TheEnforcer_Kobo

by Steph

  Giving her dad a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, Jess grinned at his happy smile Thursday night.

  “Me too. With the team on the road, it was perfect timing.”

  “I’m just glad to have my baby by my side again at a game.”

  Sliding his arm around her shoulders, her dad ushered her through security at the team entrance to the Mohegan Sun arena, introducing her to an older man at the door who greeted her dad with a big grin and a hearty handshake.

  Everyone knew Doug Gardiner and her dad knew everyone. She’d learned that early on but was reminded as she walked with him through the bowels of the arena a few minutes before the game between Wilkes-Barre and Providence.

  She’d been thrilled to get his call Wednesday morning, asking her to meet him here tonight. She’d just said good-bye to Will, as the Redtails headed out on a five-day road trip, and she’d been missing him already.

  If you take that job in Philly, you’re going to be even lonelier.

  Now, as her dad introduced her to everyone from security guards to concession workers to a few season ticket holders he knew by name, she couldn’t stop thinking about her very short conversation in bed Tuesday night with Will before he rolled her onto her belly and spread himself over top of her to make love to her with a passion that exhausted her.

  Will had only said she should talk to Cary before she made her decision.

  What he hadn’t known was that she had. When she’d gotten back to the office after the hospital visit, she’d been able to catch both Cary and Coach in Coach’s office before they’d left the arena for the day.

  Neither of them had been surprised by her request to talk. But she’d left more confused than before.

  Will had sensed that something was wrong, but he’d had to leave early the next morning to catch the bus for their road trip and she’d still been asleep.

  Wednesday night, she’d gone to Lori’s to watch the Redtails game with her, Bliss, Faith, and Tony Dellafranco’s fiancé, Mia Wachowski, a shy twenty-two-year-old from a small town in rural Maine where she and Tony had been high school sweethearts.

  Jess had spent much of last night talking to Mia, who was very sweet but very lonely. Mia had said something last night that had rolled around Jess’s head all day.

  “Being apart is hell. And even though I know he’s out there and I can see him on the computer during games or talk to him, it’s still like I’m missing a limb. But the worst part is that you get used to it. I’ve gotten used to being lonely and sad.”

  The thought depressed the hell out of her.

  And then the interview this morning—

  “Jess? Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been awfully quiet all night.”

  Turning to her dad, she saw concern in his eyes. “I had an interview with the Colonials marketing team this morning.”

  His expression cleared immediately. “You had me worried there for a minute. I thought it was something dire.”

  “How do you know it’s not?”

  “Because you’re too good for them not to want to bring you up.”

  His praise made grateful tears spring to her eyes but she blinked them away. “What if it’s not what I want?”

  Why didn’t he look surprised by that? “Then what do you want?”

  “What if…I had the chance to scout?”

  He didn’t look surprised at that either. “Has the NWHL come calling finally?”

  She shook her head. “What if Coach Scott pitched my name to the Colonials as a developmental player scout for the ECHL and AHL? What would you tell me?”

  His gaze narrowed but he didn’t look surprised. “I’d tell you what I’ve always told you. If you want something, go after it and don’t do it half-assed. You’re going to face a hell of a lot of opposition but, honey, I trust your judgment more than a few of the men who’ve been scouting for decades. Yes, I may be biased but I know what you can do.”

  “What if they give me a shot and I suck? Then I’ve turned down a major career opportunity and burned that bridge. Hell, the Colonials office might laugh themselves sick at the thought of having the only female scout in the NHL.”

  “Then they’d be bigoted idiots.” His voice had a rough edge but then he shook his head. “But, sweetheart, I know Angstadt and Miller. Angstadt is a fairly young coach and he’s more open-minded than most. And Miller’s one of the most liberal general managers I’ve ever met. Word is he’s training his daughter to take his place one day.”

  “But she’s played and she’s coached at the college level. I don’t have that experience.”

  “No, but what you do have is twenty years of experience by my side and that’s more than most scouts can say about their scouting experience.” Her dad paused, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I can’t make this decision for you, but I don’t want you to make it based on what you think others might say about you. Do what you want to do and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.”

  Sighing, she nodded. “I know. I guess… I just need a little guidance.”

  Her dad patted her cheek, making her feel like she was ten again. “Sweetheart, do what makes you happiest. And don’t apologize or be afraid to fail. We all fail sometimes. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t learn anything. But if you don’t even try, well, then you’re a coward. And you are not a coward.”

  * * * * *

  The team bus hadn’t pulled into the arena until after two a.m. Sunday night. Monday morning. Whatever.

  Will had been too damn tired to do anything other than drive back to his apartment with Justin and drop into bed. Coach had called off practice for the morning, but most of the team had made plans to meet for lunch then to work out in the afternoon.

  By the time he woke Monday morning, it was almost ten a. m. and Jess had texted several times. He’d called and they’d made plans for him to come over for dinner tonight.

  And hopefully stay the night. Their next games were Wednesday and Friday and he had practice every day. He’d had a couple of great games while they’d been away and he planned to keep it up. Which meant being focused. And not letting his head get screwed up with this stuff with Jess.

  If she took the job in Philly, she took the job. They’d figure it out. And if they didn’t…

  He shook off the thought, preferring instead to look forward to tonight.

  By the time he knocked on her door, he had half a hard-on just thinking about seeing her again. He didn’t want to fall on her like a starving animal, but lust burned through his veins, making his muscles tighten and his lungs labor.

  When she opened the door, all his good intentions fled. Her soft smile hit him hard in the gut, his cock pulsing in his jeans. He crossed the threshold as she took a step back but before she could move even farther, he dropped his bag and reached for her waist, lifted her off her feet, and brought her mouth level with his so he could kiss her.

  He heard her gasp before her lips met his with heat and passion, her hands sinking into his hair to grip him tight and her legs wrapping around his waist.

  When her tongue clashed with his, he won the battle and plunged into the warm depths of her mouth. Moaning, she wriggled her hips against the hard ridge of his erection, inflaming his need.

  A split second later, he turned and plastered her back to the door. She wore another pair of those stretchy yoga pants that made her ass look pettable and a soft, flowy top that draped over her curves and gave him immediate access to her bare skin beneath.

  Their mouths locked together, his hands slid beneath that top and swept up to cup her bare breasts. With their warm weight filling his palms, he groaned into her mouth, grinding his cock into the softness of her belly.

  Arching her back, she softened against him even more, her hands releasing his hair to wrap her arms around his shoulders. Tilting her head to the side, she gave him a little more access to her mouth and he took it hungrily.

  That same hunger led him to let his hands drop to her pants and shove them over her hips t
o bare her ass.

  As soon as she dropped her legs for him, he dragged them down to her knees where they then fell to the floor.

  As her hands stroked over his shoulders, he wrapped one arm around her waist and used the other to rip open his jeans. He managed to get the condom out of his wallet and pulled back to hold it between them.

  “Put it on, hon.”

  Her lips curved in a quick smile but her hands shook slightly as she ripped it open then rolled it down his shaft.

  Her fingers danced along his cock, her gaze burning into his. Her lips, swollen from his kiss, drew him back but only for a second. He wanted to watch her as he lowered her onto him.

  It only took a slight adjustment to slip inside her, his cock immediately enveloped in heat. The need to thrust hard and fast threatened to steal his control, but he reined in the raging desire and eased in, centimeter by centimeter.

  Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to her forehead then pressed his against hers. “I missed you.”

  Her labored breathing filled his ears as she stretched around him. “I missed you, too. God, Will, you need to move.”

  A few more centimeters and sweat beaded his forehead. “No fucking way. This feels too damn good.”

  “Too fucking slow.”

  He huffed out a laugh at the frustration in her voice. “There’s the classy lady who makes me so fucking hot I can’t think.”

  “I think you need to stop thinking so damn much and move.”

  She arched her back, sinking down until she almost had him completely engulfed.

  “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you want.”

  Before she had time to draw in another breath, he pulled out and thrust back in. Dirty and hard, his hips nailed hers to the door. Her arms clung to his shoulders and her legs tightened around his waist.

  Her every gasping breath brushed against his cheek, making him shudder and thrust faster. He could feel his orgasm building, felt her pussy clenching around him with increased pressure.

  “Are you—”

  “Harder.” Her fingers dug into his back. “Will. Harder. Make me—”

  Her cry as she came pierced him to the core and he hammered home several more times before he finally came.

  He stood, trying to catch his breath as she went limp against him.

  As his cock finally started to soften, he pressed his lips against her cheek.

  “Missed you, hon.”

  “Missed you, too.”

  Half an hour later, they sat at her dining table, finishing dinner.

  She’d had lasagna in the oven so they’d been able to eat as soon as they’d cleaned up.

  He hadn’t realized something was wrong until just a few minutes ago when he looked at her plate and realized she’d been pushing food around for the past five minutes.

  Setting down his fork, he leaned back in his chair. “Jess? What’s wrong?”

  It took her a second but she finally lifted her gaze to his.

  “I talked to Cary and Coach Tuesday before you left.”

  He put his fork down, curiosity making him jumpy. “Oh?”

  “I asked them about scouting.”

  Fierce triumph flooded through him and he wanted to cheer but he could tell she wasn’t done.

  “And?”

  “They told me if I wanted them to put my name in for consideration, they would. And if the Colonials agreed to give me a trial run, they’d request that the Redtails hire a marketing assistant to help me.”

  Fuck yeah! That was great news. So why the hell didn’t she look happier?

  “That sounds great.”

  She took a deep breath as she shook her head. “I’m going to take the job in Philly.”

  His heart started to pound and he took a couple of deep breaths. “Why?”

  “I have to think long-term. Scouting gives me no options for advancement. Marketing does. I’m going to give them my answer Friday. They want me to start in three weeks.”

  “You don’t know that. Jesus, you’d just be starting—”

  “I know I will never get the chance to go farther than the AHL level as a scout.” Shaking her head, she looked determined. “I’ll always be a curiosity. I won’t be taken seriously—”

  “I take you as seriously as a fucking heart attack. Coach takes you seriously. Cary takes you seriously. They wouldn’t have agreed to float your name if they didn’t think you could do it.”

  She shook her head, her gaze slipping away from his. “But to everyone else I’ll just be Doug Gardiner’s daughter playing at her dad’s job.”

  “And what everyone else thinks of you is going to stop you from doing what you love?”

  Her gaze dropped for a second. “I love my marketing career. I can go so much farther—”

  “So all that bullshit about living out your dreams is just that…bullshit. Patting me on the head and telling me how playing at this level is fulfilling my dreams. Of course my dream was to play in the NHL. And I’ve never stopped playing my best—”

  “No, Will, that’s not—”

  “—to get where I want to be. And if that shot comes, you know I’m damn well going to take it. I’m not going throw up my hands and say ‘oh well, I think I’ll just stay here because it’s safe.’”

  Her mouth set in a flat line and he knew he should probably just shut the fuck up.

  “That’s not fair. Jesus, Will. Why are you sabotaging me on this? I’ve been working toward this for years, working my way up the chain to an NHL club, and now you’re telling me I’m selling out? That’s not fair.”

  “I’m not saying you’re selling out. I’m saying you’re selling yourself short.”

  “And I’m leaving you behind and you’re pissed.”

  He could see from her expression that she wanted to take back her words immediately. But they’d already done their damage.

  “I’m sorry.” Her face crinkled in an angry frown. “Dammit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

  “No.” He stood, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. “You’re absolutely right. I am pissed but not for the reasons you think. You’re right. You should take the job in Philly. You’ll be fantastic. I’m not pissed at you. I’m fucking furious at myself for not seeing how this was going to go.”

  Then he walked to the door and left himself out, closing it behind him with barely a snick.

  Chapter Nine

  “Jess? Can I come in?”

  The voice was familiar but unexpected Wednesday noon.

  “Lori. Hey, what are you doing here?”

  The smile Cary’s wife gave her was sweet and serene and way too calm. “I stopped by to take Cary to lunch since I have the afternoon off, but he’s busy for another few minutes so I figured I’d say hi.”

  Jess leaned back in her chair as Lori walked through the door and closed it behind her.

  Honestly, she didn’t really want to talk to anyone. Since her fight with Will two nights ago, she hadn’t seen or spoken to him. And when she knew he was in the building, she found it hard to breathe, even though she knew he wouldn’t stop to see her.

  Just thinking about him made her heart hurt. But she hadn’t sought him out and she wasn’t going to. Better this way. A clean break. Less heartbreak.

  Not that clean and damn, my heart hearts.

  Forcing a smile, she watched Lori fall into the seat opposite her.

  “So Cary told me you turned him down for the scouting position because you’ve been offered a job with the Colonials. Congrats on that. That’ll be a big promotion for you.”

  Nothing stayed secret in this business. She should’ve known. “Thanks, though it’s not a done deal yet.”

  “Want to tell me why you look like you’re dreading it?”

  She grimaced, shaking her head. “Did Cary send you in here to talk to me?”

  Lori’s smile softened. “No, but he’s worried about you. He said you’ve seemed…not yourself the last couple of days. Are you okay?”

 
“I’m fine.”

  Lori’s eyebrows rose and Jess huffed.

  “I’m fine. Honestly. Of course, I’m nervous about a new job. I’ve got a lot to do here before I leave but I’m excited, too. I’m just…”

  “Just what?”

  She considered her next words carefully, thought about not saying anything at all, but she’d been heartsick since Monday night and she’d had no one to talk to.

  “Will and I are done.”

  Lori didn’t look surprised by that. “What happened?”

  He’d broken her heart. “He thinks I’m selling myself short. How can I be selling myself short when I’m taking this huge step in my career? I’m so pissed at him.”

  “And what do you think?”

  Jess shook her head. “About what?”

  Lori’s eyebrows rose. “Do you think you’re selling yourself short?”

  Jess’s first instinct was to deny. But she found she couldn’t because she wasn’t exactly sure. “Am I? I don’t even know anymore.”

  Lori shrugged. “I can’t answer that for you. That’s something you need to figure out yourself.”

  Sighing, Jess felt all the frustration she’d been trying to ignore begin to crush down on her. “You’re not helping.”

  Laughing softly, Lori rose and walked behind the desk to give Jess a hug. “I’m sorry, but I have to say I’m with Cary. I don’t want to lose you. Yes, I know this job is a great opportunity. But, Jess, maybe you do need to think about what you’re potentially giving up. Maybe it’s more than you think.”

  * * * * *

  “Dude, you are like cold rain over ice. What the fuck is up with you?”

  Will shot Jake a glance as he dressed for Wednesday night’s game. Jake was sitting in his spot on the bench, looking like he’d just walked off a GQ photo shoot. The kid had style. Too bad he also had a mild concussion and a “lower body injury,” which in Jake’s case was a hamstring tear.

  Jake would be on the injured reserve for the next four to six weeks, possibly longer. The kid appeared to be taking it in stride, popping off digs at Lad and the other players and generally being his smart-ass normal self.

  But Will sensed a deeper feeling of loss that Jake covered really well.