9. Eric
Chapter nine
Eric
T he weekend for the team and executive holiday gala/party arrives, and the air in Denver is electric with excitement. Some of the guys showed up early to mix and mingle outside the event venue with the families and fans who showed up for autographs and the like. They didn't ask me to join them while the PR team works to control the narrative about Jessica and me.
I slide into the driver’s seat of my newly purchased and very practical SUV—given the snow in Colorado I didn’t buy a sports car—stealing a glance at Jessica as she adjusts the red dress hugging her curves… curves I know intimately. The fabric clings to her like a second skin, making it hard for me to focus.
“Ready?” I ask, admiring her beauty but trying not to show it too much. I had to go out of town for an away game right after the meeting, where the idea of our fake relationship was all but thrust upon us. The time apart was not ideal, since we didn’t get to talk about things on a deeper level. Tonight is our first “date” out and all eyes will be on us.
“Ready for… oh, you mean to be your adoring little girlfriend in front of the cameras?” she replies, a hint of humor in her tone. “I’m going to knock it out of the park.”
I reach over and pull her hand up to my lips, kissing it. “Yes, you are.”
We share a guarded smile filled with a thousand unsaid words.
As we pull out of the driveway of the Stanton’s home, I smile at the decorations lining the streets. Twinkling lights and proudly displayed Christmas trees give the city a festive glow.
“I had a great time at the game last night,” I begin, wanting to share my excitement and hoping to build some rapport between us. “The energy in the arena was unreal. The guys really came together, and it felt good to be part of the team. When I had to leave Nashville, I wasn’t sure if I’d feel that type of team spirit again.” I glance at her, hoping to see her enthusiasm mirrored in her eyes. “Winning like that—it’s what guys like me live for, you know?”
She nods, but I can sense her mind is elsewhere. “That’s awesome, Eric. I’m glad you’re settling in,” she says, her voice lacking the enthusiasm I’d hoped for and sounding more professional. She seemed fine earlier. I wonder what changed.
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of our situation come crashing down on me again. This fake dating would be easy peasy if I wasn’t ten out of ten attracted to her. I keep trying to push it away, but it’s ever present. It’s easy to focus on the thrill of the game, the camaraderie of the team, but here in the stillness of the car the reality of our arrangement whirls between us like a snowstorm.
“Listen,” I say, keeping my eyes on the road, “I know we’ve been thrown into this fake relationship thing without much discussion—to be fair, without any discussion. How are you holding up? All we have to do is put on a good front.”
“Exactly,” she replies, keeping her eyes out the window. “It’s all just an act. It’s fake. But I do think we should talk about…” She chews her lower lip, making me want to lean in and kiss her. “Well, our expectations, I guess, for how we’ll present ourselves in public tonight. We’re not just pretending for fun, right? We’re basically being told to fix what the media portrayed the other day.”
Her words make the situation sound dire. I don’t like feeling so burdened. I grow quiet as I navigate through the bustling streets, the Holston Hotel coming into view. “What do you think we should do?”
Jessica sighs, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re going to put this thing on me? Fine. We need to set up some rules. How should we act at the party? What happens at the house? It’s important that we set boundaries, so neither of us is surprised.”
“Boundaries? Surprised?” I force a chuckle, trying to keep things light. “What exactly are you worried about? Are we going to set a ‘no touching’ rule?”
She shoots me a look, and I can tell she’s frustrated. Something is bothering her, and I wish I knew what it was. “You know what I mean, Eric. How intimate will we be now that we’re fake dating? What happens if we get caught up in the moment again?”
The way she says that last part sounds like she is regretting her decision to have sex with me. I feel my ego rear its head, the temptation to pull away strong and fierce. But this is Jessica and, like it or not, I have a soft spot for her in my heart already. That scares me and excites me.
“Well, I can tell you one thing that I’m pretty sure is going to be expected tonight,” I say, reaching for her thigh and stroking it gently. I enjoy the slight shiver that rushes through her.
“What’s that?” Her voice is breathless.
“You’ll need to look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours, as if you adore me.” I grin at her. “Think you can ‘fake’ that? The rest we’ll worry about later.”
She smiles, placing her hand on mine, and I relax. “But you promise we’ll talk about boundaries?”
Before I can respond, we pull up to the Holston Hotel, and I’m struck by the grandeur of the place. Small crowds of people mill about, their laughter and chatter heard above the soft notes of jolly holiday music that drifts through the air. They have decked the hotel out in extravagant decorations—golden ribbons, sparkling lights, and a massive Christmas tree dominating the lobby.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking it all in as I park. “This place is something else.”
Jessica smiles softly, her earlier tension momentarily forgotten. “It really is beautiful.”
As we step out into the cold evening air, I can feel the energy of the crowd enveloping us. Fans shout my name, eager for a glimpse of the players they admire. I instinctively reach for Jessica’s hand, intertwining our fingers. The moment feels right, but the weight of our arrangement still lingers like a shadow.
Once we’re just outside the building, the atmosphere shifts to an elegant buzz. People in sharp suits and stunning dresses mingle, laughter ringing out as they catch up with friends and colleagues on their way into the venue. I can see the media waiting behind their cameras, waiting to capture the hockey players and VIP arrivals.
“Let’s pose for a few photos,” I suggest, leading Jessica to the front of the hotel in the opulent lobby where a backdrop of shimmering lights awaits us.
She hesitates for a moment, as if bracing herself, but then nods. As we stand together, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close. The flash of cameras lights up the scene, capturing the moment we’ve crafted.
“Eric! Gator! Over here!” a voice calls from the crowd. I turn to see fans waving, eager for my attention. I step forward, signing autographs while keeping an eye on Jessica, who stands beside me, beaming. Whether her smiles are real or fake is anyone’s guess, but if she’s just playacting, she deserves an Oscar.
The fans’ excitement is contagious, and for a moment, the untrue parts of our arranged relationship fades. We’re a team, and the chemistry between us feels undeniable, even as the media swarms around us, eager to catch every detail of this “new couple.”
“Jessica!” a reporter shouts, microphone in hand. “How do you feel about being with Eric Warren, the new star of the Avalanche?”
Before she can answer, I feel a rush of warmth at the thought of being called a star. But I quickly remind myself that I’m not a star in my own eyes; I’m still rebuilding my reputation.
“We’re just enjoying the season together,” Jessica replies, her voice steady despite the pressure of the moment.
“Just friends?” the reporter probes, and I catch the flicker of uncertainty in Jessica’s eyes.
I lean closer, putting on the charm. I grin down at Jessica. “We’re more than friends,” I say, hoping my words convey a sense of genuine connection. “We’re here to have a great time and come together as a team, which is what the holiday season is all about. Isn’t that right, Jess?”
She nods, her smile brightening as we pose for another round of photos. I feel proud to have her on my arm. Proud to, at least for tonight, call her mine. My hand fits perfectly around her waist and she leans into me for every photo as if we really are together.
“Ready to head inside?” I ask once I see that the frenzy has moved on to other late arrivals of the night.
“More than ready!” she whispers with a relieved look.
“Let’s try to enjoy ourselves. The media isn’t allowed into the ballroom, so it’ll be just us,” I say, trying to push the weight of our “playacting” as a couple aside for now.
“I wish we’d talked about expectations a little more. Are we still supposed to act like a couple inside?” she replies, and I’m surprised to see a flicker of nervousness in her eyes.
I offer her my arm, not having any answers. “One day at a time, remember?” I grin at her, trying to give her peace of mind.
She doesn’t look convinced.
Once inside the hotel’s ballroom, we meander over to the open bar, stopping to say hi to players on the team that I know pretty well by now. I keep my hands to myself with Jessica, hoping it makes her feel comfortable. I notice she isn’t as close to me behind closed doors as she was outside.
The evening is full of strolling waiters for the first hour, and then when dinner is served, the league commissioner, who is in town visiting, gets up to make a speech. Jessica and I unsurprisingly find ourselves in assigned seats seated next to none other than our “fake relationship” enforcer Allison and what feels like our chaperone, Kip, at a long, elegantly decorated table. The atmosphere around us is alive with laughter and conversation, but it quickly shifts as Kip leans in.
“So, how are you two settling into your new relationship?” he asks, his voice buoyant.
“I guess we’ll see what the media picked up on tonight,” I say evasively, not wanting to spend the entire dinner portion of the evening on this topic.
Jessica shifts next to me as Allison watches us closely. I feel like a pawn and it feels absolutely terrible.
Allison chimes in, her eyes gleaming like a hawk. “No, we can’t leave anything to chance. You two need to play up your romance. I’ve been working on an advanced strategy.” She glances at Kip and it becomes clear to me that for her, our success might mean some sort of promotion. She has a lot to lose if we mess up. “I think daily check-ins would be a great idea, actually, just until you two get through the first couple of weeks. It’ll help with the media narrative.”
Jessica’s discomfort is obvious, but she doesn’t protest. She’s not one to keep her thoughts to herself, so I wonder why she’s letting Allison plan our lives for us like this. I can see the corners of her smile tightening.
“Allison,” I smile smoothly. “I appreciate your dedication to your job, but it’s a holiday party tonight. Let’s discuss this on Monday, okay?”
She opens her mouth to argue but Kip claps me on the back saying, “Good point, young man. Let’s enjoy tonight and get back to work topics on Monday.” Then he’s on his feet and off schmoozing with a few other men in suits.
Allison looks peeved off. I wonder briefly if she will actually let this conversation go for now. She nods at me. “Enjoy your evening.” Her smile definitely does not meet her eyes.
“Actually, we will do just that,” I say, looking at Jessica. “How about we take a break from all this sitting and dance?”
Before Jessica can protest, I rise, offering her my hand. She hesitates for a moment, then stands and takes it. We weave through the people, making our way to the dance floor. The feel of her small hand in mine awakens something protective and strong in me.
Once we’re in the middle of the elegant chaos, I pull her close, our bodies fitting together naturally. I can see a slight blush on her cheeks and the swell of her breasts rises and falls as we dance, her breathing shallow, excited. I feel the same. The nearness of her is making my manhood want to wake up. Her presence never fails to arouse me.
The music swells around us, a slow, romantic tune that seems to drown out everything else.
“You’re doing great, you know. Don’t let Allison boss you around,” I whisper, savoring the way she relaxes against me.
She looks guilty for a moment and then just shrugs. What is she hiding, I wonder?
“And you’re a pretty good dancer, Sunshine.”
She laughs softly at that, her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink now. “This is just swaying in public, Eric. It’s not a dance-off.”
“True, but it feels right.” I can feel the weight of our earlier conversation lingering, unspoken but ever-present. Without thinking, I lean in and kiss her cheek, and then her neck. I breathe her in and feel so attracted to her it almost hurts.
As we sway, I’m acutely aware of the warmth radiating from her body, her hands on my shoulders. I’m drawn to her beauty and to the strong person she is. When she looks at me with those soft eyes, I can’t help it. I want to kiss her. Just as I lean in, our lips almost brushing, the moment is shattered by a chorus of teasing shouts from my hockey teammates.
“Come on, kiss her already!” one of them calls, the group walking from the open bar, drinks in hand, egging us on. I know these guys, so I know they mean well, and it’s just a little teasing. But I hope Jessica can take it the same way I do.
I pull back, chuckling, a little embarrassed. Jessica laughs too, her eyes bright with mischief. “Great. Just what I need—my professional reputation on the line.” The joke is not lost on me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from all the leering and peering eyes,” I say, but there’s an undertone of seriousness to my words. I can tell she got my broader meaning.
“Maybe we should sneak away somewhere and… continue what we started just now,” I suggest.
She runs her hands down my arms in response, her eyes telling me “yes.”
We make our covert escape, slipping away from the noise and lights of the party. I lead her to the rooftop bar that I’ve heard is insanely popular in the summer. Now, in the cold approaching winter, its enclosed glass walls offer shelter from the cold and a stunning view of the Denver skyline, glittering against the night sky.
The atmosphere is intimate, with just the two of us hiding out in a greenhouse of sorts. The twinkling lights cast a soft glow around us through the glass walls.
Jessica stands by the glass, looking out. When she turns to face me, I can feel her desire. It’s tortured, just like mine is. We’re torn between wanting and being careful, between giving in and withholding. Underneath it all is a foundation built on desire. And right now, that desire consumes me.
Before I can second-guess myself, I lean in, capturing her lips with mine. My fingers brush her cheek. Jessica deepens the kiss and, in that moment, everything else fades away.
“I want you,” she murmurs into my lips, sending a jolt of arousal through me.
Her hand grazes against the bulge in my pants. Oh, that kind of wanting…
And before I can think better of it, I sweep her into my arms and lift her up, pressing her against the glass wall. Her legs wrap around me and in my arms, she is light as a feather.
The enclosed space feels safe, and the desire between us is stronger than before.
“Fuck me, Eric,” her voice is insistent and breathy. “I don’t know what we’re doing or where this is going… but I need to feel you inside me.”
“Damn, Jess,” I say, my hand undoing my belt while my other arm holds her up. I feel her hold herself up by clinging to my shoulders while I pull out my condom, then let my pants drop. Then my underwear; just enough to free my cock.
Her full skirt is perfect for this moment. I reach up to push the thin fabric of her thong aside as she slides down the glass wall just enough to let the tip of my sheathed cock slide into her. She eases down onto the full length of me, moaning, her eyes looking into mine. She is glorious perfection to me at this moment.
Her elegance in that dress coupled with the naughty sex we are having turns me on so much, I feel like a man possessed.
“Yes, baby,” I say as she grinds on me while I thrust.
Her lips are soft when she kisses me, nipping at my lower lip. I let loose in her moments later as she bites back a cry of bliss, her orgasm consuming her and turning her eyes beautifully soft. I hold her a moment longer, marveling how a chance mistake of the Stanton’s led us here… and wondering how long it’ll last.