Page 29 of Mister Hockey
“With a challenge like that, how can I resist?”
He sauntered over and the crowd resumed their chatter.
She reached out and touched the red mark on his forehead. “Sorry about that. I was cut from the high school softball team. With good reason.”
“Their loss. You have power in that arm.”
“Sorry about my family too. I know they’re a little intense.”
He leaned in and brushed her hair back from her ear before whispering, “Make me one promise for the rest of the day.”
She shivered at his hot breath on her neck. He smelled a little like cinnamon gum and a lot like heaven. “I never make a deal without knowing the terms.”
He chuckled, low and deep. “No apologizing.”
She pulled back, raising her eyebrows.
“I’m serious. Not one. Not for the rest of the day.”
She nodded, cautious.
“And what are we playing for?”
“Like a prize?”
“Sure, every good competition needs a prize. Tell you what. I win, you tell me what’s in your granny’s Greenie Meanies.”
Her eyes widened. “You drank one? Those suckers are lethal.”
“She shared hers with me and it tried to knock me on my ass.”
“It’s the secret to her longevity.”
“Then I’ll toast to that. And if you win...”
She wrinkled her nose. “Shouldn’t I get to name my spoils?”
“You could, but I wouldn’t make you do that in front of family.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” She was half-flirtatious and half-confused. It seemed like he was being a little dirty, and it wasn’t like she minded, but she also didn’t want to assume...
“You win the game and your wish is my command. You do like to play games, don’t you, Breezy? You have a lot of... toys.”
Good lord.
He spoke casually enough. Anyone watching them would think he made a passing observation about the weather, or asked for clarification on the game’s rules.
But the glint in his eyes? That was pure devil.
“You’re bad,” she whispered, her cheeks heating. And that wasn’t the only place getting a little warmer. Her toes curled.
He didn’t blink. “You’ve got no idea.”
She didn’t actually. But if there was a benevolent god, he’d grant her a miracle and the opportunity to discover what hid behind his famous “boy next door” persona.
Soon. She shifted, her jeans slick against her secret skin.Soon.
He might have run out the other day. But he didn’t look like he was going anywhere now.
