Heartstrings: The Complete Collection

2. Jessica

Chapter 2

Jessica

I look up . . . and up . . . at the owner of that velvet voice, and my breath freezes in my lungs.

Gorgeous.

The word flits through my brain, and it suits him perfectly. High cheekbones, full lips, and a square jaw. Messy dark hair and even darker eyeswith crinkles in the corners. His nose looks like it’s been broken at least once, but somehow it only adds to his male beauty.

Way to go, Jess. You’ve just been bowled over by the most gorgeous man you’ve ever seen, and all you can say is “tickets?”

He’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have because, holy crap, the man is surely descended from a god. His deep brown eyes and growly voice have rendered me temporarily incapable of rational thought and the ability to speak in full sentences.

“I’m sorry,” he says again in that deep, gruff voice that has my nipples tightening unexpectedly. “I didn’t see you. Are you okay?”

I notice the bruise blooming on his left cheek and wonder if he’s been in a fight. He reaches down to help me up, swallowing my hand in his big paw. Everything about him is big—broad shoulders, wide chest, thighs like tree trunks. I’m not small at 5’9, but he towers over me, making me feel small.

I shiver as our hands connect, and something resembling static electricity causes the fine hairs on my arms to stand on end. He frowns, looking at our connected hands as if he feels it too.

“I’m fine,” I reply huskily, finally pulling my hand from his and answering his question. “It was my fault. I got turned around and wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“Neither was I. Sure you’re okay?” he asks again, his eyes searching for injuries as they slide over me. “Did I hurt you?”

His concern makes me warm all over. I want to arch my back and purr like a kitten while he strokes my?—

“I’m fine,” I squeak, cutting off my rampant thoughts. What the fuck is wrong with me? I don’t even know the guy’s name, and I’m fantasizing about having those big hands all over my naked flesh.

“You mentioned something about tickets?” he prompts, capturing my gaze with his deep brown eyes and scattering my thoughts.

I lick my lips and clear my throat. “Oh, yeah, I’m, um, picking up complimentary tickets. The Ice Giants agreed to donate two tickets to the auction we’re hosting tomorrow night. All proceeds are going to charity.”

He nods. “Yeah, I heard something about that. Tickets for the final, right?”

“Yep, and Harmony Mack are putting up two tickets to their concert here in New York next month. We also have donations from local businesses. The auction is at The Queens Club, and we’re hoping to raise lots of money for the veteran’s charity we’re supporting.”

“Great cause,” he says admiringly.

His approval warms my belly with pleasure. “I’m the PA for Harmony Mack, so I was tasked with picking up the tickets. I know nothing about hockey and thought, what better way to experience it than by coming to a game?”

“Your first hockey game?” he asks in disbelief.

“I know, right?” I smile sheepishly. “I’m not much of a sports fan, although I don’t mind baseball.”

“ Baseball? ” he says in mock horror. Then his face splits into a teasing grin, and my panties incinerate in a puff of lust.

Holy shit , I’m in trouble with a capital T.

I ignore the throb between my thighs and bluster on. “I’m supposed to be clued up on all the companies offering donations. There’ll be press at the auction, so I thought I should have a little knowledge of the game in case they ask me anything. God help me,” I say with a sigh.

“Something tells me if anyone can handle them, it’s you,” he tells me, his lips quirking with a sexy smile.

Right now, he’s the only one I want to handle . But I’m pretty sure it’s socially unacceptable to rub yourself all over someone you’ve only just met. Shame.

“I was supposed to meet Erica to pick up the tickets, but I got turned around. This place is like a maze,” I finish, looking around me with a self-conscious chuckle.

“Yeah, this place is confusing, for sure,” he mutters. His smile drops, and there’s a bitter edge to his voice, interwoven with a thread of sadness. It’s gone in the next instant, and he tips his chin at me. “Come on. I’ll show you where Erica’s office is.”

His hand comes to the small of my back as he steers me in the direction I came. We turn left and quickly reach a small office where a pretty brunette with glasses sits at a desk.

She looks up with a smile. “Hey, Harrison. What brings you here? I thought you’d be gone by now.”

Harrison? As in Harrison Tensly? The Enforcer for The New York Ice Giants?

Of course, it is. The slight bruising on his left cheek makes sense now, as I remember him facing off with an opposing team member during the game. My heart was in my throat for those few moments when both players threw down their sticks and tore off their gloves. I may not know much about hockey, but I know Harrison has earned his title of “Destroyer” on the ice. Never one to back down from a fight, and often the player to instigate them—all part of the spectacle of the game.

But I can’t reconcile that guy with the man standing next to me now, the one who looked so horrified that he’d knocked me down, so concerned that I wasn’t hurt.

“Hey, Erica. This is . . .” Harrison turns to look at me with a raised eyebrow, and I suddenly realize he doesn’t know my name.

“Oh! Jessica. Jessica Solomon,” I reply, tearing my gaze from his and smiling at Erica. “I’ve come to collect the tickets for the auction tomorrow. I got turned around and ran into Harrison, who offered to steer me in the right direction.”

“Jessica, nice to meet you,” Erica says, her smile broadening. “I have them . . .” she searches through the piles of paper on her desk, “. . . ah, right here!” She holds out a gold embossed envelope toward me.

“Thanks again for donating them,” I say, returning Erica’s smile as I take the envelope. I take a peek inside to see the two gold leaf tickets.

“You’re welcome. I hope they raise a good price,” Erica says, just as her phone rings. “Excuse me,” she adds, giving us a little wave as we leave the office.

“I’ll walk you out. I’m headed home now, anyway,” Harrison says, falling into step beside me.

Fine by me. I’m oddly reluctant to leave his company.

“So, you’re Harrison Tensly, aka The Destroyer,” I say, grinning at him as we walk.

Harrison shakes his head, looking a little uncomfortable. “Only on the ice. And not for much longer.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“Next game will be my last with The Giants. Got my marching orders tonight.”

I look at him in horror. “I’m so sorry. I?—”

He waves a hand dismissively. “Don’t be. It’s been on the cards for a while. I just didn’t want to face it.”

“So . . . what happens now? You retire?”

Harrison shrugs carelessly, but I can tell this news has upset him. “Haven’t had time to think about what’s next. Hockey has been my life for as long as I can remember.”

“Your brother is Noah, right?”

His gaze flicks to me as he opens the door, and we exit into the chilly evening air. “You know him?”

“We haven’t met yet.” I shake my head. “But I know his wife, Elli. She and Harmony are best friends.”

Recognition lights Harrison’s eyes. “Of course. I’ve heard Elli mention Harmony, although I’ve never met her or Mack.”

“Small world, huh?”

“Getting smaller by the day,” he murmurs.

“Um, why don’t you join us tomorrow evening at The Queens Club?” I hear myself ask as my mouth engages before my brain. “Mack and Harmony are performing, and Noah and Elli will be there.”

Harrison’s eyes bore into mine with an intensity that has my toes curling in my boots. “I might take you up on that offer, Jessica Solomon.”

Oh, God, how does my name sound so good spilling from his lips? “Great. I might see you tomorrow, Harrison Tensly.” I was going for casual sophistication, but sadly, his name leaves my throat as a strangled croak. Smooth, Solomon. Real smooth.

Luckily, I’m saved from further embarrassment as my Uber arrives. I raise my hand in a lame wave. “This is me. Thanks for helping me out.”

Harrison tips his chin at me. “Any time, Jess.”

He’s got me so flustered I almost trip over fresh air on my way to the Uber, and Harrison’s throaty chuckle stays with me long after my driver has dropped me at my hotel.