Chapter 19
“Have you ever been here?”
Piper links her fingers with mine as we stroll down the quiet street.
“Not to Edmonton.”
“I never know where you’ve been.”
She smiles up at me. Her cheeks are pink from the cold.
“Duncan never took me anywhere if that’s what you’re asking. And I’m a lowly intern. I don’t travel with the team.”
“I’m glad you get to come as my girlfriend. I’ve missed you.”
Even if it’s fake. Because Cassie said this would be a great opportunity to show everyone our relationship ahead of the stadium series.
We’re on the last game of a six-game road trip. I’m excited that we get to play outdoors this week. Even more excited that Piper is here to experience it.
“Good excuse to travel, I guess.”
“If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?” I ask.
“Hawaii.”
“Really? I thought it’d be Paris.”
Piper laughs. “Think you’ve got me pegged, Williams?”
“Apparently not.”
“I love the sunshine. I want to lie on the beach with a coconut in hand and listen to the waves.”
It puts the thought of Piper in a skimpy bikini on the beach into my head. Or rather, peeling her out of it.
“You know that’s not fair to put that image in my head, right?”
“What, when it’s all cold and snowy here?” Piper pulls her purple hat farther down her head. The ends of her hair curl out over her shoulders. She isn’t wearing much makeup, but she’s glowing.
It’s something I’m starting to learn about her. I never really understood inner beauty before. But it radiates from Piper. It makes her one of the most beautiful people I know.
She’s turning me into a sap.
“Are you going to imagine being on that beach tomorrow during the game?”
The weather changed and a snow storm is expected to blow through the city tonight. Nothing like playing hockey outside in the elements.
I haven’t done it since I was in high school. I’ve always loved skating on a pond with the snow coming down.
I wish every game could be like that. Instead, now it’s always under the lights and to the shouts of the fans.
“I’m going to have to if I want to survive.”
“Okay.” I laugh. “It’s not going to be that cold.”
“Will you warm me up after?” Piper shoves her hands under my jacket.
“Jesus! You’re like ice!” I try to shake her off, but she holds on even tighter.
“See? I’m not going to make it through the game.”
I pull her close, pulling her hat down lower. “Then I’m going to have to get you all the cold weather gear I can to keep you warm.”
“I’ll be the lunatic decked out in a marshmallow suit tomorrow trying to stay warm while cheering for Cash the Sex God.”
“Cassie would kill you if you said that.” I laugh.
“People have a right to know about their star defenseman.”
“Will a kiss get you to keep quiet?” I whisper against her cold lips. “Keep you warm perhaps?”
“Yes and yes.”
“Mmm.” The kiss is sweet, soft. Mindful that we’re in public, I don’t give her everything I want.
Everything she deserves.
“C’mon, Cash. We need to get you fed before your skate this afternoon.”
The team loosened the reins on restrictions since it’s the first time they’re playing in the stadium series. With the All-Star break fast approaching, I know all the guys are happy even for a few hours of peace.
“Cash Williams!” A little boy and his parents are standing at the corner we walk up to. “You’re my favorite player!”
He’s wearing a Black Diamonds knit hat and a coat that looks too big for him.
“I am?” I kneel down to get on his level. “Are you from Colorado?”
He shakes his head. “No. But you’re the best! You’re so fast on the ice.”
I laugh. “You think so?”
He nods again. “Super fast!”
“Are you going to the game tomorrow?”
“Yes. Mommy and Daddy got us tickets.”
“Make sure you cheer really loud for us then.”
He nods. “I will! Can I get your autograph?”
“Sure thing. How about a picture too?”
“You don’t mind?” his mom asks.
I shake my head. “Not at all. What’s your name?”
“Austin.”
“Austin.” I grab a pen that Piper is holding out and sign the piece of paper that his mom hands me. “I’m glad I got to meet you.”
“Me too. None of my friends will believe me.”
His mom pulls out her phone and snaps a picture of the two of us.
“Make sure you show them that picture.” I give him a high five.
“We’ll tag you in it so the team can share it,” his mom tells me. “I can’t thank you enough. You’re his favorite player.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.”
They wave goodbye as I turn to Piper. She’s beaming.
“What?” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and steer us across the street.
“That was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Stop it.” I try to hide my smile but I can’t. “It’s nothing.”
“I get why you like kids.”
“No criticism.” I boop her on the nose.
“You could just see how excited he was.” Piper stops and pulls us out of the way of people on the sidewalk. A light snow has started to fall. “You made his day.”
I shrug a shoulder. “It’s what anyone would have done.”
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “Not everyone would have done that. You are incredible.”
“I couldn’t have ignored him. He was too excited.”
“You were so cute with him.”
Piper grabs the sides of my coat and hauls me into her. I tower over her. The streetlights flicker in her eyes. I don’t know if it’s the lights or her happiness sparkling there.
But it’s a sight that hasn’t gotten old.
Piper is nothing but pure goodness. I thought for sure I’d get sick of it. I’ve never been surrounded by someone like her, who is kind for no other reason than she wants to be that way.
Everyone in my life always had an ulterior motive. My dad beat that into my head, when it was really him that was always out for something.
“Have I told you how cute you are, Princess?”
She thinks for a second. “Not today.”
I drop my forehead to hers. “My apologies, then. How could one minute have gone by without me telling you how fucking sexy you are?”
“I thought you were going with cute?”
I steal a quick kiss. “Cute. Sexy. Fucking gorgeous as hell.”
This time, the kiss is longer. Slower. Piper presses up onto her toes, deepening it. My hands slide around her waist, pulling her close.
I love the way she slots against me. Every part of her fits into me. Like she was made for me. I get lost in her taste. In her feel. The way she smells.
I get lost in everything that is Piper.
Until she’s pulling away, staring up at me with kiss-swollen lips.
“I don’t think we can keep doing this here.” She’s biting down on her bottom lip.
“Fuck.” I tug it from her clutches. “You drive me crazy.”
I wish I didn’t have the game tomorrow. I want to take Piper back to my hotel room and fucking ravish her.
I thought a few times with her would cure my need for her.
What an idiot.
All it’s done is made me want her more. Crave her with a need I’ve never had before.
Piper, the sweet little Princess, falling for me, the villain.
“We should probably get to lunch.”
“I forgot that’s why we were out.”
Because Piper steals all rational thought from my head.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.