Tending Her Heart – By Allie Lasky #2
Books have always been my solace. After my mom split when I was four, he did the best he could, but he has always given his job a hundred and ten percent.
It became a regular occurrence that I’d be sitting up in the team box with my backpack full of books during his games.
There was a nanny who would stay with me when he had road trips, but considering the team’s grueling schedule, she deserved some time off, too.
I grew up in the arenas, first in Calgary, then New York, and later in Nashville, surrounded by hockey 24/7. The players were my foul-mouthed big brothers, looking out for me. Almost like a family.
When Dad signed the contract with Boston the summer after I graduated high school, it seemed like the perfect chance to start over. Start fresh.
He’ll be working while we’re in LA, but maybe I can convince him to take a few days off before training camp starts. We can go to the beach and relax.
I sigh. My dad wouldn’t know the word relax if it smacked him in the face. I guess I’ll be on my own again. I’m used to it; I’m always alone.
SEB
Audrey, cute brunette sitting beside me, looks positively forlorn. I’m overcome by the urge to pull her into my arms and tell her it will all be okay. I’ll fight off every one of her negative thoughts like I fight off pucks each night. I’m a goaltender; I’ll tend to her heart.
I always thought love at first sight was a fairytale. Something made up. But from the moment I laid eyes on her, my heart thumped nearly out of my chest, trying to fit itself to hers.
Audrey Turner is the love of my life. Sure, I barely know her. There’s plenty of time. We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other, though.
But when the plane lands and I pull out my phone to ask for her number, the damn thing rings with a call.
Heaving a sigh, I answer. “I can’t talk right now. I’m still on the plane.”
“Dude, Dad is about to blow a gasket,” Luke says. “You need to get here, like, ASAP.”
“We’re literally on the tarmac waiting for our gate,” I tell my brother. I send Audrey an apologetic look, but she’s not looking at me, putting away her Kindle and getting ready to go.
Luke jammers on in my ear. I grimace, trying to speed him along.
We’re in the third row, so we’re let off the plane right away. Audrey stands and extracts her carry-on suitcase from the overhead compartment, then walks off the plane.
She doesn’t look back.
Fuck.
I hang up on Luke in the middle of his sentence, shoving my phone into my pocket. I jog down the jet bridge, trying to catch sight of my future wife.
But Audrey must have rocket fuel in her shoes because she’s nowhere to be found.
With a dark cloud over my head, I head to the baggage area. She’s not there, either. Grabbing my suitcase out of the carousel, I grab a ride-share and head to the hotel.
We’re in LA for the NHL draft. My brothers Luke and Joe are already playing in the league with me.
This year, it’s time for the youngest brother, Michael, to be drafted.
He’s projected to go high in the first round.
After all, he’s a Henry. Our grandfather, our dad, and two of our uncles all played at the highest level.
There’s photos of me as a newborn sleeping in the Stanley Cup.
I’ll be up close and personal with the Cup again. Soon. My team lost in the first round of the playoffs this year, but next season, that’s going to be our year.
When I get to the hotel, I head straight to the suites my dad reserved. Luke and I will be sharing a room while Mike and Joe have another. This isn’t a fun, relaxing trip, and there’s definitely no time to go cruising for a hookup; this week is for work.
While I’m in town, I have a meeting with my agent plus a few interviews to do. The NHL loves our family. After all, we’re basically a dynasty. And with Mike joining the ranks…
Luke gives me a one-armed hug and Joe gives me a nod from across the room. Dad is on his phone, barking away. Through it all, Mike is sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat, his eyes closed as he meditates. He’s always been good about blocking things out. Including us.
“How’s he doing?” I ask.
Luke shrugs. “Pretty good, all things considered.”
The night before I got drafted, I threw up. Twice.
And then when I was selected eighth overall, I nearly threw up on stage. I didn’t—but it was close. I had to do a lot of press after to assure them the nausea clearly visible on my face was actually excitement.
Which it was. Mostly.
There’s never been an option other than hockey. I love it, don’t get me wrong. I never had a chance not to love it. But it has always been the plan. I don’t know who I am without it. It’s a lot of pressure for me now at twenty-two. At eighteen, it was nearly overwhelming.
“I need a shower,” I mutter to Luke, who nods.
“We’ll grab a drink after,” he says.
After a quick refresh to get all the plane germs off of me, I head down to the bar. There’s a familiar brunette sitting at the end of the bar, reading.
My heart leaps. Could it be…?
She’s changed her clothes, too. Her dark brown curls have been let out of her ponytail, hanging loose down her back. She’s wearing denim shorts now, showing off her shapely legs, and a cotton tank top that highlights her generous curves.
If I thought she was hot on the plane, wearing sweats and a hoodie, she’s absolutely fucking gorgeous now.
My mouth goes dry as I make my way over to Audrey. Sliding onto the barstool beside hers, I wait for her to look over at me. Her eyes widen in shock.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I say casually.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” Her voice comes out hardly above a whisper. “Did you follow me?”
Quickly, I shake my head. “My family is staying here.”
The hotel is across the street form the LA arena, where the draft will be held tomorrow night.
“Me, too.”
“I’m glad to run into you again, though,” I admit.
“Oh?” Her eyebrows go up.
“I’d like to see you again.”
Audrey’s brow furrows. “But—you live in Minnesota. I’m in Boston.”
“Yeah, and for at least a little while, we’re both in LA. We should make the most of it.”
She looks me up and down with an assessing gaze. Finally, she closes her Kindle and takes a long gulp of her wine.
“Okay, then. Take me up to your room.”
“Really?” My voice cracks. I cough to cover it. I didn’t think that would work.
“Well, I’m sharing a room with my dad, so we can’t go back to mine,” she says seriously. “I’m presuming you have a room?”
Nodding, I reach for her hand. She laces her fingers through mine and I help her up. Drawing her close, I inhale the fresh scent of her perfume, something flowery and sweet. It’s been taunting me all day.
I cup her cheek. “Is this okay?” My mouth hovers above hers. I can feel her breath on my lips.
We need to be on the same page. If all she wants is one-time sex, I’ll happily give it to her. If she wants more… yes, please, sign me up.
Audrey rises to her tiptoes and seals her mouth over mine. Her lips dance over mine, a soft, sweet kiss.
I can’t help the groan that rumbles through my chest. I slide my hand into her hair, desperate to touch her.
She wrenches herself away, breathing hard. “Take me upstairs, Seb,” she whispers.
Her hand in mine, I practically drag her to the elevator—except she’s coming willingly. I punch the button for the eighth floor and, as soon as the doors closed around us, I’m on her again, kissing her breathless.
She shoves me against the elevator’s wall. She can bodycheck harder than some of my defensemen. I let her get all up in my crease in a way I don’t allow with just anyone. It takes everything in me not to strip her naked right then and there.
The bell chimes and we pour out of the elevator. My room is halfway down the hall. It takes me three tries to swipe the keycard before she takes pity on me and pulls the card from my grasp.
She gets it on the first try. I knew she was a genius.
Tumbling into the room, I fuse my lips to hers again.
She shoves me forward onto the first bed and I pull her down with me, our legs tangling until she maneuvers to straddle me. Audrey tugs at my t-shirt and I pull it over my head, tossing it somewhere on the floor.
She swallows loudly. “Oh, fuck.”
Worry ricochets through me. That’s not a woman’s usual reaction to me taking my shirt off.
“What’s wrong?”
She trails her fingers over the divots of my abs. “You’re fucking hot,” she says. Her hand moves lower, over the bulge in my athletic shorts. The stretchy material does a poor job concealing my erection.
“And that’s bad?” I ask carefully.
A devious smile spreads over her face. “It’s very, very good.”
She reaches for the hem of her tank top, pulling it over her head. She shakes out her hair, the curls bouncing. Her bra is cherry red lace. My cock jerks at the sight and her eyes widen. I have the inexplicable urge to bury my face in her chest. I think I might drool.
Audrey cocks her hip, thrusting her breasts forward. “See something you like?”
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” I blurt.
Drawing her down, I kiss her roughly. She settles over my lap, shifting over my cock. My hips flex up into hers and she lets out a shuddery breath before kissing me again.
My hands move to her hips, grinding her denim-covered pussy to cover my aching dick. Her hands rove over my chest and down my abs, then my arms. I flex for her, wanting to show off a bit. Her happy sigh makes all the hours sweating in the gym worth it.
As I slip my hand up towards the strap of her bra, she reaches behind her and unsnaps it, flinging it off. I cup her breasts in my hands, the perfect softness overflowing my palms.
Breaking the kiss, I lower my head and catch her nipple in my mouth, sucking until the bud pebbles beneath my tongue.
Audrey gasps and clutches the back of my head to her breast, grinding down on my cock.
Her hips swivel as she searches for friction, sending blood rushing through me to my throbbing erection.