by Kristen Echo
“I’ll shave when I have a reason.” He removed her hand. “Are you ready to go?”
“In a minute. Are you dating anyone?”
I gasped. Why would she ask that? I chewed my lip. Why was I holding my breath waiting for his answer?
His dark eyebrow arched. “No. Why? You got someone in mind?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Who?”
I crossed my fingers, hoping she wouldn’t say my name. The apartment was too quiet. The sound of my labored breathing overshadowed everything else.
“Josie.”
His eyes found mine across the room. I knew I shouldn’t have stayed. He was going to laugh in my face any second. I crossed my arms over my chest and exhaled audibly.
“You want to date me?” His sensual smirk did little to ease the embarrassment of the moment.
“No… I mean yes,” I stammered. “I have an event tomorrow night, but—”
“Please say yes. Just for one night,” Presley continued. “Aaron, you have to help her. She needs a date, so her ex gets the hint to get lost.”
“A date tomorrow,” he repeated. His eyes never left mine.
“You’d be accompanying her to a formal gala. Suit and gentleman behavior are mandatory.” She stood. “You owe me. Say yes, and then we can go for a drink.”
“Aaron,” I whispered as the humiliation of begging for a date stole my voice. “You don’t have—”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
“Sure,” I repeated, slowly backing out of the room before he changed his mind. “Have a good night.”
He smirked, making my toes curl. “See you tomorrow, Josephine.
Chapter 2
Aaron
The puck dropped. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I sped towards the blue line. Instincts took over. Countless hours of honing my skills in the rink had turned me into the ultimate enforcer. My skates sliced through the ice as I raced to reach the puck. I didn’t arrive first, but that mattered little. My shoulder slammed against the opposing player.
They paid me well to beat-up the other team. After a decade in the NHL, I knew how to do my job. I had size and power on my side. Using the angle and momentum to my advantage, I tossed him towards the boards. He grunted as I won the battle for the puck.
A flick of the wrist later, the pass landed as intended. My teammate soared towards the net. I watched one of the best forwards in the league, out maneuver the goalie and score. I threw my arms in the air and celebrated our lead. The arena erupted with a mixture of heckling and a few cheers. As the visiting team, we had our share of fans, but it was a small minority. We received more grumbles and complaints than accolades. Not that I cared.
I glanced towards the crowd and spotted my sister and her roommate in the stands. They were on their feet clapping. Josephine’s brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and her cheeks sported a rosy glow. She wore one of Presley’s Vegas jerseys that clung to her ample breasts. I smiled as I returned to the bench.
We changed lines. With only a few seconds remaining in the game, Toronto wouldn’t have enough time to rally and take away our victory. After several fist bumps and back pats, I focused on the final play. They weren’t going to give up without a fight. They pulled their goalie, giving them a man advantage.
It wasn’t enough. We won. I congratulated my teammates, the coaches, and the home team as we wrapped the post-game rituals. Every win mattered. The guys would be looking to celebrate, but I wouldn’t be able to join them.
Before leaving the ice, my eyes wandered towards the stands again and found my little sister’s best friend. The invitation to be her date had surprised me. The biggest shock was how quickly I’d said yes. Maybe I was finally ready to date again. I collected my stick and headed for the dressing room to debrief, shower and change.
While the rest of the guys discussed their fun plans for the evening, I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to tell them about my date. It wasn’t a real date. It was a favor and nothing more. Any man would be lucky to accompany a woman as beautiful as Josephine, but I got the sense she hadn’t wanted to ask me. I had a hunch she’d end the night early, and I’d be back at the hotel in time to catch the last few minutes of the televised evening games.
A few of the younger players planned to hit the clubs. There would be no shortage of women to keep them company. I was done with the puck bunnies.
Jeremiah Carter, our team captain, ran his fingers through his wet hair. “Drakos! You’re in for sure, right?” His gap tooth grin faded when I shook my head. “Why not?”
“Not in the mood,” I replied as I fastened the last button on my white dress shirt.
The less information I provided the better. As my best friend, he knew about the hell my ex had put me through. He helped me through the breakup and gave sound advice. As a married man with three kids, I admired the way he balanced family and career. Finding the right partner had given him a freedom I envied. He assumed I would go back to my old ways, but I didn’t need to stroke my ego and prove my manhood by having meaningless sex. I was ready for more.
“This city has amazing nightlife and hot chicks,” he countered. “You’d have a good time.”
I stepped in front of a floor-length mirror, slipped a red tie around my neck, and adjusted my collar. “Not tonight.” I ran my fingers along my freshly shaved chin, making sure I hadn’t missed any spots.
“What are we doing then?”
“Hate to disappoint you, but I’m headed straight to my sister’s place. You’re not invited.” I finished tying the knot and pulled on my dark-gray suit jacket. “See you on the plane tomorrow morning.”
Before he or anyone else could argue, I grabbed my gear, tossed it in the area for transport and left. I had arranged a car service for the night and hopped into the sleek, stretched limo. It was a quick ride to their apartment near the University of Toronto. I sat for an extra minute, collecting my thoughts.
I had played well, but I missed a few opportunities. My contract was up for negotiation. I suspected a trade in my future. My agent had mentioned the new expansion team as a strong potential. The Greater Toronto Area had secured the newest NHL team. While I liked the idea of living closer to my sister, I would hate leaving my guys. After four years in Vegas, many of them were like family. I hoped to stay put next season, but I would go wherever I could play. If the Toronto Elite offered the best deal, I’d move.
As I leaned for the door, Josephine opened it and crawled next to me. Her green dressed shimmered in the dim light. A slit ran along the side, exposing her knee and most of her thigh. A white wrap covered her shoulders. My gaze dipped to the swell of her breasts as the tight fitted bodice of the dress pressed them together. She was breathtaking.
I whistled. Most of the time, she wore sweats and t-shirts. Her ass filled out yoga pants better than any woman I’d ever seen.
“Hi.” She blushed. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
“Not long at all. You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.”
Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine as she closed the door. Josephine settled into her seat and exhaled. She knotted her fingers and crossed her legs towards me. Her red painted lips opened and then closed. She seemed nervous.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. We can go,” she answered, glancing my way briefly. “How come you shaved?”
“A night out with you seemed like a good reason.”
“You played well today,” she said, bypassing my attempt at flirting. “Congrats on the win.”
“Did you enjoy the game?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “Great job.”
As the car merged into traffic and headed towards the gala, I figured hockey would keep the conversation flowing. I asked her questions, but she provided curt one-word answers. It became clear she wasn’t a big hockey enthusiast. I’m not sure how I had missed that over the years. She giggled and explained that she enjoyed attending in pe
rson but didn’t follow the points.
Her passion was science. Her entire demeanor beamed when she talked about her research project. She had a quiet confidence I found alluring. More than once, I caught myself staring at her curves and wondering what was hidden under her dress. I was not supposed to have the hots for my little sister’s best friend. It was more than a physical appeal. I enjoyed the conversation we had about quantum mechanics. I laughed more during our drive than I had in the past few months combined.
“If I hadn’t been naturally gifted on skates, I would have pursued a career in physics,” I said. “That was my favorite course in school.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows furrowed.
“Why, does that seem farfetched?”
“It’s not. You are just too perfect,” she mumbled and peered out the window as we stopped in front of the hotel. “We’re here.”
I grabbed her hand. My thumb grazed over the smooth skin along her palm. She looked down at our joined hands and shivered.
“Aaron, I know you only agreed to this as a favor to Presley. It’s not that I’m a loser unable to find a date. Regardless, I really appreciate not having to attend this thing alone.”
“I’m honored to accompany you. I am already having more fun than I expected.”
As the words stumbled out, I instantly regretted them. Her body stiffened, and she pulled her hand away.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I added.
“No need to explain. Us together is a little odd.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re a lot older than me. You’re famous. You’re perfect… um… I’m pretty much the opposite.”
“I like you just the way you are.” I grabbed her hand again and kissed between her knuckles. “For the record, I’m far from perfect, but you are damn close.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “I appreciate the flattery.”
The driver opened the rear door. “We’ve arrived,” he said, holding the door for us to exit.
The modern hotel had blue LED lights streaming down from the top. The crisp color made Josephine seem angelic. With her hair fastened back, her neck was exposed, and goosebumps prickled her skin. The evening was cool but not freezing. I looped her arm with mine and guided her towards the entrance.
The lobby was decorated for Christmas. A big tree covered with blue and silver ornaments adorned the center of the room. Garland hung against the walls and across the front desk. The holiday was still a little over a month away.
We bypassed the crowd checking in and headed for the ballroom. Once inside she handed them our tickets, and we were escorted to a table near the bar. The room had followed a similar holiday décor as the lobby. Mostly silver and blues, but our centerpiece had plenty of holly that matched Josephine’s dress.
She released my arm and gripped the back of a chair as her ex sauntered over with a drink in each of his hands. She squared her shoulders as if readying herself for battle. I had met Dallas a handful of times and never cared for his arrogance. His eyes were fixed on my date.
I leaned close to her ear. “Shall we mingle or take a seat?”
I swept a few stray hairs off her shoulder and planted a brief kiss in the crook of her neck. She smelled like vanilla. I inhaled deeply.
As I pulled away, a delightful pink hue colored her cheeks. “Drinks. I think we need drinks,” she stammered.
I threaded our fingers together. Before we could take a step, her ex blocked our path. “Hello, Dal.” I patted him on the arm with more force than needed.
He stumbled sideways. “It’s Dallas. I got your favorite, Josie. Gin and tonic,” he said, handing her a glass. “I switched seats with Monty so we could sit together.”
She chugged the beverage and placed the empty glass on the table. “You shouldn’t have done that. I need another drink. Come on, Aaron.”
Dallas stepped in front of her, preventing our escape. “What is Drakos doing here?”
I smirked. “I’m—”
“He’s my date,” Josephine answered. Her grip on my hand tightened.
“It’s nice you brought a friend.”
“It’s a date,” she reaffirmed.
“You and him.” He pointed between us. “You’re a couple?”
She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “It’s too early for labels. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Dallas narrowed his blue eyes and polished off his drink. “You can’t be with him. We belong together,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry, but we’re not getting back together.” She pushed him out of the way with her free hand. “Aaron and I plan to enjoy the night. Please don’t bother us.”
She marched past him, dragging me along. As soon as we reached the bar, she dropped my hand. I ordered drinks. We didn’t speak as the bartender delivered our beverages. I motioned to return to the table, but she shook her head and worried her lip between her teeth.
“You okay?”
She stared at her drink as if it held the answer. “I’m embarrassed. I didn’t mean to suggest that we’re more than we are. Implying we’re a couple—”
“Don’t worry. Presley explained everything. I’ve got your back.” I winked.
“You’re a good man for doing… wait. What exactly did your sister tell you?”
I placed my hand at the small of her back. The move brought her closer. I breathed her in. “Just to make sure you have a good time.”
Her green eyes twinkled brighter than the chandeliers above us. “A good time,” she repeated.
A photographer snapped a picture of us. The flash nearly blinded me. “Can I get a few more, Mr. Drakos?”
Usually, I avoided the media. My personal life was private, but I wanted to capture this moment.
“Sure.”
“I’ll step away,” Josephine offered, but I pulled her closer and draped my arm over her shoulder. She fit perfectly by my side.
We smiled at each other while the photographer took countless shots. “Can I get your girlfriend’s name for the article?”
Josephine yanked me away before I could answer. We walked around rather than heading back to our seats. Only half of the tables were full. As we chatted with one of the organizers, she revealed the fundraiser had fallen short of expectations. When Josephine went to the washroom, I bought the remaining seats to help the university and requested the uneaten food be delivered to a local charity.
By the time the food was served, I was famished. After a game, I needed to replenish my energy. The small portion of chicken and rice pilaf hardly filled the void. Dallas and the others at our table were quiet while we ate. My date picked at her meal, pushing the food around rather than consuming it.
I nudged her shoulder with mine. “Not hungry?”
“Josie never eats when she’s nervous,” Dallas answered.
“You can have mine if you want?” Her fingers wandered to the back of my neck. The gentle graze of her nails sent a ripple of arousal below my belt.
I gobbled her food and both desserts. Each time Dallas tried to engage in conversation, I scooted my chair closer to hers, leaned over and whispered a bad joke in her ear. Her laugh filled the room. Too bad our flirting got interrupted by his constant badgering and fans asking for autographs. A few women asked me to save them a dance, but I declined. I couldn’t take my eyes or my hands off my date.
By the time the tables were cleared, and the speeches were underway, we had consumed several bottles of white wine. Plus, a handful of cocktails. Josephine’s research team was recognized for their scientific achievements. I was proud of her accomplishments. This woman was smart, funny and had so much to share with the world.
I sat back and watched her brighten the stage with her smile and then network among her peers. Mostly men. She worked her charm and had them all laughing. It seemed like nothing could hold her back. Except her ex who clung to her side like an annoying piece of lint she couldn’t shake off.
When she retur
ned to our table, her hand landed on my lap. “Sorry that took so long.”
I placed my hand over hers. “Take all the time you need. It’s cool to see you in your element.”
“I blame the booze. I’m not usually so talkative.”
The organizer grabbed a microphone and thanked the guests and the contributors. She singled me out regarding my last-minute donation. I had requested it be anonymous, but she clearly missed that part. I waved as people clapped. She concluded her speech. The band started to play.
“Wow. That was very nice of you.” Josephine smiled. The kind of smile that hit me directly in the chest, winding me. “You are full of surprises.”
“It’s not a big deal, but I’d do just about anything to see you smile like this more often.”
Dallas sneered as his elbows thudded against the table. “You trying to buy your way into her good graces? You’re not her type.”
Despite the fact this wasn’t a real date, it ranked as one of my better first dates. Being with her was easy. Almost effortless. It was a shame she wasn’t interested in me.
I leaned closer, bringing our mouths only an inch apart. Tempting her. The urge to kiss her nearly overwhelmed me. Her eyes dared me to do it for a split second. Then she looked away.
“Let’s dance.” I pulled her onto the dance floor.
The four-string quartet played an up-tempo beat. I twirled her around before hugging her tightly against my body. Her soft curves molded against me. Her hands roamed my back, before settling around my neck. We danced several songs. Dallas tried to cut in but failed. A few fans tried to cut in but failed. I didn’t want to let her out of my arms.
“You’re a great dancer,” she cooed as our bodies moved as one.
“We’re great together.” I spun her around again. It wasn’t a line. I meant it.
“It’s mostly you.”
The alcohol had affected her stability, and she almost fell over. I caught her and held her close. “I won’t let you fall.”
