72. Sienna #2
“Shit,” Darcy hisses as he pulls his cell from his pocket, staring at the screen. “I’m really sorry. I need to take this.”
“Okay,” I say, forcing a smile on my face.
This party is exactly what I was hoping to find when I canceled my flight back to New York and booked a last-minute one to LA.
In hindsight, I really should have warned Sienna that I was coming.
It would have saved a fuck load of embarrassment on all fronts.
Well, maybe not Calvin’s. He didn’t seem overly concerned that I walked in on him and my sister…
I shudder just thinking about it. The less I know about what they get up to behind closed doors, the better.
Sienna might be my big sister, but still, I prefer to continue thinking she’s all sweet and innocent. Like Mom.
As Darcy walks out, my gaze automatically drops to his ass. He might not be a hockey player, but he seriously takes care of himself. And that butt…yes, please.
I watch him until he disappears down the hallway that leads to the bathrooms, leaving me in the middle of the dance floor.
We’re closing in on midnight fast. And while I didn’t come here to find someone to kiss and ultimately hook up with—you are such a fucking liar, Garrett Wentworth—I get a little anxious that Darcy might not return in time.
Whoever was on the other end of that call put an expression on his face I didn’t like.
Who am I kidding? I barely know Darcy. We hooked up once and haven’t spoken since.
I glance around the room to see if there is anyone else to dance with—Kodie Rivers's little girl, maybe?
Fucking hell. What has my life come to?
I’m willing to dance with a kid just so I’m not alone when the ball drops.
I should have gone back to New York. I knew that the second Sienna saw me that she’d have questions.
A lot of them. But I’m not ready to talk about it.
Not yet, at least. But before I give up, because Sutton is way too distracted to even consider dancing with her dad, let alone a guy she doesn’t know, my eyes snag on someone who’s been sitting at the edge of the room all night.
Cooper Nash.
My breath catches.
Just like every other hockey player in this room, he’s hot.
But he’s not just hot because he plays hockey. Oh no. He’s hot in the brooding, I’ll-throw-you-around-and-make-you-my-toy-and-you’ll-love-it kinda way.
And this isn’t the first time I’ve caught him watching me tonight.
One side of my mouth twitches up in a kinda half smile before I make my way off the dance floor.
If I don’t have a partner to keep me company, then I need a drink.
I shoot another look over my shoulder as I make my way over to discover what Nash is drinking. He’s no longer looking my way, and it gives me a second to appreciate his side profile, that strong, scruff-covered jaw. It tics, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s here.
He hasn’t spoken to more than three people, as far as I can tell—the Vipers’ owner, the GM, and his defensive partner, Alexei Mororov.
He doesn’t scream, “I’m a party person.” He’s more of a loner type who’d rather be at home, celebrating alone. Or maybe I’ve just read far too many articles about him since his trade was announced.
“Hey, what can I get for you?” the barman asks the second I approach.
“Uh…what’s the guy over there drinking?” I ask, jerking my chin in Nash’s direction.
“Gin and tonic.”
“I’ll have two of those then, please. Can you deliver it over there? He looks like he needs a pick-me-up.” The barman chuckles, clearly agreeing with me.
My drink arrives a few seconds later, and I don’t spin around and look as the barman walks across the room to hand-deliver Nash’s next drink.
I have no idea whether he tells Nash that I was the one who sent it over or keeps it a secret. I didn’t specify either way, so I guess we’ll see.
I’m three-quarters of the way through my drink when Darcy joins me at the bar.
“I’m so sorry—I’m going to have to go.”
“Oh?”
“Family stuff,” he says with a regretful shrug.
“That’s cool. I get it.” I drain my drink and check the time.
Ten minutes.
“I’ve called a car, so I’m gonna …”
“Can I walk you out?”
He shakes his head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I could do with some fresh air,” I say as I push from the bar and walk across the room, Darcy at my side.
As I move closer, Nash looks up.
His expression is completely blank. I have no idea if he knows I bought him a drink, and if he does, whether he’s happy or pissed off about it.
I quickly avert my eyes and focus on where I’m going.
In only a few minutes, the cool outside air rushes over my cheeks. There’s already a car loitering at the curb.
“Uh…thanks for…” Darcy looks over my shoulder. “Shit. I’m sorry. We were having a good time and—”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”
“Maybe we can organize something for the next time you’re in town?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Before I know what’s happening, Darcy wraps his hand around the back of my neck and slams his lips against mine.
It’s the fastest kiss of my life. No sooner has it started than it’s over, leaving me wanting more.
“Sorry, it’s a few minutes early. Better than nothing, though, right?”
It would be rude as hell to say no after he’s just given me a kiss, so I reluctantly nod and watch as he climbs into the back of the car and disappears.
With a heavy sigh, I turn around and walk back into the hotel that’s hosting tonight’s party.
There are only a couple of minutes to go, and anticipation fills the air. I just wish I could feel it. Everything in my world right now feels gray. Even dancing with Darcy didn’t really brighten it all that much. Not in the way I’d hoped.
I’m halfway toward the doors that will lead me back to where everyone is getting ready for the big countdown when someone emerges.
My footsteps slow as a large frame moves toward me.
My gaze drops all the way to his feet, before making my way back up, appreciating how his pants hug his thick thighs, nip him in at the waist, and then his shirt enhances his wide chest and muscular upper arms. And then you get to the brooding face with his square jaw, slightly crooked nose, and piercing green eyes.
It’s one pretty picture that I will more than happily lock away as spank bank material for later.
I fight to suck in my next breath, because while I’m openly checking him out, his eyes are locked on mine. The deep forest green draws me into his orbit.
He moves closer until the woodsy scent of his cologne floods my senses.
My heart beats wildly in my chest as I wait for what he’s going to do next.
“You ordered me a drink,” he states. It’s not a question.
“You looked like you needed it.”
“Is that the only reason?” he taunts, although there isn’t an ounce of amusement in his expression. It’s just as hard and as closed as ever.
“Ten,” someone shouts from the room behind us.
“Y-yeah. I guess.”
“Nine.”
“You guess?”
I shrug one shoulder.
“It’s New Year’s Eve.”
“Eight.”
“I’m well aware of what day it is.”
“Seven.”
“New year, new chapter and all that.”
“Six.”
“And you sound thrilled about it,” I deadpan.
“Five.”
“New year, same shit.”
“Four.”
“Wow, I love your rosy outlook on life. Really refreshing.”
His eyes narrow slightly, but other than that, he doesn’t react to my teasing.
“Three.”
“What’s there to be excited about when you’re in a town no one wants you in?”
“Two.”
“Nah, that’s not true. You’re one of the most respected grinders in the league, and you currently have the most takeaways this season, even with your trade to the Vipers.”
His nostrils flare. Is he…impressed?
“One.”
“So you do know who I am?”
“Of course. You’re—” My words are cut off when he pushes his giant hands against my chest and I’m forced through the door just behind me.