The D-Man: Redtails Hockey 6

by Stephanie Julian

  “Now, I know you don’t mean that.” She stroked her nails along his arms, feeling goosebumps rise. “You love hockey.”

  He paused and she could practically hear him thinking about how to respond. She had no idea what he had to think about.

  “Justin?”

  “Yeah. No, I love to play. You’re absolutely right. But I also love to play with you.”

  Her heart skipped a beat, though she knew he hadn’t meant he loved her. They were good in bed, but she knew that didn’t always mean anything about how well a couple did out of bed.

  Still, she and Justin had been managing just fine. More than fine, actually.

  So far, she’d managed not to think about that too closely.

  “And I like to play with you. But I know how important your job is to you. I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

  “You’re not getting in the way. So were you able to switch your shift?”

  The game was home tonight and he’d asked if she could attend. She really wanted to but…

  “No, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to leave Papa Tsoukalous short-staffed. Not with Sophie going to the game.”

  She felt him sigh against the back of her head, his breath warm. “No problem. Just wanted to know if you’d need a ticket.”

  He didn’t say anything else and long minutes later, she knew he was asleep.

  Slipping out of bed carefully so she didn’t wake him, she pulled on yoga pants and grabbed his t-shirt from the pile of clothes on the floor. She held it to her nose and inhaled before she tugged it over her head then rolled her eyes at herself.

  Looking over her shoulder to make sure he hadn’t seen that, she grabbed her camera.

  He’d gotten used to her taking pictures of him. No rhyme or reason to what he was doing, just whenever the mood hit her.

  He’d become her favorite subject and the photos were amazing. He was amazing.

  And right now, sprawled on her bed asleep, he looked good enough to eat. Maybe that’s how she’d wake him up, just put her mouth on his cock and suck until he got hard then ride him until she couldn’t move. He could save his strength for the game tonight.

  Grinning, she lifted her camera and snapped a few shots. After checking those photos, she opened the curtains just a little so a strip of light hit him across his abs.

  If he didn’t need this nap before the game, she’d be jumping his bones right now. He took her breath away and made her core ache.

  Three hours later, she sat in front of her computer, editing the photos she’d taken over the past few days. She was so engrossed, she didn’t hear him come down the stairs and startled when he put his hands on her shoulders and bent to kiss her neck.

  “Jeez, Viv, those are really amazing.”

  She turned to smile up at him. “Thanks. I had a pretty cooperative subject.”

  “Probably because your subject was asleep.”

  Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

  He cut her off with another one of those mind-blowing kisses. “I just meant that if I’d been awake, I probably would’ve been too self-conscious for you to get decent pictures.”

  She relaxed under his hands and turned back to the computer screen.

  “Not true. I’ve got some great ones of you awake.”

  “That’s just ’cause you’re a great photographer. I bet if you showed some of these to Jess, she’d hire you to do work for the team. The photographer they hired this year made us all look like idiots.”

  Her immediate response was to dismiss his suggestion, but she bit it back because she knew Justin would tell her not to sell herself short. He’d been telling her that all week. Not flat out, all the time. Subtly. Without enough of a push that she could ignore it.

  But this idea… This one made her pause and think. Because these pictures were good. And that wasn’t just her ego talking.

  Usually she was really hard on herself about her work. But she knew these were something special.

  “I don’t… I mean, don’t they already have a team photographer?”

  Justin shrugged as he slouched into the easy chair next to her. “I guess. But I know Jess has been looking for someone to help her with promotional stuff. She had an intern but I don’t think he’s around anymore. And with Jess scouting in addition to doing her public relations stuff, she’s probably looking for help.”

  Thinking about it, Vivi did remember Jess grumping about her intern the last time she’d seen her at one of the games.

  “You want me to say something to her?” Justin said. “She’s always at the games and I usually see her floating around beforehand.”

  Vivi thought about it for a second.

  Say yes.

  She knew she should but it went against every fiber in her body. She’d always taken care of herself. Gone after what she wanted on her own. Her parents had constantly wanted to strangle her as a kid because she was so independent.

  Her mom used to say she’d tried to run before she could walk and spent more time flat on her face because of it. But that was just who she was.

  Besides, if she got a job because of Justin, it wouldn’t really be her victory.

  Which is really stupid.

  Maybe she was growing up.

  “No, but thanks for the offer. I’ll say something to her the next time I see her. Maybe I’ll talk to her at the game Sunday. Not really sure what she’d need or if it’s something I’d want to do.”

  The team had a game in New York tomorrow night, but they were back in town Sunday for a five o’clock start. She didn’t work so she’d been planning to go. She’d think about it a little more and decide if she wanted to talk to Jess then.

  Justin looked like he wanted to say something else but after a couple seconds, he nodded. “Okay, sure.”

  She appreciated the fact that he didn’t push. Her parents would’ve hounded her. Her sister would send her texts full of pros and cons.

  Justin trusted her to do what she wanted on her own. Unlike her ex, who’d wanted her to be something she wasn’t so he could be proud of her.

  “I appreciate the heads-up, though.”

  “They’d be lucky to have you. And it’d be something you enjoy.”

  Her chest got tight as her heart began to pound out a harder rhythm.

  Getting up from her chair, she straddled his lap and put her arms around his shoulders.

  His grin spread as he put his hands on her waist then let them slide down to cup her ass.

  Leaning forward, she rubbed her nose against his then leaned down and bit at his bottom lip.

  “You know what else I enjoy?” she asked.

  “I don’t want to take anything for granted.” He urged her closer until her sex rubbed against his erection, already hard. “Why don’t you give me a clue?”

  “I’ll give you more than a clue.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I fucking hate getting my fucking picture taken. Waste of fucking time and I always look like I’m lit. Where the fuck do they get these fucking idiots?”

  Brody slammed his butt down on the bench and grabbed his skates out of his locker. Justin had just gotten off the bench to head down the hall to the ice but figured he’d wait for Brody. The guy had had a bad couple of days and, as his linemate, Justin figured it was in his best interest to calm him down.

  He understood that most of Brody’s frustration was because he was still here in Reading and he couldn’t blame the guy. If Justin had been playing up, he wouldn’t want to be sent down. It had to suck that he hadn’t gotten called back up yet.

  “You okay? I mean, I get why you’d be upset that someone hadn’t captured your true beauty but…”

  Brody took a deep breath before shaking his head and giving Justin what seemed to be an apologetic look.

  “I’m fine. I’ve got my shit together today. Friday was…my bad.”

  Friday’s game had sucked for them. Unlike the first game they’d played together, two nights ago,
their game had sucked.

  “Not all your fault.” Justin shrugged. “I wasn’t up to par either.”

  “Nah, you were fine, man. Maybe I just need to get laid.”

  “Can’t help you with that. Although I know some of the guys are going out tonight.”

  “But not you.”

  Justin shrugged. “Nah, I’m going to Viv’s after the game.”

  “Good for you. She’s hot. She have a sister?”

  “Yeah, but she’s dating Riley Hatch.”

  Brody huffed. “No shit. Well, that figures. Just my luck.”

  “Let’s go see if we can change your luck on the ice, at least.”

  Brody stood, shaking his head. “You’re an honest-to-god boy scout, aren’t you, Perry?”

  Justin shrugged off the implied insult. It wasn’t the worst thing he’d ever been called. “You gotta work harder if you wanna make me mad, dude. Besides, I’m the one going home with the hottest girl in the arena.”

  Brody rolled his eyes but his smile was a little more genuine. “Good for you.”

  “Brody, you in there? Please still be in there.”

  Jess Gardiner’s voice carried through the locker room from the hall and the trepidation in her voice made Brody’s eyes close in frustration.

  Justin had to bite his tongue not to answer in Brody’s place. If the guy wanted to ignore her, Justin didn’t blame him. He’d heard that tone in Jess’s voice before and knew Brody probably wasn’t going to like what she had to say. Jess needed something from him.

  And while Justin considered leaving the guy to fend for himself, they were linemates. Enough said.

  “Yeah, I’m here.” Brody sighed. “Come on in.”

  Dressed as she always was on game days in a skirt and heels that left no doubt as to why Will was considered a very lucky man, Jess strode into the locker room with an expression that made Justin wince and Brody roll his eyes.

  “I am so, so sorry and I know this is a total hassle and you hate it and it sucks but we need to retake the shot. I just need you to stand against the wall and let me get one with my phone.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I need to get out on the ice. I’m not—” Brody cut himself off and Justin could tell he was taking a mental time-out. “Fine.”

  Stomping over to the nearest section of bare wall, he stood there as Jess whipped out her phone and snapped a half dozen shots.

  Then she gave Brody a thumbs-up and he stomped off toward the ice.

  Jess stood there, shaking her head, while her thumbs tapped away on her screen.

  “Don’t ever hire anyone’s nephew,” Jess muttered when she noticed Justin was still standing there. “Totally not worth it. Jesus, I need just one good shot.”

  He took a second, considered his options carefully. Vivi had told him not to say anything to Jess. That she would ask Jess about a job herself. But Jess needed help.

  “Uh, I may have a lead for you for your photography issues.”

  Her head popped up immediately. “I will love you forever if your tip pans out.”

  He smiled even as he thought better about telling her. But he’d come this far already.

  “Vivi Martin. She’s with Sophie tonight. She’s amazing. But, uh, could you not tell her I mentioned her name?”

  “How did I not know Vivi was a photographer?” Jess shook her head. “Never mind. I’ll stop by and talk to her after the first period. Thanks, Justin. I appreciate the heads-up. And I’ll make sure she doesn’t know you told me.”

  Famous last words, he thought as he finally headed for the ice.

  *****

  “Derek told me you took some amazing photos of Justin. Why haven’t I seen them?”

  The buzzer had sounded for the end of the first period and Vivi had finally stopped cheering as the last guy left the ice.

  The Redtails were up by a goal and the team had played great. Justin had had a few chances on net but none had gone in. But he’d blocked a shot in front of Kyle that made him limp back to the bench. Of course, he’d been back out on the ice for his next shift. She had a feeling he’d have a couple more black-and-blue marks to add to his already huge collection.

  Now she turned to Sophie, who looked at her with her hands on her hips, tapping a foot.

  Vivi grinned at her expression and shook her head.

  “Because I didn’t take them for anyone but Justin.”

  “But Justin showed them to Derek so you know he won’t care if you show them to me.”

  Since Justin had told her explicitly that she could use the photos in her portfolio, if she ever actually made one, she figured she could show Sophie.

  Besides, she wanted someone to give her an opinion other than Justin’s obviously biased one. Justin thought everything she did was amazing. While it was good for her ego, it didn’t help her view her work critically.

  At least she’d be able to tell from Sophie’s expression what she thought of the pictures. Sophie had no filter for her face. Or her mouth.

  Pulling out her phone, Vivi pulled up the file with all of her pictures of Justin then handed it over to her friend.

  Sophie’s mouth dropped open as she swiped through and Vivi’s widened with a smile.

  “Holy shit, Viv, these are amazing.”

  “Thanks. But I can’t take all the credit. Justin’s totally photogenic.”

  “No, that’s not— Well, I mean, yeah, the guy does not break the camera but, Viv, these aren’t just snapshots that turned out really well. They’re amazing.”

  “What’s amazing?”

  Vivi turned to s Leah Wilson, sitting behind her. The Redtails’ new goalie’s girlfriend was one of those people who just exuded zen. It made total sense that she was a yoga instructor. Leah and Sophie knew each other because Sophie occasionally took classes at Leah’s studio.

  Really small world.

  “Vivi’s pictures are what’s amazing.” Sophie continued to scroll through the shots. “Here. Look.”

  Sophie handed over Vivi’s phone to Leah then propped a hand on her hip and gave Vivi a look.

  “What?” Vivi asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “What are you going to do with these?” Sophie’s attitude came through loud and clear. “Because you really need to do something with these.”

  “Like what?”

  “Wow, Vivi.” Leah’s voice held awe. “I will pay you to take photos of Kyle like this. Seriously. I will drug him and sneak you into the bedroom if I have to. Have you considered doing promotional art? I know my boss has been wanting to get photos taken for the studio. I can give you her number if you’re interested?”

  Vivi’s heart started to pound, a weird kind of panic settling in her chest. But also a little bit of excitement.

  “You really think these pictures are that good? I mean, Justin can’t help but take a good photo—”

  “Oh, don’t even do that.” Sophie cut her off with a waved hand. “Yes, Justin is nice to look at, but you took the photos and made them,” she made jazz hands, “art.”

  Well, damn. That definitely pushed aside some of the stupid panic and let the excitement build.

  Justin hadn’t mentioned the photos since Friday and she got why. She’d basically blown him off when he’d told her she should do something with her photography skills.

  Now…

  “Jess! Hey, Jess. Come look at these.”

  Vivi turned to see the team’s marketing manager and Will’s girlfriend headed up the steps toward them. Jess was a little older than her and, though Vivi would never admit it, kind of intimidated her. Not that Jess did it deliberately. Jess just had that kind of personality. Like she had all her shit together.

  Which made Vivi doubly aware that she did not.

  Leah passed Vivi’s phone into Jess’s outstretched hand. Her face showed no expression as she scrolled through the images. But when she looked up at Vivi, she grinned.

  “Have you ever considered a position in the marketi
ng department of an AHL hockey team? As it turns out, we have an opening and you’d actually be doing me a favor if you took it. Starting immediately.”

  Vivi’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”

  Jess nodded. “As a heart attack. I had an intern up to about two hours ago when I told him he wasn’t going to work out. He was way too much trouble. Never on time, no idea what he was doing. Plus, he was a college kid and we had to work around his class schedule. I don’t want to get your expectations up because the job won’t pay much and it’d be part-time to start. But the GM has been promising me an assistant for months and now I’m going to hold him to his word.”

  Vivi didn’t know what to say. There was a little voice in the back of her head saying, “Don’t be a fool, take the job.” There was another little voice trying to outshout the other voice that said, “Nothing is ever this easy. Jobs just don’t fall into your lap like this.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” was what she finally forced out of her mouth.

  “Don’t say anything.” Jess handed her phone back. “Think about it for a couple days. Let me know this week. But if you decide not to take me up on the job, I’ll pay you to take photos of Will.” She leaned in close so no one else could hear them. “That man’s ass is a work of art.”

  Then she waved and headed back down the stairs. “Gotta check on a suite of dental hygienists.”

  Leaving Vivi blinking in shock.

  “What just happened?” She turned to Sophie. “Did she really just offer me a job? Out of the blue?”

  Sophie’s grin widened. “I’m pretty sure that’s what just happened, yeah.”

  “How does she even know I can do the job?”

  “Oh please. She saw your photos. They speak for themselves.”

  “Or Justin said something to her.”

  A frown erased Sophie’s grin. “Would that matter?”

  “I told him not to.”

  “Viv, Jess wouldn’t haven’t offered you a job if she didn’t think you could do it. Seriously. She’s probably not in the habit of giving jobs to players’ girlfriends, like, ever.”

  Shit. She hadn’t thought about it that way. And Sophie was right. Why would it matter?