Chapter 7
Alexander
I’m pounding away at the punching bag, working out with Noah, when I sense her.
It’s as if I have a built-in Sarah radar that alerts me whenever she’s nearby.
I keep hitting the bag, knowing she probably has a view of my sweaty back. I’ve never been happier to be shirtless, hoping it will make her more savage for me.
I’m a sweaty mess, but my muscles are on display as I hit the bag repeatedly. I pause for a moment, turning around to wipe off some sweat.
When I catch her stare, I shoot her a smirk.
Gotcha, angel.
She quickly shifts her eyes elsewhere, trying to make it seem like she wasn’t ogling me.
She might want me to believe she isn’t feeling the pull and tension between us. I can tell I make her feel out of control, and it’s exhilarating.
She makes me feel out of control as well, but in the best way.
I want to strip her of that control, and something tells me I’ll need to push quite hard and long to get through to her.
Sarah is a woman who depends on being in charge, but when I cornered her in that bar, her true desires were evident.
She loved it. Craved it.
However, she would probably prefer to fall dead than admit that I bring out that side of her.
What she doesn’t realize, though, is that I’m a very persistent man, and I’ll make her every desire come true when she’s ready.
Until then, I’ll keep up our game until she’s ready to come out and play for real.
Sarah continues down the corridor with another teammate. She holds several meetings with players each week, many of them in our lounge.
When she suggested we meet in an office, I was a little surprised.
Part of me thought she would insist on meeting in the lounge, a public space where people can walk by at any time. Being alone together always heightens our chemistry, so I was surprised but happy when she suggested that.
Another part of me thinks this might be another tactic to beat me at my own game—bringing me to her turf instead of the other way around.
In an office in the PR department, she seems most at home.
Intentionally, I wanted to take her out for dinner under the guise of a social media meeting, but I decided she would get this victory.
There will be plenty of time for meetings.
I plan to have Sarah very involved in my social media, and since I’m the team captain, she will have no choice but to dedicate quite a bit of time to me.
I’ve never been more grateful for my title.
It may be a little cunning, but I’m not above using some of my perks to spend more time with her.
Thursday is still two days away. It feels like a form of self-torture to drag out the wait for our meeting, but my responsibilities pile up each day.
When I meet with Sarah, I want to enjoy our time together, knowing I won’t have to rush off to another appointment.
I also wanted to give her some time to process Friday night’s events.
Our interaction at the bar, as well as the car ride back to her dorm, definitely left an impression on me.
Knowing that the sex talk made her flustered adds to the many layers of tension between us, and I plan to add to those layers.
We’re also heading out tonight for an away game. Fortunately, it’s nearby, so we’re all taking the bus to Milwaukee.
Usually, many team members book private jets, including me.
Still, the coach insisted that when we can travel together by bus, just like we did when we were younger, we should take that opportunity.
As the captain, I agreed with him and convinced the rest of the team to do the same—nothing like a bus ride to build some team spirit.
～
I’m one of the first guys on the bus, hoping I’ll catch the blonde who’s on my mind. The media team usually travels with us, so I expect her to do the same.
I find a seat in the first few rows, knowing the younger guys will have fun at the back of the bus.
Some guys never grow up, but I’m happy to have them and their jokes on my team as long as they perform.
If they give me a headache once in a while for being loud and obnoxious, I’ll handle it.
At 28, I’m in the older group of men on our team, so I sit in the front, where it’s nice, quiet, and calm.
Noah is the same age as me, but will probably join the loud crew in the back. Liam, our goalie, enters the bus, and I greet him.
“Hey, man.” Liam is more like me in that he also likes to keep to himself.
That, and he’s one of the best goalies in the NHL. Our chances of winning the Stanley Cup are significantly increased with such a good player in goal.
“Hey, man.” He settles into the seat in the row opposite me.
Whenever someone boards the bus, I hope it’s Sarah.
As the bus fills up and I start to think she might not show, but then, she steps on, accompanied by Samantha.
Her gaze falls on me, and even though I’m tempted to offer her the seat beside me, I realize that would send her running—baby steps and all.
“Evening, ladies,” I say, tipping my imaginary hat at them, making Sarah roll her eyes and Samantha chuckle.
At least one of them finds me amusing.
“Evening, captain,” Sarah responds, which makes me smile.
She’s still so persistent with that nickname.
I can’t wait for her to say my name—preferably when I make her come on my fingers or my tongue.
They continue down the rows, and I go back to my phone.
“You seeing the new girl?” Liam asks me, making me look up. He’s wearing a smug smile, clearly catching on to the tension between Sarah and me.
“Not yet,” I tell him simply, which makes him narrow his eyes.
“Are you even allowed to do that?” he asks, and I know Liam is asking for his own interest in a certain redhead.
The other guys may not have seen the way he looks at Samantha, but I have.
“As far as I’m concerned, there are no rules against it, so you could finally make a move on the redhead if that’s what you’re wondering,” I say, making him shut up real quick.
They’ve been tiptoeing around each other for as long as I can remember, and even though I’ve never directly asked him about it, I’ve hinted at it a few times, and he never denies his interest.
He never seems to make a move either, which makes me wonder.
After an hour on the bus, I need to stretch my legs. I get up from my seat and turn around, scanning the rows to find Sarah.
Some guys are sleeping, while others are playing cards.
I spot Sarah about eight rows behind my seat, and she’s writing in her notebook, probably working.
Always working, just like me.
Samantha seems to be sleeping next to her, and I stop by their row, noticing how she swallows and presses her pen a little harder into her book.
“Preparing for our big meeting on Thursday, angel?” I ask her softly. I don’t really want anyone on the team hearing my nickname for her.
She closes her notebook and looks up at him with determination in her eyes.
“No, captain. I’m actually working on my notes for all the other players, you know, those who’ve already taken the time to meet with me.”
Her dig at me only makes me more satisfied that I’ve dragged out our meeting, knowing she’s probably eager to get it over with so she can move past this.
She won’t be rid of me after our meeting on Thursday.
Not happening, angel.
“Well, I’ll make sure the wait is going to be worth it,” I tell her before I turn and stroll back to my seat.
Double meanings are quickly becoming my specialty with this woman.
Our small interactions are becoming the favourite part of my day. When we get to the stadium, it’s game time and I’m ready to bring home another win with my team.