Chapter Two Kodiak
ZANDER
“Congratulations, you guys,” I say. “I’m really happy for you both.”
Grace practically throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Thank you for being here with us,” she says, looking up at me with her bright blue eyes. Strands of her dark brown hair have fallen from her elaborate updo and are framing her pretty face, making her look like a fairy princess with her lacey white gown.
“Yeah man, seriously. We’re so glad you made it,” Jensen teases, slapping my shoulder, his green eyes twinkling with amusement… and whiskey. His dark hair is slightly mussed and he long abandoned his tux coat. Usually when he gets this sweaty, hockey is involved.
It’s close to midnight, and the party is starting to wind down.
Jensen and Grace are heading into the hotel to spend the night in the honeymoon suite, and lots of the other couples are following their lead, including my teammate Owen and his girl Stacey, as well as Carson and his lady, Skyler.
We’re all standing together at the edge of the dancefloor.
Jensen and Grace are saying quick goodbyes to their guests, and they hurry off once Grace finishes hugging the other girls.
“Whew, can hardly believe they’re finally married,” Carson whistles, slipping his arm around Skyler’s shoulders.
He and Grace are twins, so he has the same dark hair and blue eyes as she does, but whereas she is small and adorable, he’s tall and jacked - which is good, given he’s our team’s goalie.
We need a brick wall standing between the puck and our net.
“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Skyler agrees with a grin, snuggling closer to Carson’s side. “Now the married couple can go fuck each other’s brains out to consumate their blessed union.”
Yep, that’s a classic Skyler comment, right there.
I feel a small pang in my chest at the sight.
Skyler is a gorgeous nerd, which is right up my alley.
For a hot minute, we were almost a thing, but deep down, she’d been in love with Carson since they were kids.
I never stood a chance, and that’s okay, because they’re great with one another.
Stacey sighs and looks up at Owen, the newest member of our team. “We should head up to bed. Your mom took Millie up a while ago, and I want to check on her.”
Owen gives Stacey a kiss on her forehead. “You got it, baby. Night guys.”
We say goodnight as the two peel off and head toward the hotel, walking hand-in-hand.
“I love seeing those two together,” Skyler murmurs. “After everything they went through, they deserve to be happy.”
Carson and I nod in agreement.
“We should head up to bed too,” Carson says, grinning down at Skyler. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” she nods, then looks over at me. “Are you going to hang out a bit longer?”
“Yeah,” I reply with a chuckle. “I’m gonna keep an eye on Jayce and Wilder. Make sure they don’t end up so drunk they go streaking into the ocean… again.”
She gives me a soft smile. “You’re such a good guy, Zan. Good night.”
“Good night.”
I watch the two turn and make their way to the hotel, and I’m suddenly painfully aware of being alone. As happy as I am for my friends who have found love and happiness, there’s a part of me that’s a little bit… well, okay, I’ll admit it. I’m jealous. I want to have that same companionship.
Sighing, I turn back to gaze out over the dancefloor. It’s only the single people left, most likely holding out hope that they don’t have to go to bed alone tonight.
Personally, I’m not on the prowl or anything.
I’ve been tired of playing the field for quite awhile now.
Truth be told, I’d much rather have what Jensen, Carson, and Owen have - a solid relationship and a good woman who loves me.
Instead, I’m out here making sure Wilder and Jayce don’t make total asses of themselves.
Lingering on the edge of the reception area, I grab a bottle of water from the bar and drink it as I watch Wilder and Jayce grinding against a couple of girls who clearly love the attention. Seems I’ll probably be about the only one actually getting some sleep tonight.
Finishing the water, I sigh and look back at the hotel, wondering if I should just go on up to my room. There doesn’t seem to be any need for me to stay…
“Yo, Zander! Hold up.”
Turning, I’m surprised to see Tyler making a beeline for me from the dance floor.
“Hey,” I say when he reaches me. “What’s up, man?”
Tyler jerks his thumb over his shoulder and asks, “Can you do me a solid? Will you look after Rylee for me?”
I tense and look past him, spotting her in the middle of the dance floor, spinning around with her friend, Sutton, another hottie with brown hair with a pop of teal underneath and legs that go on for days.
Looking back at Tyler, I say, “Um… I guess I can. Why?”
Tyler gives me a shrug and a small grin before explaining, “I have to get to bed. I have an early morning flight. Rylee’s had a good amount to drink, and I just want to make sure she gets back to her room okay.”
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I mutter, “She’ll probably miss you if you don’t say goodbye”
Tyler chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, looking a bit uncomfortable.
“Yeah, I know. Don’t get me wrong, Rylee’s a nice girl. She’s just… not really my type, you know? I don’t want to lead her on, but I also don’t want to piss off my new sister-in-law by not looking after her friend. So, would you mind making sure she gets in all right?”
My heart is hammering in my chest. The last thing I want to do is play babysitter to that wild card, but I also don’t want to be a jerk and leave her to her own devices when she’s so plastered. Sighing, I try to appear chill as I nod. “Yeah, sure. No problem. I’ve got her, man.”
Tyler sighs in relief and raises his hand to pound my knuckles with his. “You’re a lifesaver, dude. Thanks.”
With that, he slips past me and makes his way into the hotel.
Once he’s gone, I turn my attention to Rylee.
Her hair has completely come loose and is falling in soft waves around her shoulders.
Suddenly, she stops dancing and looks around, pursing her lips together in concentration.
Her eyes lock on me, and her expression brightens again.
To my surprise, she rushes toward me and grabs my arm, wrapping herself around me like a drunk koala.
“Hey! Do you know where Tyler went?” she asks, looking around as if expecting him to pop out of the bushes at any moment.
She’s pressing her breasts against my arm, which momentarily short circuits my brain.
At length, I manage to choke out, “Uh… he left… ”
“He did?” She frowns for a moment but then shrugs. “Oh, well. Come dance with me, handsome.”
Off her fucking rocker.
I shake my head and ask, “Do you even know who I am?”
She shrugs again and takes my hand, dragging me with her as she goes back to the dance floor. I go with her because I’m not about to fight with a drunk girl - I’ve seen how vicious they can get.
When we’re standing among the other remaining guests, she turns and shoves her ass up against me, grinding on me as she throws her arms in the air.
“Fuck,” I hiss, tensing and willing my cock to behave. How the hell did I get myself in this situation?
When her movements get to be a little too wild, I drop my hands onto her hips to hold her steady.
She freezes and looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes hooded and her plump lips parted.
We stare at each other for a long moment, the tension between us hot and suffocating.
She slips her hands down her sides and lays them over mine, and heat shoots through me.
I flex my fingers and she lets out a little whimper.
Fuuuuuuck me.
“Shots!” Sutton suddenly shouts, breaking the trance Rylee and I are locked in.
As if we hadn’t just been eye-fucking each other, Rylee slips from my grasp with an excited yell.
“Shots, shots, shots!” she screams, rushing toward Sutton, who somehow has acquired a whole tray of shot glasses with clear liquid in them.
Alarm bells start going off in my head. The last thing Rylee needs right now is more liquor. I chase after her and reach her before she reaches Sutton, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her back.
“That’s enough for you, Wild Card,” I sigh.
She wiggles against me. Damn her and her luscious ass!
“Lemme go!” she whines, reaching out toward Sutton like a baby fighting to get to its favorite toy.
“Nope.” I spin her around, duck down, and scoop her up over my shoulder. “You’re done. It’s time for bed.”
She shrieks in delight and laughs as I carry her toward the hotel.
“Oh, my God!” she exclaims. “You’re so tall! Don’t drop me!”
Jesus Christ, I’ve never met someone who can go from pissed to excited so quickly. Her body bounces lightly against my shoulder, one arm dangling down my back, the other gripping the fabric of my jacket in a half-hearted protest.
“You’re going to regret this,” she says, voice muffled by my back.
“Highly doubtful,” I say, adjusting my grip on her legs as we pass under the canopy of twinkle lights marking the edge of the reception. Behind us, people cheer, and someone wolf-whistles. I give a lazy wave without looking back.
The hotel looms ahead, sleek and glowing under the dark Miami sky. As we hit the marble steps, she wiggles. “Seriously, put me down.”
“Not a chance,” I say, pulling open the glass door and marching into the air-conditioned lobby.
It’s quieter inside—cool, polished, all gleaming floors and soft lighting.
A few guests in cocktail attire glance our way, eyebrows raised, but no one says anything.
Her dress shifts as she moves, satin brushing my cheek.
I can feel her laughter vibrating through her stomach, right where it presses into my shoulder.
I head for the elevators, her fingers tapping against my back with every step.
“You’re ridiculous,” she says, but there’s no heat in it. Just amusement. Maybe something else too.
I press the button. The doors slide open. I step inside without missing a beat.
I don’t put her down, even as we ride the elevator up to her floor. It takes a little bit to get her to tell me her room number, but once I’ve got it from her, I head down the hall straight to it. She gives me her room key and I open the door, slipping inside before I set her back on her feet.
“Woah,” she gasps, grinning up at me. “You’re really strong.”
“Yeah.” I swallow, feeling suddenly too hot under the collar as I gaze down at her. “Well… good night.”
Turning, I make to leave, intent on getting as far away from her as fast as possible, but she stops me by grabbing my arm again and yanking me back to her.
“Don’t go,” she murmurs, slipping one hand up the front of my chest and wrapping her fingers around my tie. “Stay with me.”
Using my tie like a leash, she drags me further into the room.
“No,” I reply, shaking my head and taking hold of her wrist to try and pull her hand away. “That’s not going to happen.”
She pouts. “Why not?”
“You’re drunk.”
She gives me a flirtatious grin, running my tie through her fingers as she tilts her head to the side.
“I’m not drunk enough,” she counters. “Besides, we’re both consenting adults. I just want to have a little fun, and I bet you do too.”
I thought I knew what temptation meant before this moment, but staring down into her dark green eyes, her body pressed against me, I realize I’ve never had a fucking clue..
It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to shake my head and say, “It’s not a good idea, Rylee.”
Irritation flashes across her features and she drops my tie, stepping back and crossing her arms. It reminds me of how angry she was in the airport this morning, which oddly only turns me on more.
“Come on,” she purrs, arching a brow. “What’s a wedding without a good-old-fashioned hookup? Don’t tell me you don’t want me. I know you’ve been watching me all night. And I want you.”
I feel a pulse of anger course through me and I clench my jaw, glaring down at her.
“So you were intentionally ignoring me,” I growl.
That seems to delight her. She grabs my tie again and yanks me down into a hard, hungry kiss.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! I can’t resist kissing her back, moving my lips against hers and cupping the back of her head. Her hair is soft… her lips are soft… everything about her is so damn soft.
Our tongues tangle, and before I realize we’ve moved, we’re falling onto the bed together. She wraps her arms around my neck, holding me against her.
“More,” she whispers. “Please, give me more.”
I drop another hard kiss against her lips before moving down her body to drop to my knees on the floor. If I make her orgasm, that should calm her down. I won’t fuck her… but I’ll give her something.
Shoving her dress up to her waist, I’m shocked to find that she’s not wearing panties.
“What the hell?” I growl, looking up at her. “You were really banking on some willing dick tonight, huh?”
She grins down at me. “It’s never been too hard for me to find.”
For some reason, that pisses me off. Shoving her legs apart, I lower my head to her pussy and start eating her out with no mercy. No build-up. No soft kisses or teasing licks.
“Fuck!” she cries, arching her back off the bed. She grabs my hair and holds me tight against her. “That feels fucking incredible!”
That’s right. I want her to remember how good this was. The next time she’s with some other ‘willing dick,’ I want her to think about my mouth on her pussy, driving her crazy and making her cream.
The hell? Where did that thought come from?
I push it away and focus on the task at hand. She’s writhing on the bed, moaning and whimpering as I shove my tongue into her entrance before moving to wrap my lips around her clit. Her grip on my hair tightens to a painful degree, but I revel in her response.
“Fuck! I’m… I’m going to come!”
The next moment, her body seizes and her thighs squeeze around my head. She screams and writhes beneath my tongue, I don’t stop until her whole body goes lax. Standing, I give her a triumphant smirk as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
“How was that… ?” My words trail off when I realize her eyes are fluttering closed. I stare down at her for a moment as she struggles not to pass out, but I can tell it’s a losing battle. “Rylee?”
She moans, curling up onto her side. “Stay, Kodiak.”
I freeze. What the… did she just call me by another guy’s name?
Frustration and disappointment swirl through me, and I shake my head. Of course, she did. What was I expecting from her?
With a huff, I turn and storm out of the room, thankful that no one else ever has to know about the humiliating end to this night.