WILD ZONE, A Rough Riders Hockey Novel

by Skye Jordan

  “Who’s giving you crap?”

  “The guys.”

  “Jealous most likely.”

  Tate grinned.

  “It’s nice to see you happy again.”

  He nodded, shrugged. “Well, don’t get used to it. She’s just here helping out her family on a visit. It’s not serious.”

  “You and not serious don’t go together.”

  “I’m trying something new.”

  “Is it almost present time, Uncle Tate?” Lily asked, her voice rising and falling from the swing.

  “Dinner first, princess,” he told her. “But soon. And I hear you’ve got a pretty fantastic cake coming.”

  All three girls cheered.

  “Where is she from?” Mia asked. “And how long is she here?”

  “What? You didn’t get all the details before you came over?”

  She just gave him a look.

  Tate sighed. This was going to go over like a rock. “She lives in Paris, and she goes back in a week. Right after she caters my charity dinner.”

  Mia’s mouth dropped open. She stopped pushing Rachel and turned to face Tate. “Paris? Are you serious? The first woman you date since your divorce, and she lives in Paris?”

  “I know. Don’t.”

  “Are you sleeping with her?”

  He grinned at her directness. “None of your business.”

  “No way. You lost the right to tell me it’s none of my business when you so totally interfered with Rafe and me. Are you?”

  “Aunt Mia,” Rachel cried, kicking her feet as she slowed, “push me.”

  Mia gave Rachel a couple of hard pushes and turned that penetrating stare on Tate again. “Tate?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yes.”

  “Wow,” she said breathless.

  “Jesus, ypu make it sound like a miracle or something.”

  “You said it, not me.”

  He cut her a look. If the kids weren’t around they’d both be swearing a lot more.

  She just grinned back at him. “I meant that it’s a bold move, to get into something with someone so far away who you can’t see very often during hockey season. Does dad know?”

  “He has an idea.”

  “And?”

  “What do you think?”

  Mia wore a silly little smile. “Well, he’s been in and out of the kitchen all afternoon bending her ear, so I’d say he likes her. Can she travel here?”

  “No. She starts culinary school as soon as she gets back to Paris.”

  “For how long?”

  “A year.”

  “Maybe on breaks?”

  Tate shook his head. “Drop it, Mia.”

  “Why?”

  He clenched his teeth.

  “Tate?”

  “She doesn’t want anything serious. When she leaves, it’s over.”

  All Mia’s excitement went flat. She pushed Rachel a couple more times. “Did you know that when you got involved with her?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you know she lived in Paris?”

  “Yeah.”

  Pause.

  “Then…why?” she asked.

  He stopped pushing the kids, pressed his hands to his hips and thought back. “She’s…different. Nothing like the women I meet here. She’s so light, carefree, positive. She’s one of those can-do people, but with a level head and serious work ethic. She makes me feel…” He shook his head and looked at his sister. “God, when I’m with her I’m so damn happy. And I know this sounds pathetic, but she makes me feel special.”

  “That’s not pathetic,” Mia said, her voice soft. “That’s connection.”

  His mouth lifted in a small smile. “We definitely have a connection I’ve never had before.”

  Tina stood on the edge of the deck and yelled, “Dinner!”

  All three girls cheered and squirmed off the swings, leaving Tate and Mia there alone.

  “So what are you gonna do about it?” Mia asked, crossing her arms.

  Tate wrapped one hand around the swing chain. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean this is pretty big. Think about it. How many women have you met over the last year, year and a half since you found out about Lisa? Since you divorced Lisa? Hundreds. And don’t think I don’t know how many of those women have thrown themselves at you. I also know you haven’t slept with one of them. Your entire life, you’ve been a relationship, one-woman kind of guy. So this, this is big. And I’m asking what you’re going to do about this situation? Are you going to just let something this special slide through your fingers? Or are you going to put the same kind of determination into changing her mind about your relationship as you do maneuvering a puck into the net?”

  Behind Mia, her boyfriend and Tate’s best friend from childhood approached. “Rafe’s coming. Don’t get into this with him. Not until I figure it out.”

  Mia didn’t answer before Rafe stepped up beside her an wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You two look serious over here. It’s a freaking six-year-old’s birthday party for God’s sake. What could possibly be serious?”

  Mia smiled up at Rafe and wrapped her arm around his waist. “He’s just nagging us about a wedding date again.”

  “Dude,” Rafe said pointing at Mia. “This is where the problem lies.”

  Tate smirked. “Let’s let dad work on her over dinner.”

  Olivia glanced around the kitchen to make sure she had everything.

  “I hate leaving you with all this to clean up,” she told Quinn who was already elbow-deep in suds.

  “Are you kidding? You’re the cleanest cook I’ve ever met.”

  “Why did mom cancel the serving and cleaning help?”

  Quinn refocused on the sink. “She didn’t think we needed them. Liked the idea of keeping it intimate with family.”

  “At your expense,” she said, frowning. “I don’t like that. I also don’t like the fact that she took on that christening after everything I told her last night.”

  Quinn’s gaze jumped back to Olivia’s. “How’d you hear—”

  “Tina mentioned it. What I said last night is very true,” Olivia told her. “If you want mom to keep this business, you two are going to have to come to an agreement on how to grow at a manageable rate.”

  Quinn nodded. “I’ll talk to her about it. And she’ll get in here and pitch in soon. We won’t be here but another hour. Go. You’ve worked harder than anyone.”

  Olivia really wanted to go. She was so looking forward to a night with Tate. Things had shifted between them tonight. Strengthened. And she was anxious to see how that translated into the bedroom. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  In the foyer, a tangle of people were saying goodbye. Lily was asleep on her father’s shoulder. Tate was standing near the door. She’d already spoken to Beckett and Eden, Tina and Jake and received countless accolades and thank yous from other guests. She really just wanted to slip out the door with Tate now. She’d especially like to slip out the door without explaining to her mother that she wouldn’t be home tonight.

  She made her way around the edge of the foyer toward Tate. But just before she reached him, her mother turned from saying goodbye to someone and faced Tate.

  “Do you have your agent’s information?” she asked him.

  He pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and offered it to Teresa. “I told him you’ll be contacting him—”

  “For what?” Olivia stepped up to them, curious but cynical, and looked directly at her mother. “Why would you need to talk to Tate’s agent?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about—“ her mother started.

  “He’s looking for a planner to help out with—“ Tate said at the same time.

  Anger shot through Olivia’s gut, and she grabbed for the paper. But her mother didn’t let go and Olivia found herself in a tug of war.

  “No, mom,” she said, stern but under her breath so she didn’t make a scene. “No more jobs until you finish the ones you
have.”

  “Olivia…” Tate said, concern in his voice.

  “This isn’t your business,” Teresa told Olivia. “It’s not for you to say—”

  “This isn’t just your business either. Think of Quinn. She worked her ass off here today because you cancelled the help. That’s. Not. Okay.” She yanked at the paper, but her mother had a solid grip on it and the paper ripped. Olivia crumbled the piece and Tate stroked a hand across her shoulders. “You don’t have to like what I’m saying, but if you want to keep this business, you’d better at least research it. And until you have a full, solid plan set in place, stop taking jobs. I’m telling you this because I care.”

  “It’s been a long day,” Tate said, his voice soft as he curled her close beside him. “Are you ready to go?”

  A wave of regret washed over her, and she covered Tate’s hand with her own, turning away from her mother. “Yeah, I am.”

  She dropped the paper on the way to Tate’s truck. He opened the passenger’s door, but turned her to face him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry,” she said at the same time.

  He smiled. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

  She slid to the middle of the seat and cuddled close for the drive home. The night was warm but not humid, and the night air smelled good. Within two minutes of driving away from the Croft’s home—and her mother—Olivia relaxed. With Tate beside her, her heart filled. It filled and filled and filled until her ribs ached. Until she couldn’t get close enough.

  Curling her feet underneath her, Olivia moved even closer and pressed her lips to his neck. His sigh was like a drug, making Olivia light headed. Then he stroked a hand through her hair, but to Olivia it felt like fire between her legs.

  This was crazy. This was wild. She didn’t know what this was.

  “Oh, my God,” she whispered against his skin. “I want you so bad.”

  “Mmm, baby.” He shifted in his seat. “I’m wishing I didn’t live quite so far into DC right now.”

  The sudden, intense desire was so hot, she didn’t know what to do with it. “I can’t wait.”

  He laughed softly.

  “No.” She pulled away and looked out the windshield then told Tate, “I mean it. I can’t wait. Pull over.”

  He did a double take. “Are you—”

  “Serious? Yes. Here, by the river.”

  They were just crossing the Potomac. Olivia pushed her sandals off with her feet, then slipped her panties off and started working on his jeans.

  Tate took a side road and slowed.

  With his button open and his zipper down, she pushed one hand into his pants, under his briefs and circled his hardening cock.

  “Jesus Christ, Liv…”

  She framed his face with her other hand, tilted her head and kissed him, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Fuck she needed him. And he was way too interested in driving.

  “Tate…” she whined. She didn’t even care how needy she sounded. “Just fucking park. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the road.”

  The truck bounced a little and Tate didn’t even have in park before Olivia unsnapped both their seatbelts, scooted toward the passengers side and pulled on his arm. “Come here.”

  Instead of scooting with her, he twisted, caught her head in one hand and held her steady as he kissed her hard. His growl rolled through her mouth down her throat, and she whimpered. She couldn’t think. Her body was on fire. Aching from the roots of her hair to the balls of her feet. She just needed him inside her. Loving her the way only he could do it. So completely.

  His hand slipped down her back, across her hips and pulled her under him at the same time he moved over her. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down to meet her open mouth. Spread her thighs to take his hips and lifted toward him. Moaned when he met her pressure.

  He tore his mouth away, gasping for air.

  “Fuck, Tate, inside, inside insid—“ his heavy hand stroked between her legs and her mouth dropped open on a cry. He pushed inside her, rough and deep. “Yes.” She arched, fisted his hair and pulled his mouth back to hers.

  Then his fingers were replaced by the long hard thick hot glorious naked length of him in one hard, swift plunge.

  “Ah God…” she arched and lifted into him. “Fu-u-uck yes.”

  He paused and Olivia writhed against him. She opened her eyes, frantic for more. He was looking at her with a wild expression, hair a mess, eyes glittering. “Are you on birth control?”

  She shook her head, trying to understand. “What?”

  “Birth. Control.”

  “Oh my God,” she whimpered, “I can’t think.” When he growled with lust filled impatience she repeated. “Birth control, yes. The pill. Always use a condom too. Always, always, always, always, always…” Until now. “Fuck.”

  “Want me to put one on?”

  “Nooooooo,” she groaned the word, shaking with need. “Want to feel you.”

  The look in his eyes softened. His hand stroked over her hair, closed on the back of her neck. “You turn me fucking inside out, Liv.”

  He didn’t pull out, but he moved inside her. “Oh my God.” Deep inside her. “Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod—”

  He rocked back, easing pressure on whatever had been threatening to rip her open with ecstasy. Her vision blurred. Her heart beat in her ears.

  “Did you put an aphrodisiac in my wine?” she asked, breathless. “What. Is. This?”

  His lips hovered just above hers. “This. Is. Us.”

  She whimpered, and he moved, rubbing something inside her that made Olivia want to climb the walls. “Ahgod ahgod ahgod…” She stretched her hands overhead and pressed them against the door. “So fucking good. Don’t stop, please don’t stop. Jeezus… Tate, Tate, Tate.”

  The orgasm slammed through her, straight down the middle of her body like a bolt of lightning. Tate started thrusting and climaxed seconds later. The power of his body pushed her across the seat until her head was up against the door. And when the storm settled, they were left a panting, sweaty, bundle of fatigue.

  “Jesus Christ.” Tate whispered the words, pressed his elbow to the seat and dropped his forehead to his arm. “What the fuck, Liv?” He breathed hard and fast. “Where did that come from?”

  She lowered her arms, stretched her legs and felt the burn of him still inside her. And smiled. Smiled the kind of smile that lit her up with joy from the inside out. A laugh of pure happiness bubbled out of her and Tate lifted his head.

  “You didn’t turn off the truck,” she said, grinning.

  He matched her smile. “You didn’t give me time.”

  And they held each other’s gaze in what felt like the most intimate moment ever. So intimate, Olivia’s heart fluttered. The moonlight streamed through the windshield, making his features sharper and harder. He looked fierce, but his eyes told the whole story. They were flooded with the same kind of affection fizzing inside Olivia.

  When their gazes held an extra second Olivia said, “I’ve never done that. Any of that.” She shook her head, a little surprised to realize everything about her time with Tate was a first—the amount of time she’d spent with him, the problems they’d navigated, how her affection for him made her desire stronger. “It was amazing.”

  “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.” The warmth in his voice suffused Olivia, drawing tears to her eyes.

  Tate exhaled and lowered his head, nuzzling her neck before he kissed her there. “We’d better get moving before the cops come and bust us like teenagers.”

  He had to coax Olivia a little more than that to get her to give up their little cocoon of bliss. Sliding back into reality was extra painful with the problems involving her mother hovering and Olivia’s exit looming.

  But once they were back on the road, with her head against Tate’s chest his arm around her shoulders, the night air blowing across her face, Olivia found comfort again.

&nbs
p; Eventually, the questions she’d known she’d have to face came.

  “I’m glad you and Quinn patched things up.” His voice, low and soft, filled the cab.

  Olivia instantly flashed back to the night. Yes, she and Quinn had definitely plastered over a gap in their relationship, but she’d noticed tension buzzing in Quinn all night. The kind radiating off a soux chef who’d arrived late and was rushing to complete his job before Olivia found out he was behind. One a waiter got when they were caught eating the last Mango-Basil Vacherin in the fridge before the dinner rush was over.

  “Me too. We have a ways to go, and she has her hands full with our mom. I hope it lasts.”

  “Liv,” he said, almost hesitantly. “What…happened?”

  She tilted her head to look at him.

  “I mean, you all obviously love each other. But this underlying tension, its long standing and I know there are problems with the business, but I don’t get the impression that’s the real issue.”

  “Oh, so perceptive, Mr. Donovan.” She paused, but with no easy explanation, she said, “It’s complicated.”

  “How ‘bout the streamlined version?”

  She sighed and thought back. “We had the all-American family,” she started, raising her emotional walls as she eased into an abbreviated version of her past. “My dad had a good job, my mom stayed home and raised healthy twin girls. We lived a nice life in the nation’s capital. We have extended family in the area, aunts, uncles, cousins. Our backyard used to look very much like the Croft’s did today. When I was young I always believed my life would be the same when I grew up. I’ve already told you I was a daddy’s girl. He and I were… We were just best buddies. I idolized him. Loved him more than I could ever put into words.”

  Tears burned her eyes the way they always did when she thought of what she’d lost. “When he wasn’t working, we were together doing something. We loved all the same things—music, sports, culture, history. I developed my love of travel and cooking from him. We talked about all the places we’d travel when he retired. Had even planned our first trip for the summer between high school and college.”

  When she paused to collect herself, Tate said, “Sounds amazing.”

  She nodded. “I planned on going to culinary school. Had been accepted to one of the top schools in New York. And was in a special culinary tract in high school where I supplemented my graduation requirements with culinary courses at a specialty charter school.”