Page 4 of Slapshot Baby

My self-preservation instinct went completely out the window the moment he started talking.

I've lived in LA long enough to know who Kai Donovan is even before this.

But seeing him on a screen is nothing like standing this close to him. He has the kind of gravity that turns the rest of the room into background noise—a mix of effortless swagger and quiet, dangerous intent. And right now, he's looking at me like I'm the only interesting thing in a room full of champagne and old money.

The smart play would be to keep this light. One drink. One sarcastic conversation. Something to tell Lucy about later.

But I've never been particularly smart about the things I really want.

I lean in just enough for the dark silk of my dress to whisper against his suit jacket. "Then tell me, Captain. If the blame doesn't matter... what does?"

His gaze sharpens, dropping from my eyes to the curve of my mouth, taking his time before slowly tracking back up. The air between us suddenly feels twice as heavy.

Heat climbs up my neck, hot and persistent.

"What matters is simple," he murmurs, his voice dipping low enough that it vibrates right down my spine. "You. Me. And how fast we can get out of here."

I let out a soft, breathy laugh, resting one fingernail lightly against the lapel of his tailored jacket. "Is that your opening play? I expected a little more finesse from a star center."

"Finesse is for the ice," Kai says, his hand coming up to rest on the bar right next to my hip, trapping me in the best possible way. "Off the ice, I prefer direct routes. Saves time."

"And what makes you think I'm on board with your route?"

"Your pulse," he says smoothly, his fingers shifting just enough to brush the inside of my wrist where my heart is hammering out a frantic rhythm. "It's telling on you, Ava."

"That's just the champagne."

"Lie to me again," he whispers, leaning down until his lips almost graze the shell of my ear, his warm breath sending a shiver straight down my spine. "See what happens."

My breath hitches, but I force my gaze to stay steady as he pulls back just far enough to look me in the eye. "Is that a threat, Captain?"

"A promise," Kai corrects softly, his eyes darkening into something thick and visual. He tilts his head, his thumb lightly tracing the sensitive skin on the back of my wrist, sending a sharp spark of heat up my arm. "You tell me another lie tonight, and I stop being polite about taking what I want."

He steps in a fraction closer, his chest pressing lightly against mine, effectively trapping me against the edge of the bar.

"Lie to me one more time, Ava," he murmurs, his dark eyes locking onto mine with ruthless intent. "And I stop playing nice. I'll haul you out of this dull party, throw you in the back of my car, and spend the rest of the night proving to you exactly how little the champagne had to do with it."

The silence between us stretches, heavy and electric. My throat goes completely dry, my mind racing to keep up with the sudden, fierce shift in the air.

"So," Kai whispers, his smirk returning, slow and dangerous as his fingers slide up to lightly grasp my hip. "Go ahead, Ava. Lie to me."

So I do.

2

KAI

Terrible Liar

"Idon't want you, Kai."

She says it with a straight face, her chin held high and her dark eyes locked onto mine. The delivery is sharp, crisp, and completely ruined by the way her fingers clench into the fabric of my suit jacket like she’s anchoring herself in a storm.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across my face.

"You really are a terrible liar," I murmur, sliding my hand up from her hip to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in the soft curls at her hairline.

I pull her in until there isn't a hair’s breadth left between us, pressing her hips firmly against mine. She lets out a sharp, shallow breath, her lips parting right against my jaw.