“Yeah, me neither.What do you do?”
He scratched the back of his neck, something uncomfortable crossing his features.“I play hockey.”
Shit.I knew he looked familiar.
This was Sean Brennan.Professional hockey playing Sean Brennan.A second-line defensemen who’d been traded more times than Jamie and Eric’s spit.
He caught my recognition and nodded.“What about you?You look like an armed forces guy.”
“Police force, actually.”
“Yeah, that tracks.It’s a badass job.”He said it with the kind of genuine respect that caught me off guard.
The people I’d been trying to impress with it had never once reacted this way.
“So how is it you owe Glenn your career?”
“He volunteered with some outreach program at my high school.I was a rough little fucker—bad attitude, bad temper, and had a habit of sleeping with anyone willing.I was going nowhere fast, until he helped set me straight.”His smile turned predatory as he held my gaze.“Well, not perfectly straight.”
Oh, shit.I froze.
“No, and yes,” he said, reading my expression with obvious amusement.
“No and yes to what?”
“No, I’m not secretly gay.I’m bi, and everyone knows it.Butyes.”His voice stroked the word like it was a trophy.“Yes, I’m absolutely hitting on you.”
Every warning bell I had fired at once.I crossed my arms.“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”He leaned in, his voice a seductive murmur.“Or you could show me where the bathroom is in this very large and confusing house.Take a walk on the wild side with me.”His shoulder brushed mine.“Something tells me it wouldn’t be your first time.”
How the hell did he know that?
In another place, another time, maybe.But not tonight, and especially not here, with Jamie twenty feet away and half this room just waiting for me to do something wrong.
“That woman over there.”I motioned toward Jamie.“Is the love of my life.We’re in her soon-to-be in-laws’ living room, my son is here, and I’m a respected officer of this community.So, no.”
“No, eh?”His eyebrow rose.
“No.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
No, normally I wouldn’t.It was the exact kind of bold move I’d made a hundred times.Throw out enough lures and eventually one comes back with more than just the bait.
Sean was more than just bold.He was enigmatic.And his lure was mighty fucking attractive.
Still, I couldn’t take the risk.“Guess not.But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try again.”
“Deal.”He stroked his beard, unbothered.“So.You a hockey fan?”
“Yeah.The sport’s in my blood.”The tension in my shoulders finally started to ease.
“Cool.Did you catch my last game?”
“Honestly?I couldn’t tell you which one that was.”
“That’s okay, it was a trick question.”His fingers ran over his beard again, and I caught myself watching the gesture a moment longer than I should have.“I haven’t played once this season.Was hoping maybe you had some insight as to why.”
