Defensive Zone (The Dartmouth Cobras #2)

by Bianca Sommerland

  "He's not in his right mind."

  "Prove it."

  Silver sucked her teeth and smiled. Inclined her head and headed for the door. "I plan to."

  Ford's laughter trailed after her. "Good luck, sis!"

  She slammed the door to cut it off and stumbled towards her car. Her hand slammed against the door and her stomach heaved. Vomit splashed the pavement and she choked on acidic bile.

  Weak, as though she'd taken a beating, she climbed into her car and rested her head on the steering wheel.

  And just think. The night's not over yet.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  That last save looked like it had to hurt, but Dean spared only a moment to make sure Landon got up on his own before he resumed pacing and checked his watch. Almost an hour and a half. Where the hell was Silver?

  Not where she said she'd be.

  To be fair, she hadn't specified where she was going, he'd just assumed that she'd meant the bathroom. And she wasn't a child. She didn't need permission to go wherever she pleased.

  Without calling. Or answering his calls.

  Damn it, it's called respect. I wouldn't do this to her.

  Silver didn't have much experience with relationships. Maybe she didn't realize he'd worry.

  Bullshit. She's a smart girl.

  Maybe something had happened to her. Maybe she'd gone outside to get some air and . . .

  The buzzer sounded. The game went into overtime. Dean didn't give a damn. It might be too soon to put out a missing person's report, but there was no way he could stay and focus on the game without knowing where she was. Hopefully he'd find her at home, preferably just tired, more likely nauseous, and he could take care of her for tonight and save the lecture for the morning.

  Dean turned his back on the rink and nodded to Bolleau. "Take some notes for me. I have to—"

  Silver slipped into the press box, a shaky smile on her lips. Her makeup looked freshly done, but it couldn't hide the fact that she'd been crying. And her tone wasn't as light as she tried to make it. "Sorry I took so long."

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hair. "What happened?"

  "Ah . . .we'll talk about it later."

  "Or now. Something upset you." He tipped her chin up to study her face. "You've been gone quite awhile."

  Her gaze shifted away from his. "Something came up."

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Something came up."

  "Yeah." Silver glanced nervously at Bolleau. "What's the score?"

  Bolleau looked at Dean. "If you won't be needing those notes . . . ?"

  "Please stay, Bolleau. We'll finish watching the game." Dean caught Silver's elbow before she could take a seat. He kept his voice level. Calm. Every word measured and articulate so she couldn't claim any misunderstanding. "Give me your shoes."

  "My shoes?"

  He didn't even pause. "Then you may sit at my feet, close enough for me to feel you right there. That should give you time to think about what you'd like to say to me when the game is over."

  "But—"

  "There's no need to talk until then, Silver." He held out his hand and gave her a curt nod when she stepped out of her heels and handed them to him. "And just to give you a clue, I don't want to hear another 'sorry'."

  Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. Her jaw shifted as she ground her teeth.

  The overtime period started. Dean returned to his seat near the glass, not so much angry as disappointed. Her apology meant nothing if she thought that goddamn word would make things all better. She might not get why he was upset right now, but once she did he knew very well submitting to a small punishment—and he was taking it pretty damn easy on her—would go a long way in making her feel that her actions were unacceptable, not unforgiveable.

  Seconds later, Silver stepped up to his side. She took his hand, kissed his knuckles, and lowered gracefully to her knees.

  Dean quietly let out the breath he'd been holding and stroked her hair as she laid her head against his thigh. They were all right. She was all right.

  They won the game in the last seconds of overtime and the crowds erupted in a cacophony of victory cheers for the Cobras and boos for the Sabres as the players left the ice. Dean stood and shook Bolleau's hand with a brief, "See you Monday."

  Silver fiddled with a loose string on her blouse cuff as he watched her from a few feet away. She bit the tip of her tongue and seemed to struggle not to look up at him. Obviously a little nervous about what was coming next.

  Time to put her at ease. He approached with quiet steps, touched her cheek, then helped her to her feet. "Are you ready to talk to me?"

  "Yes, but first . . . ." She frowned down at her bare feet and he was certain she'd ask for her shoes. But then she shook her head. "I'm sor—I mean . . . I probably wouldn't be too happy with you if you disappeared without telling me. I should have called or something. I promise I'll never do it again."

  "Thank you, Silver. I'd appreciate that." He took a knee and helped her slip back into her shoes. After straightening, he hugged her to his side and kissed her forehead. "Would you like to speak to me about what 'came up'?"

  "Da—My father wanted to see me. Anne left a message and it sounded pretty serious. I had to go."

  "Yes, you did." Dean rubbed her arm as they left the press box. "Is he all right?"

  "Good as can be expected, I guess." Her brow furrowed. "That bothered me, but there was more . . . remember that guy that was dating Jami?"

  "Ford Kingsley?"

  "Yeah, only, he's not a Kingsley. Apparently, he's a Delgado."

  "A Delgado." Fuck. This could get messy. "As in your father's son?"

  "I take it you know what that means? My father will give him everything. I don't care about the money and the house, I've got my own money, but the Kingsleys are behind the whole mess last season!" She pressed closer to his side, redirecting him away from the elevator to the stairs. "I need more exercise, I swear, the way you're feeding me is like you're trying to fatten me up or something!" She laughed, then shook her head and sobered right up. "Anyway, Ford's going to destroy this team if we let him."

  "Oh, I doubt that very much." Dean ground his teeth and did his best to stay close to her side as she practically skipped down the steps. "Can you please walk normally? You're making me very nervous in those heels."

  "Do you want to take them off me again?" She hopped to the second floor landing and gave him a cheeky grin. "Would that make you feel better?"

  "Don't tempt me, Silver."

  She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll be careful. But can you please tell me why you don't think Ford will be bad for the team?"

  "I didn't say that. But I'm not overly concerned. If Ford is your brother and your father gives him the team, you are in a very good position to fight the transfer in court. Your father gave the team to you and he's obviously unstable. I don't think it would be difficult for Asher to prove—you might as well make use of the man since you've decided to keep him around."

  "Okay, that I can do." She chewed on the edge of her bottom lip. "But what if I lose?"

  "I still hold controlling interest in the team, Silver. Only by proxy, but as long as your father is alive, Ford can't override my decisions any more than you can. And I'm willing to bet he knows that. He'll be in a better position to try to bribe players himself, but I don't see him trying that." He smiled at her confused look. "I managed to avoid any serious issues with the league over what happened last season, but they will be watching us for awhile. The guys are also a bit gun-shy—which is why they aren't welcoming the new players with open arms. There's a lot of tension in the locker room. Ford won't get far with any of them, not for any amount of money."

  "What if Ford doesn't use money? What if he tries—"

  "With who, Silver?" Dean put a hand on her shoulder before she could step out onto the main floor. "He needs an impact player. We both know he'll never get Landon. Demyan's dealt with assholes like Kingsley before, I don't s
ee him going for it. Your sister's men struggled through having a two-faced goalie and having one of their friends sell out, and they're all dedicated to the team. Who else could he get to that could actually decide entire games, Silver? Think about it."

  She nodded and exhaled noisily. "I guess . . . ."

  "Sweetheart, Ford is young and ambitious. He gloated and it made you nervous, I can understand that. But what you need to understand is that he doesn't have as much power as he thinks he does. Don't give him any more by letting him get to you, okay?"

  "Okay." She dug in her heels as he turned her towards the last flight of stairs. "Umm . . . but what about my father? He's not doing good."

  "You said he was doing as good as could be expected. Did his nurse give you any reason to doubt that? Do you feel like you should have stayed?"

  "No. She told me there was nothing I could do."

  "Do you believe her?"

  Silver frowned and shrugged. "She's a nurse. I guess I have to."

  "And the stress really isn't good for you, is it?" He chuckled as she blushed and hid her face against his shoulder. "I think it's about time we have a conversation with Landon."

  She peaked up at him. "We?"

  "Unless you'd rather speak to him alone."

  "No! No, I want you with me. With us. You know that right? And, I mean, he might decide he doesn't want anything to do with me and that will be a lot easier to deal with if—"

  He covered her lips with a finger. "Silver, don't assume anything. Just tell him. I'll stay with you."

  That look, that utter trust in her eyes, made his chest swell as if his heart had somehow gotten bigger, filled up, expanded, and damn, it felt good.

  "I finally see what Landon meant." He bent down to kiss her and smiled against her lips. "I can't let you go. Not anymore."

  "Stupid man." Her breath came sweet and hot as she deepened the kiss. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not going anywhere."

  "Just one more time."

  Giggling, she nipped at his bottom lip, then rose up on her tiptoes as she tugged him down to whisper in his ear. "I'm not going anywhere."

  He groaned and picked her up carrying her down the last few steps, kissing her, hardening as he forgot where they were going and why. He wanted her. Here. Now.

  She gasped as he bit the side of her throat. "Landon . . . ."

  "I know we share you, dragonfly." He nibbled along her jaw, then teased the hollow behind her ear with his tongue. "But it would be nice if you could remember who you're with."

  "Did you hit your head this morning, dumbass?" She pursed her lips and gave him a little shove. "Did you not tell me I should talk to Landon?"

  Ah, yes. That. He nodded. Let her turn. Then latched onto the nape of her neck, hauling her back to speak quietly into her ear. "Once you're done with him, we will discuss you calling me names. Privately. With a bar of soap, some rubber elastics, and a pair of chopsticks."

  "Chopsticks?"

  "Mmmhmm." He smacked her butt and laughed when she scampered forward. "Now let's go congratulate our goalie."

  She shot him a look over her shoulder.

  "For the win." Dean winked. "He played well."

  * * * *

  Steam filled the large, dark blue tiled shower, but Silver's mouth went dry. Water cascaded over long muscular planes, drizzled down smooth, hard curves, washing away green tinged, ocean fresh foam. Landon tipped his head back under the shower and her pussy clenched as his pecs and abs bulged. He looked huge, all the way from his wide shoulders, down to his thick, well defined thighs. And his dick, hanging, mostly soft under the warms spill of water, was impressive.

  Dean had stayed behind to empty out the locker room and give them some privacy. She'd flushed as she'd passed the half dressed men, all fucking big and strong, and most so damn hot she wondered if the hockey gene gave them an unfair advantage. But none of them affected her the way this man did.

  She kicked off her shoes and padded silently towards him, wanting to touch, to taste, just once before things got all serious. His eyes met hers just as she reached him and his lips curved as he latched onto her wrists and pulled her under the spray.

  The shower soaked through her blouse as their lips came together, their kiss slick and hot and wet. Hands on his chest, she pushed him back into the tiles and bent down to lick a nipple. She brought her eyes up to his as she lowered, teasing him with her teeth. He groaned and fisted his hands in her hair.

  "Silver, we shouldn't." His grip tightened and her nipples twinged in response to the slight pain in her scalp. His hips jutted forward despite his protest. "Not here."

  "Yes. Here." She flicked her tongue over the slit at the tip of his hardening dick. "Then we need to talk."

  He went still and gave her a hard look. "No. We talk first."

  "Landon—"

  Yanking her up, he changed their positions, trapping her against the wall, tearing at her shirt as he shook his head and rasped out a harsh breath. "Talk. And make it quick because I want you right fucking now."

  Her drenched blouse slapped the floor. Her bra followed, half torn from her body. Landon's large hands covered her breasts as he claimed her mouth once again. The painful throb of her nipples flattened under his palm made her breaths shallow. He stole the rest with his hungry lips, taking her mouth, his tongue snaking in and out over and over.

  "Tell me." He bit her bottom lip and his hot gaze lit a fire, deep within. "Tell me, Silver."

  Any willpower she had to hold back evaporated in the mist around them. She stared up at him and tears joined the droplets of water on her cheeks. Please don't hate me. "I'm having your baby."

  His gaze grew even hotter as he smiled, laying a softer kiss on her before whispering. "I know."

  "You do?"

  "I do. I figured it out when you turned down the wine at dinner." He went to work on removing her skirt, cursed when the wet material stuck to her hips, and cast a glance towards the shower entrance, using one hand to swipe the water from his face. "You want to help me out with this, Dean?

  "Gladly." Dean approached her from behind as Landon pulled her away from the wall. He pressed his bare chest against her back as he unstuck her zipper and rolled her skirt down. Water gathered where their flesh touched, spilling as he shifted to kiss between her shoulder blades. "Do you want me to stay, dragonfly?"

  "You confuse the hell out of me when you ask." She tongued her bottom lip. Landon sucked on the side of her throat and she moaned. She fought to stay on track "And you—you're not mad?"

  Landon shook his head and grazed his teeth over her collarbone. "Why would I be mad?"

  "I forgot my pill."

  "You weren't expecting the condom to break. And neither was I. It happened." He dropped down to his knees and kissed her belly, hovering there for a moment before whispering. "I'm scared to death, but happy. Are you?"

  "Scared? Happy?" A gasping laugh of relief escaped her. "Yes to both! But are you sure we should still—?"

  "Yes, we should." Landon gave her a lust-filled grin as he kissed the top of her mound with his moist lips. "We'll just have to be a little more careful." He nudged her thighs apart, forcing her to lean on Dean as he spread her folds and closed his lips over her clit. His tongue circled the tip her knees shook as a soft electric pulse rode up her nerves, causing her cunt to clench with need. "And very very gentle."

  You're going to drive me insane for the next nine months? She thunked her head back into Dean's shoulder, grateful for his support, because she couldn't have stood on her own. His muscles rippled as he drew her arms up so she could hold on to his neck. Then he molded her breast in one hand and curved the other around her throat. His fingers dug into her jaw, turning her head to the side so he could kiss her.

  Landon licked around her clit, the tip of his tongue putting pressure on first one side, then the other. He avoided the tip, lapping between her parted labia, exploring her with long strokes, stirring a pool of heat that flowed from his mou
th up to the hand on her breast, the fingers pinching her nipple, and Dean's tongue plunging between her lips.

  The sensations rushed together as Landon slid one finger inside her. Pleasure flared in her core and Dean swallowed her tiny whimpers, twisting her nipple so pain skidded along the edge of everything she felt. Another finger and Landon pressed his tongue down hard on her clit.

  Close, so close . . . she panted into Dean's mouth.

  The corner of his lip slanted up. "Don't come."

  "I can't stop! I can't . . . ."

  Suddenly empty. Everything stimulating her gone.

  Landon rose up and caught her chin, pulling her away from Dean to brush his lips over hers. "We've proved otherwise. I want to be inside you. I want him inside you. Then you may come."

  Asshole! If you don't—but he did. Picking her up, he held her while she wrapped her legs around his waist. As she clung to him he filled her and she threw her head back. Ready to burst, ready to let go. Behind her a condom wrapper tore and soon the pressure of Dean against her back hole grounded her, forcing her to relax and let him in. Snug, burning, carnal pleasure. In this position, she had no power. No control.

  Their strength enveloped her as they lifted her together, thrusting up in a smooth, steady rhythm. Never too hard, but faster and faster, holding her right on the brink until the ground gave out beneath her. She came, trembling, biting into Landon's shoulder to hold back her screams. He grunted and jerked inside her, almost losing his balance. But Dean held steady and braced Landon with a solid grip on his shoulder.

  Dean growled out his own release, his free hand on her hip jerking her down hard. She heard his back slap the wall as he used it to keep them all from collapsing to the floor.

  Pinned between the men, Silver had no choice but to wait until they regained their bearings. Landon moved first, easing out of her with a wince. He cupped her cheek, kissed her, then pulled her away from Dean.

  She smiled at him, glanced back at Dean, and frowned. He was favoring one knee.

  "Damn it, why didn't you say something?" She reached for him.

  Landon pulled her back again and shook his head. "I've got him."