The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2)

by Mary Smith

  When we headed out to our vehicles, I easily spotted Meadow and Harlow sitting on the tailgate of Kyson’s truck. When she looked over at me, a small smile appeared.

  “Nice game, puppy,” she said loudly.

  “Thank you, honey-bunny.” I held up my hand for a high-five, which she returned.

  “He got one goal,” Kyson pointed out as if no big deal.

  “Yes, but it was the first goal of the evening; ergo, it was the goal.” I pushed on Kyson’s shoulder jokingly.

  “Keaton.”

  My body froze and not because of the cold. I slowly turned to see Felicia walking towards me.

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “You won’t talk to me any other way.”

  “So, you thought cornering me with my friends would get me to talk to you?” She probably was high or drunk at the moment to think this had been a bright idea.

  “Please, Keaton.”

  “The answer is still the same: no,” I turned my back on her and saw how confused everyone looked trying to figure out what the situation.

  “This is how you treat your mother?”

  I flinched as if someone hit me. As I turned back to her, I caught Harlow’s eyes grow wide with shock, but mine were fueled with anger.

  “This—” I stepped closer to her, and she took a few steps back. “This is how I treat the woman who left me on my grandmother’s doorstep because she needed a bottle and a needle more than her own child.” My voice rose, and someone behind me gasped.

  “I said I was sorry.”

  “I don’t care. Do you understand? I don’t want you in my life. No matter what your twelve-step program tells you, not all is forgivable.”

  Felicia’s eyes narrowed. “You think you’re so high and mighty because you have a fancy hockey career and went to college and write books. You’re nothing but a workaholic and it’s an addiction just like I have.”

  My mind raced. She’d literally spilled out almost every secret of mine in front of my friends. Who told her? Grams had to. What made it worse she thought I was like her? I’d never be like her.

  “How dare you compare me to you? I’m nothing like you.” My voice was low, laced with anger.

  “Oh, son, you’re more like me than you know.”

  “You fucking—”

  “Stop.” Harlow jumped in between us. “Stop.” She faced Felicia. “This isn’t the time or place to have this conversation. It would be best if you left now.”

  “And don’t go back to Grams,” I yelled at her. Harlow reached back and laced her hand with mine. It seemed to calm me a bit.

  “Just leave,” Harlow told her again. Felicia was going to say something else, but decided against it and left the parking garage.

  I didn’t realize how badly I’d been shaking until Harlow told me. Or I thought she said it. My ears were ringing, and I was beyond pissed off. Actually, pissed off didn’t cut it, but I couldn’t think of another word at the moment.

  “Keaton, give me your keys.” Harlow cupped my face. I reached into the pocket of my coat and gave them to her. She led me to my vehicle and opened the door for me. There was no argument from me, I just followed her lead.

  She drove us to her house, and all I could think about was how I hated Felicia even more now than before. If that were even possible.

  Harlow and I walked into her place and right toward the kitchen. She pulled a couple beers from the fridge as I took off my jacket and tugged at my tie. She sat the beers on the table and took off her jacket.

  “You must think I’m an ass,” I said, taking a large gulp of the beer.

  “I didn’t think that at all.”

  I rested my elbows on the table and ran both of my hands through my hair. “I hate her.”

  “I can understand why.”

  I couldn’t explain it, but I suddenly became very emotional. I wanted to say so much to Felicia right now, and the more I replayed it in my head, the more furious I became.

  Obviously, Harlow read my mind because she stood up and came over to me. She lifted my chin, and we stared at each other for a few seconds.

  “Make me forget tonight happened.” Why would I request something so silly? But I did.

  She gently pushed on my shoulder and I leaned back in the chair. She easily straddled me and kissed me hard. At this moment, I craved her. There was nothing else I wanted more than to bury myself in her.

  Harlow broke our kiss and rose. She tugged on my hand, and I followed her up the stairs to her bedroom.

  She faced me and raised her arms up over her head. I gripped the bottom of her t-shirt and lifted it over her head. She had on a black bra. Nothing lacy like last time, but it still made her breasts look fantastic. Harlow began to unbutton my shirt. There was a small smile on her face as she undid my cuff links and let the shirt fall from my shoulders.

  I watched her ease down on her knees, release my belt, and pop the button of my black dress pants. They fell and she followed with my boxer briefs. I was hard as a rock in Antarctica, and I growled when she gripped me and began to stroke.

  My knees almost buckled when she licked the underside to the tip. I couldn’t even make a sound when she engulfed me in her hot mouth, setting me on fire. If she kept it up, I wouldn’t last long.

  I tangled my fingers in her soft hair as she began to pick up the pace. She took me farther back into her mouth, and I swore I could touch her tonsils I was so far back.

  “Fuck.” I pumped into her mouth, feeling my release coming more quickly. I was right on the cusp of blowing into her mouth.

  But Harlow didn’t finish me off. Instead, she stood up and without saying a single word, began to finish undressing. My eyes slowly roamed over her body, but as she removed each piece of clothing, I focused more on her face.

  I knew it was lame, but her eyes were hypnotic.

  When she was completely naked, she stepped up to me, lightly brushing her lips over mine. My cock jerked at her feathery touch. She knew how to drive me crazy, and I couldn’t take it any longer.

  I jerked the covers back and tossed Harlow on the bed. Sure, I shouldn’t have been so abrupt, but I had to be with her and now. I studied her face to see if I was jumping ahead of myself, but she bit down on her lip and spread her legs. Just when I thought she couldn’t be any hotter, she proved me wrong.

  I desperately wanted to taste her and feel her wetness on my face, but it would have to wait until next time. I crawled up her body, lightly nipping at her skin until I reached her breasts. I sucked her tender nipples almost as hard as she did me. Harlow arched herself closer to me, moaning my name.

  My body was harder than ever, and I couldn’t wait another moment. I positioned myself at her entrance and slammed right into her.

  “Keaton,” she gasped.

  I didn’t back off as I slipped back a bit and pushed harder into her. I kept doing it over and over until we both found our rhythm. She was tight around me, and she lifted her hips at the right time as I pounded into her.

  “Harlow.” The familiar sensation began to build up again, and this time I had control, so I knew I would be able to finish, as would she.

  “Harder,” she panted, her body tensing more. “Keaton.”

  I did as she requested, and the harder I pushed, the closer I was to my explosion. With the last pant of my name from her lips, I released into her as I felt hers on me. I didn’t mean to, but I collapsed on her because my arms no longer had the strength to hold me up.

  As I regained my breathing, I realized I’d just had sex with Harlow, and it was the best ever.

  Chapter Nine

  Harlow

  I opened my eyes, only to see I was alone in my bedroom, and the sun was rising. Sex with Keaton was just as I imagined it to be. After we finished and he laid on top of me, I damn near passed out from exhaustion. Keaton pulled me into his arms and we quickly fell asleep.

  I wasn’t the type of female to be cuddling, or have sex to help a guy forget
, but there was something in his eyes last night I couldn’t resist. The bonus? I got to have sex with him.

  When I got out of bed, my legs were still a bit wobbly, but it was a sign of good sex. I noticed a pep in my step and a large smile on my face as I headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I hated to wash Keaton’s scent off me, but I was sticky and grimy from sex.

  I stayed under the showerhead longer than I should have, but it felt so good. I dried myself off and lathered my skin with lotion, still replaying last night in my head. As my skin felt silky smooth, I slipped on my robe and strolled happily to the kitchen to start the coffee.

  Something on the kitchen table caught my eyes. A puck? I picked it up along with a note.

  Honey-Bunny,

  You helped me a lot last night. Here’s the puck from my game.

  Puppy

  I giggled because he used his pet name, and it was sweet for him to give me the puck. I picked up my phone and sent a text. I wanted to thank him for the puck and to make sure he was okay.

  Thank you for my puck.

  He responded. You’re welcome. I’ll see you when I get back into town.

  “Oh, right,” I said out loud to my cell phone. The Bears had a road game. I figured he’d left this morning because we were done with our task, not because he had to catch a plane.

  I decided to focus on my day ahead. Dacey would be starting tomorrow, and I needed to get some stuff done before she arrived.

  I spent the day cleaning my house and rearranging my office: the afternoon making a daily task list for Dacey and the evening reading. Sure, I should have been working, but I wasn’t behind schedule, and I deserved a break.

  When Dacey knocked on my door Monday morning, I was ready for her. I’d told her she didn’t have to dress up, but there she stood in my living room with black dress pants, a green silk blouse, and heels. She looked cute but extremely nervous.

  “Dacey, relax, this isn’t the CIA.”

  She nodded, but I don’t think I helped her. I gave her the tour, showed her where she would mainly be working. I’d purchased a small desk and let her use my laptop while I used the desktop. It wasn’t real fancy, but it’d work for now.

  I went through the task list with her, showed her the list of passwords and such. She was very knowledgeable about the laptop, and soon, she was clicking through like she did it all the time.

  I went to work, but couldn’t help thinking about Keaton. I didn’t talk to him last night since I knew he was traveling back to New Hampshire after his game; I read and relaxed instead, but sitting here, editing the rest of his book, I hoped he was okay. I knew he liked keeping his private life private, but his mother shot that to hell.

  “So, Dacey, do you live with Vance?” In hopes of keeping my mind off Keaton, I would nose around the arranged marriage life of Dacey Grion.

  “Um…yes. Normally we wouldn’t, but with Vance being here…” she trailed off and continued typing on the laptop.

  “You’re really going to marry him because your parents said so?” I watched her profile, and her cheeks were bright red.

  “Yes.” She spoke softly. “It’s tradition. My sister’s was arranged as were Vance’s brothers.” She explained, and her face grew redder.

  I decided to let it go. I sure as hell didn’t want her to pass out on me. I went back to editing Keaton’s book. I wasn’t sure why it happens, but it did often when I worked: I lose myself. I just keep working until I was either done or exhausted.

  Or someone interrupts me.

  Which was Keaton calling out my name.

  “Honey-Bunny where are you?”

  “Up here, puppy.”

  I heard him jog up the stairs, and when he appeared in front of me, he was as sexy as when we were having sex.

  “Hello, Dacey.” He smiled at her before looking over at me, smirking.

  The boy is horny again.

  I glanced at the clock, and it been almost five hours, since Dacey showed up this morning.

  Damn, did she even leave the desk?

  “Dacey, I think we’re good for today. I’ll see you tomorrow at the same time.”

  “Tomorrow?” She paled and then looked at Keaton. “Um…”

  “Harlow tomorrow is family day,” Keaton explained.

  “I can miss it,” Dacey rushed out very nervously.

  “No. No.” I shook my head. “I didn’t know. You’re going to have to keep me informed about such things, Dacey.”

  She nodded, mumbling, “Thanks.” She seemed baffled why I wouldn’t have known this already.

  Like I’d go with Keaton.

  “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

  Dacey smiled before leaving Keaton and I alone.

  “I finished your book.” I pointed at my computer as if he could see.

  “What did you think?”

  “Well, I think we’re both making bullshit small talk, when I’m dying to know what happened with the guys?”

  Keaton smirked again and took a seat in Dacey’s chair. “Remington and Kyson didn’t tell the team. Although, they grilled my ass about everything until I told them.”

  “Did you tell them everything?”

  “Pretty much.” He shrugged.

  “It’s not a bad thing. Telling people your goals and dream might be a good thing. They can help you along the way.”

  Keaton didn’t respond.

  “Have you talked to your grandmother?”

  “Grams looks for the best in everyone. This means Felicia isn’t a bad person in her eyes.”

  “Do you know why she showed up in the garage?”

  “Grams told me she went to the game and wanted to talk to me.”

  “And you don’t want to talk to her?”

  “Fuck no, I don’t,” he scoffed. “There’s nothing she can say or do to let her into my life.”

  I understood where he was coming from, nonetheless, she was still his mother, but I wouldn’t push the issue.

  “I actually came over to say thanks. I appreciate everything you did for me.”

  “Thank you for the puck and the fuck.”

  Keaton chuckled. “You’re welcome for both. But I need to go, I just wanted to stop by and say thanks.”

  “So, we’re not going to fuck anymore?” I might have been nice not pushing Dacey on her issues, but this was about me, and I wanted to know if we were going to have sex or not.

  Keaton strolled over to me, pulled my chair back, and leaned on my desk. “I very much want to.”

  “Okay.”

  “But I can’t right now.”

  “I didn’t mean this instant,” I laughed.

  “Soon.” He leaned down and kissed me hard.

  It looked like I had a new sex partner.

  Chapter Ten

  Keaton

  I’d spent most of the day working out before I went over to Harlow’s house. I did want to have sex with her right there in her office. Damn, she was all I’d thought about since I left her the other morning. I was surprised I could even play hockey because of my semi hard-on that has never gone away.

  I needed to focus on my task now: picking up Grams and going to family day. I told her everything that happened between Felicia and me, and even though she didn’t say anything out loud to me, I knew she wanted me to have a relationship with Felicia. Just like I told Harlow, it wasn’t going to happen.

  When I reached Grams’ place, she already was coming out of her house. I jumped out to help her down the few stairs. She hated when I did it, but I don’t want her falling and breaking a hip or something. On the way to the rink, Grams didn’t mention Felicia at all. She mainly went on about her book club and the latest book they were reading. Of course, I only half listened because I realized I should have asked Harlow to come.

  Wait, why?

  We’re just fucking, and there was no real reason for me to ask her. I got one mind-blowing blowjob and suddenly I wanted to be with her all the time? Well, I thought of her a lot, that was tr
ue, but now I’d lost my mind.

  Arriving at the rink, Remington was the first one I saw. He rushed over to Grams’ side of the vehicle to help her out. The whole team loved her. Then again, every team I’ve been on loved her. She had the type of personality everyone wanted to be around. Grams took Remington’s arm and together, with me trailing behind, went into the arena.

  Immediately, the teams and some of their families rushed over to Grams, hugging and saying hello to her. I think she enjoyed the attention; she had a heart of gold and everyone saw it.

  After a bunch of hello’s and such, we all made our way into the dining hall, and my teammates kids’ were running around, which of course, made me chase them, making everything louder. I was well aware how big of a kid I acted. But why grow up?

  “Coach, what happened to your wrist?” I noticed he wore a brace.

  “Old age,” he curtly stated, walking around me toward the coaching staff. I liked Coach Long, but he was the most closed off person ever.

  I went off to sit at the table with Grams and a few of my teammates. Throughout the lunch, there was a lot of laughter and talking, but from everyone else. I mainly sat there and listened, very unlike me. Usually, I was in the mix of it all.

  My mind wandered all over the place, and I couldn’t explain why. It was seriously atypical of me. I first thought of the book, then school work I needed to finish and/or begin, and finally, Harlow. I desperately wanted to see her again and talk to her. Well, mainly have sex with her. I’ve had good sex before, and I wouldn’t toot my horn, but I’ve never had complaints before.

  When the lunch finished I took Grams back to her house, and I raced over to Harlow’s. I didn’t care what she was doing; we were having sex. Seeing her SUV in the driveway just made me harder. The truck was barely off when I leapt out and headed to her door.

  As always, it was unlocked, and I yelled for her.

  “Up here,” she called from upstairs, and I took the stairs by two to get to her.

  I figured she’d be in her office, but when I reached the top, she wasn’t there, and then I heard her in the bedroom.