Page 65 of At First Smile
“I wouldn’t want you to be mauled by fans, or uncomfortable.”
A deep chuckle rolls through him. “Contrary to what happened at LAX, I’m notthatbig of a deal. I’m recognized here and there, mostly during the season. With L.A.’s abundance of famous people, I’m pretty small fish. I tend to draw more attention when I’m back in Canada or in smaller cities where hockey is a bigger deal.” He frowns. “Of course, I’m more recognizable since punch-gate.”
“Has there been a lot of media since LAX?”
He sighs. “Some. Some reporters have shown up at Axel’s and a few camped outside my condo, but it seems to have died down. What happened at LAX was a lesser version of what occurred outside the arena after we lost the cup.”
“I can’t imagine what that was like. LAX was intense enough.”
“I’m so sorry I put you through that.” He rubs his hands down his face.
“You put me through nothing. Even if you’d told me about being a famous hockey player, you had no idea the press would be there.”
He sloshes a breath. “I wish I knew how and why they were there. I’d thought anything newsworthy about me punching Landon would have died down.”
“Me too.” I nibble on my lower lip.
“Are you worried about going out in public with me? LAX wasn’t my norm, but I can’t guarantee something like that won’t happen again.”
Leaning against the plush leather seat, I fiddle with my dress’s hem. “I know your famous, but I forget because you’re just Rowan to me.”
“Iamjust Rowan,” he says softly.
“You are, but you’re still famous… And sometimes that fame may bring attention. I know this seems odd coming from someone with a social media platform, but I don’t really like a lot of attention. At least with my social media, I have the control. I decide what to put out there.
He closes his eyes. “I have no control over that, even with Sasha’s skilled assistance.”
“I won’t pretend it doesn’t make me nervous. As a legally blind person I already get a lot of attention when I’m out. Lots of comments, stares, and pointing fingers. There’re plenty of people who don’t see me as anything but my disability and feel emboldened to share all their thoughts about it with me.” I turn my gaze to Rowan. “I’d imagine in many ways what you deal with in the public eye is similar, only with you we can add reporters, podcasters, social media, and fans.”
“Yeah.” A hint of a laugh coats his response. “To so many people I’m just a hockey player, not a human.”
“And they say I’m the visually impaired one.” I flash a cheeky grin.
“Stupid bastards.” He huffs a quiet chuckle.
“Agreed.”
“I don’t want to hide our relationship but if you want to keep things lowkey, I’d understand. If we get too much attention tonight and you want to leave…or if you want, we can leave now?—”
“I’m not worried.” Reaching across the console, I run my fingers over his strong jawline. “After all, your beard went into witness protection.” My fingers skim to his lips and dance along their outline. “I think we’ll be okay. Nobody’s recognized you, yet.”
He reaches over and caresses my cheek. “You did.” His thumb strokes over my skin.
Like the strike of a match, the air between us ignites. The charged heat engulfs me, raising my body temperature.
“Rowan.” His name is a hissed breath.
“Pen.”
“I know it’s not the end of the date, but…” Channeling my inner-sex kitten I bat my eye lashes.
Rowan makes a delicious growly noise in his throat before he leans in and takes my mouth in a slow kiss. Each press is hungrier than the last. He drinks me up, sip-by-sip, like a thirsty man lost in the desert. My entire body melts into his kisses. His fingers comb through my strands and down to my back, pulling me closer.
“Rowan,” I whimper with his gentle bite on my lip, followed by a soothing lick of his tongue.
“So fucking delicious.” His mouth drags down my neck, nipping and sucking the sensitive skin.
“More,” I moan and lean back giving him greater access.
