by Toni Aleo
My dad squeals as he runs through the living room like a kid. I enter after the girls to find the house is quiet, which is totally not how the Adler house runs. Usually, it’s loud as fuck, but then I notice the boys are outside playing hockey. “Ooh, Mom—”
She cuts me a look like I’m ten. “Come say hi first before you go outside.”
“I was going to,” I protest as I follow behind them. I notice the girls go outside, and I’m totally jealous. I want to play hockey too.
“Where did the girls go?” Elli asks as I enter.
“You know they went out there to see Evan and Owen. Oh, and Maxim,” Mom says, drawing out his name. “Stella is convinced she is going to get him to go to the dance with her, and Emery just wants to beat up Owen.”
A grin pulls at my lips. My sisters are insane.
“Oh, Shelli! It’s so wonderful to see you!” my mom gushes.
I come around the corner just as Elli’s gaze falls on me, and her face lights up. “There is my center.”
“Hey, Elli. Shea.”
“Hey, bud,” Shea says, and then my mom turns to me, her arm around…
I swear, it’s like being hit by a Zamboni.
No. No. No.
It’s her.
Mom and Elli are grinning, as if the girl who is standing between them isn’t the one I just fucked not even forty-eight hours ago!
“Aiden, you remember Shelli, don’t you?”
Shelli Grace Adler. How do I know this? Because when Elli is mad, she uses her kids’ whole names. Oh my God. Shelli’s in a cute little shirt and a pair of jeans, and her hair is up in the same messy bun she left my penthouse in. Her eyes are as bright as I remember them. I mean, it wasn’t even that long ago that I was staring into them and watching her come all over my cock. She may appear confident and sexy as fuck, but I can see the worry in her eyes. How did I not put two and two together?
Alcohol. Lots of alcohol.
But then it dawns on me.
I had sex with my new boss’s daughter.
Shea Adler’s daughter.
Oh, fuckety fuck, he’s gonna kill me.
And then, the next thing I know, I drop the eggs.
CHAPTER SIX
AIDEN
“AIDEN!”
I can’t even care that there is egg all over my overpriced shoes. Or that my mom is yelling at me and everyone is staring at me like I killed the chickens instead of just dropped some damn eggs. My heart is in my throat, and I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack. What the hell did I do? And why do I still find her utterly irresistible? I don’t know how she can make a pair of jeans look naughty, but she does. Those lips are still dangerous as fuck, but she looks like a damn angel. But for the love of God, she’s like, ten? Wait, she’s legal, right? Oh fuck, I’m going to die and go to jail all at once.
Whelp, there goes my career.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Mom complains as she moves to clean up, Elli right there with her, but I’m staring at Shelli, and she’s staring at me. Her eyes are wide, full of worry and anxiety but also a bit of rebelliousness. A slow grin pulls at her lips and—wait, did she do this on purpose?
Is she out to ruin my life?
And not in the good way like she did in my bed.
I tear my gaze from hers, my heart pounding as I drop down to help clean up the mess. “Sorry. My hands slipped.”
“Hope you don’t do that on the ice. Shit, babe, maybe you made a bad trade,” Shea jokes and Shelli laughs. Everyone does.
But I’m still processing what I did.
Fantastic sex. With my boss’s daughter. Who I think is still a minor.
Crap.
“Sorry, Elli,” I mutter, and she grins as she pats my bicep.
“No biggie. I know she’s gorgeous,” she says with a wink before standing. “She has that effect on me all the time,” she teases as she throws the eggs into the sink.
“Yeah,” I mutter as I glance over at Shelli, who is watching me. “I didn’t think you were old enough to have a…?”
Elli waves me off. “I know. I can’t believe my baby is twenty-one either. Mind-blowing, right?”
I almost drop to my knees and cry. Shelli, though, she just grins. “Crazy, huh, Aiden?”
I narrow my eyes. “Yeah. Wow, you’ve grown up.”
“Yup. It’s good to see you.”
“Yeah, you too.” I’m glad I’m only going to die when Shea finds out. I don’t think I’m made for jail; they don’t have an ice rink.
“It’s so wonderful to have both our firstborns home! I think this calls for a party to celebrate the both of them!” Elli gushes as she wraps an arm around Shelli’s waist.
But Shelli rolls her eyes. “Mom, that’s silly.”
“No, it’s not,” she argues. “I love parties. You hush.”
“I doubt Aiden would want a party. He’d hardly recognize anyone.”
Oh, she’s got jokes.
“Oh, he’ll fit right in. He’ll love it!” Mom says, and I want to die.
I don’t want to be anywhere near Shelli.
But then I also want to smash my mouth to hers and smother her in my arms. Feel her hot body against mine and breathe in her breath. I feel like I’m holding my own breath as I keep stealing glances at her. She is fucking stunning, but this can’t happen. It’s bad enough I slept with her once; I can’t do it again. Our families are so intertwined, I’m going to see her more than I should, and that can’t be good. Shit. I need to make sure she doesn’t tell anyone.
Fuck me.
“Great. I’ll plan something for the end of the week!” Elli smiles broadly.
Shea and my dad roll their eyes, but Mom and Elli look excited. Shelli, well, she’s staring at me as I stare at her. I always observed her from afar when she was growing up. She was so much younger. I guess I didn’t notice that we only have seven years between us, but still, that’s a lot of years. I do remember the first time I noticed her, though.
She was sixteen and wore a little bikini one hot summer day. We were celebrating something, and her ass was hanging out of her bottoms in the sexiest way. Since I knew she was younger, I looked the other way. I knew I had to. But don’t get me wrong… I’ve always thought she was beautiful.
Shelli takes after her mom in all the right ways and has her dad’s blazing blue eyes. Her face is that of an angel, with a Cupid bow’s mouth and a dainty little nose. Her eyes are naturally narrowed in such a sultry fashion. Her hair is long, and it used to be super dark until she put those highlights in. She’s thick in all the right places, and my mouth is dry as I stare at her…remembering what we did in my bedroom. Shit, I want to do it again, but I know I can’t. I need her to keep her mouth shut, and I need to stay away from her. Things are changing for me, and I can’t have anything else get in the way of furthering my career.
“So can you run home and get me more eggs? Do you have time before your lunch?”
I look over to my mom as she nods. “Yeah, I’ll run home real fast, leave everyone here.”
Elli nods. “Great! I wanted to talk to Aiden.”
Mom looks at me and grins. “Ha. You’re in trouble, and you haven’t even hit the ice yet,” she teases, but of course, I’m in full panic mode.
Did Shelli tell her mom that I smashed her from behind and pushed my cock down her throat?
Oh God.
“No! Don’t look worried, Aiden. I just want to chitchat.”
I don’t believe her. “Ha. Yeah, I know,” I choke out.
My mom laughs before kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back. Lucas, are you staying?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go play with the kids and Shea.”
She rolls her eyes. “Bunch of children.”
“They are,” Elli agrees before looping an arm through mine. “Shall we?”
“Sure,” I squeak, and for the love of God, I haven’t squeaked since I was in high school. Elli just laughs, and I don’t miss the sneaky little grin on Shell
i’s face.
She’s out to kill me!
As we head out of the kitchen, I feel my body shaking with nerves. Elli is animated, talking about how excited she is to have me on the team, but I’m looking around the house, taking in all the photos of her family.
Of Shelli.
How in the world didn’t I know who she was? I have seen her face for years—I know her. Yeah, I haven’t seen her in a couple years, but it’s Shelli Adler! I know her. She was just all over the NHL Network and Twitter for decking some dude in the face. She had her own hashtag! #SlapshotShelli is what they were calling her. I thought it was hilarious, yet I didn’t put two and two together when she was in my arms. Under me. When I was in her… Oh, fuck me.
I’m never sleeping with anyone else unless I see their ID.
We enter Elli’s office, where there is a pristine black desk, teal walls, and black accents. The walls are covered with photos of the teams that have played since she took over. Her chair is a wingback covered in teal velvet, and when she sits in it, she looks regal as hell. She’s wearing sweats, and I’m scared shitless of her.
“So, are you excited?”
I nod as I lean back in one of her black guest chairs. “Yeah, I am.”
Though, at the moment, I’m freaking out.
“I am too. I feel good about this trade. I feel damn good about you. We haven’t had the Cup in Nashville in a long time. I’m ready to bring it home.”
“Me too.”
“Which is why I brought you here. I believe in you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me, Elli. Honest.”
She smiles a sweet smile that almost makes me feel better, but then I feel the but coming on. “With that being said…” she starts, and I brace myself. “We do need to discuss something.”
“Okay?” Here it comes. I feel it. I’m dead.
She leans on her hands, her eyes like green lasers burning into mine. “Do you know I’ve been trying to get you on my team for almost five years now?”
My lips curve at the side. “No, ma’am. I didn’t know that.”
“I have. I’ve wanted to bring you home for a very long time.”
“I’m honored, Elli, really. That means a lot to me.”
“I know you’re one badass player. You’re an amazing center, your passing is beyond compare, and your shot is a gift from the hockey gods.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling pretty damn good about myself.
“You remind me so much of your father. He was a gritty player and fast. You mirror his game, and we need that on our team.” I smile, and before I can say anything, her smile falls. She speaks again. “Do you know why I was able to acquire you the way I did? If the Rangers had been smart, they wouldn’t have let you go. You aren’t even in your prime yet.”
I press my lips together and look down, a disappointing feeling taking over. It’s the one I get when I know someone is going to bring up the past. “Unfortunately, I think I do know why.”
She nods slowly. “The incident from ten months ago is still heavy on the GM’s mind—”
“I know,” I say, holding up my hands. “But the allegations were thrown out, and I had the chance to sue her, but I chose to close the book on the situation altogether.”
“They were thrown out because you had a wonderful lawyer.”
“Yes, but they weren’t true,” I stress, my eyes pleading with her. “I would never do that to a woman. She was stalking me and trying to extort money from me.”
She looks down at her desk as she holds her palms up at me. “I believe you, which is why I put you on my team.” When she looks back up at me, I swallow hard. She does believe me, I see it in her eyes, but I know that the Rangers weren’t too happy with me. Even though I hadn’t done what that girl said. “Either way, their loss is my gain. But I do have some restrictions.”
Oh, this is gonna be great.
“You will keep your nose clean. You will not tarnish my team’s name. I am not naïve… I know what it’s like for you guys. Girls throwing themselves at you and living life in the fast lane. Shea did it—hell, your dad did it. But now, it’s time to slow down. Settle down, if I can be so bold. You’re almost thirty.”
I make a face that causes her to laugh. “I’m only twenty-seven.”
“Almost thirty.” I don’t agree, but she goes on, “If the lady you want to hook up with is crazy, get rid of her. Be selective. Know what you are doing and with whom. Do not get involved with someone who can ruin your career. Do you understand me? You will not only disappoint your parents again, but me, and I don’t do well with that. You were raised right. You know how to act. You are too damn talented to be fucking up off-ice. Do you understand me?”
I nod slowly, though I don’t hesitate to agree. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. We are so glad to have you home, and I’m so thankful and excited to see you play for my team. But please hold my words in that thick skull of yours.”
I swallow hard as I look down at the floor, inhaling deeply.
Do not get involved with someone who can ruin your career.
She doesn’t know about Shelli. Okay. Good. Because that girl could ruin my career. As much as I want to trust that Elli does believe me and knows I wouldn’t ever be guilty of the allegations that were made against me, I also know she wouldn’t want someone accused of that to be with her daughter. Especially with how special Shelli is. I just gotta make sure no one finds out. I gotta make sure Shelli keeps her mouth shut. For both our sakes.
And I gotta resist her.
For my sake.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SHELLI
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
I throw my sister a dirty look and hold my finger to my lips. “Shh.”
She rolls her eyes as she leans on the other side of the door that leads to our mom’s office. She has her resting bitch face on lock, while her unruly, curly auburn hair falls down her shoulders. Her eyes are wide and round like my dad’s, but they’re a gorgeous light hazel color that I swear only she can pull off. They’re so pretty. She has super thick shoulders and thighs, while her waist is very trim. I’ve always been thicker than her because I like candy, but my sister is thick because she hits the gym hard. She’s a beast.
“You know you can’t hear anything, right?”
“Well, not when you’re talking!” I whisper back at her.
“They can’t hear us either.”
“I am going to kill you,” I warn, and she scoffs.
“I wish you would try,” she snaps at me, rolling her eyes. “What are you even doing? Who’s in there?” She presses her ear to the door and then gives me a dry look. “Oh, come on. Really?”
“What?” I ask innocently.
“Still into Aiden? That’s pathetic.”
“You’re pathetic,” I throw back at her as I walk past her. “Still living at home when you have every opportunity to move out.”
“Um, Shelli,” she says, and I look over my shoulder. “You’re living at home now too, after making buttloads of money on Broadway, and still obsessed with a dude who will never want anything to do with you. So, really, who’s pathetic?”
I glare. I want so badly to throw in her face that Aiden did want me—and had me—but that isn’t a good idea. I don’t want anyone knowing. My actions toe the line of whorebagish… Okay, they don’t really toe, but I’m not ready to accept the reality of my actions. So instead, I do what any mature adult would do when her sister pisses her off.
I flip her the bird and try to kick her.
She smacks my leg away as I stick out my tongue and head down the hall to my room. I don’t realize she is on my tail until I go to shut the door and she stops me. “But for real, why don’t you get a place?”
I shrug as I turn, shooting her a look. “Why does it matter?”
“You made Mom and Dad move Maxim. That’s unfair. He was comfortable here.”
I fall back onto my bed. My room hasn’t changed at al
l. It’s still all pink and full of lace. My bed has a canopy of lace, while my walls are full of Broadway posters. I hold up my hands. “I think he may have been relieved to leave my Pepto-Bismol hell.”
She growls. Like actually growls. “No, he likes the view of the lake.”
“He has that upstairs in the bonus room.”
“Yes, but that eliminated the space for the boys’ games.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my God, the boys have to play games in their rooms. I bet they’re suffering so much.”
She glares. “I’m just saying, you’re selfish. You don’t need to live at home.”
“Nor do you. You can live in the dorms.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Well, I don’t want to either! Jeez, what is your issue—” I pause, and then I laugh. “You have a thing for Maxim, and with me taking my room back, you don’t share a bathroom with him. Do you peek in when he is showering, you stalker you?”
Her face turns bright red. “Shut up.”
“Does he brush his teeth with just a towel on?”
“For real, Shelli—”
“Aww, Posey and Maxim sitting in a tree—”
“Shut up. I don’t like him.”
“Yes, you do! Hmm, he is hot, and that accent…”
“Shut it, Shelli.”
“You know Stella has a thing for him.”
Her brows furrow as her lips press together, pure annoyance on her face. “So? I don’t care.”
“I beg to differ,” I sing. “Does he know you like him? Wait, where are you going? Don’t leave! We can have girl talk!”
But she’s gone, hightailing it out of my room.
Mission accomplished.
She’s so dramatic.
I shouldn’t tease her, though. She hasn’t ever openly liked a guy before. Probably because I’m an asshole and tease her for it. But she’s so cute when she wants to kill me. Man, I wonder what my mom is talking to Aiden about? She has no clue about us. No one does, minus Amelia. She’d never tell since I hold all her secrets too. Man, he looks so hot. I didn’t realize how hot a guy in a suit could make me until Aiden Brooks walked in with his arms full of eggs.