Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“You act like I ask them to follow me around,” he says, taking a sip of his drink. “Have you ever stopped to wonder what it's like to be trailed like that? Downright scary sometimes.”
I almost feel sorry for him, but the smirk he has on his face doesn't really give me empathetic vibes.
“I don't act like anything,” Reese says, taking another sip of her drink.
“Oh, yes you do, Reese’s Pieces,” he says. “I've just been trying to figure out what it is you have against me.”
My lips part, and I make eye contact with Lawson across the bar who’s been chatting with Torrington. “Oh, would you look at that, Lawson's calling me over to him. Bye,” I flash Reese a good luck smile, and head across the bar without a second glance back.
“Those two are going to tear each other apart one of these days,” I say by way of greeting as Lawson immediately tucks me into his side.
Torrington gives me a smile and a nod before heading off in another direction.
“I can't believe you left if there was a show starting,” Lawson says as I shift around to face him. “They're entertaining as hell.”
“Well, I did have other motivations coming over here,” I say, batting my eyelashes up at him.
“Is that right?”
“I have myself in a bit of a situation,” I say smoothing my hands over his sleek jacket. “I kind of think I need a hero.” I have a hard time keeping a straight face as I say it.
“Well you've come to the right place, my damsel,” he says. “Tell me what you need.”
The bar erupts into a loud countdown of ten…nine…
“I need a midnight kiss,” I say.
Lawson’s lips stretch wide with a smile that takes my breath away, and as the clock rolls down to one, he bends down and slants his mouth over mine.
Heat spirals through me, creating tendrils of tight need all over my body. It doesn't matter that he's given me a thousand kisses at this point, each one always has my heart racing. I fist the lapels of his suit jacket, bringing our bodies flush and kissing him back with all the intensity he's giving me.
The bar erupts into cheers as we break apart, everyone celebrating the new year. I smile, feeling whole and content in a way I never knew was possible. We have our Badger family, and we have each other, and that makes this new year filled with endless possibilities.
“Happy New Year,” he says, glancing around at his team. I follow his line of sight, my eyes grazing over our table which is now empty, and a quick scan of the place shows me no sign of Reese or Nash.
“With the way the season's going,” Lawson says, drawing my attention back to him. “I think it really could be ours.”
“Hmm,” I say, barely holding back my smile as he cocks a brow at me. “I think that depends.”
He holds me a little tighter. “On what exactly?”
“On just how much better you can get on your crossover start,” I say. “Your explosion could use a little work,” I tease, and he laughs.
“Good thing I have an expert coach at my disposal,” he says.
I playfully smack his chest. “I'm in high demand,” I say. “You'll have to make an appointment.”
He kisses me again with an expert insight that almost makes me forget what we're talking about entirely. He pulls back, nothing but love and mischief in his eyes. “I'll meet you on the ice.”
EPILOGUE
NASH
“Oh, yes you do, Reese’s Pieces,” I say. “I've just been trying to figure out what it is you have against me,” I say before taking a quick drink. The bar is packed with my teammates and adoring fans ready to ring in the New Year, but I can’t take my eyes off Reese.
I haven’t been able to since the first day she fired that sharp tongue at me.
“Oh, would you look at that, Lawson's calling me over to him. Bye,” Blakely says, not at all subtle as she bolts from the table.
“You know,” I continue, leaning over the table to make sure she’s listening. “People usually get to know me before they decide to hate me.”
Reese’s lips part, and I can’t help but focus on them. She has that irresistible, natural pouty lip look that’s my kryptonite, and they’re painted a light pink tonight to match her dress.
“I don’t hate you,” she says.
I smile wider at that. “Then why do you love to give me a hard time every time I see you?”
A small grin shapes her mouth, and it makes my heart beat a little faster. “Why do you?”
“I just rise to the occasion,” I say, shrugging. “I think if you gave me a chance, you might actually want to be civil around me.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Why do you care how I act around you, Stokehill? I’m not one of them,” she says, motioning to the group of women that have been following me around since I got here.