Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I’m supposed to try that on and then join the Avengers Ice Crew in ten minutes for our own practice. But I want to sort out this whole mess first.
As Hayes returns to me, his eyes lock on my face. I back up against the concrete wall, needing something for stability, something to rest against under the weight of his lusty stare.
I’m pretty sure this turn of events means putting a lid on the flirting, yet he doesn’t look like a man who wants to stop dirty texting me.
Then, in a heartbeat, he seems to shift gears, shaking off the desire. “This would be a bad idea,” he says, resigned.
“A very bad one,” I echo in the same tone.
He’s quiet for a beat, then says, “The universe has a funny sense of humor.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“Shame. You have a pretty laugh.”
“I thought you said this was a bad idea,” I say, but I suppose I’m not stopping either.
“I did say that. But you still have a pretty laugh. And,” he says, his gaze meeting mine, “beautiful eyes.”
My skin tingles. His compliments are so simple, but so welcome. My ex doled out compliments like a miser. “So are your star tattoos. Beautiful, that is.”
He lifts a brow. “You noticed.”
“Well, I spent a lot of time with that picture.”
His smile is deservedly smug. Leaning closer, he parks his right hand on the wall behind my head, pinning me but not quite pinning me. I’m almost caged in. “There’s no point in keeping this to myself now. You should know I was absolutely planning on asking you out tonight,” he says.
The tingles become full-blown sparks. “You were?”
“Yes.”
I’m giddy hearing it, especially when he adds, “I definitely wanted to see you again.”
“Same,” I admit, still feeling fizzy. But there are probably rules or at least guidelines against a workplace romance. We’d need to tell HR or something. Both of us are new here. Is a date worth it? I don’t know, especially when the Ice Crew members are supposed to be brand ambassadors for the team. Pretty sure hooking up with a player is not the fan engagement skills they want in a mascot.
Blinking off the haze of lust, I stand taller, then circle back to the first question—the you’re the team mascot one. Does he think I misled him last night about my job situation? Maybe he thought I was flexing.
“About the mascot thing. I landed this job today, but it’s just a stopgap. I work in fashion, and I started up all my social channels this morning, and a newsletter. I used to write about fashion in college on my own blog, and now I’m just doing it again as a freelancer and on social.”
Do I sound defensive? I hope I don’t sound defensive.
Hayes lets go of the wall, holds up his hand like it’s all good. “I didn’t doubt you. I was just surprised. It’s not exactly a job anyone can get. Especially in hockey.”
I tense, the echo of Xander’s constant mascot jokes ringing in my ears. He’d always teased me about having been one. He’d even said when I got the job with Simone that I was leaving my little mascot days behind me and finally growing up. “I was one in college,” I explain tightly.
Yep, that definitely sounds defensive. I don’t like men belittling me. Heard enough of it as a kid when my dad did it to my mom. Heard so much of it I decided to protect my little sister so she wouldn’t hear it too.
Hayes’s brown eyes sparkle with laughter. “That’s pretty cool.”
Okay. Maybe he’s not like Xander. Still, we’re going nowhere, and probably not even to the wedding now. “I guess I need another date for the wedding,” I say with a sigh.
He seems to give it some thought. “You’re my neighbor.”
“Right.”
“We met in the elevator.”
“True,” I say, as it becomes clear he’s telling the public story.
“You told me what happened with your shitty, no-good ex and your terrible boss. I offered to go.” He gives a no big deal shrug. “So that’s that. It’s platonic. I’ll take you to the wedding as your new neighbor.”
Platonic is officially my least favorite word as it relates to this man, but I get it. And I appreciate the extra descriptors for Xander and Simone. A lot. “Are you sure? I can go solo. I don’t want to cause problems,” I say.
“I made a promise. I keep my promises. I’m a nice guy.”
I hear the echo of Jackson’s comment. Nice guys are never any good in the bedroom. The bedroom’s not an option, but I can’t resist one little flirty remark. “Will you be a nice guy at the wedding?”
Hayes’s smile is confident. Strong. “If being a nice guy means no one will know what I really want, then yes.”