Hayley
Brooks Miller.
He has weaseled his way into my life. No matter how much I tried to fight it, the attraction between us is undeniable.
It’s like my body is set on fire every time he’s near.
Slowly chipping away at the walls I’ve built to protect myself and my son.
I shouldn’t want him, yet every ounce of my being wants him in every way.
But how can I allow myself to fall for another guy who is one of the poster boys for a “player” …
and I don’t mean hockey player. It shouldn’t matter, right?
It was one little hook up. It doesn’t mean anything to any of us and can’t.
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “But what about the no fraternization clause? I signed one and my father… Oh God. My father would tear me a new one if he caught wind we were dating.”
I let Cassidy’s words sink in as I move to pack my bag for the flight back home and change into my travel clothes. She’s right, you know. I shouldn’t let my insecurities dictate my happiness, yet here I am, ready to break things off again with Brooks before they’ve even started.
God, I’m giving myself whiplash.
Just as I’m pulling up my black leggings, a quiet knock comes from the other side of the adjoining room. I smile as I walk over to the door and pull it open. On the other side stands Brooks without a shirt on, in a pair of gray joggers.
His pec muscles flex as he pushes off the door frame to enter my room. My eyes wander over his muscular back and his tight ass before he turns around to look at me. A smirk tugs at the corner of his full lips.
Shit.
Caught redhanded.
“Bus for the airport leaves in twenty. You wanted to talk, so talk,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, pushing my boobs up a little.
He releases a chuckle as a smile stretches across his face.
“Always getting right to business,” he says, stepping toward me.
His eyes roam to the ample amount of cleavage I’ve left visible when I changed after the game.
“I like that. And as much as it’s turning me on right now, I need to control it. I need to know where your head’s at.”
“My head?”
“Yes. With us.”
“There isn’t an us,” I say, walking over to zip up my suitcase. “I told you that this morning.”
He smiles as he comes behind me, running his callused hands down my arm. “But your body language in the locker room said otherwise. In fact, your body language right now tells me the one-time deal is not what you want.”
My body shivers as he continues to run his hand under my shirt, against my bare stomach.
My stomach twists with butterflies, not from what he just said, but from the way my body ignites from just his simple touch.
A small moan falls from my lips as my eyes close and my head falls back, resting on his shoulder.
“Tell me you want this,” he says, whispering in my ear.
I lull my head to the side as he places a gentle kiss on my collarbone. My core heats from the jolt of electricity his simple kiss sends throughout my entire body.
Oh God. Yes, I want this. Want this so fucking bad.
I release a shallow breath as I slowly open my eyes. “I want this,” I say without hesitation for the first time in such a long time. “I want this, but we need to set some ground rules.”
He smiles against my skin before I slowly move out of his grasp. “Rules, I can work with rules. Can’t say I’ll always follow them, but I can certainly try if it gives me a repeat of last night.”
“You sure about that?” I say through a smile as I slip on a pair of Hey Dudes.
He nods before grabbing my suitcase and carrying it toward the door for me. “Come help me pack, and you can tell me your rules.”
“Rule one. No one can know about us. And I mean no one. The no fraternization clause can ruin both of us. And I refuse to let that happen,” I say, stepping into his room as he pulls a white V-neck tee over his head.
“Done. What’s rule number two?”
“Rule two?” I question as I think about what this relationship could do to not only me, but Cam.
“Rule Two. If either of us feels like they’re not satisfied or into this relationship any longer…
we call it quits. Amicable split. We both move on with our lives as if nothing happened. ” No matter how much it will hurt.
His eyes search mine as he grabs my hand, flipping it over and placing gentle kisses on my palm. “And rule three?” I shake my head in response. “Well, then… I think I can handle that. However, I have a rule of my own.”
“That is?”
He pulls me close to him before placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “When this thing does work out, we tell everyone. Shout it from the rooftops. Because once I make you mine, I want everyone to know it.”
◆◆◆
The flight back home is uneventful but like before, Brooks is by my side.
Despite the rules I put into place, he holds my hand during takeoff and landing to help ease my anxiety.
Of course, my father’s watchful eye is on us the entire time.
Meaning that I may need to add a rule three to my list. That being we can’t sit near one another on flights, no matter how bad he helps my fear of flying. Too many prying eyes.
I walk into my house a little after two a.m. Camden is still with my parents for the night, so the house is quiet, too quiet.
I toss my keys onto the entryway table before kicking off my shoes.
My bare feet pad across the hardwood floors to the kitchen.
I open the fridge, remove a bottle of rosé, and pour a hefty glass before retreating to the living room to destress from the trip.
Our season home opener is later tonight and though I should be hauling my ass to bed so I can get to the rink at a decent time, I can’t seem to stop my brain from wandering back to Brooks and our night we spent together.
How safe and secure I felt in his arms. Comfortable.
Added bonus to this whole situation… he’s insanely hot.
Am I completely insane for agreeing to a secret relationship with him?
One hundred percent. Yet, I can’t stop thinking about him.
Ding.
My phone pings beside me as I chug the last bit of wine in my glass before looking at the clock on the mantel. Three a.m.? Seriously… don’t people sleep anymore.
Brooks: Are you awake?
My stomach flutters as the smile grows on my face.
Hayley: Are you trying to booty call me?
Brooks: Maybe… Is it working?
I lie flat on my back on the couch, tucking a pillow behind my head, and text him back.
Hayley: Hmmm… Not a chance. I’m pretty wiped from traveling.
Brooks: Oh, come on. You can’t tell me you’re sleepy. I bet you’re sitting on your couch right now, drinking a glass of wine and thinking about all the dirty things we did back in the hotel.
Seriously? Does he have a camera stashed somewhere in my house that I don’t know about? Or am I just that predictable?
Hayley: It’s late.
Brooks: Tell me something.
Hayley: Like what?
Brooks: Anything. I can’t seem to sleep, and all I keep thinking about is you.
Well, for starters, my real name is Hayley Richards, and my father is the owner of the Skipjacks. Oh, and Camden’s father is Boyce Cameron, the professional hockey player who abandoned me before he was drafted when he found out I was pregnant.
Clearly, that’s not what I’m going to say, yet the thought of wanting to spill my guts to him, tell him the truth about everything, toys at my insides.
Hayley: Not to boost your already cocky persona, but last night. That sex. Was easily, hands down some of the best I’ve ever had.
It’s not the truth I want to tell him, but it’s the scary, most terrifying truth. That this man does things to me that no one has ever done. I want him regardless of his past or mine.
Brooks: Want to elaborate on that a little?
Hayley: For the first time in a long time… I felt like I was important. What I wanted was important. You made me feel…
Brooks: What did I make you feel, Hayley? Tell me.
I walk to the fridge and refill my wine glass while I think on it for a moment. Bringing the kiss from the elevator to the foreplay in the bedroom to the forefront of my mind. Allowing myself to get lost in that night all over again.
His strong arms gripping under my thighs, hoisting me up so my back was up against the wall.
The way he claimed my lips, almost controlling, yet allowing me to still take what I want from him in that moment.
The way he watched me come undone as his soft lips sucked on my nipples sending tingles throughout my entire body.
The masculine scent of his cologne invading all my senses. It’s intoxicating. He’s intoxicating.
Hayley: Claimed.
Brooks: I can’t stop thinking about your lips on mine. The way you moaned my name as I pounded into you.
A smile lifts at the corners of my mouth. And just like that, I’m lost in Brooks. His words. His honesty… no matter how perverted or corny it is.
Hayley: Must you be so dirty.
Brooks: Only for you, Red.
Brooks: If you were in my bed right now, do you think we would be having a repeat of last night?
Hayley: Maybe… Depends on if the things you texted me were being said to my face.
Brooks: It would probably be much dirtier in person. If you were in my bed right now, what would we be doing?
Hayley: Brooks…
Brooks: Red… tell me what would we be doing? Would we be snuggling?
Hayley: Knowing how you can drive me wild… most definitely not snuggling.
Brooks: Tell me more. How far would you go?