Hard Lines & Goal Lines (Fast Ice Book 2)

by Stephanie Julian

  She straightened like someone had yanked a string connected to the top of her head. When her eyes narrowed down to slits, she looked every inch her father’s daughter. And since her father was general manager of the Colonials, the same team that paid him a decent amount of money to play in net for them, that probably wasn’t a good thing for him.

  Shit. He’d finally gotten a rise out of her, but it sure as hell wasn’t the one he’d wanted. His damn mouth had gotten him in trouble again. When the hell would he learn? Probably never, considering this wasn’t the first time he’d stuck his foot in his mouth. Probably wouldn’t be the last, either. Especially where she was concerned.

  “That’s none of your business, Timothy Stanton, so if you’re looking for an answer you might as well walk out the nearest door because you are going to be sorely disappointed.”

  Maybe she would’ve scared off another guy with the frosty bitch act. Hell, she probably scared off leagues of guys with that look. But not him. He’d known her for years, since they were teenagers and he and RJ had been in camp together. Then they’d started their careers with the Colonials within a year of each other. He’d been a second-round draft pick who’d finally been pulled up from the AHL just when he’d given up hope that he’d ever get that call. He’d worked his ass off to become one of the two top goalies for the club.

  She’d been a newly hired PR lackey who happened to have a legendary hockey dad. She’d worked her mighty fine ass off for the past five years to get this fancy office and the title of Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

  And because they’d worked together on his pet charity for the past three years, he knew she had a fiercely loving heart beneath that pristine white blouse with about a hundred buttons down the front. Buttons his fingers itched to undo. He also knew the straight, Colonials-blue skirt clung to a tight, curved ass he’d wanted to pet for years. The fact that he hadn’t been given the chance made his gut ache with a longing he didn’t think he’d ever get over.

  Jaw set in a hard line, Tim slowly shook his head. She couldn’t scare him away. Of course, she didn’t know that. Gabby thought she had everyone on the team cowed. And for the most part, she did. Hell, even her brothers let her boss them around.

  Not him. Of course, that didn’t mean he didn’t listen to every word she said. He did. He listened. He absorbed. He even agreed with most of what she had to say. Still didn’t mean he was going to give up this time. That asshole had hurt her. Maybe she needed a reminder that there were other guys out there who would be more than happy to treat her the way she should be treated.

  “That’s not all I want. And you know it.”

  It was a gamble on his part, to blatantly put this thought out into the open. But after today’s practice, he figured fuck it. What the hell did he have to lose?

  Gabby’s brows rose and her lips parted. He figured she was about to rip into him. He’d seen her do it to others but never him. He’d never really given her the chance. They’d always danced around each other, never taking a step across that line.

  But now… She had to know what he’d meant. The question was, what was she going to do about it?

  For a few seconds, he thought she might actually take him up on his mostly unspoken offer. She was a smart woman and he was about as subtle as a bull in a china shop. But after a few more seconds, while she continued to hold his gaze, he saw denial in the flicker of her eyelids and the way she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. She probably didn’t even know she was doing it.

  But he saw and he knew what it meant because he’d been watching Gabby for years. And yeah, he knew how creepy that sounded. In reality, it was just pathetic.

  “What I know,” she looked straight into his eyes, “is that you shouldn’t have been listening to a private conversation, and I need to head home.”

  Not the answer he’d expected. His eyes widened with an unspoken question, and she released a heavy sigh before turning back into her office and disappearing from view.

  He should leave. She’d all but thrown him out of the building. But he didn’t. Something about the droop of her shoulders and the way she shook her head as she turned away made him follow her into her office.

  Fuck it.

  “I’ll wait until you’re ready to leave. I don’t want you to walk to your car alone.”

  Her shoulders stiffened. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

  He bit his tongue and counted to ten before answering. “I’m not saying you do. I’m just saying—”

  “I know what you’re saying, Tim.” Her voice held a sharp edge that might’ve cut another man. “And I don’t need you.”

  His gut clenched into a ball. That one hit a little too close to the bone. He bit back his first response, which would’ve pissed her off even more. Tried to find a more tactful way to say what he wanted to say. Then he thought, Fuck it, and opened his mouth.

  “Are you ever going to acknowledge this thing between us?”

  Fuck. Fuck. Christ, he truly was an asshole. She’d just broken off her last relationship minutes ago. And here he was, acting like a jealous prick.

  Standing by her desk, shoving things into the large tote she brought with her every day, she looked over her shoulder and straight into his eyes, attitude dripping off her next words.

  “What thing?”

  He’d been expecting that exact response, but still, it made his jaw clench. “I guess that’s my answer, huh?”

  For a brief second, he thought he saw something flicker through her gaze. Maybe a little regret. Then again, maybe he was seeing things that weren’t there. Because for the past five years, Gabby had never given any indication that she wanted more than this casual acquaintance.

  Maybe it’s finally time to give this shit up.

  Throw in the towel and admit defeat. Except…he fucking hated admitting defeat. It’s what made him a damn good backup goalie. He played better under pressure.

  Still, if the woman didn’t want him…

  With a harsh sigh, he turned for the door. He was halfway into the hall when he heard her say, “Tim?”

  He considered ignoring her, just continuing on his way. But it wasn’t in him to do it. He stopped just inside her door, turned sideways so he could see her. He didn’t say anything, but he made sure she could see him raise his brows at her. Her mouth did that flat-line thing again and damn if he didn’t want to accept the challenge she’d just laid in front of him.

  “Will you walk me to my car?”

  Two

  Gabrielle Mitchell hated needing anyone for anything.

  No, she didn’t hate it. She loathed it. There was a huge difference in the meaning of those words. Hate, to her, included a component of fear. She wasn’t afraid to need anyone. She simply didn’t want to be in a position where she needed a man to save her.

  Which sounded like she was protesting way too much, considering what she’d just asked Tim to do. The man stood in the door to her office looking huge and solid and—

  “Sure. I can do that.” Tim’s voice, steady and sure, made her feel safe. “You ready to go?”

  Yes, she was. Now that he was here.

  Goddammit.

  Nodding, she turned back to her desk to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind. Of course, she hadn’t, but it gave her a few-seconds’ reprieve from Tim’s dark gaze, silently asking questions she had no answers to.

  Questions like, how could she have been so stupid as to get involved with that man? She wanted to stamp her feet and throw things. Mainly, she wanted to throw things at Rich’s head. Hard, heavy things that would probably barely dent the man’s hard head. That bastard had made her doubt herself and now she wanted to run home, open some wine, and drink directly from the bottle while she alternately moped and raged.

  While all of this ran through her head, Tim continued to stand in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest. Just looking at her in a way that absolutely did not make her want to sink her hands into his shagg
y black curls and rub her lips against the dark scruff that covered his jaw.

  Nope, not one bit.

  Liar, liar, pants on fire.

  Only it wasn’t her pants that were on fire.

  In a pair of track pants and a tight, long-sleeved white t-shirt that outlined each muscle of his chest in loving detail, this man made every one of her female hormones jump for joy. Even now, minutes after she’d broken up with a man she’d been dating for the past few weeks. The man she’d thought might possibly—

  No, scratch that. At least don’t lie to yourself.

  She’d never, not even in passing, thought Rich might be the man of her dreams. How could she think that when the man who actually starred in most of her dreams was standing in front of her? Waiting to walk her to her car just because she’d asked, even after she’d nearly ripped his head off for caring about her.

  It just wasn’t fair.

  “Gabby. You okay?”

  Now that was a loaded question, wasn’t it?

  Physically, yes, she was fine. Rich hadn’t hurt her. Hell, she hadn’t missed any of the men she’d dated recently—and she was a little embarrassed to admit there’d been a string of them—after she’d dumped them.

  “Yes. I’m fine.”

  Turning away from the only man who’d ever made her feel less than fine, she slipped into her coat, gathered up her tote, and took a deep breath before she turned back to face Tim.

  Why did you ever think dating Rich was a good idea?

  Rich, with his perfect hair, flawless smile, and his connections to the wealthiest and oldest families in Philadelphia. Including, very distantly, one of the families who owned this team. He’d seemed like the perfect man when they’d been introduced seven months ago.

  So maybe she hadn’t been immediately sexually attracted to him. It wasn’t like he was ugly. In fact, Rich consistently landed on eligible bachelor lists. Money, looks, family connections, and a personality that drew women like flies. He had it all.

  Or so it had seemed. Recently, she’d noticed a change in the way he talked to her, in the words he used. Nothing overtly hostile or mean, just…off. Which was why she’d asked Tim to wait for her.

  Even knowing it might’ve been a foolish thing to do. Because Tim wasn’t a guy who let things get past him. Pucks. Slurs. Insults. Innuendo. If he thought something wasn’t right, he let you know. If he thought you were in harm’s way, he’d put himself in the line of fire in front of you.

  If he thought some guy meant her harm… She had no doubt Tim would smash that guy into tomorrow.

  Her jaw locked and she had to consciously loosen it so she wouldn’t grind her back teeth into dust. Tension tightened every muscle in her body. She hated feeling like this. Hated feeling vulnerable.

  But she couldn’t shake the feeling she shouldn’t leave the building alone. She didn’t think Rich would hurt her. Not physically. But she’d never seen him as angry as he’d been before he left.

  Maybe you don’t really know Rich as well as you thought you did. You really know how to pick ’em, don’t you?

  “Gabby. Are you sure you’re okay? Did he hurt you?”

  Tim’s voice made her heart kick against her ribs and her blood sizzle in her veins. Just as it did whenever she heard him speak. Or he walked into a room. Or she caught sight of him down the hall.

  You’re such an idiot.

  Yep, an idiot who dated other men to distract her from the one man she wanted and couldn’t have.

  And why can’t you have him?

  She caught back a frustrated sigh and considered her response to Tim instead. She knew he wouldn’t let this go.

  You did ask him for his help.

  But that didn’t mean he was entitled to her every secret. Not that she had many.

  She also knew she couldn’t let Tim believe Rich had hurt her in any way. Rich had never laid a hand on her in anger. Hell, even when he did put his hands on her, there hadn’t been much passion.

  Maybe you should’ve heeded that warning sign.

  Her chin tilted up. “No. He didn’t. Honestly. I’d just…rather not walk to my car alone.”

  Those last few words had been tough to spit out, and he had to know it. Still, he made her wait another couple of long seconds. When she was positive he was going to turn and walk away, he gave her a look she recognized. Working for this hockey club, she’d learned early that you couldn’t give these men an inch because they’d take a mile and leave a trail of destruction two miles wide in their path. She’d helped clean up enough of their messes to know exactly when they were about to make her life hell.

  “Okay.” He shrugged. “Sure. Let’s go.”

  Her brows shot up before she got them under control. That was it? Really? He was going to let it go at that? Nope. She didn’t believe it. Tim didn’t give in. Tim never gave in. It was what made him a damn good backup goalie.

  A smart comment popped onto the tip of her tongue, but she bit it back. He’d given her what she wanted without the third degree she’d wanted to avoid. So, she should just take the win and let him walk her to her car. They didn’t have to say a word the entire way.

  Except…she wanted to talk to Tim. She liked talking to him. Always had. From the moment they’d met. She wanted to bitch about Rich, wanted to get all the petty things that’d annoyed her about that man off her chest, and she wanted Tim to tell her she’d been right to dump his sorry ass.

  It was foolish and irrational and absolutely wrong, but she wanted to talk to him, like they’d used to talk as teenagers. When he’d spend time at their house with RJ and he’d let her hang with them and hadn’t talked down to her like some of RJ’s other friends did, if they even acknowledged she was there.

  Tim had never made her feel invisible because she was a girl hanging with her big brother’s friends.

  Stop wishing for things you can’t have.

  Practically biting her tongue, she gave him a curt nod then grabbed her coat and bag, stuffed with all the things she needed to do tonight. The season was in full swing and that meant her job became a twenty-four-hour-a-day profession.

  She really didn’t have time for a guy in her life, anyway, so it was a good thing she’d gotten rid of Rich.

  And he wasn’t that good in bed anyway so you won’t be missing anything.

  Today had been a clusterfuck from the moment she’d gotten out of bed and tripped over the bra she’d thrown on the floor, knocking her elbow on the wall and nearly punching a hole through the drywall.

  All she wanted was to go home, veg on the couch and watch Disney movies. Tonight called for Tangled. Or maybe Enchanted. And ice cream. It was definitely a Cherry Garcia night.

  “So, you have any plans for tonight?”

  Blinking, her eyes widened in surprise. And she answered truthfully, because she honestly couldn’t think of any other damn thing to say.

  “Yeah. Me, the TV, and a pint of ice cream. And, oh yeah, my cat, the only sentient being I want to talk to right now.”

  And wow, how ridiculously pathetic did that sound?

  Ugh. She sincerely wished she could crawl into her bed and not emerge until she’d learned to live a normal human life with normal human interactions. She worked hard to present herself as a person who had it all together. For the most part, she thought she did pretty damn well fooling the rest of the world.

  She handled the marketing and PR for a team of more than thirty male athletes. That meant, at any given moment, she could be dealing with thirty different fires ranging from dealing with the police after a couple of guys went on a bender after a bad game and ended up “rearranging” a private dining room at a local night club to shielding a player going through a really messy divorce from the press.

  In the past week, she’d had to find a replacement for a sponsor who’d pulled out of a major giveaway at the last minute, made sure Hubert Straka’s latest affair with the wife of a local businessman didn’t make the national news, and navigated the continu
ing, tangled mess her oldest brother had left behind in California. All while handling the daily duties of a multimillion-dollar hockey club.

  She was not the kind of person who curled into a ball on her couch in ratty pajamas and cried mascara down her face over another failed relationship.

  Damn it.

  “I didn’t know you had a cat.”

  Tim’s statement was so unexpected, she blinked at him for a full five seconds before shaking her head. Maybe that would help put her brain back into the right track. Then again, talking about her cat was infinitely more appealing than discussing the rest of her messed up life right now.

  “Her name’s Princess.” She headed for the door of her office, careful not to brush against any part of Tim’s anatomy. She wasn’t sure her system could take the contact right now. “I found her in the parking garage of my building one night. She’s missing part of an ear, her tail was broken and is now crooked at the end, and in the middle of the night, sometimes she cries and sounds like she’s dying.”

  And she loved her more than she’d ever loved a pet in her life. Not that she’d had many. The turtle in grade school hadn’t been very cuddly. And the family dogs had always gravitated toward her dad and brothers. But Princess loved her unconditionally. Unless, of course, she was late feeding her. Then she gave her the cold shoulder.

  Since she was going to be late doing that tonight, she figured she’d be sitting on the couch alone.

  Not waiting for Tim, because she knew he’d follow, she strode toward the elevator. About halfway down the hall, she realized she was practically running, but she didn’t slow. Tim could keep up with her. Those long legs of his ate up the space between them, and before she knew it, he was walking by her side. So close, she could smell him.

  And damn, he smelled good. He must’ve recently taken a shower, which made sense because the team had had a late practice. Reflexively, she looked at her watch and realized they would’ve ended practice more than an hour ago.