Seduced by the Game

by editor Lisa Hollett

  “I’m not sure that helps my situation right now, but I’ll keep it in mind. If I can figure out what you just said.”

  “Let things develop at their natural pace, and it’ll become clear eventually if you love him enough to deal with being a hockey wife.”

  “When I’ll figure it out, I have no idea. But you’re right. Putting the cart before the horse and all that. You know me, though. I’m a planner. I don’t like things just happening without my knowing how to handle them. This has gone lightning fast with Scott. Maybe I need to step back a little and let things be for a while.”

  “If you think you can.” Tammi sounded doubtful, and Hannah didn’t blame her.

  “Unfortunately, Scott makes it hard to keep my distance with his sexy self and my inclination to give him anything he wants when he looks at me with those incredible eyes.”

  “Geez. TMI.”

  She laughed and said, “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “I think on that note, I’ll hang up before I gag.”

  “Don’t you dare pretend you and Darren don’t burn up the sheets. I’ve seen you two at work in public. I can only imagine what it’s like at home. Yuck.”

  Tammi laughed back. “Bye. Call me if you need to.”

  Hannah walked back into the living room and found Scott fast asleep on the couch. His soft brown hair was falling across his forehead, and he looked peaceful and angelic, not at all the tough hockey player he was. Her heart melted and she knew it was going to be tough to keep this man out of her heart.

  Chapter Five

  When Scott woke, Hannah wasn’t there, but there was a note was on the coffee table. Rolling slowly, he reached out and snagged it.

  Scott,

  You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to wake you. I’m at home. Get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow to see how you’re feeling.

  Hannah

  He tossed the note back toward the table, but it fell short and drifted to the floor. Raising his head enough to see the clock in the entertainment center, he groaned. It was midafternoon. Scott wasn’t sure what time he’d fallen asleep, but he could see why Hannah had left, since it appeared he’d slept four or five hours.

  Not wanting to bother Hannah too much, he hadn’t mentioned he was supposed to be woken up frequently. During the night he’d set the phone to vibrate every few hours and when it did he had heard it, made sure he was still feeling okay, and then gone back to sleep. Hannah hadn’t seemed to notice the noise, or if she did, she hadn’t said anything.

  Now, this afternoon, he was probably still supposed to be sleeping in short increments, but man, a long nap felt good.

  Life of the party, that’s me.

  Scott sat up gingerly. His headache was down to a dull roar, and the dizziness seemed better too. Then his stomach rumbled, and he remembered he had no food since he had been scheduled for a long road trip soon. Picking up his phone to find the number of one of his favorite restaurants, he noticed Hannah must’ve put it on vibrate before she’d left since he had a couple of voice mails and texts. There was a message from the team doctor, one from the captain, plus texts from various buddies around the league who’d seen or heard about the hit.

  He returned the texts and the call to the doctor while he waited for his food, but the doorbell rang as Scott began to dial the captain’s number. Placing his phone on the kitchen counter, he then went to the door.

  The deliveryman had a look of pity, and Scott sighed to himself.

  “Saw the hit last night. Vicious.”

  “Yes, well…” What the hell am I supposed to say now? What do people expect me to say?

  “Anyway, hope you enjoy the food and get better soon, man. We need you down the line.”

  “I’ll do my best to get healthy. I doubt I’ll be out long.”

  “That’s good to hear. Later.”

  Scott shut the door. Taking the bag over to the counter, he set it down and then went to the cabinets for a plate. After dumping the contents of the containers on it, he took his meal to the living room. The movie had long since stopped, so he picked up the remote and idly flipped through channels until he found a hockey game before digging in to the food. Luckily he wasn’t nauseous anymore, and the pork tenderloin and green beans from the mom and pop restaurant he’d discovered a few years ago and now frequented regularly tasted ridiculously good. He’d considering ordering Kung Pao chicken from the Chinese takeout place just around the corner, but knew it was a bad idea to stray from his in-season diet.

  Once he’d eaten he thought about calling Hannah, but Scott felt like a bit of an ass for falling asleep earlier. He was sure if he mentioned it, Hannah would tell him he was being silly, but that was only because she was so nice.

  He was still debating when a text came through. It was Hannah. Scott smiled.

  Hey-didn’t want to disturb you. Hope you had a good nap and are feeling better. Talk to you this week.

  With that silly grin still plastered on his face, he thumbed out a response.

  I do feel better, but it sucks I slept so long you left. I’m sorry about that. Yes, we’ll talk soon. Very soon.

  Scott considered adding an emoticon, but wasn’t sure if that made him seem unmanly, so he left it off and hit Send.

  With his belly full, he was starting to feel sleepy again, but fought it. While he was aware he’d need to rest to get rid of his concussion symptoms, Scott didn’t want to spend all his time asleep. If he did, he feared he’d be in trouble when they cleared him to play. Despite his efforts, though, Scott fell asleep again and woke close to midnight. Sighing, he turned off the TV and trudged into his bedroom, stopping only long enough to take off his sweats and put his phone on the charger.

  A couple of days later, Scott had seen the doctor and was feeling a ton better. Hannah was checking in via text mostly and had mentioned how busy she was with some work project, so Scott didn’t ask if he could see her. In the back of his mind, he feared she was putting him off, though. Was there really a work project or had she made that up? And how to actually find out? Show up at her place unannounced like some lunatic and demand to know if she still liked him?

  Not in a million years am I letting myself do that. He might as well hand her his balls on a silver platter.

  The team doctors considered keeping him out until the guys returned from the road trip even though he showed no lingering symptoms, but Scott begged them to clear him and they finally acquiesced. He made it to Minnesota and went straight to the arena for practice.

  While he was lacing up his skates, thoughts of Hannah came to him unbidden. He’d sent her a text to let her know he was leaving for Minnesota, and she’d sounded happy when she’d sent a voice mail back, but it been nearly a week since the hit and Scott hadn’t seen her at all. Now he was out of town, not returning for a couple more days, and when the team’s charter touched down upon its return to New York, it was going to be too late to see her. Dammit, he missed her.

  How can I miss a woman I’ve known only a few weeks? This is ridiculous.

  But he did. Scott thought of her again during a lull in practice, and then again in the shower; definitely not the best place to be reliving their last encounter. The team took a bus back to their hotel and Scott was occupied talking to his teammates, but when they had the whole afternoon ahead of them with nothing to do, the only thing that sounded good was calling Hannah.

  His road roommate asked him if he wanted to go to a movie and Scott said yes, if only to stop this outlandish burgeoning obsession. They met up with some of the other guys at a steakhouse afterward, and though conversation was raucous, Scott found himself checking his phone frequently, itchy to get back to his room.

  One of the guys motioned toward the phone on the table. “Got a hot date later or something?”

  “What? No.”

  “Then what’s with the constant checking? We not enough entertainment for you?”

  Scott laughed, hoping it sounded sincere. The l
ast thing he wanted was for the guys to figure out how whipped he was already. He’d never hear the end of it. “You guys are entertaining like a freak in a circus sideshow. Just expecting a call.”

  Another man joined in. “Agent?”

  “No.”

  “Then it must be a chick.”

  He shrugged. “I’ve been seeing someone, but it’s not a big deal.”

  “You stalking her through your phone is definitely not a big deal. Nope.”

  “I’m not stalking her. I was just hoping to hear from her.” Scott looked around the table. “Shit, you’re worse than a bunch of preteen girls.”

  “Defensive. We get it. Just remember, bros before hos.”

  Scott shook his head with a smile. His teammates were nuts, but he loved this job. He reached out and fist-bumped a few of the guys since they seemed to expect it, then sat back, fighting the urge to pick up his phone again.

  Luckily, Scott was able to beg off any forms of “entertainment” the guys suggested once dinner was over. He caught a cab back to the hotel, wondering how he’d ever thought a night at a strip club could be considered entertainment. As soon as the cab’s door closed, he had his phone out and was unlocking it. Hannah had texted him about forty-five minutes ago. Time for a phone call. No more of this texting bullshit. I need to hear her voice.

  He dialed and waited. After a couple of rings, Hannah picked up the phone. “Hello?”

  “Hi, it’s Scott.”

  “Hey, how are you?” Thank God she sounds happy to hear from me.

  “Good, really good. I practiced today with the team and I’m playing tomorrow night. I told you it wasn’t a big deal.”

  “Okay, tough guy.”

  “Why haven’t you called?” Scott swore softly to himself. Why the hell did I say that?

  Hannah sounded surprised when she answered. “I was trying to give you time to heal.”

  Ugh. What to say now that won’t make me look like a horny ass?

  “Not that I expected you to be with me all hours of the day and night, but seeing you would’ve been nice.” Awesome. That made me sound whiny.

  “That works both ways.”

  “I know.” He rubbed his forehead. “I just–”

  “You just what?”

  Scott let his breath out in a huff. “I thought I’d be making a pest of myself. I didn’t want you to think I was all needy and for you to get sick of me. I was hoping you’d call me so I didn’t have to wonder if I was bothering you.” Since when do I wear my heart on my sleeve? What is this woman doing to me?

  “I wouldn’t get sick of you, and you don’t bother me at all. I like you,” Hannah said softly. “I didn’t want to be in your way.”

  “Wow, guess we’re both dumbasses.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, it appears that way.”

  “I’m almost back at my hotel. How do you feel about phone sex?”

  “Geez, I hope you’re alone right now.”

  “I am. I’d never say something like that in front of teammates. They’d tease me forever. Anyway, phone sex. You’re avoiding the question.”

  “I’m not avoiding it. I’ve just, uh, never done it.”

  “Hang on. Gotta pay the cabbie.” He handed a couple of bills to the man and climbed out of the car, the phone still to his ear. Hannah let out a squeak and he chuckled. Well, so he wasn’t totally alone. But he was sure the man had heard worse. “Let me get upstairs and call you back. That might be easier.”

  “Um, okay.”

  They hung up and Scott grinned. She hadn’t exactly said yes, but she also hadn’t said no. Scott actually considered texting his roommate and offering him money to stay away, but figured the man would laugh his ass off and probably come back just to spite him. The two of them were good friends, but these guys, and himself included when the mood struck him, could be pains in the ass. No one meant anything by it, but he didn’t want to expose Hannah to all the shenanigans associated with the guys until he had to.

  He undressed and climbed into bed in boxers and a T-shirt. Then he called Hannah back.

  “Soooo, phone sex.”

  “I don’t even warrant a hello now?” Her tone was flirtatious and Scott grinned.

  “Hello. Wanna have phone sex?”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “What are you wearing?”

  Hannah cracked up. “Seriously? That’s the best you can do?”

  “Hey, it’s been a long day. And you’re avoiding again.”

  “I’m wearing yoga pants and a fleece.”

  “Sexy.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “No, really. I love yoga pants. You ladies have no idea how good your asses look in them.”

  “Okay then.”

  Better change the subject from the stupid comment I just made. She’ll think I go around checking out women all the time. Way to make her feel special.

  Scott moved another pillow behind his head and said, “Take off your pants and the fleece and get in bed.”

  “All right, hang on. So, what are you wearing?”

  “Boxers and a T-shirt. I don’t want to scar my roommate for life if he comes back early.”

  “Good point, though I have no idea how you’d hide what you were doing. Putting the phone down.” Scott heard rustling in the background and then Hannah came back on the line. “Okay, in bed.”

  “Now what are you wearing?”

  “A bra and panties.”

  “Take off the bra and play with your nipples. I want them nice and hard.”

  “Take off the T-shirt and do the same,” she shot back.

  “Touché.” He pulled the shirt over his head, then set the phone down and put it on speaker. “You might want to find a safe spot to leave the phone and put it on speaker. You’re gonna need your hands for this.”

  “Oh, my.”

  Scott gave her some time and then said, “Slip your hand under your panties and rub your pussy. Take them off if it’s easier but sometimes it’s sexier to leave them on.”

  “O-okay.”

  “You sound breathless.” His cock had woken up in a hurry and was now practically pulsing in his boxers. He pulled it through the slit so he wasn’t too exposed and gave it a slow jerk. “Are you touching yourself?”

  “Yeah. Normally I’m not much for using my hands, but this is kind of hot.”

  “What do you normally use?”

  “I have a vibrator. You know, the old battery-operated boyfriend.”

  “Hopefully you won’t need that as long as I’m around.”

  “Except when you’re on road trips.”

  He’d been taking a chance when he’d said that and was relieved when Hannah rolled with it. I guess I might be her boyfriend. I don’t want to date anyone else, and I sure as hell don’t want her to. Scott was surprised by how possessive he felt about Hannah already. The thought of some other guy made him want to ask the team’s enforcer for boxing lessons so he could take care of anyone sniffing around her.

  If they weren’t in the middle of this, he would’ve brought up the whole boyfriend-girlfriend subject more formally, but now was not the time.

  Scott stroked up and down once more. Yeah, definitely wait ’til later.

  “Get your vibrator. I want you to come for me, and if that’s the way to get you there, I want you to use it.”

  “Oh, God.” A drawer opened and shut and then Hannah was back. “I’ve got it.”

  “Take off your panties.”

  “This isn’t gonna take long. I’m totally turned on.”

  “Duly noted for the future.” Scott spread the precome oozing out of his slit over the head and shaft and sighed in pleasure. He heard he vibrator starting up. Feeling a little breathless himself, he said, “Put it wherever you normally do – on your clit, inside, whatever’s gonna get you off.”

  Hannah moaned and Scott swore to himself, speeding up his jerking. “All ready. Close. Never happened this fast.” She moaned again.

&nbs
p; “Right behind you, baby. Go on, come for me. Let me hear you.”

  A longer, louder moan came through the phone, and Scott felt the beginnings of his orgasm stirring.

  “Scott, oh man.”

  “Yes, do it. You sound so fucking sexy. Wanna be inside you.”

  “I want you, too.” Then she was silent, save for various moans and groans, and Scott’s eyes slammed shut as he released a tortured groan of his own.

  “You sound good too.” Hannah gasped. “I’m close.”

  “Come on. Come.” With a few more rough, quick strokes, his back arched and mouth dropped open as his orgasm slammed through him. Vaguely he heard Hannah yell out her own finish. That gave him another stutter before he sank back into the soft bed, breathing hard. “Sexiest thing I’ve ever done, babe.”

  “Wow. Wow.”

  Scott gave a shaky chuckle. “Ditto.”

  Shortly after that they said their good-byes, and Scott was asleep almost immediately. Luckily he stayed awake long enough to clean up and tuck himself back into his boxers or he would’ve had an embarrassing situation.

  They won the game the next day, but the coach limited Scott’s ice time, which pissed him off even as he understood why. Afterward, the team hopped on a charter flight and were back in New York around 2 a.m. the next morning. He went straight home and slept. When he awoke for practice there was a voicemail from Hannah saying she’d watched the game and hoped to talk to him soon.

  Count on it. Scott left for practice with a shit-eating grin stretching his face.

  * * * *

  Hannah slammed the door of her apartment and rushed to the answering machine to look for messages. Well, if she was being honest with herself, messages from Scott. She knew he was back in town, but hadn’t gotten anything on her cell, so she was hoping he’d called her landline. Her heart fell. Nothing. Damn!

  She missed him like the devil. When she thought about it, they’d only been together twice, although they’d connected by phone and text numerous times. Still, she shouldn’t be practically jumping out of her skin because he hadn’t called. He probably didn’t want to disturb her at work, but today it wouldn’t have mattered because she hadn’t gotten much done anyway since her brain kept coming back to him.