Chapter 10
Sarah
I’m sitting at my desk, zoning out for what feels like the millionth time today. My mind keeps replaying the bus ride back from yesterday.
Alexander made me feel comfortable and at ease during our conversations as we got to know a little bit about each other.
It was like talking to a friend. A very attractive friend, but still.
When I told him about my mom, I didn’t get the usual pity from him; instead, I saw compassion and strength, which made me feel all kinds of things for the man.
Usually, when I talk about my mom, people shut down, afraid they’re going to say the wrong thing. But honestly, even though it’s always going to be painful to have lost a loved one, I also believe the best way to honour them is by talking about them.
Never forgetting all the wonderful memories we’ve shared, and introducing them to people in our lives, even though they’ll never meet.
Alexander listened to my story, asking questions and letting the emotions flow naturally. It made me feel seen and understood, which is a whole new level of scary territory.
Then he can turn all those feelings into tension and lust with a simple question about sex positions.
Usually, I’d tell the guy straight up and make him feel stupid for ever asking me something like that.
Alexander, on the other hand, made my insides turn to mush just with his intense gaze and questioning stare.
No doubt imagining quite a few sex positions involving us, if he’s anything like me.
If I ever dared to answer his question, he would keep pushing me further toward my breaking point, which we can’t have.
We’re working together, and if he’s persistent about having this game between us continue, then I have to act like the grown-up and resist him.
It would be easier if he were just a sexy man with a sinful smile.
But I’m quickly realizing that he’s so much more.
He’s a great leader and a role model for his team. That’s clear from how everyone looks to him for advice and guidance, and how he lifts the team during tough games.
In every game, he goes out of his way to help his teammates be their best. I’ve quickly learned that he’s a leading example for the entire team, always prioritizing the team’s interests and rarely involved in social scandals.
He handles the media with grace and charm, making every woman, and probably some men, too, swoon over him and his natural charisma.
The way he spoke about his family and his brothers, so much pride and love for them.
During the bus ride, I learned that he’s a great listener, always letting me lead as much as I want to share and giving me pieces of himself and his story, too.
I sigh, and Samantha looks over at me with a knowing smile.
“McGregor taking up all the space in that pretty head of yours?” She asks as she spins her chair facing me.
There is no point in denying this, and she will see straight through me either way.
Samantha is quickly becoming my closest friend here at the arena, and it feels good to have her by my side.
“He just makes me feel all sorts of things, and he really shouldn’t. Considering the whole working-together situation.” I tell Samantha the “official” version of why I feel twisted about Alexander.
The official version is that we’re working together and shouldn’t cross the line, which is true.
The real reason is that he terrifies me in a way I’ve never experienced with a man.
He calls me on my nonsense and sees through my facade. He pushes the right buttons and turns me on more than anyone ever has.
With that kind of power, he could destroy me.
I’ve always relied on my control in relationships. I’ve called the shots; I’ve been the one to end things.
No one has really gotten close enough to hurt me.
Then we have Alexander, who holds the power to barricade himself through all my walls and leave me in the rubble when we’re through.
Where every guy has looked at me with pity when they learned about my mom and her battle with cancer, he looked at me with awe and admiration, making my heart slam in my chest.
“Yeah, I get that, even though there are no rules against it, it would be uncomfortable if it ended and you had to see him every day.”
Samantha has a wistful look on her face, and I get the feeling that she’s talking more about herself and her possible crush on the goalie than my situation with the captain.
“What’s the deal between you and Liam?” I ask her, making her eyes widen.
“Nothing is between us,” she says quickly, making me raise my eyebrows at her.
“Really, Samantha? I tell you all things McGregor, and you won’t even tell me what the deal is between the two of you. I’m not blind, you know.”
She breathes heavily, closing her eyes before answering.
“I’ve kind of had a crush on him forever, but he’s never really made a move. He’ll flirt sometimes, and I get the feeling that something is happening, but then the next moment, he’ll shut down and ignore me.”
I think about what she just told me.
In the few interactions I’ve seen, Liam definitely looks at Samantha with more than just friendly interest, so that might be a reason for his hesitation about making a move.
“Hm, I think there’s a reason he’s hesitating. I’ve noticed the way he looks at you; maybe he just needs a little push in the right direction,” I say sheepishly, shrugging my shoulders.
“Don’t get any ideas, girl. If he’s not man enough to make a move, then he’s just not worth it,” she says, and I couldn’t agree more.
If you want something, you’ve got to fight for it.
～
On Thursday at 5:30, I’m ready for my meeting with Alexander.
At least, I hope so.
I’m wearing a chic black two-piece suit with nude heels.
Underneath, I have a matching lace underwear set in bright pink.
There’s something about matching lingerie that makes a woman feel more confident as she takes on her day.
And I need all the confidence I can get when meeting Alexander.
I feel as prepared as I can be, but then again, I never really know what I’ll get when he’s concerned.
Will he be charming?
Flirty?
Professional?
Distant?
I guess time will tell.
I have my notebook in front of me with all the data I’ve collected on his socials.
He has several million followers and mainly posts about hockey. He’s not very active on social media, posting only during big wins or memorable moments.
There have never been any girlfriends posted on his profile. A few pictures with his friends, teammates, and family, but never a girlfriend.
I gathered from his interest in me that he was single, but you can never really know with these players.
Some of them have girlfriends in different cities.
Alxander doesn’t really strike me as that kind.
He’s more of a friends-with-benefits type, as he’s told me himself.
Just thinking about it makes me feel like I’m burning up.
I really need to stop dwelling on his sex life, especially during a business meeting.
I stand and pace around the room, trying to calm my pulse and gather myself. I go into the hallway, grab a glass of cold water, and finally settle down before returning to my seat in the meeting room.
At 5:55, I hear a knock on the door, and my pulse starts pounding again.
I stand and tell him to come in, and the sight that greets me nearly knocks me flat on my ass.
He’s wearing a freaking suit. With his hair slicked back and a few buttons undone, he’s as handsome as sin.
I don’t know what I expected, since I’m also wearing a suit, but I was hoping I’d outsmart him in the clothing department.
No such luck.
I also realize we’re kind of matching, and just as that thought crosses my mind, his face lights up with a mischievous smile as he checks out my outfit too.
“Well, well, well, Miss Parker. I must say, we’re on the same page when it comes to our attire for this meeting.”
He looks so pleased with himself, which makes me flustered and angry.
Of course, he would bring his A-game—I shouldn’t have underestimated him.
And it doesn’t end there.
As we start, it’s clear that Alexander has his own agenda.
He wants me to take full charge of his social media, but he also wants to be involved in everything posted, like the control freak he is.
“Why can’t you just post it yourself then?” I ask.
If everything has to go through him either way, then he can do it himself.
“As you pointed out earlier, Miss Parker, I could benefit from more variety on my social media; that is where you come in, I presume. So, I want you to have control, but it will still be on my terms.”
His use of “Miss Parker” seems like his way of getting back at me for not having said his name to him yet.
I started the meeting by reviewing his social media performance metrics and offering suggestions to grow his profiles and gain more insights into his life, without overstepping the boundaries of what he’s comfortable sharing with the world.
Now, I regret my suggestions, as he takes my strategy but expects us to work on it together.
This really shouldn’t be a problem.
I’m already doing this with several other players, but he’s not just any hockey player, and he knows it.
Whenever I make an argument that creates some distance between us, it’s like he’s prepared for that and responds with insightful, strong, and professional arguments to defend his case.
I went into this meeting prepared to set some boundaries between us on my terms, and once again, he out-smarted me, which irks me.
“You’re impossible, you know that?” I say, making him smile wide as he leans back in his chair.
He has been professional in every way—no flirty comments or lingering looks—but now, as our meeting nears an hour and the end, I see his interest shining through again.
“I’ve been called worse.” He shrugs and gazes into my eyes.
I need to finish this quickly.
The room feels smaller every second, and his scent is overwhelming my senses.
I stand up and gather my things.
“Well, thank you, Mr. McGregor, for the meeting. I’ll be in touch to schedule our next meeting, where we can go over my suggestions for your profiles’ specific content, and you can decide what stays and what goes.”
As I head for the door, he reaches it first and blocks me with his outstretched arm, trapping me.
He gently takes my hand, giving it a firm handshake before running his thumb over the top. He leans closer into my space, and I hate my stupid hormones for making me feel feverish from such a simple movement.
Alexander doesn’t miss anything, and the first time he boxed me in, he definitely caught how aroused he made me feel. When I think he’ll lean down to kiss me, he gives me a small smile, says
“I’m looking forward to it,” then backs off and waltzes out of the room.
Once again, leaving me breathless and feeling like I lost another one of our battles.
I lean into the wall behind me, my face in my hands. I was doing so well, and then he had to come all up in my personal space, sending my feelings into high gear.
Part of me thinks that Samantha is right.
This man will go out of his way to make me feel wild about him.
He’s well on his way to doing just that.