Chapter 4
Sarah
I’m furious as I leave the hotel of the powerful Alexander McGregor.
It turned into a memorable meeting, just not in the way I expected.
What an asshole, thinking I’m an escort?! Not that there’s anything wrong with being an escort, but still.
How could he jump to that conclusion?
For what feels like the millionth time since I stormed off, I look down at my outfit.
I’m wearing one of my power jumpsuits. And while I agree it’s more on the daring side of my stylish wardrobe, it’s still very professional.
It’s not like I was standing in that hallway in my trench coat and underwear, even though I might as well have been with the looks Alexander McGregor was giving me.
At first, I was stunned by his initial interest and curious gaze.
When it became clear how genuinely interested he was, I quickly recovered and suppressed any desire or interest in the man.
Just as I had feared, he was every dark craving wrapped up in a handsome package of a man.
I shake my head, stupid hormones and bodily reactions.
That’s all it is. It’s just been a while since I’ve been with a man, no big deal.
At first, I couldn’t believe I actually slapped him. I’m not a physical person, but it kind of just happened.
God.
What came over me?
What if he reports me for physical assault?
Hitting the team captain wasn’t really in my plan when I woke up this morning.
I call Jessica, and I’m relieved when she picks up.
“Hey girl!”
I huff, and she asks me what’s going on, so I immediately start telling her about my run-in with Alexander.
“I just met the biggest fucking asshole ever. Seriously, I thought the guys playing in the NHL were men, but as far as I’m concerned, they’re a bunch of babies.” I may be a little quick to judge them all based on their captain’s actions, but I’m angry and need to get this off my chest.
There will be time for rational thoughts later.
“I’ve been working my butt off to create media strategies for the different players, based on the information the team has given me.
Most of my meetings with the players have gone well, but today I was meeting with the team’s captain, Alexander McGregor, and he accused me of being a fucking prostitute!
” I almost yell toward the end of my rant, and Jessica shrinks into the phone.
“What?!” I keep telling Jessica about the situation, even sending her a picture of my outfit so she’ll confirm that I look chic and daring, yet still professional and sharp.
“Oh god Jess, what if he reports me for physical assault? This whole internship might be over before it even starts.”
I’ve reached my car, but I keep pacing outside, not quite ready to sit still yet.
“Calm down, Sarah. He was the first to assault you by calling you a hooker.”
Yeah, that makes sense.
He was the first to screw up; I shouldn’t worry about this.
I try to calm my racing heart as Jessica continues being the best friend ever, assuring me that I have nothing to worry about.
When I finally settle down, I ask her to distract me and tell me about her and Luke. I settle into my car and start driving back toward the arena as Jessica tells me all about the wonderful oral sex she received.
I sigh on my end of the line, happy that at least one of us is getting some action.
It makes me happy to hear the joy Jessica radiates and how Luke makes her feel.
Even though it’s still early and she has her doubts, I can tell she already cares for this guy.
I park my car outside the arena, get out, and head to the entrance, where I wave to Clarissa.
Jessica has always been the more cautious one when it comes to guys—moving carefully, afraid she’ll get her heart broken.
As for me, I usually dive right in, but on my own terms.
I like to keep guys at a certain distance, and some would say I can be cold. It’s not the first time an ex has called me that.
I know what I want, and if he doesn’t give it to me, then we’re done—simple as that. I may have never experienced the big, great love, but I’m okay with that.
Just as I make my way to our department, Henry calls me in for a meeting, and I quickly run into the office to drop off my coat.
“I have to go, Jessica, meeting time. Hopefully it’s not my dismissal on the agenda!” I say quietly into the phone before hanging up and heading into the office.
I grab my notebook and make my way into Henry’s office.
He gestures for me to take a seat in the chair in front of his desk.
I sit down and feel my nerves rising, but quickly realize this is more of a catch-up than a serious meeting.
“Tell me, Sarah, how has everything been these first few weeks?” Henry is all smiles, and I relax into the chair.
“It’s been really good. I’m almost through with all the initial meetings with the players and have a strategy plan moving forward with their social media,” I tell him.
Aside from the whole McGregor incident today, everything has been going well.
Even though some players aren’t very interested in social media, they’ve still agreed to at least try some of my suggestions and step slightly outside their comfort zones.
“That’s good to hear. Your work so far is excellent, Sarah, so keep up what you’re already doing.”
We discuss the broader strategies they have in place for the team to ensure I’m aligned with my individual plans.
When we finish, I go back to our office and find Samantha there.
“Hey girlie, how did the meeting go with the captain?” she asks me, and luckily, she keeps her eyes on her computer, so she misses my reaction at the mention of him.
I’m unsure if I should tell her about this mess, but she’s been so welcoming and is quickly becoming a friend, I can confide in.
I bite my lip, and when I take my time answering, Samantha spins around in her chair.
“Spill.” I close our door and sit down in the lounge area, Samantha following me.
“Well, he accused me of being an escort, and I kind of slapped him across his face and stormed off, so I wouldn’t say it went great,” I tell her, waiting for her reaction.
She starts laughing hysterically, and part of the dread in my stomach lifts.
Maybe this isn’t as bad as I thought.
“Oh my god. I wish I were a fly on the wall for this interaction. Tell me all about it.”
I tell her about him opening the door, whistling at me, which makes me cringe.
What a horndog.
Then I tell her that he thought Noah had sent me over as a present for him before the infamous slap across the face, me explaining my real job, and me storming off before I inflicted any more physical or verbal harm.
I leave out the way his gaze made my heart race and skin tingle, before it all went south.
I glance down at my outfit again, unsure if it’s too daring, but Samantha just scoffs at that.
“Like hell. Obviously, you look stunning, but you always do. In his defence, he’s been swamped, and his wishful thinking got the best of him. Very unlike Alexander, I must say. You must have made quite an impression on him,” Samantha says, and I feel the prickling on my skin again.
Even though I’m confident my outfit isn’t too much, it still feels good to have Samantha confirm it.
“Yeah, I don’t know how we’ll go forward, though. What if he reports me for physical assault?” I ask her, and she shakes her head at me.
“I know Alexander, he would never do that when he’s obviously in the wrong here. Just give it some time, I’m sure it will all be good with time.”
Once we’ve covered all the aspects of the situation, we get back to work, and I feel better knowing he probably won’t report me.
Hopefully, we can forget this ever happened.
When I go over my notes for one of the players, I see that I’ve missed his position on the ice. I search for it, but don’t find all the information I’m looking for.
I’ll manage their profiles; it’s crucial to have the correct information.
In the players’ area, the latest team setups are on display, so I head over to snap a picture of the chart to stay up to date.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Samantha as I head out the door toward the players’ area.
When I arrive, I see several of the guys leaving the workout area. They’ve been warming up before practice on the ice.
“Hey, Sarah!” Noah calls, and I wave back at him and the group before turning back to the chart on the wall.
“Anything I can help you with?” His presence ignites my body, my breath catches in my throat.
He’s probably standing over a meter behind me, but it feels like he just draped his broad body across mine.
His voice is dark and low in my ears, making my hands tremble as I lift my phone to take the picture.
Damn him for making me feel so out of control. There is just something about him.
“I don’t know, captain, how well do you actually know this team and the positions people have?” I can’t help but let the dig out at him.
I don’t dare to turn around just yet, knowing that if I have his eyes on me, I will lose some of my confidence.
Even though we obviously should cut through this charade, there’s also something exhilarating about it all.
He chuckles in my ear, and I lose some of my bravado at the sound.
Even his laugh is sexy.
God, I’m in so much trouble here.
I try to keep my hands steady as I take my picture of the chart, then turn around and face him.
Alexander towers over me, and his gaze is intense as he looks down into my eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.
His eyes are magnetic, drawing me into the depths of beautiful blues.
Just as he opens his mouth to answer me, one of his teammates calls out to him.
“Captain, remember there is a fine to be paid if you’re late.” He curses softly under his breath, and I’m relieved when he gives me one last lingering look before joining his teammates.
When they’re out of sight, I let out a huge breath.
I should be grateful that his teammates interrupted us, but another part of me, the one that should be kept at bay, really wanted to hear what he was going to say.
Being in the presence of Alexander McGregor certainly is something else.
～