Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
If she thinks that would stop me, she has another thing coming.
The only reason I didn’t make a move is because I’m her employer, but shit, if I weren’t, no pillow would stop me from having her.
I stifle a groan. Too bad I am.
Unfortunately, as much as I’d love to lie here for another second and watch her, I need to get up.
Coach wants an early practice this morning, and seeing how poorly we played, he’s not wrong.
The truth is, yesterday I let the outside world affect my playing, but I’m done with that shit.
I have one day to get my act together before game two.
Which is exactly what I’m going to do.
The day off yesterday was exactly what I needed to get my head back in place. I just need to keep it up.
Now back on the ice, we’re leading the Bulldogs by one in the second period.
As I'm skating up the ice from my own blue line, my grip tightens on my stick. I pull back and pass the puck up the ice.
It glides toward Hudson, but it's intercepted by the Bulldog’s center.
The asshole has a breakaway, and he scores with ease.
Fuck.
This doesn't bode well for us. Now we’re tied with the Bulldogs, and we can't risk another loss.
Skating back to center ice, I stop before the face-off to talk to my line.
“That one is on me. We’ll get it back.”
“We're with you,” Dane responds.
I head back to the center of the ring for the face-off.
The ref drops the puck, and I win it back to my defenseman.
Dane skates up to center and dumps it in, but the Bulldog defenseman gets the puck and carries it off.
As he's rushing up the ice, I notice he's not paying attention to my side. I take full advantage of his lapse and quickly steal the puck back from him.
Hudson quickly catches up to me for a two on one. I'm on the left, and he's on the right.
I pass to Hudson, who immediately passes back to me to confuse the goalie.
Time stands still as I release the puck.
My heart thumps rapidly in my chest as I watch it glide across the ice.
The roar of the crowd echoes in my ears as I score on a wide-open net.
After the goal, my teammates rush toward me. We huddle together, screaming in celebration before skating off so the next line can take over playing.
“Nice rally, man,” Dane says, hitting my back. “I see whatever was fucking with your last game is gone.”
At his words, I can’t help but seek her out. A moment later, I find Cassidy in the stands. Her smile radiates even from here.
“I want to get me some of that magic you're getting.” Hudson laughs.
“Shut the fuck up,” I grunt.
It's true, it's all Cassidy.
Although nothing has happened with her, being in bed, near her has certainly worked its magic.
I don't know what it is about this girl, but one thing is for certain, bringing her on was the best decision I've ever made.
22
CASSIDY
It’s so good to be home.
The past few days in Tampa were trying to say the least.
The Saints won game two, but if I’m being honest, how well they played or didn’t is the least of my problems.
The proximity was killing me.
Sharing a bed was torture.
When you want a man as much as I want Aiden, not jumping his bones when he’s only a breath away is no small feat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love being with him, and as much as I want to spend every minute around Aiden, to soak up our time because it will inevitably end, right now I don’t.
I need a break from that man.
Like tonight, I’m exhausted and would love nothing more than to get in my pajamas, crawl into bed, and watch all the romantic comedies I can find. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I’m just off. I need to distract myself with anything that will make me laugh so I don’t burst into tears.
But that’s not in the cards for me.
Tonight, I get to lay on the charm and pretend I’m Aiden’s girl. The only problem is the lines seem to blur far too easily for me. I need to do better at protecting my heart.
Aiden Slate has already crushed it once, and I refuse to allow it to happen again.
Which is likely why I’m in this foul mood. Our last few times together, he listened. He wanted to know things about me, and that does horrible things to my head. It makes me think things that I have no business thinking.
Grow up, Cassidy.
My phone rings, and I see Emma’s name lighting up the screen.
“Save me,” I say, sounding whiny and tired.
“Dare I ask why you need saving?”
I groan. “I’m meeting Aiden at a trendy lounge bar downtown, where they’re having a small VIP meet and greet.” I turn up my best peppy cheerleader voice, infusing each word with faux excitement.