Breakout (A Dallas Demons Hockey Romance)

by Ellis, Aven

  I keep searching and I finally locate the craps table. At first I see Kimberlee, who is dressed in a stupid-short Lycra dress, one that is completely unprofessional for someone working the event as a reporter. A stab of jealousy rips through me, because even though she’s dressed like an idiot, there’s no doubt her body is amazing. With her perfect breasts, long legs, and amazing mane of Keratin treated hair, she’s gorgeous.

  And then my eyes fall upon Niko.

  I stop dead in my tracks. Jealousy takes a backseat as I gaze at him from where I stand. My heart slams against my ribs in response. My throat goes dry. I can’t breathe properly.

  Because Niko’s never looked hotter than he does at this very moment.

  Niko’s dressed in a sharp black suit with a crisp white dress shirt. He has on a platinum tie but holy hell, Niko’s got on a vest. He’s wearing a freaking three-piece-suit that makes him look sexy as hell.

  He takes a sip of the cocktail he’s holding and turns his head in my direction.

  And then his eyes meet mine.

  My heart pounds rapidly. Niko’s gorgeous eyes widen the second he sees me. His lips part, like he’s drawn a sharp breath of air, and his eyes flicker over me. An electric feeling shoots down my spine in response. His gaze is intense, and his eyes are on no one but me.

  Right now I know I’m the only woman in this ballroom to him.

  I slowly move forward to the craps table, my eyes locked in on him. Niko’s gaze doesn’t waver, not for a second.

  Holly has placed herself next to Niko, which is according to CiCi’s plan.

  Now I find myself right in front of Niko. His Mediterranean Sea colored eyes still haven’t left me.

  “Hey, Lexi, you finally made it,” Holly cries out happily, right according to her script. “It’s so good to see you again.”

  Then she hugs me and whispers in my ear as I stare over her shoulder. “It’s go time.”

  I nod and step back from the beautiful brunette, the one with Nate’s dark brown hair and eyes. “Glad you could come in from Northwestern,” I say, shifting my gaze to her.

  “Me, too. And soon I graduate,” Holly says, her espresso-colored eyes sparkling at me.

  “Congratulations,” I say.

  Then I turn to Niko. “Hi,” I say softly.

  Niko is silent for a moment. Fear grips me. Is he still not going to speak to me? My heart crashes into my stomach. Is what I’ve done so horrible that he will never forgive me?

  He finally clears his throat. “You . . . you look gorgeous.”

  “Wow, Lexi, I almost didn’t recognize you,” Kimberlee interrupts.

  I stiffen. I resist the urge to grab Niko’s drink and dump it over her head.

  “I mean, you’re so dressed up,” Kimberlee continues.

  “Well, she’d look like an idiot if she dressed like this for an edit session,” Holly quips. “Of course, the guys at TATS would love it I’m sure.”

  I mentally rock five with Holly. I can’t think right now, but thank God Holly can.

  “Speaking of guys,” Holly says, tucking her arm through mine. “I have someone you have to meet tonight. My brother thinks JP is perfect for you.”

  Niko stands straight up. His gaze darkens, and his brow furrows.

  “JP?” he asks.

  Kimberlee bursts out laughing. “JP Rochat? The player?”

  Holly whips her head toward her. “How many JP Rochat’s do you know?”

  Kimberlee stops mid-laugh. Apparently she isn’t used to girls like Holly.

  Her face twists into one of annoyance. “I don’t think players are here to pick up girls.”

  “Maybe not to pick up you,” Holly says pointedly. “But my brother thinks JP and Lexi would hit it off.”

  Kimberlee snorts. “And who’s your brother? Cupid?”

  Holly flashes Kimberlee an evil grin. “No. Nate Johansson. Have you heard of him?”

  Kimberlee looks like she wants to throw up.

  “Nate?” Kimberlee squeaks. “Nate is your brother?”

  “Yeah, cool, huh?” Holly says smartly. “Anyway, I’m sure you have some players to interview, right? So we’ll let you go. Besides, I need to introduce Lexi to JP. And Lexi! You should totally bid on him in the date auction. Wouldn’t that be awesome if you won him? He’d be thrilled.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Niko says, setting his drink down on the edge of the craps table.

  Holy shit, CiCi is a genius. It’s working. I see nothing but jealousy flashing in Niko’s eyes.

  “No, it’s not good, it’s brilliant!” Holly declares. “Come on, Lex!”

  “See you later, Niko,” I say.

  And then I let Holly lead me away from the table.

  As soon as we’re out of earshot, Holly leans in to me. “He is insanely jealous! There’s no one but you for him. Did you see the way Niko was looking at you?”

  I’m still shaking. I swear I can feel his eyes on my back as we head over to Nate’s table.

  “Thank you for agreeing to do this,” I say to Holly.

  Holly’s face lights up. “It was fun. Maybe I should consider acting, because lord knows being an author is going to put me into poverty.”

  I smile. Holly is studying creative writing at Northwestern, and Kenley has told me she’s an aspiring author.

  We reach the blackjack table, and Kenley turns and hugs me. “You look gorgeous. He’s dying. I can see right over your shoulder he is.”

  “I hope so,” I say.

  “Darling!” CiCi says happily, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  CiCi kisses my cheek. “Now, we need to get The Swiss One over here.”

  Peter clears his throat. “I’m sorry, The Swiss One?”

  “Yes,” CiCi says breezily. “That gorgeous Swiss hockey player. I need to introduce him to my girl Lexi. Lexi, this is Peter Devereax. He’s been entertaining me this evening.”

  “Pleasure,” Peter says, extending his hand to me.

  “An honor,” I say, shaking his hand. “What you’ve done with the Demons organization is truly amazing.”

  “Thank you,” Peter says. “So you want to meet JP? I’ll get him over here for you.”

  He turns over his shoulder and waves to a woman standing a few feet behind him. I quickly realize she’s one of his “people.”

  “Please find JP Rochat and bring him over here,” he says.

  “Of course,” the woman says, heading off to find JP.

  Matt Rhinelander strides up to the table, to where Nate has finished another round. “I’m taking over this table now,” he says, grinning and clapping Nate on the back. “You’re due for fan pictures.”

  “Gotcha,” Nate says.

  Suddenly Matt stops. “Wow, Holly, you look fantastic,” he says, his blue eyes widening in surprise.

  Holly tilts her head to one side. “You’re not used to seeing me without glasses,” she quips.

  “No, I’m not. Or a Northwestern hoodie,” Matt teases.

  “Well, thank you,” Holly says.

  I watch as Nate and Matt change places.

  CiCi then excuses herself.

  “I’m going to talk to my girls for a moment,” she says smoothly.

  Peter places his hand on her arm. “Are you coming back?”

  Whoa. He’s looking at CiCi like a lost puppy. CiCi and the owner of the Dallas freaking Demons?

  My life really is an episode of Gossip Girl.

  “I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes,” CiCi says, patting her platinum-blond hair.

  Then she moves us over to one of the many table rounds set up in the room for people to use for eating and drinking.

  “He’s still
staring,” Kenley announces as she leans across the table.

  I feel my face burn hot. “Yeah?”

  “Yes!” Kenley and Holly shout at the same time.

  CiCi takes a sip of her white wine. “Phase two. You’re going to meet with JP, smile up a storm at him, when he leaves you’ll go to the auction table to get your bidding number. That is when I expect The Greek One will snap and lose it.”

  I swallow hard. “And if he doesn’t? If this leads to nothing?”

  “Go out with The Swiss One,” CiCi says, as if switching men was as easy as picking a different colored crayon out of a box. “I’ll pay for your bidding.”

  “Trust me, that’s not going to happen,” Holly says firmly. “I was right there. Lexi is the only woman in the world for Niko.”

  “I agree,” Kenley says.

  Amanda quickly walks up to the table. “Okay, I have to be fast or Ryan’s radar will be up on us. He already wants to know why Lexi and Niko aren’t together, and I’m stalling him on asking Niko about it. But how’s it going?”

  “Perfectly,” Kenley says excitedly. “JP is due to be over here any second now.”

  “Aaaaaaaaaaaah! So exciting!” Amanda says.

  “I know, I love being an operative,” Holly adds.

  “Next time we’ll work on you,” CiCi says pointedly. “But The Blond One likes you.”

  Holly blinks. “Who?”

  “Mark,” CiCi says.

  “Matt?” Kenley corrects. “Do you mean Matt Rhinelander?”

  Holly bursts out laughing. “Oh God, no, he doesn’t. He was being nice because he knows me since he’s come into the league and has played with Nate the entire time.”

  “I think he does,” CiCi declares.

  “No. He likes girls like Kimberlee,” Holly says firmly. “Fake boobs. Short dresses. No brains.”

  “Nope,” CiCi declares. “I can feel it.”

  I glance across the table to Kenley, who has a perfect view of Niko over my shoulder. “What’s he doing?” I ask anxiously.

  “Staring at you with a really pissed-off expression on his face.”

  “Do you think he’s pissed at me?” I ask, panicking.

  “No. At himself for being an idiot,” Amanda declares.

  “Who’s an idiot and what are you all up to?” Ryan asks as he joins the group, staring at us with a suspicious eye.

  Gah!

  “Nothing,” Amanda says smoothly. “Let’s go check out the dessert tables Kenley arranged,” she says, referring to Kenley’s company providing all the desserts for the event. “Did I see macaroons?”

  “Yes. Come on, I’ll explain them all,” Kenley says, helping Amanda distract Ryan.

  “Oh! JP is coming!” Holly whispers excitedly.

  “What the hell do I say to him?” I blurt out.

  CiCi waves a hand dismissively in the air. “Nice to meet you, compliment him on whatever the hell he does with a hockey stick, shake his hand, look dreamily at him. Mission accomplished.”

  Peter Deveraux’s assistant approaches our table with JP at her side.

  “Hi, I understand Peter wanted you ladies to meet JP,” she says, smiling. “I’m Gloria, and this is JP Rochat.”

  I study JP for a moment. If this were a month ago, I’d be awestruck by meeting him. He’s tall, with thick dark-brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes, and has a French accent to die for.

  But that was before Niko.

  Now JP is handsome, as anyone would attest to. But that’s it.

  And nobody I’d ever be interested in now that Niko is a part of my life.

  “Hello, JP,” CiCi says, extending her hand to him. “I’m CiCi. My daughter is dating Nate Johansson.”

  I smile at the pride I hear in CiCi’s voice. When Nate and Kenley first started dating, she feared he’d hurt Kenley. But now she sees that Nate is completely in love with her daughter, and CiCi knows there is no one else on this earth that he is going to love.

  “Oh, Nate,” JP says, flashing a perfect smile at CiCi. “You’re Kenley’s mother.”

  “Yes. And this is Nate’s sister, Holly,” she says, smiling.

  “Nice to meet you,” Holly says, shaking his hand.

  “Likewise,” he says. Then he turns to me.

  “And this young lady is practically my child,” CiCi says. “JP, this is Lexi Stewart.”

  CiCi then looks at me expectantly, as if to say, FOLLOW THE SCRIPT.

  I smile and shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m psyched the Demons have a two-way defensive player in the top D-line now.”

  JP flashes me a smile. “You’re a hockey fan, aren’t you?”

  “I am,” I say, nodding. “And we’re so happy to have you on the Demons. I hope you find Dallas well so far.”

  “The weather is definitely nicer.” JP laughs. “Buffalo was so cold. And the fans here have been very welcoming. It’s also great to play on a championship team. I’m excited about it.”

  “Holly, darling, would you mind coming with me to check out the silent auction items?” CiCi says. “I want to keep track on the spa package I bid on.”

  They excuse themselves, leaving me with JP. We chat for a few minutes, and once again I think of how surreal my life is at the moment. My roommate is in love with Nate Johansson and is going to marry him someday. CiCi is flirting with the owner of the Dallas Demons. And I’m standing here talking with one of the hottest players in the game, but I couldn’t care less.

  Because all I want is Niko Xenakis.

  I excuse myself after a few more minutes of small talk. Just as CiCi instructed, I move through the crowd, heading toward the auction boards. But my mind is racing the entire time. What if Niko doesn’t come after me? What if he’s truly hurt by what I did and won’t give me a chance to explain? What if I’ve further pissed him off with this Gossip Girl-type plan CiCi has cooked up?

  I head over to the auction sign up table and get my number for the bidding. Then I force myself to stand in front of the DEMONS BACHELORS board and act like I’m truly considering bidding on JP.

  As I blankly stare at JP’s smiling face, I realize Niko isn’t coming. I glance over my shoulder, through the crowd, and he’s nowhere in sight.

  I swallow hard. I scan the whole ballroom, and I don’t see him.

  It didn’t work.

  Niko isn’t going to act on his feelings.

  My stomach turns into a frozen knot. Tears prick my eyes. I blew it, and even if he thinks I look beautiful tonight, he wants no part of me.

  I need to get out of here. I can’t breathe. And I’m on the verge of bursting into tears.

  I hurry through the throng of people, out of the ballroom. I make it to the hallway, and I head down the huge staircase to the next level of the hotel. I hit the landing, but I hear footsteps behind me.

  I turn around.

  It’s Niko.

  I gasp as he flies down the steps toward me. He grabs my hand, and before I can even say a word, he leads me to the doors to the terrace, where the infinity pool is.

  Niko angrily bangs open the doors, pulls me behind him, and strides right over to the edge of the pool that overlooks the city of Dallas, which is sparkling all around us in the velvety-black sky.

  “Niko, I—”

  “You aren’t going out with JP,” he snaps, his voice shaking with anger as he releases my hand. “There’s no fucking way you’re going out with him. I’ve waited far too long for my chance with you, and he’s not taking it away from me.”

  I can’t breathe. My heart is pounding furiously inside my chest.

  “Do you want me?” I whisper into the chilly air between us.

  “I’m done being tortured,” Niko snaps. “I’m tortured
every time I talk to you, every time I sit next to you, every time I’m with you and I can’t touch you. I can’t take it anymore. I want the scent of your skin on mine. I want your beautiful body in my arms. I want to know what your lips taste like. JP isn’t getting that. I am.”

  And then Niko’s mouth is on mine, claiming it with his own.

  Chapter 17

  The One Online Dating Service Profile Question: What is your ideal time for a first kiss? At the end of the first date?

  My write-in answer: RIGHT NOW.

  The second Niko’s lips touch mine, my entire body responds with need. He wastes no time, and neither do I. He parts my lips with his, taking what he’s wanted for so long now and will no longer be denied. His kiss is desperate and heat-filled, hot and sexy.

  I match him in intensity, eagerly tasting gin on his tongue and inhaling the sensual scent of cedar and spice on his skin. His stubble burns against my face, my hands are in his hair, and his hands are moving all over my body, tangling with the fringe of my dress as he explores me with this scorching kiss.

  Abruptly he stops, and I gasp in protest. I grab his face and draw him back to my hungry lips, kissing him with a ferocity I’ve never felt before. Niko moans against my mouth in response, which only feeds my desire for him.

  Niko’s hands move to my hair, and I feel my chignon loosening as he urgently rakes his fingers through my locks. My hair falls free, and Niko slides his hand up the nape of my neck, to the back of my head, and kisses me harder.

  Niko breaks the kiss, and we’re both struggling to get our breath. Nothing is said between us for a moment, but Niko’s hands are all over my face, caressing it in a way the exact opposite of the kiss we shared, showing me he can be both passionate and gentle at the same time. I wind my arms around his back and rest my head against his solid chest.

  “Baby,” Niko finally whispers, pressing his lips against the top of my head, “I know you can have any man you want. A guy like JP.”