FOUR CARTER
FOUR
CARTER
This beautiful woman’s breath is spicy and sweet with liquor, her inhibitions melting away like ice on hot pavement.
She’s the flame, and I’m the moth being drawn in.
After the week I’ve had, I’m helpless to resist. There’s something about her.
Maybe it’s how her long, silky blonde hair cascades softly around her shoulders.
Maybe it’s that she’s clearly having fun.
Was having fun before we even bumped into each other.
Although I had met Mia in a bar, she refused to hang out in them after we got together.
Thinking back, she was probably jealous of the other bunnies horning in.
This one’s not a bunny, though. She can’t be.
First, she’s not dressed like one. Don’t get me wrong, she fucking rocks the short black number she’s wearing.
And while there’s definitely skin on display, she’s not flaunting it.
She doesn’t seem to know who I am—which works for me.
I may not be the team captain, but our faces are shown around town to drum up seat sales.
It feels good to be anonymous for one night.
“You’re beautiful,” I murmur against her lips, feeling a dangerous thrill as she smiles against my mouth. There’s a slight dampness to her skin from dancing and making out.
“You don’t have to say that,” she whispers, her eyes half-lidded.
“If you’re telling me that, it means you haven’t been told often enough.”
She stops kissing me and pulls back to stare into my eyes as though questioning my sincerity. I watch her puzzle through the compliment and the truth she sees on my face. “Thank you.”
My lips crash onto hers, hungry and demanding, and soon, a full-blown inferno erupts as we try to get under each other’s skin in the cramped privacy of the booth.
Her hands roam over my back, leaving trails of heat in their wake, and I groan into her mouth, wishing we had more room so I could lay her out, touch and kiss her everywhere.
The world narrows to just us, the pounding music, the heat between our bodies.
“I thought you wanted to get out of here,” she mumbles against my chin as she nibbles along my jawline.
Before I can respond, there’s a commotion, voices, somebody’s name being called, and a sudden intrusion. Next thing I know, she’s pulled away from me. One minute, our tongues are dancing a delicious samba, and the next, I’m making out with air.
“Hey!” I stretch forward, trying to reach for her hand and yank her back to me, but I’m grappling with nothing.
At first, I think some dude has jerked her out of my arms, and I’m about to face off with an angry boyfriend.
That thought tightens my gut because I would never knowingly touch another guy’s woman.
Looking around, I try to figure out what the hell’s going on, and I spot Finn talking to some girl, her back’s to me, but she’s got my girl by the arm, and she’s grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Finn’s girl is apparently the one who burst into our bubble. I watch, confused, as the two women disappear toward the bathroom in a blur of sequins, satin, and high heels.
“What the fuck?” I start, pushing up from the bench seat, but before I can follow, Finn’s hand lands on my chest, stopping me.
“They’re friends, bro. They’re just hitting the ladies room.”
Relief washes over me, and I fall back into the booth. My gaze sweeps the table, taking in the empty shot glasses, half-finished drinks, and my bottle of beer. I pick up my beer, swallowing a mouthful that’s now room temperature.
“The one with the red hair and green eyes is named Kat,” he says as he sits across from me, though he sounds unsure. “At least, I think so.”
“Kat?” I echo, checking the direction the girls vanished, oddly hoping I’d see mine running back to me.
“Yeah, what’s your girl’s name?”
“Don’t know,” I say with a shrug, smirking at the absurdity. “We’re keeping it anonymous.”
“Anonymous, huh?” He chuckles, shaking his head. “Well, if she’s with Kat, let’s call her Kitty for now.”
“Kitty?” I can’t help but laugh. It’s ridiculous yet somehow perfect, because that deep-throated sound she made the whole time we were kissing sounded a lot like a purr. “Sure, why not? Kitty it is.”
“You two looked like you’d gone past the pleasantries and straight into foreplay. Don’t forget we’ve got practice tomorrow.”
“You’re reminding me of that? You’re the one who insisted we hit the club tonight.”
“And if I hadn’t, you wouldn’t be sitting across from me with a glazed over expression on your face.” He waves his hand in my direction.
“Fuck off.”
“Hey, I’m just happy somebody took your mind off your troubles.”
“Yeah, well, don’t worry about me. I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” I promise, though, for once, hockey is the last thing on my mind right now. All I can think about is getting—Kitty—back here and picking up where we left off. Because damn, that kiss was just the beginning.
The club’s pulsing lights cast a hypnotic glow as I scan the crowd, restlessness clawing at me the longer she’s gone. Then I see her friend strutting back with purpose, her eyes locked onto Finn. She grabs his hand and whispers something that makes him chuckle deeply—a secretive, knowing sound.
“Later, man.” He slides out of the booth to take off with her. “I’ll grab my own way home,” he calls over his shoulder.
I call out after them, but they’re gone, swallowed by the crowd of sweaty bodies on the dance floor.
I’m alone for a moment, anticipation coiling tight in my stomach, until Kitty slips back into the booth beside me, her smile wicked and promising. Her presence reignites the fire that started with that first explosive kiss.
“Miss me?” she purrs, and her fingers brush mine, sending a spark of heat up my arm.
“Every second was torture,” I confess, leaning in to capture her lips again. She tastes decadent and naughty, and my head spins more than any drink I’ve consumed could cause.
“My friend decided I should call you Kitty,’” I tell her, smirking against her mouth.
“Kitty?” she giggles, the sound mixing with the bass around us. “That’s... kind of purrfect.” She leans close, her breath hot on my ear. “I think we need somewhere private. But I don’t want to go to my place.”
“And I don’t live alone.”
“Where can we go?” Her hands are mapping my chest, causing my muscles to flex and bunch under my shirt.
“I’ve got an idea,” I whisper back, sending my own to wander down her back and trace the curve of her hips. Her touch has an urgency, a hunger that mirrors mine.
“Lead the way,” she breathes, her eyes dark with desire.
I grab her hand, ready to escape this place.
I barely feel the night air as we stumble out into it.
We’re a mess of laughter and quick breaths, the neon lights from the Vegas Strip painting her face with colors that only seem to enhance her beauty.
The sidewalk is crowded, so walking down to the lights to cross the boulevard takes some time and then going back up to the casino.
The lobby of the Flamingo is jumping tonight.
A flight must have arrived because there’s a huge lineup at reception, even at this late hour.
Thankfully, I know one of the guys who works the concierge desk.
When the team first picked me up, I had nowhere to live, so I stayed here when we played home games.
Dragging Kitty with me, I head directly to the end of the counter.
As we approach the desk, I can tell the clerk recognizes me.
She does a double take, then clears her throat, trying to mask her surprise.
But I cut her off before she can out me.
“Is Adam working tonight?
She gives me a confused look but recovers quickly. “Yes, he is. Shall I get him for you?”
“Yes, please.”
“Certainly, Mr.—”
“Thank you,” I butt in, and she scurries off. While we wait, I duck my head and turn into Kitty keeping my back to as many people as possible. When I hear footsteps, I spin back to see the man I was looking for.
“Well, well, I haven’t seen you in a long time. Welcome back Mr.—” he starts a little too loudly for my liking.
“Hi, Adam. I was wondering if you could get me a room for tonight, please.”
I get the same strange look, but he glances around the reception area and thinks I’m probably trying to avoid being recognized by the guests checking in. He’s half right. “Of course. Just give me a moment.”
When I stayed here before, I never had a woman with me, at least not during check-in. I don’t want to waste time in a line-up. I want Kitty naked and under me as quickly as possible before I chicken out. For once, I’ll use my connection to get to the head of the line.
We wait while he taps away at the keyboard, the ringing of slot machines amid voices filled with excitement surrounding us. Music from one of the bars can be heard in the distance. People are everywhere, their enthusiasm for their vacation palpable.
I can see questions dancing in Kitty’s eyes. But before I can decipher them or ask what’s wrong, she shakes it off, and her smile returns.
“You will be in room fourteen seventy-five,” Adam cuts in. “Here are your keys, sir. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.” I guide Bree to the elevator.
Once inside, I’m relieved we’re alone and can’t resist pulling her close again. She responds eagerly, her hands finding their way around my neck as she rises to the tips of her toes.
“Everything good?” I ask to make sure we’re on the same page, ready to cry in a corner if she’s changed her mind.
Her head bobs enthusiastically. “Absolutely.” She beams, her excitement infectious. “Are you?” Her voice is a whisper, but it roars in my ears.
“Been good since I turned around and saw you,” I admit.
We step out when the elevator dings on our floor, and I lead her down the hall to our room. The second the door closes behind us with a soft click, she turns to me, her eyes dark with a desire that matches mine.