Page 13 of Not the Puck Bunny

“I think it's time to call last drinks for you,” I said once I made sure she hadn't hurt herself on the hardwood floor.

She giggled and placed her empty glass on the table before gripping the hem of her sweater and shaking it in an attempt to make it dry. “I'm notdrunk, just amused at your claim to have a life. You know what, it's a shame Cam North didn't take you up on that drink offer. I bet he knows how to show a girl a good time. He could have been exactly what you needed to kickstart you into a whole new vibe.”

“I'm not sure I want to be kickstarted into anything,” I said. “What's wrong with my life? I keep busy. My orchid is healthy. I'm sitting here drinking wine with my crazy baby sister.”

“None of those things involve orgasms,” Pia pointed out. “If you tell me there's more to life than orgasms, I'm going to fall off this beanbag again. And if you actually believe that, you really need to find a guy who can show you how things should be.”

“How did we end up talking about orgasms?” I asked into my wine glass.

“Because, as your crazy baby sister, it's my job to point out that you need some.” She nodded her head. “And I don't mean self-made ones. Those are good in the short term, don't get me wrong, but in the long term you need a man who will worship you for the beautiful goddess you are.” She reached for the bottle to refill her glass.

“You might be overselling me a little bit, but I appreciate you, and what you're trying to say,” I said. I tucked a curl behind my ear, but it bounced rightback out again. “Don't you think I should take some time to move on from Xander first?”

“Xander Shmander.” She waved her hand dismissively. “You know what they say. The best way to get over a guy is to get under another one. Especially a hot one like Cameron North.”

“Nate Southwell seemed interested,” I said slowly. “But it doesn't matter, because technically he works for me.”

“Which brings us back to the proverbial elephant in the room,” Pia said. “What did you do to have Dad punish you with extra work?” When I gave her a funny look, she elaborated. “He gave you an ice hockey team. The only thing he's ever given me is a stern look, like he thought I was wasting my life. And a top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art camera to get me started. But that was only because you insisted he give me something so I wouldn't set up a table in the center of Highball Creek, advising people on how to play the stock market based on a tarot reading.”

She paused before admitting, “I do that too. It's a profitable side hustle, and very accurate. If you want, I'll do a reading for you. You could invest your millions and become a billionaire by the end of the year. Then you could stop working for Dad and chase your own dreams.”

That was a lot to process.

“First of all, I like working for him,” I said. “Second of all, I don't need to be a billionaire. If I made that much money, I'd give most of it away.” I already gave sizable charitable donations to various causes. Anonymously, of course. I didn't need the credit for doing something people in my position should do because it was the right thing.

“Lastly, you know Dad, he likes to push us to be the best versions of ourselves. The team is his way of giving me something to challenge myself with.”

“It's a test,” she concluded. “To see if you can turn an okay team into an amazing team. Of course he wouldn't have done it out of the goodness of his heart. He tried that once with me, you know? He actually bought a hotel in Highball Creek and expected me to run it.”

“You would have been amazing at it,” I said.

“Of course I would, but I couldn't do it because he insisted on it,” she said. “I gave the hotel to a friend of mine, Amelia. She'll do much better with it than I ever could. Maybe you should do that,” she added brightly. “Give the team to someone. Dad didn't say you have to run it, did he?”

“It was implied,” I said on a sigh.

He was used to Pia doing things like that, but Icould imagine what he'd say if I gave away an NHL team. I'd be lucky if he didn't fire me on the spot, and cut me off without a penny. “I want to run the team.”

I needed a hasty gulp of wine before I continued with another admission. “I feel like my whole life has stagnated. Xander was a symptom of that. I need something new, something I can get my teeth into.”

“Cameron North's ass?” Pia suggested with a grin.

I should totally not be picturing his naked ass right now. From what I'd seen of it, in denim and track pants, it was too firm to bite, but not too firm to lick.

My clit pulsed at the thought. I told it, and the image in my brain, to settle down and be quiet. There was no way in the world I was going to see Cam North's ass, much less lick it.

“You're thinking dirty thoughts about Cam North, aren't you?” Pia teased.

My face heated. “Of course not,” I protested. “Like I said, he works for me. He's also made it clear he's not interested in me, even if I was interested in him. Which I'm not.”

My clit would have said otherwise, but I ignored the throbbing.

“Sure.” Pia drew out the word while rolling hereyes toward the ceiling. “If the opportunity arises, I dare you to take it.”

“It won't,” I assured her. He and I were going to be completely professional from here on out. Boss and hot ice hockey player, nothing more.

“In the meantime.” I fixed her with my best stern big sister look, which would probably have her laughing hard enough to fall off the beanbag again, if I wasn't careful. “We need to talk about you giving away a hotel.”

Chapter Six

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