Cash (Glendale Magic #2)

Chapter 2

CASH

Cash Hawthorn was at the bar ordering another beer. He didn't drink much during the season but shit like called for drinks. If the gala wasn't a mandatory team thing, he wouldn’t be here.

"You clean up nice," he heard a voice say from behind. He turned to find Conner McPhee, the team captain. Cash was his assistant captain, and they’d been playing together for years. Where Conner was their center and fearless leader, Cash was their enforcer. He was a fighter on the ice, and he was good at it. It had given him a reputation off ice as well. He wasn't a fighter off the ice, he was a lover, but he didn't mind the reputation either. It helped with the ladies, and his reputation as a ladies’ man was definitely warranted. He wasn't a douchebag player by any means, but he did take advantage of hot consensual sex with many different women in many different cities. If all parties knew the intentions, no harm no foul.

"Yeah, I'll be here till the auction is over, and I figure out who the lucky lady is tonight," Cash said, wiggling his eyebrows at Conner.

Conner just shook his head. He was not that kind of guy. Cash had never known him to play around like that. Conner was all hockey all the time. Except...he did seem to have a thing for the team's new social media manager. As he followed Conner's gaze, he caught sight of Sasha in a knockout red dress, but who was she talking to?

Next to Sasha was a woman he’d never seen before. She had her dark hair in a beautiful updo, gorgeous blue eyes, but her body was out of this world. She wore a low-cut navy blue dress that hugged her killer curves. Cash knew right then who he wanted to go home with that night. When he saw her walk over to the bar with Sasha and caught sight of her lush thigh coming out of the high slit on the dress, he was done. He would have his head under the dress before the night was over. He would spend his night buried in those soft, inviting curves.

"Gentlemen," said a voice behind him, pulling him out of his dirty thoughts. "I can't help but notice ye both admiring those two lovely lasses."

Cash turned to find a short plump redheaded woman with a thick Scottish brogue.

"Excuse me," said Conner as if he hadn't heard her. He was walking over to Sasha.

"She’s a beautiful woman," Cash said, giving her a wink.

"My aren't ye a handsome fellow, a little rough around the edges but I like it," said the woman with an approving look.

Cash just grinned at her. "Yeah, I get that a lot." He was a tall man, standing 6 '4. He had broad shoulders that helped him throw his weight around on the ice, but what set him apart from all his teammates here were his beard and body full of tattoos and scars.

The woman chuckled at him. "Who is the beauty in the navy dress?" she asked. Following his gaze to the beautiful mystery woman.

"I don't know... yet," he said, still admiring her from across the room.

"Why don't ye stop over at my table later? I'll give ye a reading."

"Sounds good," Cash said, barely paying attention to her. His eyes were still following the most beautiful woman here. He watched as Sasha walked away from her. This was his chance.

He approached the woman with his confident swagger.

"Hi, I'm Cash,” he said, reaching for her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you ...” He waited for her name.

"Evie," she answered back with a skeptical face.

He reached for her hand and pulled it to his mouth. "Nice to meet you, Evie." Then he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"You too…," she drawled.

“Cash,” he answered back with a sly grin.

Her face alone was enough to let Cash know she wasn't very impressed with him, and something about that made him want her even more. Sure, there were many women in this room he could have with a wink and a smile, but none of them were as attractive as the voluptuous beauty in front of him.

"Are you here by yourself tonight?"

She nodded.

"Are you here with one of the charities?" he asked.

"Yeah, I teach skating at the center, and we’re trying to raise money for our scholarship program."

"That's a really good cause," he said with a genuine smile.

"Thanks, I think so. If you'll excuse me," she said as she walked away from him. And as sad as he was at her exit, he was happy to watch her hips sway as she walked away. He’d be leaving with her tonight, that he knew.

But firsts things first, he walked over to look at the auction table. There were some wonderful volunteer options, Children's hospital, animal shelter, Boys and Girls club, but he knew what charity he would be auctioning to spend his time with. He walked through the table until he found the skating center.

He looked through the volunteer work he’d be paying to do. Sasha had planned this, instead of the old win a date with a hockey player bit, the hockey players win which charity they want to spend their time and money on., and he thought that was a really good idea.

The rink was looking for two players to lead a hockey camp this summer and hoping to fund the scholarship program. Cash wrote his name and an obscene amount of money down because he was staking his claim. Partly on the beautiful woman attached to the organization, but honestly this would have been the one he chose regardless.

Growing up, he had been on the receiving end of this type of program. His childhood had been far from normal. He was born to two free spirits who raised him in a camper van following bands around the country until he was ten. Then he, his mom, and his sister settled in Colorado. Hockey had been the first structure he’d had in his life.

His mom never could have afforded hockey, it was an expensive sport. Luckily, his coach had seen his potential and helped him get the scholarships so he could play. He thrived on the ice. He thrived in the stability of the game. He knew if he worked hard on the ice, it would pay off in his game. It was the first time he ever truly knew what to expect in his day-to-day life, and he had craved that as a kid. Finding something he was good at that offered his life consistency had changed the trajectory of his life and would gladly help other kids find that.

He saw that Wes had signed up already to be the other volunteer. They would be a good balance, top scorer and defenseman to run a camp. Plus, Wes was basically a kid himself.

He scanned the room for Evie but didn't see her. He did spot the Scottish woman who he had chatted with earlier. She had mentioned a card reading, and while he might not believe in all that stuff, it was nostalgic for him. Growing up the way he did put him around those kinds of things. In fact, once he and his sister were out of the house his mom had started traveling with a Ren Faire doing tarot card readings herself. He loved his mom, but she had a spirit that refused to be caged. Sometimes he was surprised she had pulled it together long enough for him and his sister to have their school years in one place. He made his way over to her table.

“What do ye say, lad? Can I read your cards?” he heard the Scottish woman ask as he walked up.

“Sure. Let’s do this,” he said as he sat down at the small table across from the woman.

She pulled out the deck of well-worn cards and shuffled them with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Cut the deck and we’ll see what the fates have in store for ye.”

He cut the deck, but as he did a small jolt of electricity seemed to come off the cards themselves. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but before he had too much time to think about it, the woman across from him started the reading.

“Let’s see what we can learn about yer past,” she said as she flipped over a card and laid it on the table before him. On the card was a woman in white petting a lion. “Hmmm. Strength.”

Something in Cash swelled with pride at that card. He knew it was probably silly, but he was strong. Not only was he strong on the ice, but he’d managed to build the structured life he craved, despite coming from a flighty family.

“This card shows that ye have not only physical strength, but mental strength and fortitude as well. Ye know who you are, and ye exist confidently in the world.”

Cash nodded in agreement.

“Now, let’s get some insight into yere current position,” she said as she flipped over the next card to reveal a white knight looking like he was charging into battle. “The Knight of Swords. It looks like big changes are coming yer way soon. Don’t hesitate or over think it too much, just go with your gut.”

Was there any other way? Cash thought to himself. He was always someone who dove headfirst and trusted his gut. Most of his teammates past and present seemed about the same. There really wasn’t much room for timid thinking on the ice.

He looked up from the card and the woman seemed to be taking him in with a discerning look.

“Who was the woman in the navy dress ye were talking with earlier?” she asked. A small smirk creeped across her face. It was a look of someone who knew just a little too much.

“Evie. I don’t really know her,” he said with a disarming smile, “but I’m hoping to know her much better before the night is over.”

His eyes instinctively scanned the room for her. She was standing near the dance floor talking to Sasha. Captivating. She was simply captivating. The sound of a small voice clearing pulled his gaze from her. The woman sitting across the table was grinning at him. She knew what he was thinking, and he didn’t even mind.

“Now, let’s see what the future has in store for ye, shall we?”

He nodded and she turned over the last card and put it next to the others, and she grinned at him. The Lover’s Card. He was certain that would be his future tonight as well.

“The Lover’s Card…seems appropriate for a man with your reputation,” she said with a knowing glance.

He gave a small chuckle, suddenly eager to get away from the table and go dance with that beautiful woman they were just speaking about.

“Just know there is more to this card than physical love. While that is a very fun part of it,” she said with a wink. Cash liked this woman. “But I do think a proper love is in yer future. A soulmate level love. A love where ye’ll complete each other fully. True love may have outside complications, but when you are alone with this person it’s usually delightfully simple. Just the enjoyment of the person ye’re with is enough to fill yer heart with contentment. That one spark can lead ye to an enduring love and a true connection. Just dinnae overthink it, Mr. Hawthorn.”

He turned and looked at her. Though he hadn’t given her his name, most people probably knew it.

“Thank you,” he said, getting ready to stand. The woman on the dance floor was beckoning to him.

“It was my pleasure,” she said with her Cheshire grin. “Although, I feel like I should remind ye again not to overthink it. Sleep on it if ye must. Answers to our deepest questions often become clearer after a good night's sleep.”

Reaching across the table, she took Cash’s hand for a handshake. He took it, but almost pulled that hand back. That same electric current that zapped him when he cut the deck pulsed through him again.

“Enjoy the Gala,” she said, giving no indication she felt anything different.

“Thank you, you too,” he said as he took his leave.

Her words kept playing in his head. Love wasn't something Cash was looking for, not that kind of love anyway. He was looking for a night of fun, and as he watched Sasha and Evie out on the dance floor, he was reminded who he wanted to have fun with.

He threw back the rest of the beer and headed out to join them on the dance floor. When he got there Conner was already out there dancing with Sasha, and Wes with his girlfriend, Kate McPhee. As they all danced, he paid close attention to Evie, and much to his surprise she seemed very receptive to him.

He slid in behind her and gave a testing brush to her shoulder. She looked up at him with a sly grin, and he was done for. The same hand brushed down to her hip and she didn’t move away. In fact, she backed up ever so slightly. He took the invitation and pulled her hips to his and they both started moving to the music. The feel of her softness under his hand and her hips dancing in unison with his was everything. He fought the urge to slide both of his arms around her and just hold all her curves and softness to him. He could easily get lost in this woman. He was really hoping this night would end with holding her that close without all these pesky clothes.

After the song ended a slower song started to play, they left the dance floor.

"Can I get you a drink?" he asked as his hand lightly skated across her lower back.

She looked up into his eyes with a curious smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."

“What do you want?”

“Vodka Tonic,” she said, still evaluating him.

He headed over to the bar to get them drinks while she peeked at the silent auction. He watched as her eyes read over the sheet he had signed up for. He knew she was seeing his name and Wes's name, along with the hefty dollar sign they had both put down. Her eyes shot up to his with a look of surprise. It warmed him in a way nothing had recently.

He took the drinks and made his way over to her.

"You didn't have to do that," she said.

"Actually, I did. That's kind of the whole point of tonight."

"I guess I'm just surprised you picked it...not to mention how generous the donation was."

He found himself feeling bashful. What the fuck was that about? He hadn't felt that particular emotion in a long time. "It's nothing. I was helped a lot by a similar program growing up. I'm happy to be able to help some kids that need it. Hockey was my saving grace as a kid."

"Oh really? Was it always what you wanted to do?"

He nodded. "From the time I was twelve I wanted to be a professional hockey player."

"Well, I see you were successful," she said with a smile.

"That I was," he said, closing the distance between them. "What do you do at the center?"

The smile she gave at the question stirred something inside of him. He wanted to make her smile even more. "I teach figure skating, and I coach a few of the older competitive skaters.”

"Oh yeah? Did you compete?"

"I did, for a long time. Now I just coach."

"Hey now, there is no 'just coaching'. Being a coach is a hard job, we both know that."

She looked at him with an expression he couldn't quite place, one that gave way to another genuine smile, and he was done for. This woman was breathtaking.

She shrugged. "It can be, but I like it."

"Would you like to dance?" he asked. The music turned to a slower song, and he was anxious to hold her against him again. He was grateful for the room key nestled in his pocket. He didn't know if he would be needing it, but he was glad he thought ahead because he was hoping this entrancing woman would come up to his room.

"Why not?" she said, shaking her head like she had just given into something she was trying to withstand. That had been easier than he thought.

He took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. He brought her close to him, pressing one hand into the small of her back to hold her close, his other holding hers.

He looked around the floor. The auction was over, and things were starting to slow down. Kate and Wes were still dancing. He wasn't sure where Conner had gotten off too, but he also didn't see Sasha anywhere, so he had an idea. Good. Those two have needed to fuck for a while now.

But then he turned his attention to the beautiful woman in his arms. Her soft curves pressed into him, and he was hoping he would finish the night pressing those soft curves into the mattress of the room he had upstairs. He thought about fighting the erection that was stirring to life in his pants, but the way her eyes shot up to his as he held her told him all he needed to know. He held her closer, and she gave a sigh and bit her lip when she felt that contact. The song ended and he was ready.

"I have a room upstairs if you're interested."

She looked up at him and bit her lip. "Okay, I'm just going to go say goodbye to Sasha."