Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
The best part was after his teammates finished congratulating him, his gaze swung over to me. He already had a smile in place, but his eyes lingered a moment before he skated to the bench. I felt flushed again, both with an importance that I’ve never felt with anyone and a little desire that he’d single me out.
Fans, eager for autographs and pictures, swarm us as King maneuvers me through the restaurant. I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed as women step into his path, some aggressively touching him to get his attention. I don’t push away the flare of jealousy as I recognize it as natural. King handles it all with grace, brushing them off nicely and promising to make himself available later.
“Thanks for coming out, everyone!” he says, his voice friendly but firm. “I’ll be around to sign autographs and take pictures, but for now, I want to celebrate with my mates.”
Surprisingly, the fans are gracious and step back to give him room. King leads me into a roped-off area in the rear of the bar where the team and their significant others are gathered. The area is slightly elevated, granting a bit of privacy from the rest of the patrons. It’s clear this is their regular spot, a comfortable and familiar space where they can unwind after games with a bit of protection from the masses.
As we approach, I see Rafferty, North and Atlas at a high-top table and they wave us over. On the way, King stops by other tables and introduces me to everyone. I know some of the players by face since I’ve become a Titans fan. I recognize the names of their significant others from the stories King has told me.
Stone and his beautiful fiancée Harlow sit with Camden and his girlfriend Danica. At another table are Bain and his girlfriend Kiera, Boone and his fiancée Lilly, and Foster and his girlfriend Mazzy. They’re all chatting and laughing, drinks in hand, clearly celebrating the win. When King introduces me, I’m greeted with warm smiles and general statements that equal “Welcome to the club.”
As King pulls me over toward Rafferty and crew, I lean into him. “I hope there’s not a test on all the names later.”
“Just wait until I take you to a full team event. There’s a lot more of us, you know?”
Take me to a team event? That smacks of something far more than casual, though I’ll admit, it sounds fun. I haven’t had much of that in recent years.
King stops and turns to me. “Actually, there’s a team dinner next Monday. Think you can swing that with me?”
I try to envision my schedule. “I think I’m good that evening work-wise but we have an Ice Pups practice. I’m guessing now will be a good time for Brittany to put her money where her mouth is and help out. She can handle one practice.”
King then surprises me by dipping his head and touching his lips to mine. It’s a public display of affection that catches me off guard but is so genuinely sweet, I lean into it. When he pulls back, several of the players I’d been introduced to stare in shock.
Is that because I’m older than him?
No, certainly not.
“People are staring at us,” I whisper.
King chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “They’re so used to me blowing off women that this is probably a bit of a shock to them.”
“King… Willa,” Rafferty calls, and we turn that way. “Come sit with us.”
We gather around a high-top that doesn’t have stools and I meet Atlas for the first time.
“You guys played a great game,” I say as King rubs my lower back.
“Your man played a phenomenal game,” North says pointedly. “Short-handed goal.”
Rafferty claps King on the shoulder. “I’ll never have a shot at making first line with you playing so good.”
King snorts and shakes his head. “You have to work on getting from third to second before you can even think about taking my spot.”
Laughing, Rafferty opens his mouth to retort, but his gaze catches something behind King. His eyes widen and he ducks his head. “Shit.”
“What?” King asks, looking behind him.
“Don’t look,” Rafferty hisses and ducks lower. “It’s Tansy Carmichael.”
“Brienne’s cousin?” North asks, stretching up high and craning his neck.
“You know Brienne’s cousin?” Atlas asks, whipping back to Rafferty whose head has practically disappeared into his shoulders.
“Who’s Tansy Carmichael?” I ask King.
He leans over, puts his mouth near my ear. “Brienne’s cousin who is now the director of marketing for the Titans. Rafferty had a one-night stand with her a few weeks ago and let’s just say she’s actively pursuing a relationship with him and he doesn’t want any part of it.”
“Why not?” I ask, looking in the general direction North is. I see a stunning blond walking toward the VIP area where we’re sitting.