AllFreeNovel
Share Us
While I protect the team I love, she protects her players.
The two don’t always go hand in hand. In fact, they clash, more often than not.
If I have to cut a player or sell them off to another team just so I can fill the empty spot with a better player, I don’t lose sleep over it.
Piper, on the other hand, would cut, claw, and maim a bitch, just to ensure that her players were nowhere near my butcher’s block.
I’m ruthless in my cold execution.
Piper is a fiery force in her protection.
Like I said, we don’t mesh well.
In fact, I think the only thing we have in common is that we don’t play well with others.
Rivals—that’s who we are to one another.
Power play rivals.
And God help me, but arguing with this infuriating, stubborn woman is sometimes the only highlight in my day.
Like right now.
Since the moment my secretary let her walk through my office doors, she hasn’t let me get one word in. She’s infuriated that I have a lunch date with one of ProStar’s agents this afternoon. I’m not sure how she got that information, but I’ve known Piper long enough to know she has her ways. Entertained by her passionate tenacity, I lie back in my seat and just watch her cuss me out as if I didn’t have the fate of her player in my hands.
“Don’t you even think of cutting Wilder for Henri Girard! I know Ethan has been sniffing your ass nonstop, trying to see if you’ll fall for the snake oil he’s selling, but I’m telling you now, Wilder is your best shot at winning the league this year and qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Without him, you don’t stand a chance.”
She then breaks into a tangent about game statistics and analysis, making Nathan Wilder sound like he’s the second coming to the NHL.
My lips are pressed in a tight line, not wanting to give anything away. Not until she’s done, at least. Though it’s getting harder to concentrate with every word that spills out of her pretty mouth.
That’s the other thing I find quite infuriating about the woman—she has this deep, Jessica-Rabbit-like voice that reminds you of rich, molten whiskey falling off the tongue. Even her high-pitched shrieks feel like velvet caressing my skin.
And last night, you could have heard her call out your name, with that velvety voice, while you were nine inches deep inside her, but you were too chicken shit to ask her to come home with you.
“Are you quite done?” I snap, suddenly needing to put an end to her visit.
Her nostrils flare as she plants both her hands on the edge of my desk.
“You tell me? Am I done?”
I run my thumb over my lower lip, feeling heat run through my veins at the challenge in her crystal-blue eyes.
Just like last night.
“I can assure you that I have no intention of cutting Wilder out of the team and replacing him with Henri Girard. It’s as you’ve said. Though Henri may be taking Canada by storm and is showing immense potential, he’s still young and green under the ears, while Wilder has a wealth of experience under his belt. It also doesn’t hurt that Wilder is hungry for the title. I quite prefer my players to have that burning winner mentality, rather than play the game like they need to prove they’re not just a one-hit-wonder. However, even you must admit that he’s had a few strikes against him. I can’t promise you that if Wilder gets himself in any trouble, I can save his spot for him. He’s too hot-tempered and, well… at times, aggressive.”
“All hockey players are aggressive. That’s what makes them good,” she says, standing back and crossing her arms under her impressive chest.
“Inside the rink, yes. Outside of it, though, not so much. As long as Wilder keeps his nose clean, then he should have no problem. At least not with me.”
“Do I have your word on that?” she asks suspiciously.
“Is my word enough for you? Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to have me sign something with my own blood, perhaps?” I mock.
“Comedy is not your forte, Nichols.” She rolls her eyes.
I don’t laugh because I know she means it.
