Page 127 of Ice Wolf
Because this boy was completely off the grid. No more man-whore. No more puck bunnies.
I’d fallen hopelessly in love with her. Now I just needed to convince her it was cool to be involved with a bad boy shifter.
Lily
There were certainly worse things that being considered the ‘it’ girl because of your association with the hottest hockey player in the league. There wasn’t a person on this planet who hadn’t watched me on the Jumbotron both as I’d yelled at a referee as if I’d known what the hell I was talking about or when he’d carried me around the ice rink while waving to his fans.
Some had been wishing they were me.
Others had wanted to stab me with a sharp utensil because I’d captured the man’s heart after so many others had tried.
If they only knew it was all pretend.
“What are you thinking about?” Saint asked from beside me.
The city lights rolled by. I had my head resting on the soft leather, enjoying the hum of the engine. My face was cracked from smiling, the reporters taking their sweet time asking dozens of questions. I’d certain felt the sting of snubbing from the female reporters who’d glared at me while planning my demise.
All I wanted was a long hot bath, a glass or five of wine, and a good night’s sleep. Instead, we were on our way to somefabulous club in the heart of Tampa. Where I’d need to pretend again. I swirled the ring on my finger, thinking about how much money I was carrying around with me.
I was more than just uncomfortable keeping it on my finger, fearful I’d lose the ring without trying. I’d had a habit of doing that over the years.
The man was riding high on the win and he deserved the accolades he’d gotten. At least I’d learned that much about the game of hockey.
“What am I thinking? Saint Masters. You are a badass hockey player,” I said from beside him, and I could tell my comment shocked the hell out of him.
“Don’t forget the savage part.” He grinned, but his eyes flashed something different than just accepting a compliment.
“I’m sure you won’t allow me to forget.”
He laughed in that deep, throaty voice of his and if he kept it up, I’d lose my anger for him. I should be angry with him for carrying me around the arena after the win, but wasn’t being carried around in a rugged man’s arms every girl’s fantasy?
“No, I will not,” he said with another growl in his voice.
A few seconds ticked by. Now that we were all alone, except for the burly driver doubling as a security guard sitting in the driver’s seat two rows in front, things had gotten awkward between us again.
“You look hot tonight. Perfect for the club we’re going to.” His voice had deepened.
“Why, thank you.” I’d changed into something sexy for yet another photo op. The strange thing was I couldn’t get out of my mind that I’d asked him to shift. “Didn’t you say you needed your rest? A massage. Isn’t your leg hurting?”
“Yeah, it is, but so what? We need to celebrate. That was a big win, thanks to you getting the defenseman tossed out at the last minute. I sailed to victory.”
“Uh-huh. You sailed with the help of your two wingmen. He was a pretty guy. Maybe I’m sorry I had him tossed out.” Our banter was less formal, less awkward, and highly sexual.
We were sitting in the backseat of an SUV with a private driver. While some of the other team members had been supposed to be along for the ride, Saint had paid the driver extra to take us privately.
Somehow, I knew he had something up his sleeve.
His sigh was heavy. He was tapping his foot on the floorboard. I’d seen him wince several times after getting off the ice. But him being antsy had nothing to do with a possible problem in an upcoming game.
“What’s wrong other than that you’re injured?” I asked.
“Maybe a lot of things. You figured out life has been pretty easy for me. Maybe you’re right in that I used my special skills to get where I’m at, but I truly love the game.”
He was keeping his voice low, so the driver didn’t pick up on what we were saying.
“I never questioned that or your dedication. Just your delivery on questions and your craziness when off the ice.”
“Which you found a way to lock away.” He was still laughing, but there was truth to what he was telling me. “You know, I keep finding a reason to apologize around you, Lily. That’s not like me. You make me crazy with desire and anger and a lot of other emotions. So I put my foot into my mouth. I don’t know what to think any longer. You don’t want to be around me. I get that. Why would you?”
