Page 36 of Slap Shot Scandal
“Well, well, well. Don’t mind me, Captain. Wouldn’t want to interrupt this hot and heavy PR strategy meeting.”
Bennett.
Of all the people who could be standing here in this moment, it has to be my smartass, too-observant brother, with his perpetual fucking smirk.
Harbor jerks away from me, smoothing her dress down with trembling hands. “The power went out. We were trapped in the elevator for a while.”
Bennett’s gaze slides from a disheveled Harbor to me, lingering on the side of my neck where I’m sure my pulse is hammering beneath the skin.
From the sudden drop, of course.
“Must have been terrifying. Good thing my brother was here to keep you company.” His tone’s knowing, making my jaw clench. “You two look…rattled.”
I swipe my sweaty palms down my shorts and stand. “Mechanical failure,” I growl, stepping out of the elevator. “Nothing more.”
Bennett smirks. “If you say so, Captain.”
Harbor marches out, her cheeks stained pink, gaze averted. But her face is totally neutral.
And that rattles me.
With the doors finally open, I’m breathing again.
I got my breath back—but something else stays lodged in my chest.
Her voice. Her story. The way she looked at me like I mattered.
I’m out of the confined space, but somehow, everything feels tighter.
CHAPTER 10
HARBOR
That was a close one.
I stalk away from the elevator, flushed and out of sorts. Gia has Weston and Bennett cornered at the front desk. Her dark head’s bobbing, hands waving wildly through the air. Probably trying to explain the power outage and convince Weston the building’s up to code and the hockey team won’t get stuck in the elevator on game day.
I take the opportunity to slink away unnoticed. I’m not in the mood to defend myself to Weston’s brother or stand by while Gia shamelessly flirts with Weston.
I’m entirely too flustered to do either. My heart’s still racing, working hard to keep pace with my mind.
If the power hadn’t come back on, I’m pretty sure Weston and I would have kissed.
And that would have been a gigantic mistake.
I could lose this job, my reputation, everything I’veworked so hard for.
Champions don’t let personal feelings cloud professional judgment.
Getting involved with Weston would prove my father’s point—personal feelings disqualify me from this job.
Years of effort and sacrifice, gone in minutes.
And for what? A fling with the pro hockey star with an attitude problem?
Because nothing real could happen between us. I mean, I haven’t had a serious boyfriend since college. Clearly, my judgment’s lacking in the relationship department.
And I feel like I’m losing my grip again. Maybe it’s the stress of the transition, coupled with the Florida heat and humidity.
