Chapter 6
Gavin
Isail around the rink, keeping my eye on Mav as he guides the puck across the ice before shooting it to the left winger. One of my new teammates glides in my direction, playing opposition, and the puck appears in my path.
Moving fast, I skate straight up to the guy, putting pressure on him to move away. He’s not expecting it, and I quickly swipe the biscuit, sending it over to Mav, who slams it into the net.
The guys yell, and the player I pinched gives me a playful shove into the boards. Mav is right behind him pulling me into a neck hug.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” We glide across the ice to the bench.
“Nice pinch, Knight.” Saxon Walsh, the left winger hops off the ice, dropping to sit beside us. “Keep that up, and they won’t know what hit ‘em.”
We’re having a good practice, and as Mav predicted, I’m fitting right in with the Champions.
They’re good guys, precise, no hotshots.
As always, Mav’s the team beautician. He playfully slaps hands with everybody, his hair sticking out from under his helmet, sure to be the inspiration for all the little boys.
“That was dirty!” Aiden Akers, the goalie I slipped it past, laughs, reaching out like he’ll give me a face wash.
I block him at the last minute, and the whistle blasts, calling half of us back onto the ice. Mav and I hang back, having earned a break. He leans forward yelling at the guys on the rink as they move around, passing swiftly.
“Ready for tomorrow night?” He looks up at me.
“I’m ready now.” It’s true.
Adrenaline surges in my muscles, and I can’t wait to get out there for real. Nothing’s better than being on the ice with the guys.
Well, one thing’s better, but that’s not happening any time soon.
“What’s up with you and Haddy?” Mav’s teasing frown catches me off-guard, and of course, her naked body flashes through my mind.
Clearing my throat, I school my expression. “What do you mean?”
I’m pretty sure I know what he means.
“You’re the best guy I know. Haddy’s the best girl I know. Everybody always likes both of y’all. Yet you don’t seem to like each other. I’d go so far as to say you have difficulty being in the same room as each other.”
He’s studying my face, and Mav might be a hockey god, but he’s smart. He has no idea how conflicted I feel about his cousin, how confusing it is for her to be so attractive, yet so cut off at the same time.
“We knew each other in college.” It’s the safest reply.
“Yeah, you both went to UNC, which makes no sense. That’s basketball country.”
“I grew up in Wilmington.” He lifts his chin in understanding. “You’re one to talk. You’re from a football dynasty in south Alabama.”
“It’s true.” He nods. “But back to Haddy. What happened?”
Pressing on my knees, I lean back not really wanting to get into this with him. “I dated her college roommate, and things went… bad.”
Understatement of the year.
Mav twists his lips, then nods. “Haddy is loyal. You hurt her friend, it’s like you hurt her.”
“I’ve noticed.” Even if she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. “She also jumps to conclusions and doesn’t allow for the possibility she might be wrong.”
“Whoa…” Mav holds up both hands. “Sounds like I touched a nerve.”
The whistle blasts, and it’s time for us to get back on the ice.
“It was a long time ago.” I swallow that old anger trying to resurface. “I’m willing to let bygones be bygones, but I don’t think she is.”
“I’ll talk to her. You’d be surprised. My cousin is a really great gal. Very understanding.”
I can believe Haddy is great. I’ve seen her with her friends, but as far as understanding goes, that has not been my experience.
“Don’t worry about it, Mav. I’ll find my own place soon.”
He glides over to pull my head into his chest. “But I am worried about it! You’re my guy.”
“Get off me.” I push his arm from around my neck and straighten my helmet. “Let’s do this.”
“Gav and Mav.” He growls playfully. “Or should I say Mav and Gav?”
“You had it right the first time.”
I’m dead when we get back to the house, but Maverick is in the kitchen blasting music and dancing as he sautees something on the stove.
“I had no idea he could cook like that.” I hold a Dos Equis Amber, watching as Gigi drags a brush through her tall, white poodle’s fur.
“Yeah.” She nods, the messy bun of her reddish-blonde hair bobbing.
“He started learning with his mom, our Aunt Dylan… gosh, I don’t even remember when.
He inherited her love of hot peppers, even though she couldn’t eat or cook anything spicy when she was pregnant with him.
The two of them had the best time. She wanted him to be a golfer. ”
“I’ve heard.” I exhale a laugh, taking a sip of my drink. “I can’t imagine Mav on the golf course.”
We glance over at him shaking his ass in front of the stove, and we both chuckle.
“He is way too crazy for golf,” his cousin agrees. “He’s a lot like my dad. So much personality.”
A little cinnamon-colored puff ball hops into the kitchen, letting out the tiniest bark, and my body tenses. I feel her before I see her, the air growing electric with anticipation.
Haddy breezes into the room wearing tennis shoes, thick white track pants with black stripes down the sides, and a top that looks like lingerie. It covers her stomach, but it has thin straps and the tops of her perfect tits are smooth and visible beneath triangle cups.
“Do I have time to go for a walk? I’ve been sitting on my butt all day.” Her dark, silky hair hangs down her back, and I swallow the desert in my throat.
“I think so.” Gigi continues brushing.
“Hey, Mav,” Haddy yells. “How much longer til dinner?”
He doesn’t even look up, yelling back, “Seven-thirty.”
“Perfect. Will you keep an eye on Patsy for me, Geeg?”
“Of course.” Her cousin continues brushing, and the naughty poodle lifts his white head like he’s preening as she brushes under his neck.
Haddy starts for the door, and an unexpected surge of protectiveness rises in my chest.
Straightening, I set my beer on the counter. “I’ll go with you.”
She takes a little stutter-step, and her full lips part. “That’s not necessary.”
“I…” am fumbling for a reason. What am I doing? “I’d like some fresh air myself.”
Her slim brows furrow, and she glances from me to Gigi, who continues brushing like she’s not part of this.
“I’m not going for a stroll, Gavin. I’m power-walking.”
“Sounds good.” I straighten to my full height, which puts her head at the center of my chest. “I’ll keep up. My legs are longer than yours.”
Her lips tighten, and I can see her trying to find an excuse to say no. I don’t give her a chance.
With a smile, I rub my hands together. “Ready?”
She exhales a little growl, but I don’t care. I don’t like her walking around at this time of day alone, dressed like that.
Out on the sidewalk, she lifts her sassy chin and bends her elbows, walking like some kind of sexy soldier. I’m beat from being on the ice all day, but I keep up with her pretty easily.
“You didn’t have to come with me.” Her dark hair fans behind her in the breeze, and she huffs a little with each word. “I’m not leaving the neighborhood.”
“If Mav is cooking dinner, the least I can do is make sure nobody messes with his cousin on her walk.”
She rolls those blue eyes up at me. “It’s a very safe neighborhood.”
My eyes drift to her breasts, which do a little bounce with every step, and there was no way in hell. I don’t understand this feeling, but if something were to happen to her and I didn’t…
“I was just sitting around. What do they say? Sitting is the new smoking?”
“I’m sure you had a very active day at practice. Whereas I have to fit in that silly pageant dress on a moment’s notice.”
We continue walking, and she takes a turn at the stop sign. I look both ways, but there’s not a car in sight. In fact, the entire neighborhood seems to be settling in for the evening meal in the waning twilight.
Through windows, I see a mix of families moving around making dinner, couples sitting at tables, singles walking around their living rooms. It does seem like a nice neighborhood.
My eyes drift to her with the great posture, the focused expression. “You know, I think all this princess stuff is really cute.”
“Back the eff up, Knight.”
“I’ve noticed you don’t swear.” I arch an eyebrow. “What’s that all about?”
“The International Princess Woman scholarship program doesn’t approve of us using coarse language.” It sounds like she’s reciting a textbook, then she gets more casual. “I don’t want to get in the habit and slip up.”
“Makes sense.” I nod, looking at the road ahead. “Either way, I don’t mind being your knight.”
“Too bad your armor’s tarnished. And I’ve seen under it.”
She has no idea. “Sneaking peeks, Princess?”
Her eyes slide up to mine. “No sneaking required. Your behavior was on full display in college.”
Shaking my head, this girl. I almost have to admire her for her stubborn loyalty.
“I’m not so bad.”
“I prefer nice men.”
“Who are you? Princess Leia?”
“You’re so arrogant. I guess that would make you Han Solo?”
“Sure.” I give her a wink. “I’m as confident as that guy any day of the week.”
“Or cocky.” She takes another right, and I realize we’re headed back.
A sheen of sweat glistens on her upper lip, her neck, the top of her shoulders. She’s moving fast, and we’re nearly at the house. I put my large hand on her smooth shoulder, stopping her progress.
“What?” She huffs, frowning up at me.
“You’re saying you’d prefer a lukewarm Luke Skywalker over Han Solo?”
“I prefer someone without the ego.”
“I call bullshit.”
Her lips part. “What?”
“You don’t want that. Nobody as smart as you would ever settle for boring.”
“As if you know anything about me.”
I take a step closer, and she’s breathing fast. She’s also blinking fast, and the pink glow on the tops of her cheeks is from more than exercise.
She feels it the same way I do. I’m not sure what it means or what to do with it, but after seeing her naked body, I’d like to find out.
“I know you better than you think I do.”
Her lips part, and watching her pretty blue eyes, I can tell she’s got a comeback locked and loaded. But she doesn’t shoot.
Instead, she turns to storm off, kicks a crack in the sidewalk, and pitches forward. My hockey reflexes kick in, and I lunge forward to catch her.
Her back is to my chest, and we’re both breathing fast now. The scent of flowers is in her soft hair, and I want to lean my face forward and take a deep breath.
My arms are tight around her narrow waist, and she grip my forearms. “Let me go.” It’s soft and a little breathless.
I can’t resist. “Feels too good?”
“It feels wrong.” She pushes my forearms, and I release her.
Without looking back, she jogs up the steps, leaving me on the sidewalk watching her sexy little ass run away.