Page 11 of Offside and Off-Limits
“I am Benny’s mom. And you are?” I ask pointedly.
His ludicrously handsome face morphs into a smile as he extends one of his huge hands toward me. “Cade Lennox. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
Ma’am? Oh, no, he did not just ma’am me!
How old does this guy think Iam?
I’m too busy gaping at him to respond, and after a beat, he pulls his hand away, giving me a sheepish smile.
“I was talking with Benny here about the latest comic in theThe Timekeeper Chronicles. We’re both fans,” he explains. “It’s great that this bookstore gets the comics. I’m new in town and this is a big find for me. I thought I’d have to order them online, which just isn’t the same.”
“Well, that’s very nice of you, Mr.—” I’m about to say “Elordi” when it snaps into place who this guy is. He’s the right winger for the newly minted Ice Breakers. In fact, I’ve got apicture of him in his New York City Blades uniform in my spreadsheet at home. His most recent season stats float before my eyes. Thirty-seven goals, twenty-four assists, average slapshot over 100 mph, and forty-two penalty minutes, mostly for chirping at refs, which he has a reputation for doing.
“Lennox,” he finishes for me, shooting me a look that seems to ask whether my brain is functioning properly.
“I just worked out who you are.”
“Because I told you who I am already?” he asks, his eyes dancing, and there’s something in his tone that has me narrowing my gaze.
Wait. Is this guyflirtingwith me?
“You know, just before, when I said my name is Cade Lennox.” He waggles his brows playfully.
Oh, yes, he’s definitely flirting with me. And in front of Benny, too! Does this guy have no boundaries? No shame?
And then it all falls into place.
My research went beyond player stats and into their personal lives, and my research on this guy told me that Cade Lennox is not only a talented winger who’s helped his team make it to the playoffs three years running, but he is the biggest hockey-playing womanizer to walk the earth.
And with the reputation a lot of these hockey players seem to have, that’s saying something.
I extend my hand to shake his, channeling my inner businesswoman. As he takes my hand in his, his large hand completely dwarfs my own, making me feel even smaller.
“I’m Clara Johnson, social media manager for the Ice Breakers. Or at least I will be on Monday.”
My eyes drop momentarily to his T-shirt, which has an image of one of the characters from Benny’s favorite comic book series.
Huh. He’s a womanizing hockey player who looks like a blond Jacob Elordi and wears comic book T-shirts like he’s a character onThe Big Bang Theory? Talk about a dichotomy.
“I guess that means we’ll be working together,” he says.
I press my lips together, doing my best to ignore the way the combination of his gaze and the warmth of his hand is making my pulse quicken. “That’s right.”
“Cool,” he replies, his lips pulling into an easy smile.
“Cool,” I repeat, wishing I could come up with something more, well, more like what an actual adult would say.
But it’s hard to think straight when someone as attractive as Cade Lennox is holding your hand in his and looking at you with those gray eyes, looming over you, all big and…there.
It’sa lot.
But he’s a womanizing professional hockey player. And I’m ama’am.
The thought is enough to snap me out of whatever this thing is between us.
Benny twists his head to look up at me. “Mommy, you’ve gone pink. Are you hot?”
I don’t look at Cade Lennox.
