Page 38 of Blood on Ice

I looked up and Vito, and he met my gaze. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

“Is that what this is? Business.”

He wrapped a hand around my throat and squeezed. I grabbed his arm and tried to pull it away, but he was so fucking strong. I’d have to truly hurt him to free myself.

The pressure increased until I couldn’t breathe. “Stop fighting me.”

When I did, he eased up, but he still held me tight enough that my heart hammered in my ears.

“I just watched you fall apart as you used my mouth, then covered you in my cum. Do you really think this is all about business? Don’t insult me like that again.”

I looked at him, my eyes full of unshed tears. When I nodded, he released my throat and used his thumbs to brush away the tears.

“This is crazy,” I said, my voice hoarse from being choked.

“I know.”

“You don’t really know me.”

“I’ve been watching you for a long time. I knew you were something special the first night I saw you out on the ice. I needed to have you.”

“I’m not just a possession for you to take. I’m a grown ass NHL player.”

He smiled. “Yeah, that makes it even hotter.”

Why did I want him when he was so fucking insufferable? “I’ve got a game tomorrow.”

“I know.”

“We’re home this time, but Sunday I go on the road. What’s going to happen then?”

“I’m going to go with you.”

I shook my head. “That’s not possible. I….”

“You what?”

How did I tell him I couldn’t be seen with him, that I needed to be on my best behavior, not dating a criminal. “I’ve not got the best reputation, but I’m trying to change it. I’m not gambling, and I’m not chasing men.”

“Damn right you’re not, because you’ve got one.”

“Vito—”

“Any needs you’ve got, I can satisfy them better than anyone else you’re going to find and way better than some crazy ass fan that just wants to throw himself at you.”

I smiled then. “Isn’t that kind of what you are?”

“I’m so much more than that.”

His words made me shiver, and he pulled me close and kissed me softly. The gentle touch had me confused. Was there more here than a crazy man deciding to stalk me? Did I want there to be more?

Maybe.

I tried to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back. “Let me take care of your problems my way.”

I was going to have to spell things out and hope he didn’t get too offended. “I can’t openly date a mobster. Not when I’m trying to beat my reputation as a gambling addict and a manwhore. If I drag this team into some kind of scandal, my career is over.”

“We don’t have to be together publicly. I’ll have guards with you.”

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