“Something we picked out for you,” Lucy says excitedly.
“Lucy picked it out, and I paid for it,” I explain. “It was a team effort.”
“And Dad did peel the shrimp, so he gets some credit for the food.”
“I boiled the water for the linguini, too,” I mutter.
I don’t bother sitting while Ella opens the little bag, which has a velvet box she opens to find the bracelet. “Oh, it’s perfect,” she murmurs, lifting it to examine. She then holds it out to me. “Do you mind?”
I take the bracelet, easily operating the clasp as I have, throughout our marriage, helped Ella put on countless necklaces or bracelets. I affix it over her wrist, and she admires it in the candlelight.
Her gaze goes to Lucy, then she tips her head back to see me. “Thank you. This is the nicest surprise I can ever remember getting.”
Bending, I decide to go for a full-blown display of affection right in front of Lucy. I mean, why not? She’s seen us kiss, hug, and cuddle before. She knows I’m actively pursuing her mom.
I press my lips to Ella’s for a soft but lingering kiss, and to my happiness, she doesn’t pull away but returns it.
“Ick,” Lucy mutters. Mine and Ella’s mouths grin against each other. When I pull back, her eyes are dancing with happiness.
Moving to my chair, I sit and grab the wine bottle, tipping it to fill Ella’s glass first. “Okay… let’s get this party started.”
As a family, we eat, laugh, and have an endless conversation. It’s how we’ve always been around the dinner table. Ella raves over the food, looks at her bracelet periodically, and continues to give hell to Lucy for the way she lured her here.
It’s a fantastic evening, and we even clean everything up together as a family.
When it’s time for Ella to leave—although I wish she’d just stay, but I know it’s too much for her—I take a moment to hit her up with the Halloween party.
“Dominik is throwing a huge Halloween party for the entire organization on Wednesday,” I say to her as Lucy and I walk her out the front door. “I’d like you and Lucy to come. She’s in. How about you?”
As expected, Ella doesn’t jump at it. I know she’s being cautious and coming to a family event as a family will be making quite the statement.
“Please, Mom,” Lucy begs, and I swear, she even lets her lower lip quiver a bit. I’m not sure if that’s calculated or not, but it’s enough to get Ella’s shoulders to droop in capitulation.
“Okay, fine,” she agrees softly. “Let’s do it.”
My next date with my wife settled, I happily walk her to her car as Lucy heads back inside. I open the door for her but before she can get in, I kiss her.
Ella leans into me, kissing me back. There’s regret on both sides when we have to pull away, but I’m still a satisfied man as I watch her drive off.
CHAPTER 13
Ella
I don’t want to be here, but it’s too late to back out now. Jim pulls his Range Rover into a parking spot and we exit, Lucy bounds out of the backseat.
“Holy moly,” I mutter to Jim as we walk side by side to the entrance of what appears to be a large but private carnival. Lucy walks on the other side of her dad, but they’re holding hands.
Dominik Carlson went all out for Halloween and basically hired a carnival to set up in the parking lot of the arena. It was blocked off completely from the public, and only members of the Vengeance organization, their family, and invited guests could attend. There’s a huge Ferris wheel looming over one end, and some sort of spinning ride on the other. In between are booths set up with games, food, candy, and more rides.
My awkwardness fades a bit as I stare agog at the spectacle in front of me. I can’t even imagine what this cost the Vengeance owner, but the man sure does know how to treat his employees.
The entrance is blocked by a gate where a security guard stands with a clipboard to check off names to enter. Of course, he recognizes Jim and grins. “Mr. Steele, great to see you. And this must be Mrs. Steele and your daughter, Lucy?”
“Good to see you, too, Alex,” Jim replies, tossing an arm around my shoulder. “And you would be correct… Mrs. Steele and the brat, Lucy.”
Lucy just blows a bubble from the gum she’s chewing, doing nothing to correct his assertion. But she knows he’s just kidding and is used to Jim’s antics.
“Y’all go on in and have fun,” he says after checking us off the list. He unlocks the gate and swings it open for us.
“Can I go meet up with Kiera?” Lucy asks as soon as the gate closes. Kiera is the daughter of one of the executives in operations, and they got to know each other through team functions last year. Kiera is a year older than Lucy and while I have no solid proof—just a vibe—I think she could be a bad influence.
“Sure,” Jim replies, and Lucy starts to jet. Jim grabs her by the arm. “Check in with us in about an hour.”
“Got it,” Lucy says, and she’s gone in a flash.
“Kiera will probably have her smoking dope behind one of the rides,” I mutter and Jim laughs, easily looping his arm around my shoulder.
“Not in this small area, and it’s too open for them to hide anywhere,” Jim says as we start to move into the crowd. “Besides, she’s a good kid. She wouldn’t.”
“Yeah, she’s a good kid,” I agree.
Jim’s arm falls away, and he takes my hand. It feels right, but a little bit weird. After we separated, I essentially stopped all participation in anything with the Vengeance organization. Jim certainly didn’t invite me to anything except for the playoff games, but that was so Lucy could go. And I gently put off any requests by the wives or girlfriends I’d gotten to know somewhat, thinking it was just a dutiful kindness they were passing on.
We pass some people I recognize—and some I don’t because this is a huge organization—but there are several strange looks from some of the ones who know Jim and I have been separated.
And this is the reason I didn’t want to come to this event. I didn’t want the stares and the questions, but when Jim and Lucy double-teamed me, I really couldn’t say no.
Besides, I wanted to do something for Jim because he’s put himself out on the line for me. He’s lived up to every bit of the multi-faceted promise he made to me, and I want him to know that I see it. I appreciate it. I have hope in it.
It’s been twelve days since he gave me the promise ring, a renewal of sorts.
Five days since our first “date” after a game, where we cut it short and rushed back to my place to have sex…
Which I don’t regret, by the way.
It’s been four days since Lucy caught us flirting and Jim explained things to her, yet my daughter somehow became his accomplice.
Three days since Jim sent me flowers while he was in Vegas at an away game, his card saying simply, “Thinking about you now and always.” It brought tears to my eyes.
Two days since my daughter lied to me and gave me a heart attack, all so I would show up for a surprise dinner at Jim’s house, complete with flowers and jewelry. Jim walked me to my car that night before I left, Lucy in her room getting ready for school the next day, and kissed the breath out of me. It reminded me of our first kiss all those years ago… full of excitement and yearning and promise.
And one day since that wicked man showed up at my house in the middle of the day while Lucy was at school. I was deep into revisions on an ad campaign and working on a tight deadline.
My doorbell had rung. Irritated, I swung it open, ready to tell off whatever salesman was there.
Instead, I got 6’4 inches of a hot man hell-bent on some afternoon delight. Jim simply attacked before I could even ask him what he was doing there. By attack, I mean full-out blitz as he came charging in the door. Within a millisecond, I was in his arms and his mouth was on mine. He kicked the door shut. Because the bedroom was too far away, I got picked up and tossed on the couch. I spent one futile moment trying to explain I was busy, and I didn�
�t have time for this.
“You can take those clothes off, or I will. They’ll probably get shredded, though,” he replied, a dark, almost sinister tone to his voice. “Then you’re going to ride my face, Ella. I have a bit of a craving for you.”
I didn’t try to argue anymore. I didn’t care if my work got done. Instead, I got naked and Jim laid on the couch, pulling me over him so I was spread right over his mouth. I truly didn’t care if I got fired at the point I was into my second hard orgasm, because he is magic with his tongue. I was in nirvana when he flipped me around, unzipped his pants, and jerked his cock out. I almost came again when he ordered, “Reverse cowgirl, Ella. Now.”
Damn it all to hell, but I love his domineering side and him forcing me to do what he wants—knowing I’ll get just as much out of it in the end—but I climbed on my man and rode him reverse cowgirl. It was half an hour of explosive, rough, dirty-talking sex and when we were done, he cuddled me close on the couch. He thanked me for taking some time out of my day, whispered he loved me, got dressed, and left, giving me a final apology at the door before he closed it.
I could do nothing but laugh and after lying on the couch for a few more minutes, I finally got dressed and went back to work. I had a smile on my face all day.
In essence, Jim has given me everything I’ve ever wanted. I feel like I’m not only visible to him, but also that I’m cherished, respected, admired, and needed. He makes me feel as if he can’t breathe without me, and I couldn’t be happier.
But what if it doesn’t last? What if we can’t maintain this for the long haul?
This is the reason I was hesitant in coming to a team event—I was afraid we were making a show that could easily falter.
“Did you tell anyone I was coming?” I ask Jim as he eyeballs the game where you knock over the milk canisters with a baseball.
“Yeah,” he replies. “Several of the guys.”
That relieves me somewhat because I’ve been dreading someone coming right out and asking, “What’s she doing here?”
Although in hindsight, Jim is close with his teammates. I’m quite positive they rallied around him when I asked him to leave, and they would be supportive of him trying to make his marriage work. Of course, some could hate me for asking for a separation and now they’ll be forced to put on fake smiles and act like it’s all cool I’m here with him.
“I’m not sure this was a good idea,” I blurt out, my pulse now starting to race. I didn’t think through how this would work out. Jim bringing me back into the fold, I mean, particularly because we’re not exactly together. While I’m still hoping beyond hope we can repair what was broken, there’s the chance we won’t. And this could be a big grandstanding of lies right now.
Before I know it, Jim has his hands on my shoulders and he pulls me in close. “Ella… just relax. You’re one of the most lovable people I know. Everyone on this team adored you before we separated, and not one of my friends has sore feelings toward you. I made sure they knew I was to blame, not you.”
“You weren’t totally to blame,” I murmur, incredibly touched he would gallantly make himself the total bad guy. “It takes two to make a relationship work.”
Jim smiles, leans in, and brushes his lips against mine. “That might be true, but that’s a conversation best served with a few beers, chips, and guacamole out in the gazebo one night. I’ll randomly show up and text you when I arrive.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts forth from my tight chest and just like that, he’s made things good for me again.
“Now, let’s act like two people madly in love who are trying to work things out, okay?” he presses.
“Okay,” I agree, and I take his hand back in mine.
He immediately pulls it away, then fishes into his pocket for his wallet. “But first… let me see if I can win you that big pink teddy bear.”
Fifty dollars and several baseballs later, we’re carrying the hideous bear around the carnival.
♦
An hour later, after checking on Lucy, the sun starts to set and the carnival lights come on. We’ve run into several of the players and their wives or significant others. Some had gotten married this summer without me having a chance to congratulate them. As Jim predicted, everyone was warm and genuinely happy to see me. It made me stop feeling awkward.
“Getting hungry?” Jim asks.
“I am,” I reply, but give him a pointed look. “But will you actually eat carnival food?”
While Jim likes to eat as clean as possible, Lucy and I love junk food.
“I’ll endeavor to choke something down,” he replies gallantly. “Actually… I’m kind of craving a hot dog.”
“Then let’s do it,” I reply, and off we go to the hot dog stand.
After we have our order in hand—Jim had dumped the pink teddy bear into some little girl’s arms not fifteen minutes after we won it—we head to a large tent that had been providing shade in the afternoon sun and was filled with tables and chairs for people to sit while they ate.
“Hey, there’s Dominik,” Jim says, and I follow him through tables until we reach the enigmatic owner of the Vengeance. He’s there with his wife, Willow, who also happens to be first-line left-winger Dax Monahan’s sister. A little boy sits between them, and I know from talking to Jim that this is their foster son, Dillon.
Dominik and Willow stand, giving us hugs. They introduce us to Dillon, who smiles shyly and picks at some cheese-covered fries.
“Dillon’s still a little shy until he gets to know you,” Willow explains, using her fingers to sweep some of his blond hair away from his forehead.
Jim sits opposite of Dillon, then leans forward to get eye level with him. “Hey, buddy… those cheese fries look really good. Mind if I have one?”
Dillon smiles and shakes his head, pushing the plate toward Jim. He nabs one and eats it with relish, although he probably hates it. He holds his fist out to Dillon, “Got a fist bump for me?”
Dillon smiles bigger and holds his fist out for Jim to tap, while Dominik and Willow watch fondly.
“Things are going well?” Jim asks as he glances up to Dominik.
“Very,” he replies, shooting a look over at Willow. Her eyes are soft, which is a good look on her. She’s such a powerhouse of a woman—a photojournalist who has seen active wartime.
Willow brings her attention to Jim and me, placing an arm around Dillon’s shoulders. “It looks like our adoption petition is going to be approved soon.”
Without words to show how he feels, Dillon leans into Willow’s side and she bends to kiss him on the head. Dominik reaches a hand out to ruffle his soon-to-be son’s head. “Soon, he’ll be Dillon Joshua Carlson and we’ll have him up on hockey skates in no time.”
“I’d rather play basketball,” Dillon says, and we all laugh because Dominik also owns a professional basketball team in L.A.
“That’s respectable, too,” Dominik assures his foster son with a grin.
A loud whistle pierces the inner space of the tent, and all heads turn that way. Pepper grins at us, having been the one to launch the shrill sound to get our attention. She’s married to the team’s goalie, Legend, and is a successful children’s author. She sits with Brooke, who is Coach Perron’s daughter and married to Bishop, the captain, along with Clarke, who is dating Aaron Wylde, a first-line defenseman, and Mollie, who just got engaged to my man’s bestie, Kane, a few weeks ago.
I don’t know Clarke personally. Jim has told me about her as we’ve started reconnecting, and he’s filling me in on new team dynamics here and there. It seems like many of the Vengeance guys have been steadily falling in love one by one and coming off the single market.
I actually know Mollie since Kane and Jim are pretty close. Even though we’ve been separated, I had the chance to meet Mollie by her needing a dog sitter for her pooch and since Lucy loves dogs, we happily obliged. We’ve only spoken a few times, but I like her a lot.
Pepper waves a hand, yel
ling, “Tell Willow and Ella to get their butts over here.”
I blink in surprise at the invitation. Again, everyone here has been incredibly nice when we’ve run into each other as we strolled the midway, but this is a direct invitation. I know Pepper and Brooke, as they are first-line wives and are active with the team. Over the last year, we’ve enjoyed some social gatherings together, but I haven’t talked to them since the separation.
“Might as well go.” Willow sighs as she removes her arm from around Dillon, her gaze coming to me. “Pepper will cause a scene if we don’t.”
I twist toward Jim, and he must see some of the panic I feel in my chest. Am I prepared to socialize with these women given our circumstances?
He squeezes my thigh under the table, a silent affirmation that it will all be okay. Squaring my shoulders, I nod and push up from my chair, following Willow over to the women.
Pepper and Brooke stand as we approach, immediately rushing to me. I’m given hugs and whispers I look fantastic and they’re so happy to see me. My defenses instantly lower, and I squeeze them back. Willow takes a seat beside Clarke and Mollie, then makes quick introductions to Clarke as we haven’t officially met.
As I smile and shake hands with her, I recall what Jim told me. Clarke owns a bookstore downtown, and Aaron Wylde—who was the team’s resident playboy—quickly fell for the pretty, bookish woman.
While I don’t know Mollie all that well, she has a fascinating story having been best friends with Kane Bellan—the trade the Vengeance made late in the season—for years. They went from friends to lovers to being engaged in the course of a late-summer fling, but, from what Jim says, they were destined to be together. True soul mates.
I believe in that term. Once upon a time, I had thought that was what Jim was to me. I think he can still be that, too.
God, I hope he can.
Brooke tells everyone to sit, then turns her attention to Willow first. “How long are you in town?”
“Until Monday,” she replies.
“Perfect,” Brooke beams. “We’re having a ladies’ brunch on Saturday morning. It’s been a while since we all got together, and the team is in town. Plus, we’re going to help plot Mollie and Kane’s wedding.”
Steele Page 12
