Chapter 8—Aspen #2
While they talked about the disappointment of losing some cup in a game seven of something or other, Aspen attempted to hide her anger at the situation by chomping down on a mega-bite of her salmon taco.
“You’re just so awesome on the ice, and your ads for Muscle Amp are like, so hot,” the other girl chimed into the conversation and moved to flank Wolfe.
Aspen worked to barely contain the scowl at the women and their blatant attempts to engage Connor. She realized the unyielding claw of green envy joined the anger and frustration that had dominated this night.
It seemed the over-the-top women had a more meaningful conversation with Connor in only a few minutes than she’d had during this entire fiasco of an evening.
“Thank you so much for your support,” Wolfe replied at the hockey talk the women prattled on about, as if the three of them were lifelong friends.
Speaking of support, the unwanted guests should try an underwire or sports bra or something with a little more hold to prevent their girls from having a life of their own.
Aspen didn’t have a lot in the boob department but, even if she did, she knew she’d keep them contained if they were that size.
But suppression wasn’t on the minds of the women. They focused exclusively on Connor.
She rolled her eyes in disgust at her own musings and ridiculous fascination with the Wonder Twins’ breasts, and decided to try and enjoy her delightful taco.
“Ladies, the Crush thanks you for your support, and we look forward to bringing the Cup home to Denver next year,” Connor responded to the women, his voice even and strong. “I’m going to get back to my dinner with my date. Thank you.”
Aspen was certain this rated as one of the worst dates recorded in history if it even was a date.
Which it wasn’t. That said, she couldn’t help but feel a little smug at the disappointment flittering across the faces of the women as Connor explained he wanted to get back to dinner. With her. His date.
“Can we get a picture and an autograph?” one of the Wonder Twins begged.
“Sure, do you have something for me to sign?”
“We don’t, but you could sign our skin,” the other chick purred and thrusted her ample chest directly toward Connor.
Aspen bet if Connor were by himself he would take one of them, or both home.
She was an idiot for coming to dinner.
Connor’s chuckle grated on Aspen’s last nerve and she began gathering her food remnants in preparation to leave.
“Sorry. I only sign paper or jerseys,” Wolfe explained patiently.
After a quick selfie with the superfans, the young women left the table in a fit of giggles, looking back over their shoulders at Connor.
“Sorry about that, BB,” he let out a long sigh. “This was not how I expected the night to turn out.”
Aspen just wanted to get back home and leave the calamity of this evening behind her.
“No worries,” Aspen lied, and stood to gather the red plastic basket holding her food remnants and paper that wrapped her tacos. “I needed to eat. You needed to eat. We ate, so I’m going to call it a night.”
She didn’t wait for Connor’s reply and left the table in a rush.
Without looking she could feel Connor approach her. Pissed off for a myriad of reasons, she was especially angry at the fact that she felt the same intense undercurrent, a buzz that pulled her to the big lug.
“BB, wait.”
Aspen was well on her way to begin her walk home when Connor reached out and grabbed her wrist. Not hard, but his giant palm wrapped around her pale skin sent her pulse skittering.
Enough.
“No, you wait, Connor,” Aspen pulled his grasp free of the hold. “I don’t know what that was back there with those women, but this dinner was an absolute disaster. I’m heading home.”
To prove her point, Aspen turned and began walking briskly down the deserted sidewalk.
Connor wasn’t to be deterred and quickly gobbled up the distance and kept pace with her silently by her side.
They walked a couple of city blocks, both looking straight ahead, Connor’s hands in the pockets of his jeans, Aspen’s own arms hugging her chest.
“BB, fans approach my teammates and me a lot, especially with how close we came to winning the Cup last year,” Connor said, breaking the silence.
“Approach is one thing, Connor, that woman was practically motorboating you in her boobs,” Aspen spat out. “And what the hell is this cup thing?”
Connor’s eyebrows pulled together and he turned to face Aspen. “The Cup is what we play for, what any hockey player has played for since they could piss without help.”
“Crude.”
Connor ignored her. “As for the fans, the majority are cool people who are passionate about their hometown team and the players. Only a handful are a little over the top. I try not to be rude so I gently dissuade their advances.”
“I’m just sorry I cramped your style, I’m sure you would have had a real good time with them had I not been at the table. It’s a good thing tonight wasn’t a date.”
Aspen couldn’t believe how irrational and jealous she sounded, but watching that display unfold in front of her at the food truck sparked her own fiery temper.
Connor moved in front of her causing Aspen to immediately halt as she bumped into his granite chest. He gently braced his hands on her upper arms to steady her.
“I don’t sleep with bunnies, BB,” his own anger seemed to spike. “And no, we’re not dating, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you. I don’t want to label it, but I want to spend time with you. Listen, I had a shit day, and I probably should have rescheduled tonight’s dinner.”
“Honestly? I don’t have time, Connor. I don’t have time for any of this,” Aspen brushed by him.
She wished she could miracle herself at her apartment building so this blasted night could be over and she’d be able to let loose the stupid tears she was holding back.
“And you could have fooled me tonight. For someone who supposedly wants to spend time with me, you sure gabbed more with the bunny rabbits, or whatever it was you called them, than me.”
“Tonight was just... a bad night for me, BB.”
“Well, it’s a good thing that it’s over, since I’m at my place.”
Connor looked up, confusion crossing his face. “But we’re at your bakery.”
“Yeah, I have an apartment in the building where my bakery is. Convenient, huh?” Aspen spat out as she dug the key from her clutch to allow her access to her building. “Good night, Connor.”
He splayed his hand across the door as Aspen inserted her key. “BB, in a thousand years, tonight didn’t play out like I thought it would. Let’s give this another go.”
Aspen was captivated by his icy blue eyes flecked with navy that bore into her, imploring her compliance. She turned away to gather her own rapid thoughts, especially the thoughts that were begging her to say yes to his request.
She had a feeling that Connor gave up a lot, asking her for another opportunity. He just didn’t seem like the type of man to plead for a second chance. Or even a first. He seemed to take what he wanted, and in some archaic, caveman-type way, that thrilled her.
Aspen was just as conflicted.
“Connor, I just don’t know.”
After a few beats, he drew his hand to her cheek and gently guided her face upward until they were once again staring at one another.
His touch caused liquid fire to race through her system, and Aspen felt like she was on the cusp of giving him the world if he asked.
“One chance,” he whispered and gently bent his head to move to her lips that opened of their own volition in a pant of want at the kiss she knew was coming.
Still cupping her cheek, Connor slowly moved toward her lips. Aspen could feel the whoosh of her rapid-fire heart rate blast through her ears in anticipation of the kiss. This would add another layer of strange to this already weird night.
Except Connor didn’t stop at her waiting and expectant lips. He didn’t even brush against them as he moved past her lips to the apple of her cheek where he laid the lightest of kisses. He gently stroked the other side of her face as he pulled back.
“One more chance,” he whispered. “I’ll see you at the bakery.”
With the faintest hint of a smile that was more predatory than anything, Connor reached for Aspen’s hand that was still holding her key inserted in the lock.
He placed his hand over hers and aptly disengaged the tumblers of the lock and opened the door.
He pulled the key from the opening and placed it in Aspen’s palm, kissing her on the forehead at the same time.
With that, he turned and headed his way down the sidewalk away from the bakery and a stunned Aspen.