Page 113 of Timelessly Ours
“Oh, I like you.” She waves her arm at nearby servers. “Let’s get some champagne. Yoohoo.”
Nicole’s eyes widen and she stretches a hand. “Here, let me.” She finds one with the flutes and catches his eye, then smiles brightly, holding up two fingers.
The waiter holds out the tray to Nicole but she shakes her head. “Oh, I’m alright. Thank you.” Then extends a hand at the couple across us.
Jessica scoffs. “Not drinking? Jesus, why bother going out?”
Grove attempts to discreetly shake his head at his wife.
My woman doesn’t miss a beat. “For the pretty dresses, of course.”
“We’ll see you two around,” I say to the couple, then slip my arm around Nicole’s waist, leading her a few feet away.
I glance around us before dipping my head slightly. “You want to explain to me why a fucking nobody like Grove’s wife just insulted you and you bent over backwards for her?”
“I’m just…being the type of woman you’re expected to be with. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“I brought the real Nicole Kane out with me tonight. Don’t make me have to fuck her out of you.”
30
My pulse spikes and my stomach flips all at once at his tempting threat. I blink up at him. He can’t possibly be serious. My expression must give away my thoughts because his blue eyes shine wickedly.
“You heard me,” he whispers.
I lick my lips and swallow. “Alright.”
I’m about to ask him what the hell he expects me to do or act like when someone else calls his name.
“Royce.”
I plaster a smile and we turn. A very good-looking man I know I’ve seen before with a woman I likely haven’t, approach us.
“Jeffrey,” Royce acknowledges with a sincere charm which tells me he respects the man.
Of course. This is Jeff Granger, one of the owners of the Blades. And I’m supposed to act myself now? Is he for real?
Royce tilts his head to the man’s date. A stunning woman with a blonde bob, slender figure and poised in a way that just screams rich. “Marisa, you look lovely, as always.”
She smiles appreciatively. “You never seem to have a bad day, yourself.” She winks playfully then glances at me.
Royce puts his hand on my back. “You might remember Nicole Kane, she’s our team captain’s twin sister.”
Marisa scans me subtly. “I’ve heard the name.”
Jeff extends his hand. “Nicole, a pleasure. Your brother has some serious skill on the ice.”
I scoff, dryly. “If he did, he wouldn’t have broken his nose three times last season.”
Jeff and Marisa laugh, and Coach squeezes my waist, tossing me a smirk.
Marisa catches it. “Are you two here together?”
“Yes, Nicole is my date tonight.”
Tonight? He makes it sound like I’m an escort.
Is that what he needs them to believe? Did Marisa’s mention that she heard my name before make him rethink this whole, I want you to just be you?