Page 34 of The Rival (Looking to Score 2)
Actually, I owe it to myself.
How many times have I set aside my own desires just to keep the peace? By the end of our relationship, my ex had me convinced that I couldn’t physically come anymore because I was somehow broken. Too stressed, too picky. Damaged goods. It never occurred to him that maybe the sex with him was just bad.
You know who probably isn’t bad at sex? Alex Braun.
My libido might as well be screaming his name, begging me to shed my inhibitions already. Besides, Alex needs a discreet rebound, away from the cameras and tabloids, and I need someone to screw me senseless. Seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Now I’ve just got to be brave enough to rock the boat.
11
* * *
ALEX
I’ve just finished today’s chores when my phone rings again.
“How was the paddleboarding?” Kyle asks when I answer his call.
I scoff. “Fuck off with the niceties. You know I didn’t go paddleboarding. Now tell me what’s going on.”
He releases a low chuckle. “So, I talked to Hugh. Nice guy, by the way. And if this breaks, Rush Sports is going to pull the deal. That’s a given. Nothing we can do about that.”
I pace the deck, my phone in a death grip. “That can’t happen. I’m not going to lose out on a million-dollar deal because this chick decided to tell a lie.”
“It’s tough, I know. Believe me. Nasty publicity isn’t the end of the world, though. This kind of thing can be great for a book deal. That’s something we can discuss down the road.”
“Do you even hear yourself talking?”
Kyle has the audacity to laugh. “Easy, buddy. You haven’t exactly been the golden boy the league assumed you were. First the messy breakup with the team owner, then a rocky season, and now this? Dude, you’re sort of the 2007 Britney of the NHL. Just don’t shave your hair on camera anytime soon.”
“What the fuck? I worked my ass off last season.”
“I know, but you were also down in goals and assists. And you were photographed with plenty of women. Opinions about you are being formed. Hang tight. I’m going to try to get these allegations to go away.”
Anger boils inside me. “I’m not paying her. She’s a liar.”
“We’ll see. Sometimes it’s worth it to throw a little money at these situations.”
That tension headache from earlier is back with a vengeance. “You know I didn’t do this, Kyle.”
I’ve worked with the guy for three years now, and I would hope he knows I’m not a womanizing scumbag.
“I don’t care if you did it or not.” He laughs again. “If you ask me, some of these women are asking for it.”
“Are you being serious right now? No woman is asking to be sexually harassed.”
Kyle makes a noncommittal sound.
What the hell? Not only do I have to deal with this lawsuit, but now I’ve got to find a new agent on top of that? Fuck me.
I’ve put up with his insensitive cracks and disgusting jokes for three years now. I guess when someone shows you their true colors, you should believe them.
When I end the call, I’m determined to leave all this messy shit behind me. At least for today. It’s unfortunately not possible to do it for good, though. I mean, I’m not that optimistic.
But Aspen doesn’t deserve my crappy mood. None of this is her fault, and I’ll have plenty of time to worry, dissect, and stew over it. Just not today. Today, I want to go make a pretty girl smile.
And it turns out, it’s not that difficult to achieve. A little while later, Aspen appears. She’s such a bright, sunny spot for me this summer, that my entire mood changes.
“Hey,” I say less than smoothly. “Your call go okay?”
“Yup.” She nods. “It went well. All done with work for the day too.”
I nod. I wonder if she told Eden that I’m here, but I guess it doesn’t matter. Aspen and I are adults, and whatever happens next is just between us.
My heart rate kicks up as we stand in the living room, silently watching each other. I can’t help but think about our kiss this morning, and the promise of it to be continued.
Does Aspen still want that too?
“Let’s go for a swim,” I say. I’m sweaty and hot, and although the water is probably freezing, maybe that’s just what I need to douse my raging libido.
“Let’s do it,” she says brightly.
After changing into my swimming shorts, I wait for her on the dock. A moment later, she appears. Her bathing suit is a two piece, basic black with a halter top that ties behind her neck. She looks delicious, all smooth skin and creamy curves. Her body is just as a woman’s should be. Soft and luscious.
All my irritated thoughts from earlier fly away. Right now, all I want now is to forget about everything and indulge in her.
