Chapter 8
Sarah
We’re watching the press conference ahead of the game, and since Alexander is the dedicated captain, he is the centre of attention.
He exudes confidence in himself, his team, and their abilities.
When he speaks, the whole room is focused on him. He leads by example and is well respected among his teammates and across the NHL.
His commanding presence makes me wonder how authoritative he can be in other ways, too.
Seeing him work out earlier today, shirtless and sweaty, sent my lady parts into a panic.
That was an image I didn’t need when I’m trying to get past my attraction to the man.
His muscles on full display, his strength as he pounded into the bag, his back muscles flexing, and sweat running down from his hairline and down his body.
I stop my train of thought before it goes further.
Nope, Sarah, you’re not going down that road again.
Whenever I think I’ve regained some control, he makes an appearance or says something, and I become unbalanced again.
His appeal and good looks are making several women in the room swoon, and I can’t really blame them, considering my own thoughts.
Maybe he’ll find someone to relieve his tension with, and he will leave me alone.
As soon as the idea crosses my mind, I feel a weight in my stomach, but push it down, knowing it’s for the best.
He told me himself that he’s been busy with work over the past few months and hasn’t even been able to have sex to relieve the tension.
Considering all the longing looks the women in this room are sending his way, he certainly can end his dry spell if he wants to.
The press conference ends, and I leave the room with Samantha.
Just as we’re turning the corner, I see one of the female reporters who was ogling Alexander walk up to him with a dazzling smile on her face. Before I get the chance to watch their interaction, we’ve already turned the corner.
It’s not like I could stay back and watch like a creep. But part of me is dying to see if he takes her up on her offer.
This is what I wanted.
He will be approached by a beautiful woman, who will likely be willing to help him with all his frustrations, probably leaving me alone.
Even though that’s what my head keeps telling me I want, the sinking feeling in my chest tells a different story.
～
We’re watching the game, and the guys are bringing their A-game, on track for another win.
They’re close to securing a spot in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup, as long as they don’t mess up near the finish line. The NHL regular season runs from October to April.
After that, the top 16 teams will move on to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Chicago Coyotes are getting closer to the Cup, improving each year. If they make it to the playoffs, it will make the season even more exciting for my internship, so I’ve got all my fingers crossed.
Even without the playoffs, there will still be lots of exciting things happening, but hopefully, this will make the experience even better.
The guys and their social media profiles will also benefit from the extra attention they’ll get if they reach that stage. So far, our strategies are working well.
We’re seeing growth on most platforms, and our content is performing strongly. I’ve been meeting with several of them each week to review ideas and plan, making things easier and more predictable for both them and me.
I didn’t lie when I told Alexander that he’s the only one who hasn’t made time for me yet.
I’ve met with all the other players at least once. He may have a busy schedule, but something tells me he likes to drag this out to mess with me, too.
Still, I’m ready to get our meeting over with on Thursday. I’ve been researching his profiles and noticed he mostly posts about hockey, like many other players.
Still, he has a large following, including many women.
Nothing excites us more than a sweaty, testosterone-fuelled man playing hockey.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, Alexander makes a perfect shot, right into the net, causing the arena to erupt with cheers as the guys celebrate on the ice.
I sigh, pondering how difficult it will be to get over my attraction to a man who is so remarkable in many ways.
The Coyotes secure another victory, and once our responsibilities behind the camera are finished, we head back to the bus.
Several players are staying at a hotel for the night, since four hours on a bus in a single day isn’t ideal for high-performing athletes. Include that most of them are well over 6 feet tall. Even with a nice bus like the one the team has; there’s not much room for their long legs.
I’m sitting in my seat, wondering if the team captain will make an appearance.
I hate to admit it, but my curiosity is piqued, knowing he probably has a standing offer with the woman from the press conference.
Maybe with any willing woman in that arena, to be honest.
We’re nearing drive-off, and he still hasn’t come.
That sinking feeling in my stomach intensifies, and I’m angry at myself.
I have no reason to feel this way.
We might have a connection and chemistry that burns brighter than any flame, but I should know better than to lust after a man I can’t be with.
I should be grateful he’s working out his tensions with someone else.
Still, the last thing I feel right now is gratitude.
No matter what I tell myself, there’s a voice in my head that keeps reminding me how amazing we could be together.
Our chemistry alone makes my heart race; just a single glance my way ignites it. Imagine how he’d make me feel—with his touch, lips, and body.
Just as the driver announces we’re leaving, I hear a voice calling from outside the bus.
“Hold up!” Alexander jogs onto the bus, freshly showered and dressed in a black tracksuit. His hair is damp, and when my eyes meet his, the breath of relief escapes before I have the chance to stop it.
He’s not with another woman.
His smile is dazzling as he spots me and comes right over, then slumps into the seat next to mine.
“I may be hallucinating, but you almost looked happy to see me, angel.”
Of course, he would catch my expression; nothing slips past this man.
“You must be hallucinating,” I reply with a playful smile, making him snicker.
Being so close to him makes my skin tingle and my heart race. Add his intoxicating scent, which fills my senses, and I feel the effects of Alexander all over.
“Maybe we could just have our meeting now,” I suggest, desperate to distract my mind and body from how he’s making me feel.
If we work, I’ll have something to focus on besides his good looks and attractive personality.
He shakes his head at me before replying.
“Nice try, angel. There will be no work conversation. This is my free time. You’ll have to wait with that until our meeting on Thursday.”
I sink further into my seat, contemplating my options.
Of course, he doesn’t want to spend his time working.
I wouldn’t suggest it in the first place if he didn’t affect me as much as he does.
Maybe I could ask him to change seats.
The bus has a lot of empty rows; I’m sure he could find somewhere else to sit. I could make up an excuse that I have to work, and with his big body and long legs, he’s taking up space I could use for my stuff.
I wasn’t planning on working on this trip, seeing as I’m exhausted from the long day, but he doesn’t know that.
Then, there’s the part of me that truly enjoys having him all close. He seems more relaxed and laid-back after their win, and I decide I can handle this.
“Congratulations on your game, you played marvellously,” I say, and his smile is breathtaking when he looks at me. He really has a beautiful smile.
“A compliment? Now I’m almost 100% sure I’m hallucinating.” He jokes, making me roll my eyes at him.
I’m not above praising him for his good game; he leads the team beautifully.
“Yeah, you probably are,” I tell him, my smile matching his own.
We fall into a comfortable conversation, and I begin to learn more about Alexander McGregor.
Not the hockey captain, but the man beneath that role.
He’s the oldest of three brothers, which makes him the responsible one in his family. According to him, his younger brothers, Braden and Cameron, are always up to no good, so Alexander ended up cleaning up their messes when they grew up.
“Sure, you never did anything wrong, mister perfect?” I ask him.
“Oh, I did plenty, I was just better at hiding it.” He winks at me, sending the butterflies flying in my stomach.
He prefers to keep to himself, and when he’s not on the road or busy with work, he enjoys visiting museums to learn about history.
After he made it to the NHL and became a well-known figure, his interest in history took a backseat, as fans often approached him, and he valued some peace away from the NHL spotlight.
I can’t imagine how it must feel to have your life turned around like that—going from having interests and hobbies you value, to having to stop them due to people coming up to you.
Alexander seems content with the changes, grateful to live his dream and make time for his interests in other ways.
Now, he enjoys watching documentaries and reading books.
We share a love of reading, but our preferred genres are quite different.
Whereas he likes to read about new inventions and hidden gems of the world, I want to read romance novels featuring dominant alpha males and swoon-worthy plots.
It’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day.
“You like reading books?” he asks me when he finishes talking about his history hobby.
“Yeah, I do. It’s a nice escape,” I reply.
He eyes me intensely; his gaze momentarily fixed on my lips before he responds.
“I bet you like to read those books with the sexy men on the cover.”
He’s not far from the truth.
Some of my books have spicy covers, featuring men with ripped muscles and good looks.
Similar to him, actually.
He could have had a successful career as a model if hockey hadn’t worked out for him.
It’s the inside that really holds the heat, though.
I shrug my shoulders.
“A lady never tells.”
That makes him look even more intrigued, and I get the feeling he’s going to find out what kind of books I read.