“Nope, that’s my job.”
“Do you like it?”
“Mostly. The fighting’s not as prevalent as it used to be. Teams used to have goons on the ice who couldn’t skate worth a shit. They were just there to protect the best players. But these days you have to be a solid player and an enforcer. So fighting’s only a small part of what I do.”
It’s not until we’re standing in front of the door to my room that I realize he walked me all the way back here.
“I’ll meet you back here in…” He looks down at his watch. “An hour?”
“See you then.”
I go into my room and take a shower, even though I know I’ll be covered in sweat again as soon as I step outside. As I sort through the clothes I packed, I wish I had something a little nicer to wear tonight. Knowing I’d be alone on this trip, I only packed my most casual, comfortable clothes.
I did bring one dress, though—a blue sleeveless one that fits just right. As I put it on and blow-dry my hair, I experience a level of excitement I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s been ages since I looked in the mirror and felt as pretty as I do right now.
It wasn’t that I felt unattractive. I just fell into a major rut, I guess. I always have my hair back in a bun for work, and since I usually pull it back as soon as I get out of the shower, it never looks great when I take the bun out at bedtime.
As for makeup, I only bother with a light foundation most of the time. But tonight, I opt for eyeliner, mascara and even a little highlight on my cheekbones.
Just like the fresh papaya, volcano views, and nightly chocolate mints on my pillow, my time with Knox won’t last. Our time together is precious because it’s limited. There’s something exhilarating about that.
I’ll never have to tell him I don’t feel like going out because I have cramps, and he’ll never see the foul mood that ensues when I get excited about a recipe I created and it falls flat. Kauai Reese deserves that shine I see in his eyes when he looks at me. It wouldn’t be there if we bickered about who was picking up dinner on their way home.
I never would’ve thought it possible, but when I open the door of my room to greet Knox, I feel more beautiful than I did on my ill-fated wedding day.
“Wow, you look amazing,” he says.
“Thanks.” I smile up at him. “And you’re sure you’re not tired of me yet?”
“Not even close.”
He takes my hand and leads the way out of the hotel to a waiting black SUV with a driver, who takes us to the restaurant. The whole way there, I have first-date jitters, though I remind myself this isn’t a date.
“What’s your favorite food?” Knox asks me as we wait for our dinner at the restaurant.
I scrunch up my face in what I’m sure is an unflattering expression, confused. “Just one? I can’t choose just one. That’s blasphemous.”
“Come on,” he prods. “You’re stuck on an island for the rest of your life and you only get to have one food for every meal. What would you pick?”
I give my answer serious consideration. “Chicago-style hot dogs.”
“Oh, yeah, those are the best.”
“It may be the most perfect combination of ingredients on the planet. The poppy seed bun, the tomato and onion, the celery salt…” I sigh softly. “So good. But then, there’s also New York style pizza. Buffalo mac and cheese. And I do love a good omelet.”
Knox grins, amused. “Are you just hungry, or do you really love food this much?”
“I love food this much. Food is my life after all.”
“None of the things on your list are sweets, though.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t like sweets all that much. I like to create sweet treats for others.”
“Interesting.”
“What about you? What food would you have on this island?”
“I don’t think anything compares to a really good burger.”
I nod my agreement. “Do you ever make your own?”
“I love grilling out in the summer.”
“Want to know my secret to a great burger?”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
“I put a splash of Worcestershire sauce in when I’m mixing the ingredients.”
“I’ll try it.” He gives me a sly look. “And of course I’ll need to let you know how it turns out, so you’ll need to give me your number.”
I laugh. “Or not.”
“No?” He looks a little hurt.
“I’m nowhere close to ready to date, even if it’s just a long distance flirtationship.”
“Flirtationship?” He quirks a brow.
“Yeah. That’s what we have happening now, isn’t it?”
“Call it what you want. I just know it feels pretty damn good.”
My stomach somersaults with excitement. Knox holds my gaze across the table and I feel…something. I’m not sure what, because I don’t trust my heart anymore. But there’s something strong there.
The server brings our food then, breaking the spell between us.
“Can I tell you a secret?” I ask Knox as we both spread napkins over our laps.
“Please do.”
“I’ve been thinking about making a career move. I think it would be good for me to get a fresh start somewhere new.”
“Makes sense.”
I run the tip of my tongue over my lips, my heart pounding at the thought of speaking my thoughts aloud.
“I’m thinking about going to work at a restaurant in Paris.”
Knox’s eyes widen. “Paris? As in France?”
“Yes. One of my culinary school instructors owns a restaurant there and said he’ll always have a place for me if I want it.”
“Wow.” Knox looks down at his plate, his expression slightly defeated. “I mean, I’m happy for you on one level. It sounds like a great opportunity. But I guess the time we have here really is it for us.”
I feel as disappointed as he sounds. But the timing is just all wrong. I’m fresh off a nine-year-relationship and I just got jilted at the altar. I can’t jump into anything new, no matter how much I like Knox.
“We’d better make the most of it, then,” I say, raising my glass for a toast.
“To new beginnings,” Knox says.
“To new beginnings.”
Our dinner is everything I hoped it would be and more. After our day together, I can once again feel the warmth of the light inside me that I thought Eric had darkened forever.
We eat, drink and laugh late into the night. After he walks me to my hotel room door, I tip my face up to Knox’s, hoping he sees how much I want him to kiss me.
The corners of his lips quirk up as he cups my face in his big hands and leans down, his lips warm on mine. He kisses me slowly at first, the brush of his tongue over mine making me moan softly and press my palms to the door.
As the kiss becomes more intense, I question my decision not to see what could come of us. My heart is putting on a fireworks show inside my chest, and my knees actually feel weak. I never knew that was truly a thing.
When he pulls back, I’m breathless and dizzy to the point I almost feel woozy.
“Can I come see you tomorrow, Reese?”
“Y…um, yes.”
“How long will you be here?”
“Just…um, I’m here until the day after tomorrow, I think.”
“You think?”
“No, I…yeah. Just one more night after this one.”
He leans forward, resting his forehead on mine. “I had a great time tonight, Reese.”
“Me too.”
“Goodnight.”
He brings my hand to his mouth, brushing a kiss over the back of it. I fumble around in my bag for the keycard to my room, scan it, and stumble inside.
I’d blame the two mai tais I drank at dinner, but that was hours ago. No, this punch-drunk feeling is all thanks to a certain hockey player with an intense gaze and a kiss that makes me forget to even breathe.
By the time I clea
n up and get into bed, I miss him. I only started to get to know him today, and somehow, I miss him.
Clearly my heart can’t be trusted.
Chapter Six
Knox
When I raise my hand to knock on Reese’s hotel room door the next morning, anticipation rushes through my veins.
Damn, I’m dying to see her. But why do I finally feel this way for a woman only to find out she plans to move across the world?
When she opens the door, Reese’s hair is rumpled and she’s wearing a faded gray T-shirt that says “Bakers Gonna Bake.” She’s the cutest, sexiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and it’s all I can do not to grab her and carry her straight back to bed.
I clear my throat, willing her not to look down and see that I’m getting hard just from looking at her.
“Good morning,” I say. “Thought you might be up for getting some breakfast.”
“Mmm.” She smiles. “That sounds great.”
She wrinkles her brow and I can feel her hesitation. Maybe she doesn’t want to spend her last full day here with me. I guess I never asked her, because I couldn’t stand the thought of her saying no.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She shifts on her feet, saying, “I think I made a huge mistake last night.”
“What, the kiss?”
“No, not that. The mistake was…after.” She takes a deep breath, her cheeks flushed. “This is a once in a lifetime trip for me. I never live on the edge. Never do anything just because it’s fun. And I wish…I would’ve.”
“Reese, what are you saying?”
She gives me a sexy smile. “I’m saying, instead of going exploring today…what if we stay here?”
And now I’m completely hard. “Here?”
“In bed.”
Holy shit. I didn’t expect her to say that and I can’t deny I’m more than excited at the idea of getting Reese into bed, but my feet stay frozen to the floor.
“I don’t…ah, shit.” I sigh heavily. “I don’t think we should. You said yesterday that you didn’t want to.”
Reese leans a hand against the doorframe, giving me an amused grin. “And yesterday, I didn’t. But today, I do.”
“You’re sure?”
“Very sure.”
“And you won’t regret it?”
She shrugs playfully. “Depends how good it is.”
With a deep laugh, I step into her room and put my hands around her waist, easing the door closed with one foot. “I knew you didn’t really lose your top the other day. It was all a ploy to get me in bed, you little vixen.”
She laughs back, her face flushed. “I’m not brave enough for a ploy like that.”
“But you’re brave enough to suggest I may not be the best you’ve ever had in bed?”
Her smile is coy. “I imagine you will be, since you’ll only be up against one other man.”
My body pushes pause on my erection. “Eric is the only one you’ve ever been with?”
She nods. “But I want nothing more than to get him out of my system, Knox. Let’s see this for what it is. I’m on the rebound and we’re both on vacation. I have to fly out in the morning. Today is all we have. Let’s make it unforgettable.”
I cup her cheek in my palm. “Reese, I’m pretty sure even talking about the weather with you would be unforgettable.”
She blushes deeper and says softly, “You flatter me.”
“Want to know what you do to me?”
Reese steps back, grabs the sides of her T-shirt and pulls it up over her head, exposing her perfect round breasts with tightened pink nipples. My eyes rake over her standing before me in only a little white pair of panties, her golden skin and soft stomach begging me to touch them.
“I think you should show me,” she says.
My brain short circuits as we both take a step forward and I take her in my arms, giving her a soft kiss. She moans as my hands slide down to cup her ass through the thin satin of her panties.
Fuck if she’s not already rubbing against my erection. A strangled groan comes out of me as she fumbles with the fly of my shorts, trying to unfasten it. I make short work of it, stepping out of my shorts and pulling my own T-shirt off.
Reese steps back again, her gaze sweeping down my body and back up. She lets out a little exhale.
“Ohhh…that’s a lot of…I mean…”
“Chest hair?” I quip.
“Uh, no…”
“Relax, I’d never hurt you.”
Her eyes flicker up from my package to meet mine. “I know.”
“We’ll take it slow.”
She breaks out in a devilish grin. “We’ve got less that twenty-four hours together. To hell with slow.”
The way she’s pushing out of her comfort zone with me is so damn hot. When she sits down on the bed and scoots back, her breasts bouncing as she moves, I kneel down on the bed and lay out next to her. I kiss her neck and she makes a sexy little groaning sound as her arms wrap around my back.
I want to savor every first taste and touch, but the urgency I feel for Reese is like nothing I’ve felt before. Since I swam out to help her the first time we met, I’ve wanted her. That want built to an almost unbearable level yesterday, but I didn’t think it was an option.
“Oh!” she cries as I gently bite her stiffened nipple.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
“No, God…do it again, please.”
With a satisfied smirk, I suck on her other nipple until she arches her back, before pulling it slightly between my teeth.
“Holy hell, that feels amazing,” she says in a breathy tone.
She’s as eager as I am. When she wraps her hand around my swollen cock, I groan and close my eyes, forcing myself to keep control. It hasn’t been an issue since I was a high school kid, but this is Reese. The sweet woman who turned bright red over losing her top in the ocean is stroking me like she’s dying to have me inside her. I’m not sure how long I can hold out.
Time to go downtown. I get to my knees and slide her panties down, kissing her bare thighs until she’s practically panting. By the time my tongue flicks over her clit, she comes in just a few seconds, gasping hard and fisting the bed sheets.
“Sorry, that was embarrassing,” she says, closing her eyes and laughing.
“No, don’t say that. I loved it.”
She exhales deeply. “It’s just…been a while.”
If she was mine, those words would never come out of her mouth. When she smiles and kisses me, I put my arms around her and hold her close, hoping she feels what I wish I could say.
She’s fucking amazing. Sweet and sexy. Strong, yet vulnerable. Everything any man could ever dream to find in a woman.
It doesn’t take much kissing and touching for her to be ready again, and I dig into my pants pocket for the condoms I put in my wallet when I was packing for this trip. Little did I know then how glad I’d be that I did.
When I first slide inside her, Reese’s lips part and her eyes widen.
“Yes,” she breathes. “More.”
It’s music to my ears. I take my time giving her my full length, but soon her legs are wrapped around my waist and she’s moving her hips in time with mine.
Every sensation is so fucking good. I want to slow down and stretch it out for as long as I can—I’ve never felt anything so intense as I do right now. But the urgency is there, like an out of control freight train I have no power to stop.
Reese forces her lips together, trying to stifle her moans as she comes undone beneath me. It’s a beautiful sight, her face twisted with ecstasy as she rides the waves overtaking her.
I’m right behind her, my whole body going taut as I come with a powerful groan.
As I drop down beside her, out of breath, we’re both silent. It was hands down the best sex of my life. I knew it would be good, but I wasn’t expecting that.
I always thought saying the timing wasn’t right was just an excuse not to be with someone you really weren’
t that into. But in our case, it’s true. I get where Reese is coming from—she can’t jump into a relationship less than a week after a broken engagement. She needs to spend some time alone.
And Paris. Even if we were together, I don’t see how we’d make that work. Reese isn’t the kind of woman I’d want to be with once a month if she were mine. I’d want her every day.
I put my arms around her and she snuggles into my side, warm and soft and completely satisfied. If only I could capture this moment and relive every detail.
We don’t even mention the idea of going out on her last day here. We spend the whole day in bed, talking, laughing and fucking to the point of exhaustion. In the evening, we order room service, sharing three meals since we’re both so hungry, and then we get right back in bed.
“I wish we had more time,” Reese says softly as we lie together that night, both of us fighting to stay awake at around 2:00 a.m.
“Me too.”
“In another time and place, I’d fall so hard for you.”
I don’t tell her that I’ve fallen hard for her in this time and place, because what will it change? She’s been clear that she doesn’t want anything beyond this trip, and I have to respect that.
Reese falls asleep in my arms and we both sleep soundly until our 6:00 a.m. wakeup call so she can catch her flight on time.
“Checkout’s not until noon,” she tells me as she slides back into the clothes she took off nearly twenty-four hours ago. “You can go back to sleep.”
“I’m taking you to the airport.”
She looks at me over her shoulder, smiling. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t want to miss my last hour with you.”
“Oh, Knox. I’m jealous of the woman who ends up with you.”
I can’t imagine any woman comparing to Reese, but I don’t say that. It won’t help anything. And I want to tear to shreds any guy who touches her, even before it’s happened.
This just isn’t fucking fair.
We ride to the airport in silence, our hands entwined. And once we get there, I pass the skycap a bill, taking Reese into my arms once she’s free of her luggage.
“I adore you,” she says in my ear. “You’ll never know what you’ve done for me. It means everything.”
Knox: A Chicago Blaze Hockey Romance Page 4