“I’m actually starving, and I could use a drink. How about we go check out the lounge?”
“Perfect,” he said, offering his arm again.
Kota’s sweet and zesty scent wrapped around me. The pecan, maple, and buttery pastries had my mouth watering. The jolt of electric lemon coated in that sweet warmth was exactly the kind of thing I needed to ground me.
When we made it to the lounge it was already full of people. I guess the fire outside was over.
They weren’t loud or crazy, just each enjoying the night and a drink. It was nice to see them have a chance to relax, too.
Kota led me to a table in the corner so we could have some privacy. The lights were low, and the music was soft enough to be considered background noise.
As soon as we were in our chairs, a hostess came up, her smile bright like everyone else here. The staff was honestly incredible.
“Do you want something more substantial or just appetizers? It looks like they’ve got pretty much a full menu down here.”
“I only picked at my dinner, and after that charcuterie at lunch, I’m starving.”
I quickly decided on a burger and fries, and Kota did the same. When she was gone the conversation flowed. We’d only known each other a short time, but here, surrounded by his scent, watching him smile easily and give me reassuring looks, was enough to melt any barriers I had.
I’d already decided last night that I was going to give this pack a shot.
We didn’t need any more hurdles. The odds were already stacked against us.
I also realized that I couldn’t hold everyone accountable for what my dad did. It wasn’t reasonable to hate all hockey players because he was awful.
Kota, Greer, and Hayes weren’t my dad.
Looking at Kota’s eager face, chatting with him about anything and everything, only reassured me that he would never walk away from me like that.
Or our future kids if we decided to have them.
“What’s your family like?” I asked, eager to learn more about him.
He shifted uncomfortably. The change was instantaneous.
“That bad?” I winced.. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for asking to know more about me, little bat.”
“Little bat?” I questioned with a grin. It was an adorable nickname and just as unique as he was.
“With all this black and your pale skin? You’re the quintessential goth baddie, and I’m just a humble delta ready to worship at your feet.” He flashed me a grin.
I’d always been a bit squeamish around some terms of endearment, but this was one I could definitely get behind.
“But to answer your question, no, my family isn’t exactly the best. I come from—God, there’s no humble way to say this—my family is rich as fuck.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. It was something he clearly was uncomfortable about.
“It’s always been something people have held against me or tried to use me for. I don’t think you’re the same, and so I’m telling you because you deserve to know what you’re up against.”
“Damn,” I breathed out. “That was not what I expected you to say.”
He let out a soft chuckle.
“I’ve always been a ‘blurt it out and get it out of the way’ kind of guy.”
“I see that,” I laughed before pushing further. “I take it your parents aren’t exactly the loving sort?”
