse.
“I’m sorry. I should put the stupid thing on silent, but it could be a booking for the food truck. Excuse me.” She takes a few steps away from us, pulls her cell phone out, and looks quizzically at the screen. Instead of answering it, she presses the buttons on the side to silence the call and shoves it back into her purse, returning to my side just as the limos pull up onto Bugs’ sweeping driveway.
“Everything okay?” I ask, noticing the crease that appears between Lana’s eyebrows when she’s thinking hard about something.
Her head snaps up to look at me as if she was lost in thought and she smiles. “Sure, just an unknown caller. I never answer those; it’s usually a telemarketer. If it’s someone for the food truck, I’m sure they’ll leave a message.”
“Okay, if you’re sure it’s nothing more?” I ask, her revelation from the other night about her abusive ex still fresh in my mind.
“No, it’s fine.” She brushes my concern away and smiles. “C’mon, let’s get in the limo that doesn’t currently contain my brother.” With that, she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the opposite limo to the one Matt is getting into.