Intimate Strangers (The Lisa Millar Series Book 1)

by Lasairiona McMaster

  Ok, come on! she told herself between giggles. Get it together. You’re going to let him win this? Like everything else during the evening, it was like something out of a cheesy rom com. But she didn’t care, it was fun. She hadn’t laughed like this in a long time.

  She tried to stop giggling and started to fight back.

  “Realized I’m winning, did ya?” he asked, obviously amused.

  “Shut up!” she said, wriggling and squirming to free herself.

  “You’re actually quite strong, really, aren’t you?” he asked sarcastically.

  “SHUT UP!” she repeated, struggling furiously now to escape.

  She knew she had no chance; the guy was a defensive hockey player. He had her pinned, he had all the advantage. But she wasn’t going to give up, it wasn’t her style. He knew this and was enjoying it. She could tell. Truth be told, she was enjoying it too.

  I mean, I’m pinned under a hot hockey player! she thought. Who wouldn’t be enjoying it? Now, where did I put my puck bunny ears? She smiled to herself.

  Maybe I should just stay right where I am.

  Looking into his eyes she realized he was smiling at her; she returned the smile.

  “Whatcha thinking?” he asked quietly.

  She shook her head and closed her mouth tightly. He loosened his grip on her.

  “Hey, it’s the rules, babe. We gotta spill when asked. What’s on your mind?”

  Slipping her arms slowly around his neck, she smiled a half-smile.

  “What if it’s not appropriate to share, AJ?” she asked impishly.

  “It’s me, it’s always appropriate to share,”

  Realization dawned. OHMIGOD. OHMIGOD. she thought. We’re going to kiss. He’s going to kiss me. I’m going to kiss him back! We’re going to kiss!

  And then it happened. Their heads tilted; his face lowered towards hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation. Their lips met. It was soft, tender and filled with emotion. She tightened her grip around his neck, pulling him closer to her. The kiss lasted forever and only a few minutes all at once. It was good. Very good. She was very glad she was lying down, otherwise she might have needed to at least sit down.

  Thank FUCK for that!

  She felt herself smile, and he smiled back at her. “Now what are you thinking?” he quizzed her. Neither of them moved. She shrugged.

  “You’re a good kisser,” she told him truthfully,

  “Not so bad yourself,” he replied, nonchalant.

  “Hey!” she shoved him playfully, “Not bad?” she looked wounded. “I am a great kisser!” she exclaimed.

  “Modest much?” he joked and kissed her again. “Yeah, ok, you are a pretty great kisser,” he told her as he kissed her cheek gently. Helping her to her feet they lay down together on the sofa.

  She was lying in the arms of the man she loved more than she cared to admit to anyone. Even herself. She felt happy and relaxed. She felt safe. “Not bad for a first date,” she mumbled more to herself than to him, in a state of almost-asleep jetlag haze. He smiled, kissed her hair and tightened his arm around her, pulling her close. Somewhere between songs, kisses, conversation and satisfied sighs, she fell asleep in his arms.

  “I’ve got better,” he whispered, before he, too, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

  Chapter 9

  AJ had told Lisa he was an early riser and a light sleeper – up with the birds. But she woke up first, which she kind of liked. He’s probably just pretty tired, she grinned to herself. She watched him sleep for a few minutes before she quietly got up. She pecked his cheek and headed for the kitchen. She poured some juice and turned on the news, I don’t even watch the news at home! she thought, amused at herself. She needed a shower, and she wanted to wait for him to wake up before considering breakfast.

  While the water heated up, she kicked off his sweats and dumped them into the laundry basket. Standing in her undies, she let her hair fall around her shoulders as she brushed her teeth. Someone was knocking at the door by the time she finished. Damnit, she thought, as she rinsed out her mouth, shut off the water and grabbed a towel and went to open the door. It was Jeremy.

  “Morning!” she smiled, only half-opening the door, “what can I do for you?”

  “He still asleep?” he asked as he let himself in, pushing past her.

  She nodded.

  “Late night?” he eyed her, suspiciously.

  “It’s not what you think, Jeremy,” she said as she closed the door behind him.

  “Uh huh, it’s not like you’re wearing just a towel or anything,” he quipped.

  “Shut up!” she blushed, “I was going to have a shower! Juice?” she offered as she took a seat in the kitchen.

  “Sure, thanks,”

  “So,” she tried again, “what can I do for you?”

  “HEY AGE, YOUR GIRLFRIEND’S TRYING TO KICK ME OUT!” he bellowed towards AJ’s room.

  “I’m not his girlfriend!” she hissed at him.

  Except you kind of are.

  “Yeah, right, you so are!”

  “Not officially, not yet.”

  Except? You kind of are.

  “Except you totally are. Stop fighting it, cupcake.”

  She handed him his juice, threw a tea towel at him and watched AJ stumble into the kitchen, yawning and half-awake. She wasn’t quite prepared to assume the label unto herself as AJ’s girlfriend yet. She wasn’t completely sure that he wanted her to have the label yet either. She made a mental note to talk to him about it when they were next alone.

  “Who the hell is yelling? Is the building on fire?”

  “He is yelling,” she said, pointing at Jeremy. “Juice?” she asked, smiling. He nodded in reply, and she offered him a glass.

  “Thanks,” he said smiling at her, “and good morning, gorgeous.” He pecked her cheek.

  “She’s throwing stuff at me! She’s so like you!” Jeremy said shaking his head.

  She gave him a dirty look and said, “I’m going back to my shower.”

  “Have you eaten?” AJ asked, before she moved.

  She shook her head, “I was going to wait ‘til after my shower, make something and then wake you. But he—”

  Jeremy cut her off, “Awwwww, how cuuuuuute!” He made fake gagging noises and pretended to throw up into the empty glass he was now nursing.

  “Shut UP, Jeremy,” they shouted together. She continued,

  “But he wrecked that plan.” She paused. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Take your time,” Jeremy answered sarcastically.

  “Shut up, man!” AJ countered, as he poked his elbow into Jeremy’s ribs.

  “Oh shit, dude! You have it bad!” Jeremy taunted.

  That was it, they were on the floor wrestling, or at least doing some kind of flailing and rolling around in a vain attempt at displaying their manliness. Or, as the case turned out to be, lack thereof.

  “Children, please don’t break anything, or hurt yourselves! If you get blood on the carpet, I’m gonna be mad!” she cooed as she made her way to the bathroom.

  “Yes MOM!” mocked Jeremy from underneath AJ.

  “Ok. And AJ?” she turned, momentarily.

  “Yes ma’am?”

  “Kick his ass!”

  “Yes ma’am!”

  He grinned widely and returned to their play-fighting.

  Her shower was great, long, hot, relaxing. Everything a shower should be, she thought.

  When she emerged, twenty minutes later, she could smell eggs.

  “Is he gone?” she asked as she took the towel off her head. She had thrown on another of his t-shirts and a pair of his boxers.

  “Who, me?” she heard coming from the living room. “No, I’m still here. Age is cooking me breakfast!” he declared triumphantly.

  “Actually, I’m cooking us breakfast. Lisa and me. But, since you’re here and I can’t ever say no to you…” he trailed off. His voice had taken on a mock-sultry tone.

  “I seriously worry abo
ut you boys sometimes,” Lisa remarked, shaking her head as she poured some water.

  “Omelet ok for you?” AJ asked her as she moved to stand next to him. She slipped her arm around his waist, and he kissed her forehead. She nodded. “You sure? Cause I can make you something else if you’d prefer?”

  “An omelet is fine, babe,” she assured him.

  “No mushrooms?”

  She pulled a face.

  “Just checking,” he laughed at her making puking noises. “You sleep ok?”

  “Mhmm,” she confirmed, as she popped a slice of apple in her mouth, “just fine.”

  Turning to face her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her lightly on the lips. She returned his kiss, pulling him gently towards her. Such a good kisser…

  “What the hell are you two doing in there?” Jeremy interrupted her thoughts. “I don’t hear talking. It’s not talking. Are you guys making out? Cause if you guys are making out, stop making out. If Jeremy isn’t getting any, then AJ sure as hell can’t get any!” He paused, “Especially if it isn’t from me!” he finished.

  “He has such a way with words!” she muttered, “Should I be concerned about your weird boy-relationship with him?”

  “No, babe. I only have eyes for you.”

  She blushed. “I better go get dressed.”

  “Awwww. Really?” He pretended to be upset.

  Giggling, she threw the same towel she’d thrown at Jeremy, at him. It landed on his head. “Yes, really!”

  When she was dressed, she threw her hair up again. It was still wet, but she didn’t care. Alabama was HOT. It would dry quickly.

  “You forgot your shoes,” Jeremy commented when she returned to the kitchen. He was already half-way through his omelet.

  “I’m not leaving yet,” she said through clenched teeth. He was pushing her, testing her patience. I really don’t like this douchebag, she thought. She didn’t like the fact that she was verging on detesting her not-yet-a-real-boyfriend’s best friend. It would become problematic, she could tell.

  “Tea?” AJ offered.

  “Thanks, but I’ll make it. You people can’t make good tea!” she laughed.

  “I would argue,” he began, amused, “but I know you’re right!”

  “I’m always right,” she announced confidently.

  “Yeah, right!” Jeremy scoffed.

  “Wasn’t talking to you!” she replied.

  “What does that matter?”

  Pulling up a chair she sat next to AJ and started to eat her omelet in silence. Not a comfortable silence, a strained one. She felt out of place.

  Talk about awkward. Is this Jeremy and me not gelling kind of awkward? Or is it Britt’s knickers on the radiator and she’s making weird eyes at my non-boyfriend-boyfriend kind of awkward?

  Both?

  “So, you guys coming out tonight?” Jeremy continued, ignoring the atmosphere that was creeping in between them. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she wasn’t thrilled he was still there. She wasn’t used to him; and she really didn’t know how to take him. She couldn’t tell if he was serious, or joking all of the time – even some of the time. Or maybe even none of the time. Maybe he really just didn’t like her? She didn’t like not knowing. Her go-to response to him seemed to be defensive and verging on confrontational. He was getting under her skin. She made a mental note to talk to AJ about how to better approach the Jeremy situation. She didn’t want to make things awkward, and she certainly didn’t want to be upset and annoyed every time he opened his mouth, but she couldn’t stop herself from speaking before taking a breath when he was around.

  “We have a game tonight,” AJ told him. He wasn’t having his usual pre-game breakfast. He must have changed it, she thought as she smiled to herself. Hockey players have very strict game-day rituals. They could be a terribly superstitious breed. They’d eat the same meals at the same times and often wear the same socks or undies on game-day.

  “I know we have a game, Einstein,” Jeremy jabbed, “I meant after the game. We’re all going to the bar, you guys up for it?” he eyed her carefully.

  AJ was watching her, too. She shrugged as she finished her food. “Sure,” she flashed her best fake-smile, sat her dishes in the sink and was saved from any further questioning by another knock on the door.

  “Popular this morning, eh Age?” said Jeremy.

  “I’ll get it,” she said heading for the door.

  “Morning, Irish,”

  God bless you, Chelsea! she thought as she let her friend in.

  “Morning Iowa!” she replied.

  “You ready to go?” she asked as she rattled her keys in her hand.

  “You’re leaving already?” The disappointment in AJ’s voice was obvious.

  “Yeah, you guys have practice and then the game. We’re going to head into town. I have to post a couple letters I wrote on the flight and pick up some stuff,” she answered as she leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you later, skater!” This time, her smile was warm and genuine.

  “Two minutes, Chels, I’ve got to get my shoes on!” Lisa called.

  As she was leaving, AJ grabbed her wrist. Chelsea had already gone out to the car, and Jeremy was out of earshot.

  “We don’t have to go tonight if you don’t want to,” he began quietly.

  “No, really,” she insisted, “it’s ok.” She met his eyes, “Honest, AJ.”

  “Okay, well, if you’re sure…I’ll see you after the game?”

  “Count on it! And Pim?” she said as she opened the door

  “Yes ma’am?”

  “Look after yourself.”

  “I will. Have fun today.” He added as the door thudded softly behind her.

  Chapter 10

  That evening, against every instinct Lisa had, she was wearing AJ’s Leafs jersey. She’d already worn her Giants one from home, and he didn’t have any jerseys of teams she actually liked. He was wearing his Chargers one on the ice, which left either the Leafs, or, the alternative was to not wear one at all. Everyone else was, and it would have been too weird (and cold!) for her to go to a hockey game without a jersey on.

  When in Rome! she thought as she slipped it on over her sweater. Or, America – whatever!

  The Leafs were playing in the National league tonight, too. Had they been playing her NHL team, The Edmonton Oilers, she’d never have dared wear the jersey. But, as it happened, they were playing the team that had eliminated her precious Oilers from the Stanley cup the year before, so she was happy enough with the Leafs jersey.

  When the final buzzer rang, the girls left the rink and made their way through the car park. The game was pretty good even though the Chargers lost.

  “Jeremy said they’d meet us at the bar,” Chelsea informed her.

  “Oh, did he now?” Lisa groaned.

  “Woah. Hold up a sec. What the heck is your deal with Jeremy?”

  “He HATES me!” she wailed.

  “He does not hate you; he just likes to wind you up.”

  “Well, it works, and I don’t like it.”

  “Calm down, you take things way too personally! You’re kinda easy meat, Lis.”

  When they arrived at the bar, they grabbed a table, ordered drinks. Nearly an hour passed and still no team. Finally, a couple of the guys came in and made their way to the bar. Mike, the netminder, and Marc, one of the team’s top goal scorers stopped to say hi.

  “Hey guys,” she greeted them, “Where’s the boy at?”

  She didn’t need to make introductions with most of AJ’s teammates. They all knew who she was already, whether she’d met them or not. Most of them had been in the bar the night before. To her knowledge, there weren’t any other Irish girls who’d come to visit one of the guys on the team. She couldn’t be inconspicuous even if she’d wanted.

  “He’s on his way,” Marc answered, sliding in beside her. Chelsea and Mike headed to the bar to order more drinks. Marc had a stupid grin on his face and he was
giggling to himself.

  “Marc, have you been drinking already?”

  “A little,” he admitted, “and, y’know? I think it’s great!”

  “What’s great? Drinking?”

  “No, you forgiving AJ after finding out about Britt. It’s very big of you. We really weren’t sure if you would or not!”

  She glanced at the bar, there was a bit of a line, she had time.

  I really do think something was off last night. Maybe Marc knows.

  “What about Britt?” She was treading carefully; they were obviously hiding something from her and she needed to find out what that was. She let the silence hang having watched enough detective shows on TV to know that people being ‘interviewed’ had a tendency to need to fill the silence.

  “At the wedding, he was wondering how he was going to tell you. He got pretty upset from what I hear. Jer said AJ cried and everything. I wasn’t there, it was a tiny courthouse thing. But I guess he was pretty trashed. Who the hell cries on their own wedding night?” he started laughing until he saw the look on her face.

  “Oh, shit. He hasn’t told you? You didn’t…SHIT,” his voice trailed off, but she was already leaving. She was running for the door, tears streaming down her face. Jeremy was just arriving.

  “Hey, HEY, don’t worry,” Jeremy grinned at her, “he’s on his way, coach wanted to talk to him for a minute after the game-” He saw her tears as she pushed past him, not slowing down. Behind her, she heard him say, “Oh shit. You know...” before she slammed the door of the cab that luck for her happened to be waiting outside the bar with its available for hire light on.

  “Where to?” the driver asked.

  She looked in her bag to double check she had her passport on her and made a snap decision.

  “Airport,” she gasped between sobs.

  If she took the time to go back to the hotel and collect her things, she’d run the risk he’d catch up with her and talk her out of it.

  “Quickly, please.”

  “No problem,” he replied. As the car pulled away from the bar, she saw Jeremy out the back window, he was talking animatedly on the phone. She knew who to. Jackass, she thought. What an absolute prick.