Page 10 of Body Checking
While I’m daydreaming of what Cade Hamilns’ hands would feel like on my bare skin, the man in question begins a slow turn towards the audience. His eyes begin to scan the crowd and Sasha elbows my side.
“Ow. What?”
“Look,” she tells me, jutting her eyes to the exact location I was just staring at.
I cautiously direct my eyes back to Cade and there he is, looking right at me. Our eyes connect and a gorgeous smile spreads across his face. I bite my lip and my heart beats double-time as it tries to climb out of my chest and jump into his. My lungs constrict like the breath has been knocked right out of me, and I’m sure that I’m going to pass out any moment.
Cade winks at me then turns back to watching his team.
“Well cream my corn. That man is hot for you.” Sasha grabs my arms and shakes it, moving my body side to side in the cramped seat.
“I wouldn’t go that far. He’s probably just happy I didn’t let his tickets go to waste.”
She snorts. “Like hell. That man smiled at you. Anactualsmile. He never smiles at anyone or anything. I’m calling it right now. You two will be married in a year.”
I roll my eyes at her. “You’re ridiculous. He’ll probably never remember past tonight.”
Oh, how I hope that isn’t true.
I ANSWER the last question then hustle out of the press room like my ass is on fire. All night I could barely focus on what was happening on the ice. Once I spotted Maren, I was done. She sat in the seats I got her and was wearingmyjersey. It was like seeing your high school girlfriend wear your letterman jacket for the first time.
I felt like a damn kid. I can’t remember the last time I smiled so genuinely that it instantly changed my mood.
“Coach,” a voice calls from behind me. “You have a visitor waiting for you.”
Jordan stands at the end of the long corridor waving me over. He knows who it is based on the fact that he knows Maren’s friend, and he knows why she’s here because I made a scene out of calling him early this morning.
I shuffle quickly to where he stands then, right before walking through the open door, I take a deep breath and wipe my face of any emotions, then step past Jordan.
There she stands, talking with her friend, a huge smile on her face. Her friend says something to her and shelaughs. It’s melodic and it sends a spark through my veins. I clear my throat and it has them both turning to face me. Maren’s face pales and her eyes go wide, her nerves apparent.
I walk closer to them and my smile spreads wide and true. “Hi Maren. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Y-yes. Nice to meet you too, Mr. Hamlin,” she replies, breathy and sexy as fuck.
“Cade, please. Call me Cade.” I hold my hand out to her and she takes it, her palm damp with sweat.
Or is it my hand coated in sweat?
She stays stiff and keeps the distance between us, but I make the first move and pull her closer, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m gonna go talk to Jordan,” her friend says from beside her.
“Excuse my manners. You must be the infamous jumbotron friend?” I remove my hand from Maren’s, unwillingly, and take her friends.
“Hi. I’m Sasha, and you would be correct. Why don’t I leave y’all to talk.” She releases my hand and passes a wide grin to Maren who gives her a look of terror as if to saydon’t leave me.
I walk to the door and open it for Sasha, encouraging her to be on her way so I can get some alonetime with her friend. Sasha winks at me as she passes me by and says, “Be gentle with her. She’s had enough assholes in her life.”
“Promise,” I assure her and shut the door when she clears it.
I turn back to see Maren wringing her fingers and chewing on her lip. I stalk towards her like the predator I am, and I have to control myself from pulling her into my arms and whisking her away.
“Um,” she fumbles. “Thank you for the tickets and the jersey. That was really amazing of you. I can’t thank you enough.”
With a crooked grin, I tell her, “There is a way you can thank me that I would like very much.”
Her jaw drops and she says, “Are you expecting me to sleep with you all because you gave me a jersey? You’ve got some nerve, you as–”
