CHAPTER 11
SASHA
I thought about that candy cane all the way home. I thought about that candy cane all through the night. I bought a candy cane on the way to practice and finished it before I even got to the locker room.
I couldn't remember the time a girl, woman, had made me feel this way. I felt like I was a sixteen-year-old boy and yet a madman all at the same time. I was losing my self-control around her. Just the sight of her lips, the taste of her mouth. I could think of nothing else.
“So, how'd it go buddy?” Reeds knew of my plan to surprise Lucy last night.
“Fucking perfect.” I started to dress for practice.
“Ooo, you hear that, boys? The Sarge got laid last night!”
There was whooping from the cubbies. Jonesy thrusted his hips at some ghostly version of a woman. Reeds clapped me on the back.
“No, no. We just kissed.” Like the most erotic kiss I've ever had. She did this thing with her tongue that I pulled on my dick to last night and again this morning.
“You just kissed?” Reeds questioned.
“Yeah. And we skated.” I couldn't help the smile that came with the memory.
The room hushed. The team looked from one to the other.
“What?” I asked, looking at them all.
“You skated with her?” Jonesy pulled his fingers through his hair in contemplation.
“Is she a sweetie or a puck bunny?” Colton said it, but didn't look up from his phone.
This was the most anyone on the team was interested in my personal life. Was Lucy right? All I needed to do was show up at the bar, break the ice, to get that brotherhood going.
“Well, she isn't sweet, but she is my brash, foul-mouthed sweetie. Yeah.” I pulled my jersey over my head and sat back down in my stall.
“I didn't know man. I wouldn't have given her shit about the ginger ale the other night.” Reeds gave me a nod.
“It's all good.” I smiled.
“Sarge has got a sweetie! Sarge has got a sweetie!” Jonesy started jumping up and down.
I couldn't even be mad at the kid. The air in the locker room changed. The fog had been lifted, the ice had been thawed, all thanks to Lucy.
Me: You're being talked about in the locker room
Lucifer: Are you defending my honor?
Me: Not a chance
Lucifer: I don't believe you. I think you like me so much you would fight every one of them for me
Me: You're probably right
Lucifer: Well, I wouldn't make you so don't worry
Me: Have anywhere particular you want to go tomorrow?
Lucifer: You're bed? ( shrug emoji)
I nearly dropped the phone. I looked side to side to make sure none of the guys were paying attention to me.
She was driving me insane. I had never met a woman who was so forward, so expressive.
She didn't beat around the bush. She let me know what she wanted, now I just wanted to hear it while she was moaning.
Me: I'll do anything you want
Lucifer: Say that again
Me: I'll do anything you want
Lucifer : I'm going to hold you to it. But right now I have to work and I wont hear your ping with the band saw on, so, have a great practice.
Me: You're gonna leave me worked up just like that?
Lucifer: Yup
Me: What are you working on?
Lucifer: Trying something new with some recycled materials. I'm fucking it up, but working some things out in my head.
Me: Would love to see it
Lucifer: When it is finished
Me: Deal
◆◆◆
Me: Where are you???
Lucifer: Sitting next to a man who thinks it is acceptable to shave his face on the train! I want to puke.
Me: Hurry up already
Lucifer: I told you my train doesn't arrive until 9:15
Me: HURRY UP
Lucifer: I thought being bossy was my thing
It wasn't a minute later that I saw her walking up the platform after her train pulled in.
She was gorgeous in some blue jeans that were just a little tight, a red wine turtleneck and her hair straight.
I'd seen so many looks on her and yet each one I liked.
Even if those black sweats are burned in my brain.
But my heart sunk as she carried only a large purse with her. I guess she wouldn't be sleeping over after all. There was no way a woman could pack an overnight bag in that thing.
I didn't know what I should do first. Do I run up and kiss her, a bear hug, pull her pants down and fuck her in the middle of Grand Central Station? They were all good options, as long as they were the right one to her. I liked that she took charge and told me what she wanted, it was hot.
“Hey.” She stood so close to me. Her cute little converse sneakers touched the tips of my shoes.
“Hey.” I shoved my hands in my pocket, staring at her body like she was a work of art.
“I brought you something.” She had a devilish smile on her face.
“Oh yeah? What's that?”
For a moment I saw her tongue move around in her mouth. Then she stuck it out at me. In her mouth was a piece of a candy cane.
“Fuck.” I whispered right before my mouth claimed hers.
We stood there in a locked embrace. My hands tight in her hair. Her hands twisted in the front of my shirt and pulled me closer. People gasping around us as we made out like teenagers. And when we broke apart, I had a candy cane in my mouth.
“I'm starving.” She smiled at me like what she just did wasn't the hottest thing that had ever happened to me.
“What, no more candy canes in your purse?” I followed after her pinching at her sides.
“Oh, I have plenty. And if you're good I'll give you one later.”
“What if I'm bad?”
“I'll give you two.” She started to walk towards the door to go out into the chilly New York winter.
A storm had just coated the city in white frosting. The streets were brown slush but if you looked up it still seemed fresh. Lucy seemed to shine in the brightness of it all, like an angel, even if I knew she was devilish.
She reached out for my hand as we walked. “I just have to do a telehealth appointment at one today, so if it is possible can we be back at your place by then?”
“Everything OK?”
“Yup. Where are we going to eat?” She spun around, her face dropping. “Oh, but wait. It's a game day. Do you have a specific meal you need to eat and like game day rituals? I don't want to fuck things up in any way for you. I know you hockey guys are weird with that stuff.”
Flirty and thoughtful. Screw brunch, I wanted to take her home right now.
“I just have to eat some good protein at brunch and then I have a sandwich before the game.”
“What kind of sandwich?” She was genuinely interested.
I couldn't stop staring at the way she looked up at me. She wanted to know me. Me, not the rich guy, not the hockey brute, just Sasha. Her questions were always about the little things. Not how much I made. Not even about hockey.
“Well?” She asked again. “Is it some secret sandwich you're embarrassed to tell me about? What? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”
I liked when she rambled. She could talk and even when she wasn't shooting sexy barbs at me I liked the way she always had something to say.
“Why are you always rubbing your chest? Are you in pain or something?”
I didn't realize I was doing it. Lucy put her hand in mine, bringing her body so close I heard people mumble under their breath as we were taking up too much space on the sidewalk. I rubbed my chest because what I wanted to rub would be inappropriate in public.
“Just chilly is all.” I threw my arm around her. “Come on Lucifer, I know a spot.”'
◆◆◆
She took way too long to decide on what she wanted. For a girl who told me exactly what she liked I was surprised with her indecisiveness. The menu wasn't that big, but I think she was distracted by all the photos.
“OK, I'll get the pancakes, chocolate chips.” She leaned back in the booth across from me, satisfaction written all over her face.
“Good choice. I'll get the omelet and home fries.”
“I'll bring that right out for you both.” The waitress spun on her heals to the kitchen.
“Thanks.” We said in unison.
“Are you excited about the game tonight?” The thought of Lucy in the stands cheering for me got me hard.
“Yeah, it will be fun. I'm going to get a hot dog.” She giggled. “Oh, I don't know why I said that. I think I'm nervous.” She tried to hide the rose that blushed her cheeks.
“Nervous about what?”
Her smile was sweet as she played with her hair and avoided eye contact with me. Which was strange with the way she was eye fucking me the other night.
“I like you and I'm afraid I'm going to mess it all up.” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Why would you think that?”
“Well.” She looked around the restaurant for a little while, then out the window. Then she stared at the fan. “Well, I think my hot temper and my mouth has been the bane of previous boyfriend's lives. Which is why I've been single for so long.”
I had to laugh at that. Who wouldn't love her spiciness?
“I don't think that's possible.”
“Oh, it's true. They both told me so.”
“Told you what?” I knew whatever she was about to say was going to get me heated.
“One said I needed to act like a lady and not a whore because, heaven forbid, I like sex. The other told me I embarrassed him around his family when a corn hole competition got a little heated.”
I was furious. My whole body turned to stone, could feel the tension in my neck. Who the fuck says that to someone?
“Get over here.” I whispered across the table, stern.
“I'm sorry?” She looked me up and down like I had three heads.
“Get over here.” I made my voice a little softer. I wasn't mad at her.
I stood from the booth and held out a hand so she would get up.
She grabbed it and scooted into my side of the booth.
I followed close after her, leaning in quickly towards her ear, throwing my arm around her shoulder.
We were in public and I knew it was possible for me to say something inappropriate while around her. She brought it out of me.
“Those guys did me and you a favor. Their loss is our gain, yeah?” I whispered in her ear.
I needed her to understand that what those idiots made her feel bad for, I really liked about her. And just because someone didn't like something about her, didn't mean she was wrong in some way or should change.