Page 16 of My One & Goalie

We walk out of the office and head over to her SUV.

“Thank you, Xander. Truly.”

“You’re welcome. I confess—I have an ulterior motive.”

“Oh?”

“I wanted to spend more time with you.”

Her eyes widen, her pulse fluttering in her long neck. I inch closer to her, close enough to feel her warm breath on my face.She smells like vanilla, and I vaguely wonder if she tastes as good as she smells.

Probably.

Only one way to find it. I drop my hands to her hips and her breath hitches as I move into her space, pulling her body up against mine. Then I press my mouth to hers in a soft, sweet kiss.

Tender. Gentle.

So not Xander Kovac.

A quiet moan vibrates my lips and I tease her with my tongue, licking along the seam. She does taste like vanilla, and it’s delicious. She opens to me and I slide in, sweeping along the straight line of her teeth, our tongues tangling.

My hands move from her hips to her round, perky ass and I squeeze. She giggles and I fucking love it. I want to make this woman laugh all the time, just so I can listen to that sweet melodic tinkle. I want to get lost in that sound.

Lost in her.

She pulls away, breathless. “I have to go. I’m late for work.”

“Oh, right. Work.” I try to hide my disappointment. “Can I take you out later? Drinks? Dinner?”

She hesitates, gnawing at her slightly swollen lower lip. “I want to say yes?—”

“Then say yes.”

“But I shouldn’t. I have a son I’m responsible for. You’re a star hockey player with a life. A real life, not a boring domestic one in Starlight Bay. We shouldn’t.” She steps away from me, out of my grip, and I’m instantly cold.

Frozen, from the inside out.

Heart pounding, I shrug off the disappointment, my mask clicking into place. “Yeah, I get it. You’re probably right. I’ll see you at practice.”

Her face falls for an instant, but she recovers quickly and forces a quick smile. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

Climbing into her SUV, I wait as she starts the engine. It roars to life and she reverses out of the spot, shooting me a quick wave.

I stand in the empty lot and watch as the red taillights fade into the distance, an empty pit gnawing at my gut.

I know she’s right—things between us would be impossibly complicated—but the knowledge doesn’t stop the wave of sadness from washing over me.

Rachel’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time—since I signed with the Blades—and I let her drive off without a fight.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I’m losing my edge, both on and off the ice. And I don’t like it one little bit.

CHAPTER 8

XANDER

Igrind at the gym the rest of the morning, trying to work off my frustration. At the suspension, Coach, the recent string of losses.