CHAPTER 3
INJURIES
***
Lauren
A thrill runs through me as our lips meet, the moment electric and charged. This is what I’ve fantasized about, and Granger doesn’t disappoint. He tugs me closer, clutching my hip with one hand and fingering through my hair with the other. His tongue dips between my lips, feverishly hot. I whimper as he scrapes his teeth over my lip, nibbling and sucking, teasing me with his touch.
A surge of warmth sprinkles through me like pixie dust. The softness of his lips surprises me, a gentle contrast to his cocky demeanor. I dreamed a thousand scenarios of how our first kiss might play out, but I hadn’t expected my insides to spontaneously combust into an inferno of light and electricity.
The medical room door swings open, and Granger catches my surprised screech on his tongue. I tear away from him and jerk my head, expecting to see Zach. But it’s Daniel, a senior medical staff member, with his eyes glued to the file he’s carrying. Daniel’s a less worrisome problem than my brother, but consequential just the same.
My heart races, and I fumble with the scope, trying to regain my composure. “Everything looks clear. No signs of swelling or injury.” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, covering my bases.
“What’s going on?” Daniel approaches, concern etched on his face. He holds out his palm, signaling me to hand him the scope.
Granger lets out an exasperated breath as Daniel lays a hand on his shoulder, keeping him seated in the chair. He flashes the light from one eye to another, and the crease spanning Granger’s brow deepens.
“It’s just a headache.” Granger brushes Daniel’s hand away and snaps his head to the side. “Lauren was just being thorough.”
We exchange a quick look, our shared secret hanging between us. If Daniel has an inkling what he walked in on, he doesn’t let on.
“Keep me posted if the headaches continue. We might be looking at a concussion. You’ve been knocked around a few more times than necessary.” Daniel pauses, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “You wouldn’t be in here so often if you’d keep your temper in check and listen to your captain– and your father .”
Granger’s face hardens, a mix of irritation and frustration flashing in his eyes. His jaw tightens, the interruption and reprimand clearly getting under his skin. I steal a glance at Granger as Daniel pulls a prescription pad from a drawer and scribbles on it.
“Get this filled.” He leaves the slip of paper on the counter. “Lauren will grab you a dose to tide you over for now.”
The tension in the room shifts as soon as Daniel leaves. We had a close call, and it isn’t something I want to repeat. I can’t let this happen again.
***
Granger
A surge of irritation whips through me. Daniel has no business scolding me about what I do on or off the ice. My temper burns hotter on the ice, but we’re all ramped up on adrenaline during a game. I’m not looking for a fight. I’m delivering justice when and where it’s necessary. Too many guys play dirty, and I’m not letting them get away with it.
Once Daniel’s cleared the room, Lauren looks at me. Her eyes have lost their spark, sending my gut spiraling.
“This was a mistake. We shouldn’t be doing this,” she says so softly, it’s barely a whisper. “We got caught up in the moment, and I can’t afford to lose this internship opportunity.”
I approach her, the noisy locker room chatter across the hall barely registering. The pain lacing through my head increases with each pounding heartbeat. I can’t be this close to perfection and allow it to slip away.
“This isn’t something I can ignore, Lauren.” The more I want her, the more complicated things get. “Not when everything in me is drawn to you. I came here to tell you that yesterday, but then–”
I trail off and reach for her, gently touching her arm. Our eyes lock, and I see the same turmoil in her eyes that I feel inside myself.
“I feel the same way. It’s been like that for me since we first met when Zach joined the team.” Her eyes soften. “We can’t just do what we want––not when so much more is riding on this. I could lose the internship if we get caught.” She frowns. “And how am I supposed to explain this to Zach?”
Her shoulders sag a little, deflating under the weight of the complicated mess we’ve unleashed between us. This is my fault, and maybe I should have thought it through rather than plowing straight ahead, but damn, I’m not about to let Lauren slip away.
“Growing up, my dad’s expectations were always there, looming over me like a dark cloud. I was told to play fair, take it on the chin when things were unfair, do the right thing, even when others didn’t.”
“That sounds tough.” She rests her hand on my arm and gently squeezes, understanding etched in her eyes.
“It was,” I admit. “I’ve always struggled with authority, especially when things feel out of balance. No one should dictate how another person feels or reacts in a situation, especially where a person’s heart is concerned. Sometimes, you have to fight to tip the scales in your favor.”
“I’m not like you. I can’t just make things up as I go along.” She inhales deeply and releases my arm. It feels like I’m losing her before I ever even had her. “If what we feel is real, eight to ten weeks won’t change things.”
I clench my jaw, wrestling with the desire to defy the constraints. But I see her point. What she’s suggesting is reasonable. It’ll give me time to prove that I’m in control of my temper. And there won’t be any women adding to the womanizing reputation the tabloids love to splash across the sports page.
“All right. We’ll see where we stand after your internship.” I growl and pull her in for another quick, hard kiss. “But I’m not giving up. I’m a fighter, remember?”
“And I’m worth the wait,” she whispers.
Damn right, she is.