A clanging echoed through the bar, and everyone fell silent.
“Mica and Charlie,” Mark Ashford said from the front. “Will you do me the honor of joining me up front?”
Mica took my hand and led me up to the front to stand beside Mark.
Mark Ashford began his speech. “I’ve known Mica since the day he got off the plane from Russia. I’d like to say he was just a kid, but even at 19, he was built like an ox and had one of the fiercest competitive natures I’ve seen in a hockey player.”
The crowd laughed.
“He’s been an integral part of our hockey family for seven years, and he’s been like a wild son to me. I’ve tried to tame him, but I had to concede that Mica is untamable.”
More laughter.
“But that is what makes him such a phenomenal player. He’s got a wild side, and that fierce energy helps us win games and strikes terror in all our opponents’ hearts.”
The crowd cheered.
He looked over at us. “But I won’t lie, the fact that he’s married and settling down makes me not only relieved and proud, but it also makes me immensely happy that he’s found love. And now, I’m honored to invite his young wife, Charlie, into our family fold.” He lifted his glass to me. “To Charlie. For taming this wolf when no one else could.”
The crowd raised their glasses, cheered and stamped their feet in approval, before someone from the back yelled, “Kiss.”
Someone else echoed that request. “Kiss your wife, Petrov.”
Kiss. Kiss. Kiss, the drunk crowd chanted.
Mica turned and looked down at me. I tried but couldn’t read what he was thinking. I felt his big hands gently hold my neck, tilting my chin up towards him. Our eyes met as he lowered his mouth to mine.
Oh my God. Mica was about to kiss me.
At first, it was a chaste kiss. Lips only. My eyes fluttered shut as his warm mouth moved against mine. It tasted of beer and drowned out the wild cheers. I clutched his forearms, reveling in the sensation of his mouth moving against mine. He lifted his mouth and my eyes fluttered open.
“You taste so good,” he growled.
He spun me around, so his back was to the crowd, sheltering me from everyone. I was dimly aware of the growing, deafening cheers. One of his arms snaked around my back, yanking me hard against him, holding me tight while his mouth came down again on mine. This was no chaste kiss. This was Mica-style passion that short-circuited my brain. His kiss was pure lust, hot temptation and a wicked promise of what he wanted to do to me.
When he lifted his mouth off of mine, he still held me tight against his body. I was breathing hard, and my libido had skyrocketed to the point of self-combustion.
And then he smiled, one of those fucking fabulous smiles that changed his face. It was at that moment that I knew I was officially in over my head.
The drunk guests were still cheering at a deafening decibel. He stepped beside me and lifted my left hand to kiss my ringed finger for the entire room to see. Then he put his arm around my waist and tugged me hard against him.
Speech. Speech. Speech.
He grinned out at everyone, and instantly the room grew quiet. Everyone, including me, waited with bated breath for what he would say.
His accent was strong, but his voice was clear. “Everyone who knows me knows that I was against marriage. When I met Charlie at Krista’s office, she was the only woman who didn’t care that I was a hockey player. She gave me shit almost every time I saw her, and I usually deserved it.”
The crowd laughed.
“But one day, she seemed different to me. And that was the start of the end. I resisted how I felt, but I couldn’t stay away. And she accepted me and the fact that marriage was not something I wanted.”
The crowd fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
“But in the end, I was the one who wanted to marry. I wanted to learn to be the husband Charlie deserves. And I needed to make her mine. And, lucky for me, she said yes.”
Everyone roared.
“Thank you for celebrating with us. It means the world to both of us.”
It was all lies, but some irrational part of me wanted it to be the truth. How different would my life be if this was my fairy tale?
He ducked down and planted another hot kiss on my mouth. I couldn’t stop my moan, and he lifted his head, his eyes dark with lust.
“Jesus,” he breathed.
After that, we moved through the party as one. Mica constantly had his arms around me, holding me tight. Sometimes he stood behind me, sometimes he tucked me under his arm and I snuggled against him, but we were always touching. The more beer he drank, the more affectionate he became. Pushing my hair off my face, dropping hot, quick kisses on my mouth. When we sat to talk to someone, he pulled me onto his lap and cradled me in his arms.
It felt like the slowest, most intense foreplay of my life. I smiled and pretended to listen, and somehow, I took part in most conversations, but all I was aware of was how he was touching me and where his hands were. And I was beginning to live for his kisses.
They say you should never believe your own hype, but I was falling under his spell, and just like everyone else in the room, I was believing his actions as truth. It felt too real, too intense, to be anything but.
* * *
The party roared on, and I needed a break. I slipped away to use the washrooms across the lobby. I needed to clear my head and find some balance.
I stood in front of the vanity mirror and took in my flushed face and lips that looked bee-stung from Mica’s kisses.
His kisses are not real. Tonight is pretend.
A voice spoke from behind me. “So, you think you’re something special.”
I lifted my eyes to see a tall, gorgeous redhead who wore a bright green jumpsuit. “Are you talking to me?”
She moved forward to stand beside me. “You may have married Mica, but three days ago, his hard cock was in my mouth. And trust me, he’ll be back. Our chemistry was explosive.”
Her words felt like knives on my skin, slicing me.
A tiny, blonde chick moved between us and faced Mica’s ex. “You need to take your trashy mouth and your even trashier jumpsuit out of here before I kick your ass.”
I seriously doubted that the tiny pixie could kick anyone’s ass, but the redhead didn’t share my sentiments. She threw one more dirty look my way before tossing her head and disappearing.
The blonde chick turned to me, eyeing me critically. “You okay?”
She looked familiar. I vaguely remembered her coming in to help interview PAs with Ryan Parker. “Are you Zoey?”
“I am.”
“You look different.”
“I changed my hair. It used to be black.”
“You’re with Ryan Parker.”
She smiled an impish smile at me. “Mica is one of our best friends.”
Mica had best friends. People I never knew. Again, I was reminded that I knew next to nothing about my husband.
She checked to make sure the room was empty before she added, “Mica told me everything.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Everything?”
“I can’t believe what you’re doing for Mica. You’re really helping him. Don’t let the angry puck bunnies sink their claws into you. Women have been trying to tie down Mica since the day I met him, and no one can believe you did the impossible. They are just jealous.”
“If they knew the truth, they wouldn’t have anything to be jealous of.”
She smiled a cute smile that made her look adorable. “I’ve never seen Mica act like he’s acting tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“The guy hates PDA.”
I frowned. “No, he doesn’t. He told me he’s an affectionate guy.”
She snorted. “Yeah, right.”
I thought about what he told me. “He told me that everyone would expect him to be demonstrative.”
She giggled. “That’s what he told you?”
&nb
sp; “Yes.”
She shook her head, amused. “I don’t know how he acts when he’s alone, but in public, he was extremely private about that kind of stuff. I saw him hold hands, but it was usually against his will.”
This conversation wasn’t making any sense. The guy had told me he liked to display affection. And he had proved that tonight. He hadn’t let go of me or stopped touching me for the last three hours.
“Are we talking about Mica Petrov?”
She smirked. “Yup. So, you want to hang out at the next game? I go to all the home games, but I can’t stand the WAG box.”
I didn’t quite know if I should infringe on Mica’s personal friendships. “Are you doing this because Mica asked you?”
“I’m doing this because I want front-row seats for the show.”
I had no idea what that meant, but I also didn’t relish sitting alone for a season of home games by myself. An offer of friendship from someone who knew Mica and knew this situation felt like a gift. “I’d love to.”
“You okay?”
“I’m good. I just need a couple more moments.”
She started to head towards the door. “I’ll text you before the next game.”
And then she disappeared from view.
I couldn’t process tonight. The way Mica was treating me felt like a dream. I shut my eyes, remembering the touch of his hand around my waist, the way he had brushed hair from my eyes and stared into my eyes before dropping a lingering kiss on my mouth. It was intoxicating to be the center of his affection. Maybe this wasn’t an act? Maybe this chemistry was real? All I knew was that I wanted to get back to the party and let him tuck me under his arm.
I stepped out of the washroom and started to walk across the lobby.
Mica stood off to the side, in an intense conversation with the redhead. They were standing too close, and she had one hand on his arm and another one on his chest. They looked like a couple engaged in an intense, passionate conversation.
Three days ago, his hard cock was in my mouth. And trust me, he’ll be back.
My eyes met his across the lobby.
So, this was it. It had all been an act. The guy lasted one day of marriage and he was already engaging with one of his old flames. He had promised he wouldn’t cheat on me, and I hadn’t entirely believed he’d be able to keep that promise, but it was a low blow to realize he couldn’t even make it through our party before making overtures to step out on me.
I felt stupid. I had fallen for his charms tonight, forgetting that it was all just an act. Part of me had believed in those hot kisses he had pressed on my mouth. My shame came from opening myself up to him. I had felt real things tonight, and I felt shocked to understand it meant nothing to him.
I faltered before turning and walking towards the front doors. I had no idea where I was going. I only knew I needed to escape.
Chapter 12
MICA
“You don’t want her,” Sabrina pleaded. “Don’t you remember how it was with me?”
I looked down at the redhead whom I had hooked up with once six months ago. When I woke up in her bed, I found her going through my phone and wallet, and that was the last time I spoke to her.
“There wasn’t much worth remembering.” I worked to untangle her tentacle arms that continuously tried wrapping around me.
I lifted my eyes up and took in Charlie’s shocked face. Shit. This looked bad. It didn’t surprise me when she spun around and headed towards the front door.
I stepped out of Sabrina’s reach and made fast work to catch up to Charlie. The alcohol in my veins slowed me down, and she was faster than she looked. It wasn’t until we were both outside that I managed to reach and grab her arm, spinning her around.
“Where are you going?”
She looked defiantly at me. “What do you care?”
That was a loaded question. “You can’t leave.”
She was spitting mad. She stepped up to me and leveled me with one look. “Why don’t you let that redhead take my place? She seemed pretty convinced it was just a matter of time before you were back in her bed.”
God, she was adorable when she was worked up. “There’s nothing there with Sabrina.”
“I’m not blind, Mica. I saw how you two were talking in the lobby, like secret lovers stealing a moment. I told you I wouldn’t let you humiliate me.”
“I was telling her to take a hike.”
“She was all over you.”
Emotional women turned me off, but an emotional Charlie seemed to only make me hotter. I grabbed her hard around the waist, yanking her against me before planting my mouth where her angry words had been. She struggled against my kiss, which only made me want her more.
What is wrong with me?
It took only a moment, and then I felt her entire body submit to my kiss. I groaned and deepened it. Fuck, she tasted good. I had been stealing kisses all night, but nothing had come close to how I really wanted to kiss her. Now I had her in my arms, and I was destroying her mouth. I was like a starved man, ravenous and out of control.
To my surprise, she met my passion with her own. She moaned and wrapped her slender arms around my neck, lifting her body against mine, rubbing up against me. She took everything I gave and then some. This kiss felt like hardcore foreplay that needed to explode into fast, hot sex.
My hands were all over her body, yanking her ass up so her body rubbed against the cock that strained through my pants. I pulled her blouse out of the back of her pants, so my fingers could touch the soft skin of her back. I was drunk on desire and I couldn’t seem to get enough. It would never be enough until I buried my cock deep inside her. While my body continued to maul her, my mind was already planning how I could make that happen.
Go home? Too far away.
Get a room? Takes too long.
Drag her around the corner and take her up against the wall? That would work.
“Get a room, Petrov.” I heard drunk laughter. I lifted my head to see three of my teammates, staggering out towards a cab.
I turned back to Charlie and pressed my forehead against hers, my breath uneven. “I want you.”
She stared back up at me in a daze. “We need to stop.”
I pulled her against me so I could grind my hard, straining cock against her stomach. “Wrong. We need to keep on going.”
She lifted her mouth back to mine, and I groaned as I kissed her like a savage. My mouth followed hers as she pulled back from me.
Her face was flushed, and she was panting slightly. “Roommates, remember?”
My brain went to war with my body. Every cell of my body wanted to pin her up against a wall, any wall, and bury my cock so deep inside of her she would never think of anyone but me again. My mind barely overruled that with a muted protest. Charlie had signed up for a platonic relationship. At the end of this, I had nothing to promise her other than a lot of hot sex and divorce papers.
Reluctantly, I stepped back from her, fighting to overcome my desire to close the gap again.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed. I wasn’t sorry, but it sounded better than I need to fuck you senseless.
I stared down at her, trying to understand why, after two years of knowing her, I suddenly lusted for her more than I could remember wanting anyone. Was it because she was forbidden fruit? The lines I wanted to cross were always the ones I knew I shouldn’t cross. Maybe it was because I knew sex was off the table for me for a year, while she was there, within reach? Or perhaps it was because I was used to women throwing themselves at me, while Charlie seemed to work to keep me at arm’s length. Maybe her resistance made her that much hotter. Regardless of the real reason, all I knew is that she unexpectedly tasted like hot sex, and I wanted more. A lot more.
She pushed shaking hands into her hair. “I don’t want to fall for you.”
It felt like she’d doused me in ice water.
“Charlie.” I didn’t even know how to respond to that.
She bit her lip
and looked mortified. “I’m believing the hype.”
“What does that mean?”
She waved her hand around dramatically. “This, all of this. It feels too real.”
I put my hands on my hips, so I didn’t reach out and touch her again. “Our physical connection is more than real.”
“But this relationship isn’t.”
I couldn’t believe I was pulling out the marriage card. “You’re my wife.”
She flinched at that word. “This marriage has an expiration date.”
I couldn’t argue that logic. It pained me, but she spoke the truth, and I needed to respect that. “What do you want to do?”
She swallowed. “I want to go home.”
That was something I could do for her. “Come on, let’s grab a cab.”
“What about the party?”
“Everyone is so drunk, they won’t even notice.”
“What about your car?”
“I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
We didn’t speak on our ride home. She sat glued to her side of the seat, staring out the window. The gap between us was back, and it felt like an uncrossable chasm. I respected her restraint and understood her need for self-preservation, but this distance wasn’t what I wanted. Hell, I didn’t know what I wanted.
At home, she disappeared into her bedroom and shut the door. The only thing I knew was I didn’t want that.
* * *
I woke up in the morning, hungover and with a dry mouth. I walked through the house, but Charlie was gone. She left a note in loopy handwriting on the island. Went to work.
I groaned at the fact that she had gotten up early and found her own way to work while I had slept.
I picked up my phone.
Me: Did you get to work okay?
Charlie: Yes.
Me: Why didn’t you wake me so I could drive you?
Charlie: Your car is at the hotel.
The Penalty Box: A Vancouver Wolves Hockey Romance Page 11
