Chapter 4
4
PATRICK
I whistled on my way up the narrow corridor leading from the locker room to the double glass doors that opened into the parking lot. Anticipation drew me forward. We’d kicked ass in practice today. Time to relax and enjoy the nightlife Washington offered on a spectacular scale.
Coach’s door opened and a woman straight out of my fantasies walked out. Long, dark hair. Gray eyes with the potential to pierce my soul. Long legs. Great tits. My whistle rose into appreciation. I cut it off before she heard the inevitable cat call and turned her nose up at me. I’d made that mistake before. Never again.
Duncan followed the woman out. The two of them faced each other in the hallway, standing close enough I almost mistook them for romantic partners. But nope. Duncan wore the kind of expression I’d seen him make when someone pissed him off. This woman wasn’t waiting to jump into his bed.
Mine on the other hand…
I could already imagine her between my maroon silk sheets. Didn’t matter what she was here for, I knew for damned certain I’d be filling up her nightly schedule tonight. I eased my hands into my pockets and squared my shoulders, making them even broader. I knew how that move pulled my gray Henley across my chest and made the defined muscles pop. Women went gaga for the kind of physique I’d sculpted over the years.
Duncan and the mystery woman chatted a few more seconds, then Duncan turned my way, bypassing me with a grunt on his way to the locker room. No lingering moments. No indication they were romantically involved. Good. That opened everything up for me to slip in and make my move. Duncan made it clear when he arrived that he didn’t have a special girl, which meant I wouldn’t be swooping in on a teammate’s relationship. I had boundaries. Not many, but a few. Horning in on someone else’s girl was number one on the no way list. I could get any girl any time. No need to resort to destroying anyone else’s good time.
The woman followed Duncan at a slower pace. A tiny frown line creased the space between her perfectly plucked eyebrows.
“What’s a woman like you doing down here in the trenches?” I propped my elbow on the wall about head height, my body doing the rest of the work to block the hallway. She had room to pass but I gave her multiple reasons to stop.
And she did. “Excuse me?” The faintest hint of pink rose to her cheeks.
I winked. “It’s okay. I get it. You were hoping to catch us in the nude, right?” It was easy to toss my head, knowing my dark hair would fall into place in cascading waves more than one woman had demanded to run her hands through.
“You know, funny as it may seem, most women are not as interesting in seeing a bunch of dicks.” She arched a brow, her tone somehow polite and dirty all at the same time. She set her hands on her narrow hips. “Especially the kind who think they’re god’s gift to women.” The words were meant to hurt, but her eyes dilated, and she looked me over in a quick, furtive glance.
Ah, there was the spark. I’d laid it on a little too thick, and I dialed back the macho man, alpha male personality to something more palatable. “Oh, you got me all wrong.” I pushed off from the wall. “I was just trying to save you the embarrassment of walking into the middle of a little show and tell. The guys are in a good mood.”
“There’s nothing in that locker room I haven’t seen before.” A shadow of something raced across her face, drawing her perfect lips into a frown.
I waited for the moment when she recognized me, but it never came. The massive blow to my ego spurred me on. “Really? Anything in particular I can help you with while you’re here?”
“You can tell me your name.” She stuck hers out between us. “I’m Miranda.”
“Patrick.” No recognition. Damn it. “Patrick Harrison.”
She blinked and nodded. “Nice to meet you, Patrick.”
Seriously? Still nothing? She must not know anything about hockey. So why was she here?
“You know, if you’re lost, I’d be happy to walk you out.” I motioned toward the doors. “There’s a great little coffee shop down the street.”
“Oh, I’m not lost.” She propped her shoulder on the cream-colored wall. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Now we were getting somewhere. “You know, I was about to say the same thing. It’s like serendipity or something.”
“You think so?” Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. She’d done that once already. A guaranteed sign of attraction or a nervous tick?
I matched her posture, returning my hands to my pockets. “Definitely. If you’re not here for a peek into the locker room, there must be some reason. Are you friends with Duncan?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Her polka-dotted bowtie framed her slim neck, drawing my attention to a tiny freckle in the center of her throat. “Do you get interrupted often while you’re in the locker room?”
“Not often. Couple times a year someone sneaks in. Usually a fan hoping for some juicy gossip or a selfie that’ll make them go viral. You know, usual stuff.” I refrained from mentioning that they were usually after me. Seemed a bit unnecessary based on her obvious interest.
“So. What got you started in hockey?”
“My dad.” The casual conversation brought us closer together, the narrow hallway making sure we almost touched when she looked past me at the locker room doors. “If you want a peek, I can let you in.” Another wink. This time she grinned and licked her lips. I practically groaned at the sight. She oozed charisma and charm. This girl might have more game than me. The thought fled almost as fast as it hit, leaving me fishing for a question.
“Does your dad watch you play?” Miranda beat me to the punch, her question bringing up a rush of familiar memories.
“Nah.” I shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling. “He passed away a few years ago.”
“Sorry to hear that.” She offered the traditional response, but it had a genuineness to it that rang with truth. “My parents are both gone. It’s tough. So you play in his honor, or you found your true calling on the ice?”
“Both.” Emotions I’d tamped down for years rose in a tidal wave I worked to control. I had to play this side carefully or she’d think I was using our parents’ deaths to close the deal. Even I wouldn’t sink that low. “I’d love for you to watch me play sometime. Are you busy later? The hallway’s great, but I’d rather take this someplace more comfortable.”
Her smile reappeared, her lips parting with what I was sure was an agreement to hook up.
Austin sped past me and spun around beside Miranda. “How’d it go with Duncan? He’s a close-mouthed son of a bitch, and he won’t tell me what you said.”
Miranda transformed before my eyes. The curious optimism and banter drained away, leaving a crisp businesswoman behind. “We’re working out a plan.”
“And talking to Patrick is part of that plan?” Austin’s gray eyes hardened to slate. A muscle popped in his jaw. “Dude, stay away from my sister?”
“Who?”
Austin jammed one finger into my chest, poking me with every word. “Miranda is my sister. She doesn’t need a playboy like you messing with her heart.”
Oh damn. I took a step back and raised both hands. “No problem.”
Austin dropped his hand after running it through his hair. “You are unbelievable. I’ve told all of you. Leave my sister alone.”
“Okay, one, I didn’t know she was your sister. How was I supposed to know?” I defended myself because why the fuck not. I knew Austin had a sister named Miranda. But there are like a million Mirandas in the world. Fuck me for not recognizing the only one I was supposed to leave the fuck alone. “You two don’t look anything alike.”
“Thank god.” Miranda rolled her eyes and laughed.
That’s when I saw the resemblance. She threw her head back the same way Austin did, whether it was in laughter or taking a shot. I switched between watching her and watching Austin. So this was the enigmatic sister he talked about. I’d never seen a picture. Bastard wouldn’t even tell me what she looked like when I asked. Seeing her now, I understood why.
Wait. I turned toward the locker room, replaying the image of her and Duncan walking out of Coach’s office. Austin mentioned he had a good publicist who could help Duncan. He’d even mentioned once that his little sister was a publicist. Huh. I’d been screwed over before, but not like this. Being Austin’s little sister put Miranda firmly in the no fly zone. Austin would beat my ass. Not only that, it went against the code we’d established years ago. No poaching on each other’s family.
“You think you can help?” Austin faced Miranda, effectively shutting me out of the conversation.
Fine with me. I had a lot to think about.
Miranda brushed a hand over her shoulder, her full, pouty smirk in place. “Austin, I’m the best of the best. Of course I can help him. As long as he upholds his end of the bargain and does what I say.”
I’d do anything she said. Especially if it included my bedroom and her clothes in a puddle on my floor. I tried to shut down the thought, but it latched on like a motherfucking leech. She was funny, intelligent, and sexy. I understood why Austin locked me out from a hit it and quit it scenario. I’d never slept with the same woman twice, and that would’ve included Miranda.
Not anymore.
“When do you start?” Austin asked.
“Right now.”
“Miranda?” Charlie rushed up the hallway, his sneakers slapping fast as he ran.
Her face lit up like a fucking Christmas tree, and she squealed while throwing her arms around his neck. “Charlie!”
The open affection twisted my insides. Charlie clearly meant something to Miranda. I narrowed my focus on them, on the way Charlie’s hands locked behind her back as he squeezed tight and closed his eyes. Had Charlie and Miranda had a thing? No. No way. Austin would’ve found out. Charlie was too honorable to go against Austin like that.
Me, on the other hand? I’d do it. Because Miranda caused a whole other kind of interest in me. I’d initially thought of it as nothing more than my usual one nighter. But after talking to her for a bit and feeling that connection, no way. I wanted more. I’d never been in love. Thought it was a kind of fairytale.
For the first time in my life, I considered what it would be like to fall in love and give that whole thing a try. One woman for the rest of my life? It might be worth it if I ended up loving a woman like Miranda. She’d keep me on my toes with that attitude.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Charlie gripped Miranda’s shoulders and rocked her until she burst out laughing.
“I know, right? I’m like a genie, always popping up when you least expect it.”
She had more than one thing popping up, that was for sure. One other thing I’d never experienced in my life. Jealousy. It grabbed me by the balls now and locked my jaw so tight my teeth ached. I’d happily slap Charlie’s hands off her and tell him to fuck off if it didn’t give away my own interest.