Page 88 of At First Smile
“Because you cheated.” He hoists me up, my legs dangle in the air.
“There’s nothing in the rule book that strictly forbids sexual psychological warfare.”
“How much hockey googling are you doing?”
My fingers skim the outline of his lips. “You’re just jealous that I’m a brilliant hockey strategist.”
“I’ll be sure to share with the coach my girlfriend’s playbook.”
“Girlfriend?” I bite my lower lip.
It’s the first time he’s called me that. I’d told him that I was his girl, but we hadn’t discussed any deeper meaning of the role.Examining our behavior over the last two weeks, it’s clear we’re in the boyfriend/girlfriend territory. Friends are intermingling. His family knows about me. My mother knows about him, sort of. I’m not seeing anyone else. Neither is he.
“I just assumed.” He set me back on my feet, holding on until I’m steady.
“It makes sense that you would. We just haven’t discussed it.” I brush my hair behind my ears.
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” He rubs the back of his neck. “God, I sound like I’m sixteen.”
I beam. “I want to be your girlfriend.”
He takes my hands. “And I want to be your boyfriend. What else is there to discuss?”
“You’re a famous hockey player. We’ve flown under the radar, but I know us being a couple will mean public events. Like tomorrow, for starters. How do we approach it?”
His thumbs soothe against my cold hands. “Tomorrow is a family-friendly event, so the PDA would be minimal, but I’d like to tell people we’re together. I don’t want to hide us.”
“Tomorrow isn’t just any event. I won’t be there as your girlfriend but as a representative of Walters. With the foundation’s connection to you, I’m nervous about how it might make me look.”
“I get it.” His response is quiet and a little gruff. Letting go of my hand, he turns and scoops up the hockey sticks and puck.
“Rowan, no.” I skate after him, slamming into his back when he stops. My arms fold tight around him, and I bury my face between his shoulder blades. “It’s not that. I’m not scared to be associated with you. Please know that. I don’t want to hide us either, but I’d like to keep this quiet. If anyone asks, we won’t deny anything. We won’t act like we don’t know each other. Nothing like that. But can we just keep this low-key, at least until after tomorrow?”
The muscles in his back stiffen.
“Please understand this is solely about tomorrow’s focus being on Walters and MVP, not on us. So often people think I get professional opportunities because of my disability. I’ll get comments about how they’re ticking a box with me, or I have a special leg up, which is bullshit because I have to work twice as hard.”
“And you’re scared they’ll think you’re getting the opportunity because of our relationship and not your hard work?” His voice is quiet.
“Technically, the MVP thing is because of our relationship.”
“I’m sorry,” he rasps.
“This isn’t your fault. You had no idea what Sasha and Greg were doing. I know they meant well. I’m not angry, because at the end of the day the partnership will help a lot of kids.” I squeeze tight. “Baby, I will be the first person to shout from the rooftop that you are my man. Just… after tomorrow.”
“After tomorrow?”
“Until the thirtieth.”
He turns, placing his hands on my hips. “Why that date?”
“That’s the date of the charity bachelor auction. I’ve told you, I’m not a good sharer.” My mouth curls into a playful smile.
His hands tighten around me. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I’d like to go to Toronto with you. Meet your mom and brothers, even Gillian, face-to-face and make sure nobody bids on?—”
My words are interrupted by Rowan’s mouth crashing against mine. Hands cupping my ass, he pulls me against him. My entire body melts into him. His firm and almost fevered kisses soothe my thudding heart at this brash decision. The disappointment that coiled his body tight has unspooled the desire to want to do this. To give him something he wants butdid not push for. He asked. I declined. He let it go. It’s still early but each time I pump the breaks, he complies. Even if he wants more, he doesn’t push.
