Page 41 of Arresting the Hockey Player
"I need a favor," I say. The words stumble out before I can even catch my breath. My heart pounds wildly as I wait for his answer. Not that I've elaborated on the request.
And why would he agree to do me a solid if I haven't told him what I need?
"That depends," he says, taking a step closer.
"On?" My mouth is dry, and I lick my parched lips, staring up at him. I feel the heat of his breath, the warmth of his body inches from me.
We are like lightning during a storm. The energy between us sizzles and sparks, waiting to crash down and catch fire.
"There's a charity auction coming up in a couple of weeks, and I need a date. Actually," I exhale a sharp breath, "I need a date who pretends to be my boyfriend because I may have accidentally told my dad a little white lie."
"Accidentally?" Noah laughs, and his shoulders relax at my embarrassment. "You really do need a favor," he muses, considering my request.
"Are you in town on the sixth, next month? I mean, if you have an away game, it's a moot point." I didn't check the schedule for the team. I could have saved myself the humiliation of him saying no and laughing at me. Amber certainly thought it was funny. Noah is smiling, but he's not making fun of me, at least not yet.
"I'm pretty sure I'm in town," Noah says. "How does one accidentally tell their father they have a boyfriend?" He steps closer, his hand brushing a strand behind my ear as he stares straight into my soul.
My stomach flutters, and the heat seeps lower. "That's a funny story," I say and force a laugh.
He waits for me to elaborate, staring at me as if I'm the most important thing in the world. His attention is captivating. Noah tilts his head just slightly, luring me to continue, to give him the details that he's so patiently waiting to hear.
"My dad decided that I would be part of the charity auction as a date for the evening. You know, the highest bidder gets to go out with the pretty girl-type scenario," I say in a rush. "To piss him off, I told him I'd attend the charity ball if I could bring my boyfriend."
"Wait, your dad is auctioning you off at a charity event? That's a bit backward. I mean, you should be choosing if you want to support the charity and if you want to go out on a date. If your dad wants to donate to the event, he can offer up himself for a night!" Noah is a bit testier and more heated over the whole situation than I am.
I rest a hand on his arm. "It's fine."
"It's not fine," Noah seethes. "He didn't even ask your permission, did he?"
I shake my head. He's right. I didn't get much of a say in the situation. I was told to attend and what to expect, typical of my father.
"I'll attend, as your boyfriend, but I can't promise that I won't say something to him about selling his own daughter."
I squeeze his arm. "He's not selling me, per se. Besides, it's for charity."
Noah's jaw is tight. "I don't see why he can't offer himself as a date."
"Because no one would agree to go out with him." It's obvious why he elected me, his only daughter, to be one of the girls at the event. "Besides, he's doing it for the publicity."
"The auction?" Noah's brow pinches. "There will be press at the event," he surmises.
"Well, yes, but he isn't just doing it for himself. He thinks showing off his daughter and having an Island Bruisers player take her out on a date is good for his career."
"Your father's career, or the Island Bruisers player?" Noah's fuming. "And why would you date an Island Bruisers player when this Ice Dragons star is willing to attend the function?"
I shift uncomfortably as I avoid the question.
"Charlotte?" Noah doesn't like my silence.
"My father owns the Island Bruisers. Their entire team will be at the charity event. It's a requirement, one of the events they’re required to attend yearly."
He curses under his breath. "Wait, your last name is Grace. You'retheCharlotte Grace."
I wince at the way he says my name. "So, I guess you've seen the tabloids."
"Heiress gone wild. You were kicked out of private school and sent to some posh boarding school overseas. London, is it?"
"Were you stalking me?" I can't believe he remembers those details.
