Madden (Boston Bay Vikings #17)

3. Madden

3

MADDEN

Who the hell is that tool she's with? The man has mostly ignored her while he plays eye hockey with a woman across the restaurant. Yes, I am spying on Tessa. I'd gotten to her family's house—which had shocked me—just in time to watch them leave. I'd done the natural thing and followed.

Tessa takes off her jacket and I laugh. She's wearing my number fourteen jersey. The one I gave her in the ambulance. The sight of blood all over her clothes made her want to puke. I'd come to the rescue.

Seeing her wearing it at dinner in this fancy restaurant tickles me. She looks cute. My mind suddenly jumps to what she would look like wearing only my jersey. Not a good idea in a public place. I keep a couple between her family and me because I don't want to be seen yet. I want to see her with her family. Just those few minutes tell me that she is more comfortable with her father. Her mother is more interested in pushing her towards the ignorant man.

A wave of jealousy ripples through me at the familiar way he wraps an arm around Tessa's waist. My eyes narrow at the hand he has on her hip. This is not happening.

As I walk around the couple, her mother spots me first, her eyes widening in surprise. Tessa turns and her eyes fill with joy and confusion as they meet mine. "Tessa, sweetheart,” I drawl. “You look amazing." I wink as I pull her into my arms. Asshole tries to hold on, but I pull her away from him, turning so he has my back and I have my girl all to myself. "I'm just in time, I see," I whisper in her ear. She pushes closer, her face buried in my neck as all her soft curves press against my harder ones. The feel of her nipples against my chest causes my dick to throb, but I refuse to let her pull away when she feels my reaction.

Tessa lifts her face to mine, and I grin. "Miss me?" I plant a kiss on her flushed cheek and let it linger. Holding Tessa against me, I turn to the idiot who just lost. I'm not a total dick. I hold out my hand. "Madden Tyler. And you are?"

He looks at Tessa's jersey and at me. The bell drops. That's my jersey, asshole!

"Ralph Jones, Tessa's boy?—”

I cut him off, "Mr. and Mrs. George, it's wonderful to see you both again."

Greetings are exchanged, and when the ma?tre d asks, "How many are eating tonight?" Tessa’s father, George, grins and says, "Five."

"I need to talk to Tessa. We'll be right with you." I steer Tessa away from the listening ears before reluctantly letting her go. "Did you miss me, sweetheart?"

"You said you were done,” she mutters, a lovely blush along her cheekbones. "What are you doing here? I’m confused.”

“The text! Oh fuck!” My eyes widen as my heart sinks. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. “I didn’t mean done with you. I meant text and calls. I meant that I had to see you, or I’d go crazy.” I pause. “And it would appear that I’m also saving you from Ralph Jones."

A very unladylike snort leaves her. "He'll know exactly who you are to me by now.”

“Is that a problem?"

"Not for me. I can’t believe you’re standing before me.”

"I missed you."

"You missed me? You can be with whoever you want."

I narrow my eyes and step into her space. I cradle her face and force her gaze up to mine. "I don't want anyone. I want you. Bradford told me I didn't have to show up at your place with a packed bag. So, I took his advice for once and checked into a hotel. We're going to spend time together because I can't stop thinking about you. My game is off.”

"I saw you play the other night."

"I sucked, didn't I? Just as the puck was sailing toward me, you popped into my head. My preoccupation with you is messing with my game, so here I am." I grin. "Let's go and eat.” I take her hand and pull her behind me, but to my surprise she digs in her heels.

"Madden, you can't just take over my life because your game is off. That's not fair to me."

I frown. That's not why I'm here. Not really. I run a hand through my hair and go for the truth. "Don't you get it, Tessa? It's you. I want to be where you are. Not miles away in Boston."

"I'm not like the women you date, Madden." She blushes quickly and slaps her thighs. My eyes narrow, not caring for where her mind is at. I step into her space until she's pinned against the wall.

"The team's publicist set me up with those women," I admit. "They want the players to be talked about in the media. It brings more people to the games. You need to understand something, and I'm going to be blunt about it so there's no misunderstanding, okay?"

She nods her head slowly.

My arms wrap around her waist, and as she is pressed close, unable to mistake my erection for anything other than what it is, I whisper in her ear, "I love the fact that you are a handful." I grab her bottom and let out a moan as she rubs my dick. “There is not one thing about you that I would change." I look into her eyes. "Not one thing, Tessa. I like you just the way you are." I grin. "Although I wouldn't mind seeing you wearing my jersey and only my jersey."

Her eyes go wide and a smile spreads across her face.

"That's better. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."