14. Chase
Ican pretend just fine.
Like hell you can.
The only thing fake about the way Pepper kissed me was when she claimed it meant nothing.
Other than that stupidly addictive kiss, there’s one good thing that came out of our skating session at the arena.
I got to her.
And she proved me wrong. When she blindfolded herself and crossed the rink to me. I still don’t know how she did it. But whatever it was, she’ll need it again for tomorrow night’s game.
I consider texting her again since she didn’t answer my last one, but I should probably keep my eyes on the road. Dad called another emergency family meeting at the Inn, and I’ve been freaking out thinking it has something to do with Pepper. And someone in town we can’t trust.
I hate not knowing what I’m walking in on, but I’d like to think if it were about Pepper, she’d use the damn phone I got her and contact me.
We’re playing New York tomorrow at our home arena, and I need rest from traveling—and to mentally recover from losing in Vancouver.
While the rest of my team was catching up on sleep, I’d been using in-flight Wi-Fi, checking to see if there have been any new developments on Troy Mayfield’s missing bride.
If somehow—he’d figured out her location.
And depending on my location—I had an exit strategy to make sure I got to her first.
And that’s dangerous.
I shouldn’t be calculating how fast I could get to a woman who’s been the bane of my existence for the past week.
Which is why I haven’t been calling her—at all.
Just a text here and there to check in.
The possibility of seeing Pepper tonight wrecks my mind in ways I don’t know how to deal with. But I doubt I have to worry about it now since I’ll likely take the free room upstairs tonight and pick her up in the morning to head to the arena.
Pulling up to the Inn, I park my car in my usual spot—the one that Noah always battles me for. Since it’s wide open for me, I take it he’s late to our family meeting, which isn’t like him. He’s usually the one calling for them.
The back door is locked for some odd reason, so I go around the front.
The place is unusually filled to the brim with guests, buzzing with chatter and laughter.
What the hell?
It’s like a mini town carnival. I scan the room, picking up a similar crowd we have planned out for Jackson’s party and am almost relieved thinking Levi decided to kick off the party early.
But then I see a vibrant gold-lettered banner hanging on the back wall.
Happy Engagement
“There he is. The man of the hour. ‘Bout time you got here.” My oldest brother greets me at the door—cowboy hat on and everything. Wrapping an arm around me like I’m tonight’s special guest.
I clench my teeth, turning a hard glare at my brother. “What the hell is this?”
“Congratulations again, little bro. Go kiss your blushing bride-to-be.” He leans in. “And she’s been blushing a lot tonight, so you’d better help her out.”
My jaw hardens. I knew we needed to find a way to make this engagement public—but I was thinking more of an announcement in the local paper.
Not a goddam party.
“What the hell did you do?” I hiss.
Levi glances around us. “Making sure everyone knows you’re off the market, bro.” He slaps my back and practically growls in my ear. “And…her.”
With my jaw set, I weave through pats on the back and best wishes. My throat is tight when I see two throne-shaped wicker chairs set against the brick wall under the banner and boxes of wrapped presents.
No one stops me when I make my way to my fiancée as I get closer. She’s seated at the far end of the bar in an ivory skin hugging dress with sleeves just above the elbow. It’s conservative yet sexy. Her auburn hair cascades in vibrant waves around her face. And her smile as she watches the room seems like it’s been glued to her face for the better part of the evening.
I’m about to apologize but stop myself when she spots me and smirks cunningly.
“You knew about this,” I gauge.
“Since Tuesday night,” she admits.
“All week?” I grit then exhale a laugh when it catches attention. I move close to her ear. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”
She lifts a glass and sips on the tiny straw. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Is that any way to treat the man who’s saving your life?”
That mouth is about to come back with something sassy—but she’s cut off.
A breathy laugh lingers near us. “You guys,” Charlie starts as she pats us both gently, but pointedly. Then mutters through clenched teeth. “People are watching.”
Pepper and I exchange a guilty glance like we’d been caught chatting during class and wait for “the teacher” to turn around.
Once she’s gone, I wrap an arm around my bride and bend my head. Honey and vanilla hit my senses, and I fight the urge to breathe her in—or pull her closer. “I don’t like crowds, Pepper.”
“This coming from some sort of a superstar.”
“I play a sport. It comes with the territory.”
“No one else is being called King of the Ice.”
“Lots of players are—you’ve just been living in a shoe for eight years.”
We both turn at the sound of a bell. Dad is in the center of the room facing the crowd with the bar behind him. “That’s better. Thanks, Charlie.” He winks and hands her back the bell. “Now that we have everyone here, I want to thank you all for coming. I don’t do toasts, so I’ll leave that to the boys—” He points to Levi and Noah. “But I can offer free champagne on behalf of the…happy couple. Welcome home, Pepper, and congratulations, you two.”
People start to clear the way for us and my hand wraps protectively around Pepper’s waist, reluctantly leading us to the spotlight.
I remind myself I have nothing to worry about. Even if someone does see the resemblance to Penelope Walker—everyone’s got a doppelganger, right?
Levi meets us there and raises his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to make a toast to my little brother, Chase, who, after all these years, reunited with the love of his life…Pepper Woods. Some of you may remember Pepper when she lived here. But what you don’t know about her and my brother is how close they were when they were kids.”
Lies.
“And how much trouble these two used to get into when they were teenagers—outside of their group of friends, of course. But what none of us knew.” He looks at us and I don’t miss the hint of a cocky smirk. “Is their secret vow to marry someday.”
“Initially, they agreed to thirty,” Levi continues, “But Chase didn’t want to risk his dream girl getting away.”
I’m gonna kill him.
“Welcome back, Pepper. Congratulations to you both.”
People start chanting for a kiss, and I feel Pepper stiffen at my side. I cup one side of her face and bring my lips down to hers, holding them for a brief moment before letting go.
Pepper offers me a small smile and turns back to the crowd.
Dad breaks up the applause and guides everyone to the buffet so the ‘happy couple’ can have some breathing room.
Smartest thing anyone’s said all night. I run my fingers through my hair. “This was a dumb idea.”
“Your idea,” she reminds me. “Don’t worry. No one’s recognized me as anyone other than Pepper,” she whispers.
“Pepper, your picture is plastered all over the media. All we need is one person to put two and two together.”
She glowers at me, gritting her teeth. “I’ve got this.”
“Well don’t. You basically signed your life away to someone and now you think you can make an entire town believe in some wacky love story?”
Her jaw tightens and she lowers her gaze in that same way she does before she’s about to run. But then turns and lifts a fork from the bar, connecting it with her glass. “Hey everyone, thank you so much for coming to celebrate with me—oh and my fiancé.” She brushes her hand over my arm. “I can’t express what this means to me. You know here I was in San Diego, trying to find my way as a figure skater—focused on anything but love—and Chase shows up—insisting we belong together. Did you know he used to fly to come see me every week—Saturdays usually. He”d wait outside my doorstep until I got home to surprise me. Always with little gifts.” She chuckles. “This one time he came with this little puppy toy. You know the ones with a heartbeat that help them sleep? He got down on one knee, held it up for me and said ‘This is the way my heart beats for you. It’s constant, it’s loud, and I can’t ignore it anymore. Marry me, Pepper.’”
The little minx smirks up at me as laughter and aww’s spread through our guests.
I slide my arm around her neck and dip to her ear. “You’re in so much trouble.”
Her eyes flash with a mixture of fear and excitement. And I decide that it’s an appropriate reaction.
Charlie’s hand is against her chest holding back a laugh as she steps up to us. “That story will never get old.”
Noah steps up behind her. “Good one, Pepper. Keep ‘em coming because you two aren’t fooling anyone with that fake kiss.”
“What do you mean?” Pepper jerks back.
“He means you guys have zero passion,” Charlie adds dryly.
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes at my brother. “Oh yeah, hotshot? Why don’t you show us how it’s done.” I cock my head at Charlie.
My brother glances down, sweeping his gaze over his ex, who doesn’t bother looking back. “I’m sure she can find someone else here to demonstrate with.”
Charlie stiffens, and it takes all of two seconds for Pepper to jump off her seat and grab her friend’s arm. “Come on, Charlie. Let’s go find you that someone.”
I watch them weave through the crowd and turn back to my brother. “That was unnecessary.”
Noah’s jaw clenches as he looks at anything but me. “Yeah. I know. Anyway, soon as your bride gets back, We should wrap up. Think we made our point.”
Agreed.
The spare room at the Inn was suspiciously unavailable when I tried to book it. Dad claimed it was one of the guests too drunk to drive home.
So we’re back at Elliot’s for the night before heading back to Denver in the morning and getting ready for the game. That is if I can tolerate Pepper for another long weekend.
The shower I finally take does nothing to cool this burning desire to kiss the living breath out of her. But it wouldn’t stop there. I’d still need to teach her a lesson for making me out to be some puppy dog in my own fucking town.
I let my mind wander as I lather up, picturing her by the dresser when I step out into the bedroom. Her eyes roaming down my body, the way I know she wants to. She’d give me the signal—a faint one because she’s Pepper.
And then I’d shed every piece of clothing off her perfect body, sweep my eyes over her once—just once—not giving her the satisfaction. Then I’d twist her, bend her over the dresser, yank the towel from around my waist and spank her with it.
I’d spank her until she’s dripping with a need stronger than my own. Until she’s wailing, begging for me to fuck her.
“The only one getting on their knees will be you, Princess. You just wait. I’m gonna make you beg for me.”
Turning off the shower, I don’t bother drying off. I wrap a towel around my waist, slide my hands down my wet hair and wrap my fingers around the handle until I notice one thing.
Fuck.
My dick is hard again.
Way to go, asshole. Any more bright ideas for revenge?
I’ve never felt so mind-dominated by a woman. So tortured so…wildly alive.
“It is what it is,” I mutter.
I pull the bathroom door open and step out into the cool room. The place never had great heating, which never bothered me or Elliot, but I make a mental note to take care of it for her.
Pepper is exactly where I pictured. Standing by the dresser on the other side of the bed wearing a long t-shirt, one of Elliot’s I’m guessing, and peering over at me.
She blinks and flips her head back. “D—do you need a shirt? I washed all the ones in this—um…” she shakes her head, “drawer.”
My lip curves. “You alright?”
She swallows. “Yep. Do you—need me to step out to get dressed or something?”
Yeah—I’m going for it.
“Not at all.” I turn my back to her, facing the other dresser. My duffle bag rests on top, and I rummage through it. Then tug the towel off.
“Holy shit.” She gasps. “Chase. Boundaries.”
I twist my head. Pepper’s hands are covering her eyes like she’s playing a game of hide and seek. “No worries. I found what I needed.” I pull out a pair of boxers and slip them on.
Carefully, she slides her hands off her face, sweeping her gaze over me, then blinks away. “Un. Necessary.”
I toss her a cocky grin. “You’re a big girl. You can sleep in the same bed with someone without getting aroused.”
She scoffs. “I can. Can you?”
Just to fuck with her, I sweep my eyes over her with a cocked brow. “I think I’m good.”
Pepper rolls her eyes. “Still, some sort of warning next time would be appreciated.” She’s frazzled and completely disoriented, then shifts her hips slightly and freezes, scrunching her nose. I didn’t miss the low breathy curse.
I close the distance between us, coming up behind her, getting a whiff of her. She still smells sweet, but now there’s a touch of…something else.
She stills when I bend and whisper behind her ear, “I think I saw some in that top drawer.”
“Hmm?”
“Panties. Don’t you need some?”
She blinks but doesn’t turn back yet. “N-no. I’m already wearing them.”
I scrunch my nose. “You should probably grab a dry pair.”
She twists to face me. “Excuse me?”
I don’t answer, just sweep my gaze over her. Trying desperately not to want her in the middle of payback.
“I’m willing to bet the ones you’re wearing are soaked through.”
She shifts uncomfortably. “They’re fine.”
“Prove it. Hand ‘em over.”
She jerks her head. “I’m not handing you my panties. I’m wearing them. If they were wet, which they’re not, I’d change. So I’m good.”
I scoff and toss her a smirk. “Too bad.”
I turn and walk away, hearing her huff behind me. The kind when you know you’ve lost a battle.
And she just got annihilated.
“Chase.”
I twist and catch a flying piece of fabric coming at me.
It’s soft and silky.
It fits perfectly in the palm of my hand when I squeeze.
And it’s drenched.
I bring the fisted fabric up to my nose. And that is my first mistake. It intensifies my need.
But I’m a big boy. I can control it.
I step aside and point to the dresser for her to get a new pair.
Twisting her lips into a grin, she shrugs her shoulders. “I’m good,” she chirps, then pulls back the covers, tugs on the hem of the long t-shirt and slips into bed. “Night.”
“Pepper,” I warn. Because there is no fucking way I’m getting into bed with her when she’s bottomless. And smells…like dessert.
I’ve got boundaries, but I have little faith my dick could hold out.
“Could you get the light? Thanks.” She twists under the covers, facing the window, and by the way the top of her shirt twists with her, her bottom has to be completely exposed under those sheets.
I’m trapped.
I’m fucked.
Well-played, Princess. Well-fucking-played.