I almost backpedal when I approach the front desk and Dana Holbrook is there wearing a big fur coat and those superhigh heels like she’s walking on stilts.
Keep it together.Calm, confident, no bullshit.Make her respect you.
The iPad’s in her hand.
I’ve got the small plug-in that will let Lawrence remote into the iPad. I keep it in my pocket—I take it everywhere, just in case I get lucky. If I can get her to bed, I’m pretty sure I can slip it in there while I’m keeping her busy.
Dana pulls off her sunglasses when she sees me. She nods to the handful of mini liquor bottles in my hands.
“Just protecting your assets.” I shrug one shoulder. “You spent way too much money on Zayne Murphy.”
She blinks at me. “No, I didn’t.”
I set the bottles on the counter then lean on it casually to look at her while the hotel clerk types the number into the computer.
“Zayne’s only thirty-seven, and he has already sold more in merchandise than I’m paying him,” Dana says. “He’s the only thing keeping this team afloat financially.”
“Huh.” I level my gaze at her. “I bet you make all those self-absorbed finance bros in Manhattan cry on the regular, don’t you?”
Dana just raises an eyebrow. “Apparently, I wasn’t harsh enough with you a few days ago.”
“You hired me to play hockey—one of the roughest sports out there. I don’t just give up.”
“You’re cute.” She takes her room key from the clerk.
“We’ll have your bags taken up, Ms. Holbrook.”
“Good. I need a drink.”
“The private terrace is available for you, ma’am.”
I make a gamble and pick up her black leather suitcase and walk ahead of her to the elevator, trying to keep my heart from hammering. I jerk my chin up to her as I hold open the doors and hit her with my smoldering smile that Skylar made me practice.
Dana seems more amused than intrigued, but better than her busting my balls.
“Can I come up and have a water with you?”
“A water?”
“Game tomorrow. No drinking.” I wink.
“Hence the bottles of liquor?”
Yeah, she’s definitely not attracted to me. But hey, a boredom fuck is all I need from her. I’m making progress. A few morehours, and I’m in and done. I may not even have to play that game tomorrow.
The elevator across from me dings, the antique brass doors open, and Ellie careens out. “Where is he? Oh my god, this is a—” She sees me then sees Dana.
Ellie claps a hand over her mouth then thinks better of it and clasps them behind her back. “Dana! Hiiii.”
Do not yank the well-dressed billionaire into the elevator, I chant to myself.Her shoes cost more than your salary.
Ellie is giving me alook. But I don’t speak nonverbal caffeinated annoying girl.
“How about that drink?” Dana purrs.
“Uh, Dana, hi, hey, can I just—” Ellie takes the suitcase from me, her fingers brushing mine, then sets it on the floor.
“I’m just gonna borrow him if that’s okay. Official hockey business.”
