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She laughed and shook her head. “I do indulge in good wine. I brought a case of this stuff from my New York place.”
“How was that? Your trip?”
“It was good. Super busy. But I got a big transaction closed for my real estate business.”
“Did you see Lance?” I regretted the words as soon as they came out.
“No. We’re not on speaking terms after that night at the charity event.”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. “I can’t believe I just asked you that. I’m not that guy.”
“I get it.” She slid onto a bar stool at the island. “When I was gone, I wondered about a hundred times if you were with another woman, and I’m not that girl.”
“Can I be the only guy who sucks on your tits in your office and eats your pussy in storage rooms?” I gave her my best puppy dog eyes.
“Most definitely. I’m not seeing anyone else, if that’s what you mean. I don’t think anyone else could measure up anyway.”
“Damn right. Stand up so I can smack your ass.”
“You are not smacking my ass.” She slid off the stool and fished through the refrigerator, which was about six feet wide.
“You could fit enough food for a dozen people in there,” I said.
“It was like the art—came with the place.” She passed me a bag of broccoli and another of multi-colored peppers. “Can you rinse those, Captain?”
“You got it, boss.”
We rinsed, chopped and drank while talking about the team, her companies and our shared appreciation for Kings of Leon.
Then, out of the blue, she asked, “Are you put off because I’m wearing sweats?”
I glanced over at her as I tossed the stir-fry and laughed. She was refilling both wine glasses, a carefree look on her face.
“Not at all. You look hot in sweats. I’m just really fucking hungry.”
She threw back her head and laughed, the sound warming me.
“That’s only partly true,” I said.
“Only the part about being hungry?” She gave me an admonishing look, a smile playing on her lips. “You were lying about the sweats being hot, weren’t you?”
“No, I meant all of that,” I said. “But it’s also nice to just talk to you since it’s been a few days.”
“I wish we could date.”
Her eyes were soft when I looked over at her. She wasn’t Sidney Stahl, corporate powerhouse, but a woman whose vulnerability was incredibly sexy.
“Me too. I’d date the fuck out of you, baby.”
She laughed and I gave her a serious look.
“No, I mean it. I’d be faithful and take you on dates. All that shit.”
She opened a cabinet and took out two plates. “Well, you’re here right now. And that’s more of you than I got yesterday, so I’m happy.”
I turned the heat off on the stove and moved the deep skillet to a back burner. I was happy, too, but I knew this wasn’t something we could do all the time. There was no way I was letting her get in trouble over me.
We ate, washed the dishes and settled in on the couch to watch a movie. It wasn’t even half over when I felt her breathing even out against my chest. She’d curled up against me when we started the movie and hadn’t moved a muscle since.
It was only eight thirty, but she must’ve been exhausted from the travel. When I eased my arm out from around her, got up and picked her up to carry her to bed, she hardly even acknowledged me.
“Killian,” she murmured, her eyes still closed.
“I’m taking you to bed.”
“Damn, I think I’m gonna sleep through it.”
“Just to sleep, Sid. I’ll lock up on my way out.”
“Stay if you want.”
“You want me to?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I will.”
I laid her down on the king-size mattress and grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed, unfolding it and spreading it over her. Then I took off my shoes and jeans and lay down, wrapping myself around her.
The first time we had guaranteed privacy and a bed, and we were asleep before nine. But somehow, I didn’t mind.Killian
Orion’s expression was grim. I’d known something was wrong when he didn’t bitch much at practice.
“You okay?” I asked him. Practice had ended half an hour ago and the locker room was almost empty.
“Let’s talk in my office,” he said.
I followed him to the small room and he closed the door behind me. Plays scrawled on paper littered his desk, which also held a few pucks from his professional hockey days along with a photo of his wife.
He sat down behind the desk, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“I just cut Shuck,” he said.
As the words sank in, I realized Shuck had disappeared as soon as practice ended, not even showering afterwards.
“Shit,” I said, sighing deeply. “Can’t say I blame you.”
“I normally would’ve told you before since that’s something a captain should know. But, to be honest, I had a hard time finding the balls to do it. I meant to do it yesterday, but I just couldn’t. And before practice today, but . . . yeah. So when I was able to, I wanted to get it over with.”
