Page 11 of The Sin Bin

"Oh?" Barb's teasing tone softened into genuine interest.

Lauren shook her head, feeling suddenly protective of the glimpse Jax had allowed her. "It's not my story to share."

Barb studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. So... did you notice how his ass looks in those jeans, or were you too busy having an existential crisis about his hands?"

"Oh my god," Lauren groaned, but she was laughing despite herself. "Did you finish with the hamster? Impaction or just gas?"

"Gas, poor little guy," Barb replied, graciously allowing the subject change. "But don't think this conversation is over. You're going to see him again in a week for the kitten's follow-up."

The reminder sent an unwelcome flutter through Lauren's stomach. "It's a professional relationship. Nothing more."

Barb's phone buzzed, and her face lit up as she read the message. "Well, this is interesting. Guess who just got us tickets to tonight's Chill game? Front row, behind the bench."

Lauren eyed her friend suspiciously. "Please tell me you didn't."

"Okay, I won't tell you," Barb said.

"Absolutely not."

"They were expensive."

"Find someone else to go with then."

"Don't you think it would be educational to see your new client in his natural habitat?"

"I saw that on TV last night."

"Come on, Mac," Barb wheedled. "When was the last time you did something just for fun? We'll drink overpriced beer, eat terrible nachos, and you can pretend you're not staring at your mountain man's ass in those hockey pants."

Lauren recalled the glimpse she'd gotten of Jax's physique – the way his shoulders filled out his jacket, the strong column of his neck, the way his jeans hugged his muscular thighs. Hockey pants would hide nothing.

"He is not my mountain man," Lauren objected, but she could feel her resolve weakening. It would be fun and he did have a nice ass. "Fine," she sighed, ignoring Barb's victorious whoop. "But I'm not wearing Chill merchandise, and I'm not cheering for violence."

"Deal," Barb agreed quickly. "And just think—if Jax spots you in the crowd, maybe he'll dedicate his next fight to you. Nothing says romance like getting a tooth knocked out in your honor."

"You're the worst friend ever," Lauren groaned, but she smiled despite herself, a strange anticipation building in her chest at the thought of seeing Jax Thompson again – this time in his element, where the brutal enforcer and the gentle giant somehow existed in the same powerfully built body.

Chapter Four

Jax

Jax stepped onto the ice for warm-ups, his skates cutting smooth arcs as he circled the rink. The arena was packed tonight, not surprising for a game against Boston. The rivalry always drew a full barn, the energy electric even before the puck dropped.

He scanned the crowd automatically as he stretched near the boards, a habit formed over years of playing in hostile arenas. Home crowds were friendlier, but after last week's fight with Wilson went viral, he'd noticed a shift. More signs with his number. More jerseys with THOMPSON 67 across the shoulders. More attention than he typically wanted.

His eyes caught on a familiar face in the front row behind the Chill bench, and his rhythm faltered. Lauren sat rigidly in her seat, her blond hair loose around her shoulders instead of in its practical ponytail. Beside her, the pink-haired friend—Barb—was enthusiastically waving what appeared to be a foam finger.

Lauren wasn't wearing team colors, he noted, just a simple black sweater. She looked uncomfortable, like she'd rather be anywhere else. But she was here. The realization sent an unexpected jolt of something warm through his chest.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Kane said, gliding up beside him. The captain followed Jax's gaze, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Or something better than a ghost. Who's the blond?"

"Nobody," Jax said automatically, turning back to his stretches. "Just someone I know."

"Is lady doctor and her hot friend," Dmitri said, skating by.

"She's a sniper."

"Keep it up and I'll tell Allison I caught you looking."

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