Page 133 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
It’s always been a big thing, and as a kid, it was up there as one of my favorite days of the year. As an adult, I still love it, even if I have to act a little cooler about spending time with NHL gods.
“Of course I’ll be there,” I say.
“It’s going to be a good season, Care Bear.”
I smile at him. “It is. I’ll leave you to it,” I say, rising from the chair.
“You’re gonna get this job, Case. And you’re gonna be the best assistant coach in the girls’ league.”
I leave his office with a wide smile. I’m too lost in thoughts about tomorrow’s interview and what could possibly come after to look up, and the second I round the corner, I collide with what might as well be a freaking bus.
I shriek before stumbling back. I trip over my own foot, and the world falls from beneath me.
My breath catches and I brace myself for the hit, but a beat before I swear I’m about to collide with the floor, a pair of large hands wrap around my waist and right me.
“Thank—” My eyes lift and collide with a chocolate brown pair that haunts my dreams. “K-Kodie,” I breathe like an idiot.
The second I breathe in, I’m hit with his scent. It wraps around me like the world's most erotic hug, making my body react in ways it shouldn’t.
I want to hate him for what he did last week, for the cold way he dismissed me. But after watching him get slaughtered on the ice the last two games, I can’t deny that my anger has ebbed away a little.
His eyes bounce between mine.
My heart slams against my ribs, and damn it if my thighs don’t clench.
I swear, every second feels like a minute as he continues to hold me up, his giant palms burning my skin.
“S-shit,” he finally hisses before releasing me and taking a huge step back. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah,” I say, smoothing my blouse down before tucking my hair behind my ears.
“Are you?” I ask as if he doesn’t get hit by men who weigh four times my body weight on a daily basis.
“Yeah, Troublemaker. I’m good.”
The second his nickname for me rolls off his tongue, every muscle in my body sags.
I didn’t realize how badly I needed to hear that.
Silence falls between us, but it’s not awkward. Hell, it’s anything but. It’s charged and full of all the unspoken words between us.
“It’s good to see you,” he finally says.
“Mmm.”
“I-uh…” He rubs at the back of his neck.
Oh, nervous Kodie is so freaking cute.
“I messaged you.”
I nod. “You did.”
He frowns, clearly not expecting that response.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; all these guys are used to bunnies who will immediately ask how high when they tell them to jump.
“You didn’t reply.”
