Chapter 11
Alexander
As I leave the PR department, I feel my smug smile spread across my face.
When I arrived at the meeting, I knew Sarah would bring her A-game, meaning she would elevate her professional efforts to another level.
Her power suit and slicked-back hair confirmed my expectations.
She was as breathtaking as ever.
What she probably didn’t expect was me meeting her at her level.
Her expression when she realized we actually matched each other in our black suits and slicked-back hair—priceless.
It reaffirmed once more that our connection is something explosive.
Our conversation on the bus probably scared her even more. Getting to know each other better, learning about each other’s lives.
I knew she would probably try to create some distance between us in the future. That’s partly why I didn’t schedule a meeting sooner.
I needed to use my time wisely and prepare for all her tactics, including when she tried to pull away from me and from my social media.
During our meeting, it became clear that she wants distance between us, and even though a part of me feels bad for pushing her, I also know she feels the connection between us.
When we said our goodbyes, I felt her pulse in my palm as I held her hand.
I saw the widening of her eyes and her intake of breath when she thought I was going to lean down and kiss her.
I desperately wanted to, but I also have to make sure she wants this. If I push her too hard, too soon, she will retreat, and I can’t let that happen.
I also don’t want our first kiss to be at a place where anyone could interrupt us.
I will take my time, explore her.
Therefore, I will drag this out, even if it feels like torture at times.
When I kiss her, she will be completely on board and understand my intentions loud and clear.
When I get back to my hotel room, I exhale and take it all in.
Just a few more days, and I’ll be home in my apartment.
I can’t wait.
Hotel rooms are nice, but they’re not home.
I sink into the couch as Noah calls my cell phone.
“Hey man,” I say as I settle onto the sofa.
“So, how did the meeting with the infamous Sarah go?” I have no idea how Noah even knows about the meeting, since I’ve kept it to myself, but he has his ways.
“How did you know about our meeting?” I ask him as I consider how much I want to share with him.
The team is like family, which means everyone is in everyone else’s business.
I don’t think Sarah would appreciate me discussing our connection; she’d probably deny it entirely.
That thought makes me smile.
Still, anyone who’s seen me around her knows she’s off limits. I haven’t exactly told my teammates, but I think they get the hint.
“I have my ways, big man. Now spill, did she light you on fire just mentally or also physically?” He chuckles on the other end.
She always lights me on fire with her beauty, her wit, her personality—everything.
She probably wanted to set me on fire when she realized I wouldn’t budge on the social media strategy, and having her beside me every step of the way.
“Well, it went as well as it could. She fought me every step of the way, as I expected, and I pushed back twice as hard. When she understood I wouldn’t budge, she gave up and called me impossible.”
I knew I had her then.
She knows just as well as I do that, she really can’t turn down the captain of the team.
If I want her to be in charge of my social media, she has to do it. And if I want her to run everything by me first, she will have to do that as well.
Even though I feel like a jerk for making her job a little harder, I’ve also been watching her work with the other guys and see her excelling at her job.
I’m confident she’s the perfect fit for managing my social media, but I do want to have some control over what gets posted and what doesn’t.
I’ve never shared much of my private life, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Sarah will respect that and do a great job, and I get the chance to spend more time with her and peel back the layers of protection she’s wrapped herself in.
“Sounds like you’ve got quite the challenge ahead of you, captain.”
The guys sometimes call me captain, usually when they want to tease me or when we’re gearing up for our game.
After Sarah started calling me captain, the nickname is growing on me.
“You know what they say, the biggest challenges give the best rewards.”
～
Over the next few days, I don’t see much of Sarah. I’m busy with meetings, training, and our game, and I realize I miss her and our small interactions.
I will see her around the lounge area, where she meets with some of the guys, but as soon as I try to go over to her, she will disappear before I get the chance to talk to her.
I know she is avoiding me, and even though I find her little tactics cute, I’m also frustrated.
The whole no sex, no stress relief thing is really starting to get to me, and Sarah has me wound so tight I wake up every day rock-hard and picture her beautiful face every time I cum in the shower.
Whenever my dry spell ends, it will be with her.
She is avoiding me like the plague, which will make it that much harder. Her hiding also makes me feel conflicted.
On the bus back from our game last week, I thought we had a great time—getting to know each other, like friends.
Our chemistry is always burning hot, but I believe we had a good time.
I don’t know if our connection is scaring her or if she’s really not that into me, but I plan to figure it out.
Even if I have to get my ego checked by the beautiful blonde.
～
It’s Monday, and another game day; this time, we’re playing at home, which is always exciting. The cheers of the fans, the energy in the arena—nothing compares to that.
We just finished our pre-game press conference, and when I see Sarah in the crowd, I feel lighter, knowing I’ll have the chance to talk to her.
She’s heading out of the room, and I hurry after her.
“Sarah, hold up,” I call just as she rushes down the hall and around the corner. At this speed, you’d think she’s running from the big bad wolf.
Maybe she is.
Luckily, I catch up to her in a few long strides. Those heels of hers definitely didn’t help in her escape.
She turns around, crosses her arms, and adopts her professional smile.
“What can I help you with, captain?” I wonder what it will take for her to say my name.
“I’ve been waiting for the email you told me would come, to schedule our next meeting,” I say, watching her eyes glimmer in the hallway lights.
“I’ve been busy, but you’ll get your email,” she rushes out, then turns again.
“Are you really this scared of me, angel?”
I can’t take this anymore.
I’m done giving her space.
If it means she’s going to run and hide, then I’ll follow and find her. She turns around with fire in her gaze and stalks towards me.
“First of all, stop calling me angel, it’s not appropriate. Second, no I’m not scared of you,” she says, breathing heavily.
“It certainly feels that way when you run in the other direction every time I’m near. Tell me, Sarah, what exactly are you afraid of?” I step deliberately toward her.
She steps back, swallows, and her eyes widen.
“Afraid I’ll cross a line?” I keep moving into her space, feeling the rush of adrenaline from having her this close again.
“Maybe you’re afraid you’re going to cross a line?” I taunt her as I lean in to get a closer look at her face. Her eyes turn to slits as she straightens her spine, meeting my challenge head-on.
“All I hear is a lot of what-ifs here, captain. I’m getting bored.” I smile as I raise my hand to her cheek, a thrill spreading through me when Sarah leans into my touch.
Just as I’m about to close the last bit of distance between us and kiss her, I hear some of my teammates coming around the corner.
We break apart so quickly you’d think we’d been burned.
Hell, how reckless can you be, McGregor?
I was about to kiss Sarah in the middle of the hallway in our arena. Anyone could walk past and see us.
Even worse, or maybe better, she urged me on. She wanted me to kiss her.
As I watch her, I see panic in her eyes, along with the questions swirling in her mind.
She’s probably wondering how much the guys saw.
When they catch up to us, they seem unaware of our little exchange. It’s not unusual for Sarah to hang around with me or any other player; it’s her job to get to know us and understand what we want on social media.
“Hi Sarah, you look amazing as always. All ready for the game, captain?” Aaron asks me, smiling as he hugs Sarah in greeting. She hugs him back with ease and effortlessness.
I feel my chest tighten at the sight—how relaxed she is around him and the other guys.
“Yeah, I have some frustrations to work out on the ice,” I say as we continue down the hallway.
I glance back at Sarah one last time, making sure she understands exactly what frustrations I’m referring to.