Chapter 5 – Victoria
five
Victoria
I turn my head to the side, and I swear I have to blink about a hundred times to make sure what I’m seeing is real, and not that I’m daydreaming Zane is fucking standing here in the middle of my brother’s living room.
Like Cupid literally picked him up and delivered him straight to my door with a bow around him.
“Um,” I hesitate, looking back at Jaxon and trying to hide the fact I’m silently freaking the fuck out.
“I didn’t know you were having someone over,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t crack with the nervousness that shoots through me.
I swear, I feel like you would be able to see how fast my heart is beating because it feels like it’s coming out of my chest.
“Well, you didn’t call, so how would I be able to tell you?
” he teases me and wraps an arm around my neck.
At any given time, I would push him off me and call him a dick, but I’m thrown right now.
“Coach,” he says, and it takes everything inside me not to gasp; this is his fucking hockey coach, “meet my baby sister, Victoria.” Jaxon looks at me. “Tori, this is my coach, Zane.”
“Victoria,” Zane says my name and I’m transported back to five months ago as he groaned my name when my mouth was attached to a certain part of him.
He comes over to me and my eyes go to that special place I liked, but the black jeans he’s wearing don’t give anything away.
He extends his hand to me and Jaxon lets me go.
I hold out my own hand for him and just like the first time we met, electricity passes through me.
For the past five months I’ve tried to find that same feeling with every new guy I’ve met.
I would shake their hands immediately to see if the spark was there, and then wait for it.
It never fucking happened, but now with him, in front of my brother, it feels like I just got electrocuted.
“Zane,” I say his name, as if it’s the first time I’ve ever said it and not that I’ve moaned it out numerous times in the past five months without him, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. ”
“Likewise,” he replies, his broodiness back.
I take in his green eyes and note the differences in his appearance.
His hair is cut shorter on the top than it was before, and it looks like he ran his fingers through it to the side.
But his beard is longer, and I think I shiver as I remember what it felt like between my legs.
“I thought I heard you,” Ariella says, and I walk over to her, making sure I swing my hips a little bit more than I should.
I’m also really happy I wore these jeans today since they show off my ass.
Jagger is on her hip in his pjs, squirming to get down.
His hair is combed over to one side, still wet from his bath that he was probably in not too long ago.
“Hi,” I say to her, trying not to freak the fuck out and run out the front door, slamming the door shut behind me.
“I was in the neighborhood.” I bend down, pointing my ass in Zane’s direction.
“How is my handsome boy?” I pick him up and kiss his neck.
He takes it for one second before fighting to get down.
“How were you in the neighborhood when you live on the other side of the city?” Jaxon questions, laughing,
“Leave her alone,” Ariella scolds Jaxon. “Also, hi, Zane.” She walks around me and heads to Zane and kisses his cheek. He smiles down at her and if she wasn’t madly in love with my brother I might, perhaps, maybe, by accident, pull her head away from him. “Welcome.”
“Thanks for having me,” he says. His voice rumbles and I look over my shoulder at him. “I brought dessert.”
“I love dessert,” I interject, and his eyes come to mine. “It might be my favorite meal.” I see the memory flash into his eyes when we ordered cake in the middle of the night, and he grabbed the whip cream and smeared it on my nipple so he could lick it off me.
Jagger walks over to Ariella and pulls at her legs to be picked up. “I’ll set the table,” I tell them.
“So you are staying for dinner,” Jaxon says, “even though you weren’t invited, got it.”
“You’re welcome,” I retort as I reach for the plates. “Zane, you don’t mind if I stay, do you?” I smile at him then look at Zane, who just watches me, not saying a word.
“It’s fine with me,” he answers and gives me a little smirk before I walk back to the table and set it.
“Do you want something to drink, Zane?” Ariella asks him as Jaxon takes the tray out of the oven.
“He looks like a whiskey man,” I state and see his eyes flicker, but he gives away nothing.
“I’m good with water,” he says, walking into the kitchen and I can feel his eyes on me as I set the table. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asks.
I’m about to mumble out, “You can take me in the bathroom and do me against the door,” but I bite my tongue before I actually say it out loud.
“We’re all good,” Ariella says, grabbing water bottles out of the fridge and placing them on the counter.
Ten minutes later, we are sitting down at the table.
I pull out the chair next to Zane and sit down, smiling at him.
His hand is resting on the top of the table and the pull to slide my hand in his is so fucking strong.
Jaxon picks up the tray that has grilled chicken on it as he takes a piece and then hands it to Zane, who then hands it to me. “Thank you,” I tell him and his eyes light up a touch. “So you’re the brand-new coach?” I ask him and he nods his head, not saying anything. “That’s exciting.”
“It is,” he replies, not giving me anything more as Jaxon hands him the plate that has the potatoes and veggies.
“I heard that you are the youngest coach in the NHL,” I mention, and he just nods his head awkwardly.
“Tori,” Jaxon says my name, “this isn’t an inquisition. Let him chill.”
“I’m just making conversation,” I respond. “Your family must be really proud of you,” I blurt out as he looks up at me as he cuts his piece of chicken. “Are you a single child.”
“They are.” He looks at me, “I’m not I have an older sister.”
“Do they live near here?” I ask trying to lead up to the most important question that I want to ask him.
“No, they are all on the east coast.”
“Are you married?” I finally ask him the loaded question and the only question that really matters.
“Tori,” Jaxon hisses.
“What? I’m trying to make conversation and get to know your guest.” I grab a string bean and put it in my mouth.
“I’m not married,” he answers, not giving me anything more.
“Kids?” I ask him and I see Jaxon share a look with Ariella.
“No to that also,” he replies.
“So how long have you been the head guy in charge?” I ask him and he looks over at me.
“Five months now,” he says, and I nod my head.
“Have you always lived here?” I ask him since he’s not going to do any of the talking during this time.
“I moved here three years ago, when I got the assistant job,” he tells me.
“I just moved here myself for a job. Right after graduation,” I state, smiling at him. “I came to visit my brother five months ago.” I make sure to add in that little piece of information for him, his face looking like he’s seen a ghost. “And I was offered a job. Thought, why not?”
“I don’t think he cares,” Jaxon mumbles as he eats his food.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m here or he would be asleep in his plate since you haven’t said a word.” I smirk at him. “So do you live near here?”
“Yeah,” he says, and I look over at him, “not too far, a house on the beach.”
“Oh nice, that sounds like fun.”
“So where are you from originally?”
“Sorry, Coach,” Jaxon apologizes.
“What is your problem?” Ariella asks him. “She’s making conversation. There is nothing wrong with her questions. It’s not like she’s asking him anything private.”
“Yeah, Jaxon,” I add, tilting my head to the side, “it’s not like I’m asking him about his dating life.”
“I mean, it looks like it’s headed that way!” he snaps, making me laugh and then I hear a chuckle come from Zane.
“Oh, he can laugh,” I tease Zane and he looks at me. “You’ve been pretty dry, and a little bit rude.”
His back goes up. “Tori,” Jaxon hisses.
“What?” I ask. “He hasn’t asked me one question.”
“That’s because he’s minding his own business.” Jaxon sticks up for Zane and I just shrug. “So, Zane, how do you like coaching?”
“It’s different,” he answers me. “Got some things to get used to but it’s coming along.”
“The guys are loving the new blood,” Jaxon interjects. I lift my eyebrows and smile proudly at him, especially when I see his eyes light up with the acknowledgment.
“See how great this conversation is?” I pretend to flip my hair by my ear. “Again, you’re welcome.”
“We see things differently,” Jaxon refutes as he bites his chicken, and Jagger starts to get fussy in his highchair.
“I’ll take him,” I offer, reaching for him and he turns away from me.
“I will have you know, young man,” I say as I pull him out and he whines, “there are men out there who would love to have my hands on them.” I swear I hear Zane start to cough, and I look over at him and see his glass of water at his mouth. “You okay there, Coach?” I ask him, using his title.
“Yes,” he replies, his jaw getting tight.
“Don’t you have to go?” Jaxon asks me as he puts his fork down.
“Nope, this is fun,” I chirp, getting up with Jagger on my lap.
“Isn’t this fun?” I ask Jagger, who puts his finger in his mouth.
“I think he wants a bottle,” I suggest, walking over to the kitchen and spotting Jaxon’s phone.
I put it in my back pocket as I make Jagger a bottle and then hand him back to Ariella.
“I’ll be back, I have to use the ladies’ room.
” I turn and hope Jaxon doesn’t see his phone is missing.
Getting into the bathroom, I open up his contacts and head down to Zane’s name, repeating the number to myself four times before going and texting it to myself.
Once it goes through, I delete the text thread from the phone and then head out.
“Okay, as much fun as this is,” I say, slipping his phone back onto the counter, “I’m going to head out. I have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Finally,” Jaxon exhales. “Goodbye.”
“Zane,” I say his name and he looks over at me.
I see his short sleeves are tight around his biceps.
“It was so nice meeting you.” I smile at him.
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” I tilt my head to the side and he just nods at me.
“A man of few words,” I mumble to myself.
I turn to kiss Jagger on the cheek. “Good night, my sweet boy,” I say as Ariella gets up with him.
“I’m going to go and put him to bed.” She looks at the guys. “Leave the plates, I’ll clean up when I come down.”
She walks me out as I grab my bag I tossed at the door. “The coach looks like he’s a barrel of laughs,” I say to her, and she rolls her lips.
“He’s very, very serious,” she whispers. “It’s like his whole world is his job from what Jaxon says.”
“That’s sad.” I look back at the hallway.
“He looks like he needs a fun night.” While we fuck over and over again, I think to myself but don’t say it.
“I’ll see you Saturday night,” I tell her.
“My parents are coming down for a spot visit, sort of like a wellness check, which should be so much fun.”
“I thought they were saving the trip this weekend for three weeks from now when it’s the opening game,” she says.
“Well, either way, I’ll be here Saturday because I have no life,” I joke as I walk out and head to my car. For the second time since I’ve met him, I look over my shoulder, waiting for him to chase after me, and again, I’m left with him not fucking chasing after me.
I get into the car and pull out of the driveway, looking over at the SUV that is parked by the sidewalk. I’m tempted to leave a note on his car to call me, but I think my original plan is going to work better.
When I get home, I unlock the door and step in, taking off my heels.
Then I walk into the kitchen, dumping my purse on the little counter before heading over to my bedroom.
The two-bedroom house is perfect for me, and it was just my luck that Lexi was renting it out after she moved in with Kirby.
It’s directly on the beach and comes fully furnished. I couldn’t ask for anything else.
I take a shower and after my hair is wrapped in a towel and I’m wearing my cotton robe, I put the gold eye patches under my eyes as I take out my phone and go into my text messages.
I press on the phone number I sent to myself, wondering if he’s even going to answer. It rings three times before he answers, and it sounds like he’s out of breath. “Hello.”
“Zane,” I say his name, curling my legs under myself as I sit on the couch.
“How did you get my number?” he quickly asks.
“Does it matter?”
“Victoria,” he says my full name.
“I got it from Jaxon’s phone,” I tell him, knowing he’s probably freaking out.
He gasps. “What if you got the wrong number?”
“How many Coach Zanes are there in the world that my brother has stored in his phone, do you think?” I don’t wait for him to answer. “Now that we know it is the right number, it was indeed a good idea,” he sighs and my nipples pebble.
“This can’t be happening,” he says, and I hide my disappointment.
“Relax there, Coach,” I reply, not willing to use his name. “It’s fine, it was just sex between two consenting adults.”
“How old are you?” I roll my eyes at that question.
“Does it matter?” I shake my head.
“Yes,” he quickly hisses out.
“Okay, fine,” I say, “eighty-four. Does that make you feel better?”
“Victoria,” he says my name in a frustrated voice, “seriously.”
“Nope.” I will not give him this. “All that matters is we make sure that night is our secret, and we are both on the same page, so no one finds out about it.”
“I agree,” he says quietly. “That night needs to stay between us.” I want to ask him why, but I refrain from it.
“Your wish is my command. Have a great night, Coach.” I hang up the phone on him. I look down. “It’s a sad day because he had a magical cock.” I shake my head, silently wishing he calls me back but getting up, knowing that he won’t.