Chapter 5 Tish
TISH
A blast of cold air hits me in the face as soon as I step outside of the clubhouse and practically run to my car.
It takes two tries to be able to open the door handle and yank open the door.
Once inside, I lean back in the driver’s seat and take a deep breath.
What is wrong with me?
My heart races like I just finished running a marathon and my palms are sweaty, despite the near freezing temperatures outside.
Puffs of steam escape my mouth with every rapid breath I take. If I don’t get a grip, my windshield is going to be all fogged up.
But I can’t help it. It’s like my body and mind are acting independently and I’m sitting behind a steering wheel that doesn’t work.
Never in my life have I felt such a strong attraction—to any man, not even Becky’s father. Yet here I sit, trembling with desire, for not one, but for three men!
Gripping the steering wheel, I lean forward and rest my head against my hands.
When I first stepped into the coach’s office, I was immediately drawn to Carl Zoren.
I’ve seen him out on the ice or on the sidelines during games, of course.
But this was my first time seeing him up close. He’s much more handsome in person and I found myself instantly attracted to him, which is weird since I’m not usually attracted to men twice my age.
But there’s something about Coach Carl that appeals to me on a physical level.
For a man in his forties, he’s in excellent shape.
In fact, he’s in better shape than a lot of men in their twenties. He’s tall, around six feet probably, and lean.
There’s no sign of a daddy belly anywhere from what I could see.
And his hair, I wanted to twirl my fingers through his shoulder-length silver and red locks.
Even his gruff attitude kind of turned me on.
And how crazy is that?
I like guys who are easy going and make me laugh. It’s hard to imagine Coach Carl laughing, except for that faint glimmer in his eyes that tells me he’s not always all about business.
I bang my head on the steering wheel then jump when I accidentally hit the horn.
Jerking upright, I glance around the parking lot, but thankfully no one is outside to witness my humiliation.
I need to get my head on straight.
Grabbing my keys from my purse, I insert the ignition key but stop before turning on the engine.
Jake “Boomer” Sorenson! Of all the hockey players to run into today, why did it have to be him?
Trent and Ash have talked about him, and his sexual exploits, so much I feel as if I already know the guy.
He’s a player through and through and, from what I’ve been told, he never sleeps with the same girl twice.
When I’d heard about him, it disgusted me.
Never in a million years would I believe that running into him would make me drool and stand as if paralyzed just to be near him!
Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe how good looking he is.
Although I’d seen him play on TV, he’s usually covered up by his uniform and gear.
The few times I’ve seen him in interviews or candid shots, I didn’t really pay attention other than to note he was handsome enough—and always had a woman or three around him.
But being up close and personal like today, well, that knocked the breath, and my good sense, right out of me.
His eyes are so green, reminding me of emeralds, surrounded by the thickest, darkest eyelashes every woman would kill for.
It was his dimples when he smiled that got me, though. I stood transfixed, falling into that confident gaze and barely heard a word he said.
When he asked me for a drink, my body cried, hell yeah!
And much more! I actually glanced around the hallway to see if there were any empty closets I could drag him into and have my way with him.
But my mind at least was sensible, and I was able to turn down his offer.
The appearance of Ash made that easier, but it also added to my hormones overload.
Twisting the key, I turn the ignition on just enough to give power to my car without starting it and crank up the heater.
After rubbing my icy hands in front of the heater for a couple of minutes, I turn on the radio and lean back in my chair.
The look on Ash’s face when he saw Jake with me was not something I’d seen on him before.
There was protectiveness, sure, but then he always acts like another big brother to me, so that was nothing new.
This was different, it was…almost possessive and jealous. Something warm and comforting slid through me as he approached me like some knight in shining armor, bent on protecting me from an evil knave.
It turned me on, too. I used to have a crush on Ash but pushed it aside when I realized he’d never see me as anything more than a little sister, or Trent’s baby sister.
But the way he looked at me today, well that was anything but brotherly. And my body and mind recognized it too.
Shivers ripple through me, and I realize I’ve got one hand skimming the bottom hem of my shirt, my fingers cold on my flesh and dangerously close to dipping beneath my waistband. In my car.
Get a grip, Tish!
Soft music is playing from the radio and my brain slowly filters in the current song.
What the holy hell?
A new release by an upcoming artist plays, “Don’t Make Me Choose,” the lyrics eerily representing how I’m feeling right now.
I shake my head and start my car.
How long have I been sitting out here in the club parking lot like an idiot, my blood on fire and nerves stretched taught with…well, there’s no other word to describe the way I’m feeling but lust.
For three men!
Maybe because I haven’t had sex in so long.
I frown, trying to remember when the last time was.
It was before Becky was born.
I’ve been too busy trying to keep off Mica’s radar and building a life for me and Becky that I haven’t even been interested in dating.
Mica doesn’t know she exists, and I want to keep it that way. That means keeping a low profile.
Now that he’s in prison, though, I’m not as worried about him finding us.
But that still doesn’t mean I’m ready to get serious with another guy and bring him around my daughter.
What if the guy turns out to be another Mica and I find myself in the same mess all over again?
I just can’t take the chance when it comes to Becky.
Yet, here I sit like some sex-crazed woman in my car thinking about three men I’m ready and willing to jump in a heartbeat.
Yeah, something is definitely wrong with me.
With a growl of frustration, I change the radio station, put my car into gear, and pull out of the parking lot.
I force thoughts of Coach Carl, Jake, and Ash out of my head and concentrate on what’s important.
“I got the job!” I say excitedly, hitting the steering wheel for emphasis. That’s what I need to be focusing on. I don’t have to look for work during the holidays, and Becky and I will get to travel.
A tiny frown creases my forehead.
But that means I’ll also be around the three men who put me into hormone overdrive, too.
I shake my head and purse my lips in determination.
I can’t let this distract me. I need this job.
Besides, Becky will be with me a lot of the time. Who has time to be horny around a five-year-old, anyway?
Trent’s car is parked outside my apartment when I get home. He’s not inside his car so he must have used his key to get inside.
Smiling, I hurry and park, lock up my car, then go inside my apartment.
I can’t wait to tell him that I got the job. It will relieve some of his stress since he’s been worried about me, too, even offering me a job at his construction company.
Before I can get fully inside and close the door, I find Trent in my recliner, frowning. “I don’t want you taking that PR job with the Thunderwolves.”