Chapter 22
DECLAN
Pacing my living room, I look out onto the lake on this sunny summer day. My cell phone is to one ear while I listen to my assistant list what is on the agenda for the week ahead, mostly media opportunities as we begin to gear up for the new season.
“I need you to make sure the team dinner is moved here to Lake Spark. I want both veterans and current players to meet here in the area. We need to set the team up for a new mindset and focus. The coaching staff should be there too, all team staff really. Oh, and make sure I meet with the head coach and general manager in the next week; it’s time to set out what I expect and warn him of what happens if he doesn’t deliver. ”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Violet sitting on the sofa, leaning over to buckle the clasp of her shoe around her ankle. Violet notices that I’m watching and flashes me a sexy smirk.
How I managed to get furniture into this house during the last week, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m positive money played a role, and I don’t exactly mind, because it meant I could focus on other things, including the dark-haired beauty in front of me.
My mind whips back to my assistant who promises to send me a short list of locations for the dinner by end of day.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’ll be back in the city tomorrow, and we can meet at ten to set up the agenda for the months ahead, especially aligning with away games.
” After a quick goodbye, I hang up and walk eagerly to the couch where I lean down to steal a warm kiss from Violet.
She gives me a pointed look with a grin hinted on her lips. “It’s Sunday, and you’re all business. Your poor assistant.”
I sit down and drag her legs over my thighs to help with her other shoe. “Rex can handle it; besides, I ignored him all week because I was occupied with you.”
After leaving Violet last week to head back to the city, I had a constant need to see her again.
I missed her, if I’m being honest. When I drove up to Lake Spark yesterday, then that was it, we didn’t leave my house since the second she arrived.
We ate, laughed, and moved together slowly, except for that moment in the shower which was out-of-this-world intense.
Violet taps my shoulder and fails to control a smile. “A rather good choice.” Her head lolls slightly as she studies me. “I’m also happy to see that you’re stepping into your role. Business-Declan may just surprise you with how much you enjoy it. I’m sure your father would be impressed too.”
“Or upset that I’m flaunting my skills for other uses.”
“Nah, you have a certain element when you’re on the phone discussing your team that’s only admirable. To the point, yet sentiment undertones your demands. It’s kind of hot as hell too.”
I interlace our fingers and approve of the sight of us connected. “I have a big dinner coming up. Will you come as my plus-one?”
Her lips role in but her smile stays put. “It’s kind of public.”
“You no longer mind. You’ve been seen at your brother’s games before.
I sure as hell love this.” I’m used to the cameras and also the numerous times the press decided whoever on my arm was a worthy news story.
This time I’m casual about it, because with Violet, it feels like the logical next step, and I want to flaunt how lucky I am.
Her brows raise at me. “Which leads us to the elephant in the room that we said we would conquer this weekend.”
I grimace at the thought. “Ford.”
She nods gently. “It’s Sunday morning, so he’s with Connor at the rink doing a little one-on-one time. I told him I would stop by like I sometimes do.”
I swipe my hands through my hair and blow out a breath. “I’ll grab my keys and we can head there.”
Her delicate fingers from her other hand plays with my hairline along my forehead. “I’m not nervous,” she states calmly.
“I don’t get anxious.”
She squinches her face in doubt. “Never?”
Getting lost in her eyes, I realize she’s right.
Violet makes me nervous. She makes me want things that I never gave much thought, and I’m not even sure what those things are.
When I’m with her, even the happiness outweighs the scary feelings that occasionally breach my bubble where I’m completely enamored by her.
I swallow and pretend she isn’t seeing through me. “Never,” I lie.
Gently, I slide to my side so her back lands on the sofa cushions and I can enjoy Violet underneath me for a minute more. Her eyes twinkle with wonder, and I’m just reminded of how beautiful she is, and as cliché as it is, that goes for both inside and out.
“How am I doing on the boyfriend front?” I run my hand along her curves while I stare down at her.
“You had breakfast delivered after you wore me out last night and had chocolate chip cookies from the Dizzy Duck delivered before bedtime. Meh, can’t complain.” She’s teasing me.
I kiss her again real quick. “I can’t buy you flowers, and the hot air balloon was already booked last night,” I deadpan, and she chuckles softly.
Violet does that thing again, where she glides her fingers down my cheek and soothes me whether she is trying or not.
“I prefer lying in bed, wearing your shirt, and reading a book while you go over hockey articles… The cookies were a nice touch, though.” Her honesty creating the perfect answer slays me every time.
She seals her sentimentality by tipping her mouth up to kiss me. “Declan,” she purrs against my lips.
“Hmm?” I return the move.
“I…” she begins then pauses for a second. Whatever thought she had leaves, and she kisses me again, this time with a little more fire.
We make a good team that way. We both give and take, letting the moment lead, but always ending with both of us satisfied.
It’s a balance.
For the first time in a long time, I feel grounded, and that’s a damn fine feeling.
“We’re really just going to wing it?” Violet asks as we walk through the sports complex. There are people here, but it’s by no means busy.
My shoulders slack. “I guess. Is there a good way to say, ‘Hey buddy, I’m seeing your sister, and that’s been happening for a while now. By the way, she gives amazing head’?” While I’m serious, it’s only on the surface. She is amazing but for so many reasons not even related to her talents in bed.
She playfully nudges my arm. “I feel like we should have prepared ourselves for this a little more. Oh well, I see him up ahead by the entrance to the ice.” Violet now seems a little anxious, but I think it’s more because she’s been waiting all week for us to do this, not so much because she’s worried for Ford’s reaction.
We both assess the scene and notice that Ford has his arms crossed as he watches his son on the ice.
Connor brakes with his skates. “Is that better?”
Ford narrows his eyes at his son. “Connor, I don’t care how you play today, not every moment is about preparing for a hockey career. I’m more concerned that you’re tired, and I’m wondering if you were really home in your room at midnight last night.”
“You’re always on my case,” Connor rebuffs and begins to toss the puck side to side with his stick.
“Because you threw a party,” Ford exclaims, with his hands coming out.
“That was weeks ago!” Connor counters before he skates away.
Violet and I approach Ford with caution. “All good?” Violent touches Ford’s shoulder. “I thought we were past the timeline for party punishment.”
He sighs. “Oh, we were. That was until I discovered he borrowed my Jaguar when I was sleeping the other weekend.” Ford gives us a forced smile. “What brings you two here? Did you run into one another on the way in?” he wonders.
Ford and I look out on the ice and see Connor make a sharp swing with his stick, and the puck lands in the net. Damn, that guy is fast and sharp.
Connor skates back to us. “Look what we have here.” He waves sheepishly as his eyes bounce between Violet and me.
Violet isn’t having it, and she rolls her eyes. “Heard you’ve been giving your dad a hard time.” She gives her nephew a knowing glare in a fun sort of way. He knows she loves him like crazy.
“Dad’s being unreasonable.”
I reach out to nudge his arm in comfort. “It’s his job,” I reiterate the obvious. “Good move out there. You should try coming a little more from the left.”
Connor fumes, and his face turns hard. “I don’t need your critique.”
Violet interjects. “Cool down, he was giving you a compliment and a pointer.”
Ford shakes his head at Connor. “I don’t know what’s up with you, but I think we’ll wrap up this session,” he suggests, circling his finger in the air and huffing a breath.
Connor throws his stick on purpose.
“Why don’t you skate it off and let your dad have a moment,” I suggest.
Biggest fucking mistake ever.
Connor drives his sight to Ford. “Dad.” He grabs his attention. “Declan and Aunt Violet are hooking up.”
Violet’s face drops, and I shake my head that this is how this is going to unravel.
“What?” Ford stammers.
“Yeah, and Declan threatened my career,” Connor proudly announces before skating off.
Violet puffs out a long breath before she drops her head to hands. “That’s not… not what Declan did.”
My jaw clenches side to side as I take in the fact that a hormonal teenager just outed us.
Ford’s fists form balls as they hang by his sides, and he turns his gaze sharply to me. “What the hell is my son talking about?”
I scratch the back of my head then sigh, as the best way forward right now is to own up to the situation. “Violet and I…” I take her hand to make a statement. “We’re together.”
Ford’s eyes laser focus on our hands. “What?”
“Ford, don’t be ridiculous,” Violet says. “We’re adults, and we’re allowed to see one another.”
“How?” he grits out. “How did this happen?”
“We ran into one another that one time at the stadium a few months back, and then we…” My face screws up. “A murder mystery party.” I throw that out there, and Violet tries hard to hide her chortle.
“The colonel in the kitchen with the wrench kind of thing,” she adds.