“I have to think about it. There is too much at stake to be impulsive. There is also one thing you haven’t considered, Cami— the press. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not become media fodder again.”
I was thankful the familial connection between Zoe and me hadn’t been discovered. Maybe it was good we were no longer a couple. That piece of information could ruin my career. Besides, I didn’t need any reminders that I was in love with my first cousin. It sounded dirty and immoral just thinking of it. I was turned on and confused all at the same time. I could practically hear Rut calling me a pussy for not seizing a prime opportunity. The difference between Rut and me, I liked women in addition to fucking them. He just liked the fucking part. What the hell was I doing? I just met this girl. She could be some psycho for all I knew—albeit a compelling one. I’d never encountered a woman so clear about staking a claim on me. A part of me knew if Zoe ever found about Cami and me, we would be history, for good. The thought sounded too final and irreversible.
“Look, you’re the one with the nickname ‘Ki the Sly’. Why not apply that off the ice too?”
“Cami. I’m flattered. Honestly, I am. But my heart isn’t in it and that’s not fair to you.”
“I’m not interested in your heart, Ki.”
She looked at my crotch again with no reservation. Her hand slid up my thigh. I stopped her from moving higher still. Before I knew it, she leaned forward and pressed her plump lips to mine. I froze, too overwhelmed to fight her off as she ran her tongue along the seam of my mouth.
“Well, Ki, it seems like you have met my new assistant, Cami.”
My eyes shot open wide. Zoe. Fuck! I pushed Cami off me and swung around to find Zoe staring daggers at us. Tears filled their lavender depths. My heart nearly galloped out of my chest. Zoe pinned Cami with a ‘you better get the fuck out of here before I throat punch you’ look.
“Zo, it’s not what it looks like,” I stammered, cursing inwardly at how guilty I sounded.
“How could you? My best friend wasn’t enough so now you must go after my assistant too. What do they have that I don’t?”
The accusation hit home with a direct strike to my heart. Words failed me. I knew I had become a complete and utter failure where Zoe was concerned.
“I kissed him, if you want to know the truth, Miss Simmons. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. He is a single guy so what is the problem? Aren’t you dating Kaden Armour?” Cami challenged her boss.
“That is none of your damned business, Miss Adams. And I will remind you even though Mr. Connery is a single man it has nothing to do with this situation. There is a non-fraternization clause in both your contracts unless you have conveniently forgotten that fact?” Zoe’s anger flared.
“That clause is a legal joke and you know it, Miss Simmons,” Cami threw back at her.
“Ki, can I have a word, please?” Zoe ignored her assistant and gave me the stink eye. Shit.
“Sure,” I acquiesced.
I followed Zoe outside to a table. We both sat down across from each other, away from the prying eyes and ears of her assistant.
“What is it you have to tell me?”
Zoe dropped her gaze. I shifted with unease. She wasn’t one to avoid eye contact.
“Zo?” I asked her again, softer this time.
She continued to stare at her hands folded in her lap. A few moments of silence passed by when she finally looked up and choked back a sob.
“I’m late.”
Chapter 12
Zoe
I was nervous waiting for Kaden to show up for our clandestine meeting. Somewhere in the back of my mind I pictured Joe’s mouthwatering at the mere opportunity of having Kaden Armour join our ranks. I wasn’t sure how Ki was going to handle being on the same team as his league rival. The only time Ki boasted an ego was on the ice and rightfully so—the man brought his A-game time and time again. His sheer power, speed, and agility put him up there with legends like Gretzky, Lemieux, and Orr.
My father ate, slept, and breathed hockey to the extent where he had instilled the same passion in me. It was only a natural progression for me to add scouting to my list of responsibilities with the organization. One I desperately needed. I wanted to get away from my life. Heading to Vegas to recruit Kaden Armour offered the perfect escape. The man in question sent me a text earlier confirming our meeting at the tiny bar inside the New York New York casino.
I decided to get dressed up at the last minute. After all, I was in Vegas and I was going to make the most of my mini vacay/business trip. I rummaged through the clothes I’d packed and settled on a purple sheath dress that matched my eyes and paired it with black patent leather stilettos. I pulled my hair up in a chignon and dabbed on a little mascara and gloss. When I twirled in front of the mirror, I liked what I saw. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt excited about going out. The purple mascara made my eyes pop. Another flutter of nerves rattled me. I acted like I was going on a date instead of meeting with a prospective player. I grabbed my purse and phone and headed downstairs to await my date with Kaden. Date? Where did that come from? This is a business meeting, I reminded myself.
The High Limit Bar was quiet and secluded—the perfect meeting place. At nearly two a.m., the people doing shots at the bar didn’t even notice me sitting in the dark corner booth. Just how I liked it. A waitress in a slinky get-up complete with fishnet stockings, stilettos, and bleached blonde hair took my drink order. I couldn’t image how she managed to walk around in those heels during a shift.
My vodka martini arrived, topped with three olives—precisely how I loved it. I took a sip of the cold vodka. Perfect. It wasn’t my usual style to sit alone drinking in a bar full of drunken revelers, but as the commercial said, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” I wanted to live a little while I was here. At the end of three days, my time would up, and I would need to go back to reality at home. Maybe this trip could be a turning point for me? I could only hope.
As I enjoyed my drink, I perused the dossier the marketing department had provided me—complete with detailed reports, stats, and glossy images of our prospect. I would have to be blind not to notice not only how impressive Kaden Armour’s stats were but to not admire to his other qualities as well. For one, he was certainly easy on the eyes. Pure man candy wrapped in a complete package. I suspected Joe Wharton had ulterior motives sending me to recruit the man. He had literally taken my mind off Ki Connery for a brief time. I needed to focus on my task at hand—making a deal with the Gamblers’ star player and getting him to take our offer seriously. From what I gathered, he wasn’t happy with his current owner, Jeff Walston. The guy had a reputation throughout the league as a cheapskate. No wonder his team never made the playoffs. He refused to open his purse strings to retain players like Kaden Armour but relied on early draft picks and lower rookie salaries. The man was shortsighted by all accounts and greedy to boot. The Gamblers’ loss and the Otters’ gain. I intended to land this guy. Hm, poor choice of words. Maybe? A part of me was intrigued, excited, and apprehensive all at the same time. My attention was instinctively drawn to the man standing at the entrance, scanning the bar. Kaden Armour.
He was over six foot five. I had no problem gauging his height because of Ki. Kaden had come dressed in a white button-down shirt, opened at the collar, showing off a tanned physique, and dress slacks encasing his long muscular legs. His dark brown almost black hair was styled and glossy. Before coming here, I had watched a YouTube video of a shirtless Kaden working out during the off season. I had nearly fallen off my chair, staring at his chiseled, hard body. Physically, he was masculine perfection. What am I doing? This is a business meeting not some hook-up.
I waved at Kaden. He levelled a drop-dead gorgeous smile and walked toward me. His gait was that of a self-assured man—pure grace and every bit as delectable as the rest of him. My insides quivered. It wasn’t until he slid next to me into the booth and his thigh brushed mine that my throat went d
ry as the Sahara. Dear Lord in heaven, I may expire on the spot. I now understood why women threw their panties on stage at rock concerts. I clenched my thighs together. Kaden was already arousing me beyond belief, and he hadn’t even opened his mouth yet. I cleared my throat to regain my composure.
His large hand extended to shake mine. “Nice to meet you, Miss Simmons.” The deep timbre of his voice had my heart doing palpitations. His brown eyes flecked with gold danced with amusement. He knew exactly what kind of effect he had on women and I was no exception.
“Mr. Armour, nice to make your acquaintance.” I cleared my throat, nervously.
“So, you’re the one who got away from Connery? Not a smart move on his part from where I’m sitting.” He smirked before waving over the cocktail waitress to order an expensive scotch on the rocks.
I snapped out of my Kaden Armour haze. I took another sip of my martini, which was more like a gulp, finishing it off.
“I don’t believe that is any of your business, Mr. Armour,” I murmured.
“What if I want to make it my business?”
I quirked my eyebrow. Kaden Armour was one cocky bastard.
“Excuse me, can I have another one, please?” I twirled my empty glass. The waitress nodded and sauntered off to the bar. I was going to need liquid courage to deal with the man smiling at me like the Cheshire Cat. I ignored his smug expression and pulled out the dossier. I flipped through to the images, pulling one out and handing it to him.
“I thought this lovely lady was your fiancée?” This ought to put him in his place.
A dark look passed over his face, replacing his beautiful smile.
“She’s not.” His reply was flat bordering on rude. He downed his scotch.
“Kaden, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
My stomach lurched. Had this meeting ended before it even started? I had let my ego and pride get in the way simply because he mentioned Ki. I would have to get used to that since we were no longer together. Time to move on and focus on the future not the past.
His dark eyes studied me for a minute. “I do. I was an asshole bringing up Connery. My apologies.”
Wow, my respect for him just raised several rungs. I wasn’t used to men making amends. It was oddly foreign and endearing all at the same time. The storm clouds parted and lightened the atmosphere surrounding us.
“I was a bitch shoving that in your face. I’m sorry too. Can we start over? Please?”
“You want to get out of here?” He cocked an eyebrow at me. His devastatingly handsome smile returned, sending tingles up and down my spine.
“Yes.” I heard myself reply before considering the repercussions of my actions. Hell, I wanted to cut loose and have some fun, and Kaden Armour was my golden ticket. I didn’t want to think or agonize about anything. I’d done enough of that the last few months. I wanted to forget everything and everyone. The only thing I had in my sights was Kaden Armour and seeing the sunrise in Vegas.
“Are you sure, Miss Simmons?” His voice turned silky and seductive, sending shockwaves coursing through my entire body.
“I know the perfect place.”
He smiled. “And where would that be?”
“My room.”
The persistent buzzing pierced my consciousness. I tried to crack open an eye but the pounding in my head stopped me from moving. I rubbed my throbbing temple. The pain persisted despite my efforts. God, I couldn’t even recall what day it was. I opened my eyes and waited for my fuzzy vision to adjust. The room was pitch black. The only light came from my cell phone on the nightstand. I reached to pick it up and noticed the glint of something sparkly on my left hand. What the—? Panic set in. I sat up too quickly and reeled with dizziness. I laid my head back on the pillow and tried to recollect the last thing I remembered. Nothing registered. Deep down I knew something happened but what?
A distinctly male hand snaked around my waist and pulled me close against a rock-hard chest. A pair of soft lips began nibbling on my ear. The evidence of his arousal pushed up against my ass. I was too hung over to respond, remaining slack and pliable in his arms. The room reeked of sex, booze, and debauchery of the worst kind. I froze in place, racking my brain to come up with a plausible explanation for who I landed in bed with and apparently married by the looks of the rock on my ring finger. I groaned in misery. My mind wasn’t cooperating with the chain of events leading to my Vegas wedding. My marriage.
He whispered in my ear, “Morning, wife.”
“Wife?” I squeaked.
The deep rumble of his laughter filled my ear. His hand squeezed my breasts and played with my nipples. I momentarily forgot my lapse in judgement and enjoyed the exploration of his callused hands on my body. He shifted closer and slid into me, spreading me wide, filling me completely from behind like we’d had sex before. His movements were slow and languid. His lips caressed the hollow of my neck with kisses and lightly nipped me with his teeth, evoking both pleasure and pain. Every touch and stroke of his hand felt like he was worshipping every inch of my body. A shudder ran through me. His touch was like liquid heat igniting a firestorm within me. I caved to the multitude of sensations flooding my mind and body. My core tightened around his hardness when he increased his tempo. The tip of his cock hit the sensitive part of my pussy, sending me onto a plateau of ecstasy. My muscles instinctively contracted around his erection. My orgasm blossomed, sending ripples throughout my body. My strangled groans spurred him on. He grabbed me by the waist and slammed his cock into me with frenzied thrusts. His growl chased his own release and left him to pulse deep inside of me. We laid locked together, unwilling to break the bond. Our fevered bodies meshed with our breathlessness as we both came tumbling back to Earth like two falling stars.
He whispered, “I love you.”
I smiled into my pillow. I felt blissfully satiated and exhausted. My eyelids fluttered, desperately seeking sleep. I drifted off in his arms without a care in the world. There wasn’t another place I’d rather be.
“Angel,” the voice whispered, penetrating my slumber.
I stretched and opened my eyes. Sunlight was streaming through the sheers that billowed from the air-conditioning and blocking out the image of the large masculine figure looming before me. The brightness obscured his features but the scent of him was undeniable. Ki. My eyes snapped open in shock. He was sitting next to me on the bed. He picked up my hand and kissed my ring finger. A diamond glinted at me. It was the same ring we had picked out for our wedding three years ago. I looked between the ring and him. I had married Ki. So many questions flitted through my mind. His gray eyes lovingly captured mine. Tears filled me with relief. His presence alone sent a wave of love through me.
“Did we get married? I don’t recall a thing.”
He smirked and nodded.
“We’re in Vegas, angel.”
“I came here to recruit Kaden Armour.”
“Kaden called me. It seemed you had too much to drink and poured your heart out to him about us. He realized there was history between us, so he decided to call me and let me know the score as he put it. He’s a decent guy. He’d had his own break-up recently, so he understood and decided to take matters into his own hands. You made quite an impression on him inviting him to your room. Oh, and by the way, he got a new agent and is in negotiations with the Otters.”
“You know about that? Oh my god, he is?” I could feel heat rise in my cheeks.
“Yeah, Armour was very forthcoming, including straightening my ass out where you are concerned. No matter how many times we walk away from each other, the universe has other plans for us, angel. We got married two days ago. I decided despite your inebriation, I didn’t want to wait another second making you mine, legally. We’re official, Zo. You’re mine now and forever.”
“What kind of person doesn’t even remember their own wedding?”
Ki chuckled. “Kaden recorded it so you wouldn’t miss a thing.”
“Nothing more charm
ing than a drunken bride.”
“You weren’t that drunk. We celebrated a lot after the wedding. You were adorable when you threw Kaden your bouquet.”
“Oh god.” I was mortified. “Tell me Elvis didn’t marry us?” I cringed at the thought.
“No. I wouldn’t do that to you. It was a little white chapel on the Strip. We can always get re-married the traditional way if you want, but given out history, I prefer our impetuousness.”
I was still reeling from the turn of events. Ki and I were really married? I couldn’t wrap my brain around it. Ki leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. A kiss that promised a new future together. Reluctantly, I pulled away. A sense of foreboding overshadowed the moment. Ki pulled away with a look of concern on his face.
“Talk to me, angel.” His grey eyes pinned me with a troubled expression in their silvery depths.
“I’ve dreamt of this moment a thousand times and now it’s come true, I’m scared something is going to happen to take it all away,” I confessed.
He drew me close and encompassed me in his arms. I laid my head against his heart and listened to his heartbeat—steady and strong. “Whatever the future holds for us, angel, we’ll go through it together. To hell with our families, the press, or whoever or whatever is out there. You’re my wife, my other half, nothing can separate us anymore, including my own stupidity, I promise you, angel.”
“There are no guarantees, Ki.”
“I guarantee I love you no matter what.” He kissed my cheek.
“I love you too,” I said and eased up until a question sprang to mind, one I needed answered before we continued our blissful lives together. “Ki, do you want kids?”
“I’m not sure, angel. We don’t have to think about that now. We have our entire future to decide that. Your problem is you worry too much.” He kissed my temple.
“Maybe you don’t worry enough.”
“I’ve had a lifetime of worry, Zoe. I don’t want to worry anymore. Is that too much to ask?” His voice had an edge to it. The mood turned somber. My insecurities bubbled to the surface. Maybe this marriage was a mistake after all. I couldn’t imagine how he would handle the secret I’d been keeping the last couple of weeks. A shiver ran up my spine. God, our situation felt hopeless. Panic settled in my mind and it was screaming at me to flee.
On Ice, A Hockey Romance Page 11