Adam smiled. “Yes, since we’ll be heading down to the ice shortly for the ceremony, I thought you’d like to be sober. You know, not trip and fall on the ice.” Allison lifted the mug to her lips. She might find it amusing if Adam fell on the ice, but she probably shouldn't share that with him. She figured drinking would keep her snide comments at bay. After all, she didn’t want anyone seeing him get to her. Fighting with Adam tended to be an aphrodisiac. Nobody needed to see that.
“By the way, Allison, I heard you had some car trouble the other day,” Julie said.
“A flat tire. Thank you so much for setting me up. The motor club was a lifesaver.” Allison hadn’t mentioned the technician’s tire theory, but with Adam being a cop, it might not be a bad idea. “When the guy came by to fix it, he mentioned it looked like someone tampered with the tire.”
“Tampered?” Adam’s face hardened and his spine stiffened.
“He called it ‘willful vandalism’. He said it looked like the hole was made with a sharp instrument. Some sort of blade, knife, or screwdriver.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” He sounded a little angry, but it wasn’t like she was hiding anything. Their last conversation didn’t leave room for the required car- tampering discussion, what with all the flirting and relationship talk.
“I haven’t really had an opportunity,” Allison snapped back at him, and then smiled at Julie. It was all good. Status quo. See I’m smiling— And back to the whole fighting/ aphrodisiac thing. What she didn’t need was for Julie to figure out what was going on between her and Adam. Thankfully, Julie was staring at Cody, a look of concern and guilt on her face.
“Who could have done that?” Julie asked. “I don’t know.” Allison shrugged.
“Disgruntled employee, dissatisfied customer, ex-boyfriend…” Adam almost seemed jealous when he gave the last suggestion. It might have been wishful thinking on her part. She tended to see things with “wishful” glasses when dealing with Adam Byrnes.
“No…I’ve thought about it and I can’t think of anyone.”
Loraine walked down the steps, brow furrowed, concern clouding her face. “Have you seen your brother?”
“No,” Adam said. “I’ll call him. Excuse me.”
Adam walked toward the door of the suite. He turned to Allison and mouthed the words, “We’re not done here,” as he yanked his phone from his jeans pocket. Adam calling his brother while mad, that was one more thing no one needed to see.
* * *
Adam walked into a small seating area just off the hallway and dialed Dale’s cell number. After three calls and a message, he gave up. Typical. Heaven forbid Dale was on time for anything. He sighed as the suite hostess walked up with a white plastic bag.
“You asked for two home jerseys, Mr. Byrnes.”
“Thank you. Just put it on our account.” He smiled and took the bag. He glanced at his phone. No one had called. Not that he thought Dale would call in the ten seconds since he last phoned, but he could hope. Dale’s absence would upset his mom, and she was already emotionally high-strung.
He walked into the suite, and found his mom and Allison standing where he left them. This shit with Allison’s car had him thrown. When it was a simple break-in at the condo, he could chalk it up to his father’s dealings. But now that someone took a shot at Allison—he didn’t want to think about what might have happened. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight.
“Ladies, I have the shirts you need to wear during the ceremony.” He handed one of the jerseys to his mom and the other to Allison.
“Um…” Allison stammered. “What is this for?”
“When we go on the ice and accept the award, we should be wearing blue and silver.”
“I thought you were joking. I’m not going out there. That’s a family moment,” she argued.
“How silly,” Loraine said, pulling the oversized jersey over her head. “You’re family. We’re all going together. It’s a shame Brook couldn’t make it.”
She straightened the jersey. “What about your brother? Is he here yet?”
“No.” Adam watched the Zamboni make short work of smoothing the ice. He made a conscious effort not to watch Allison as she put the jersey over her black T- shirt. There was nothing sexier than a woman in sports gear. Well, getting them out of said sports gear, maybe. Thinking about her seemed like a lot more fun than thinking about his deadbeat brother. Just when he thought his brother couldn’t piss him off any more, he did.
“Well,” Allison sighed. “Hopefully he’ll get here soon. The match should start soon, right?”
“The—” Julie shook her head at Allison, smirking. “The puck will drop in a half hour or so.” She snorted when Allison frowned. “It’s a hockey thing.”
A woman in a navy dress suit knocked on the suite door. “Mr. Byrnes? I’m Megan South, the Event Coordinator.” The woman walked over to Adam and shook his hand.
“Is it time to head downstairs?”
“In a few minutes we’ll escort you to the ice. Now who will be going down with us?” Megan followed Adam’s gestures as he introduced the group.
“My mother, Allison Southby, my brother, and myself were going to head down. So, we’re looking at potentially four adults.”
“I want to see da ice,” Cody said, moving toward Julie. Adam smiled at the boy. He remembered the first time he was on the ice at a Flurries game. It was amazing. His father had designed the championship ring for the 1985 Flurries, and after that, he became a staple within the Flurries organization. Herb brought his sons to one of the division championship games when Adam was around five. After the game, Adam and Dale ran up and down the ice at the old Whiteout Arena, sliding back and forth, falling over and over again. Soon their father joined in and the three of them laughed as they landed on top of each other in a pile.
He could always count on sports to produce some of the best stereotypical 1950’s moments in his family’s life. It was one thing they all had in common, the one topic on which they agreed.
“Cody will be coming with us too, if that’s okay?” Adam added.
“That’s not a problem. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Megan walked out of the suite.
Julie looked anxiously over at Adam. “That’s very nice of you, but you don’t have to take Cody on the ice.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re practically family,” Loraine said. “Besides, it’s not like my boys are giving me grandchildren. I have to hijack what children come along.” Loraine laughed and Edward walked over.
“This side of the room appears to be having way too much fun,” Edward said. “What’s so funny?”
“I was just telling Julie that I’m borrowing your grandchild, since my boys refuse to give me one of my own. We’re taking Cody on the ice when we accept Herb’s award.”
“I don’t think that’s such a great idea,” Edward said through clenched teeth. All the eyes in the suite widened in surprise. He smiled, and lightened his tone. “Julie, don’t you think the ice is unsafe for a child? I just worry about him hurting himself.”
“Yes, but…”
“I wanna go!” Cody cried, tears streaming down his face. He wrapped his arms around Julie’s legs. “Please! Please! Please, Mommy.”
“Fine,” Julie said in defeat, staring at Edward. “Just be careful.”
“We’ll take good care of him,” Adam assured them, and swept Cody into his arms. Loraine and Allison followed Adam out the door. As they approached the elevator, the doors swung open. Adam’s blood heated as Dale and Nadia waltzed out the doors.
“Hey, guys. Where are we heading?” Dale’s laid-back tone grated on Adam’s nerves, but he focused on the child in his arms and smiled.
“Oh thank God, you made it,” Loraine chirped and wrapped them in an embrace. “I was so worried.”
“Why? The game doesn’t start for another thirty minutes.”
“Yes, but we have to be down by the ice early. The award presentation is
before the game starts,” Adam growled as anger swirled in his stomach. Damn. His brother pissed him off. But despite his desire to tell Dale just how disappointed he was, he pasted his mouth shut, lips probably turning white as he ground them closed. Dale should be thankful their mother was there. Without her, Adam’s lips would be wagging, not molded shut.
The group made their way through the crowded halls of the Dietrich Arena.
Adam’s annoyance subsided as he took the ice. His father deserved this award, and he wouldn’t let him down.
Chapter Fifteen
Edward observed the ceremony from the sky suite. This was a mistake. “You never should have brought him here,” Edward muttered to his daughter. “This is only going to end badly.”
“Dad, I can’t keep them away forever. It will be okay.”
Edward’s shook his head at her nonchalance. She really had no clue what he did for her. He spent half his life cleaning up her messes because she refused to listen to reason.
She had way too much of her mother in her. He should have known that woman would have a dire effect on his daughter. It was a mistake to marry her, and an even bigger mistake to procreate with the woman. It was all part of the younger, foolish time in his life.
“Hello, Edward,” a familiar voice said behind him. Edward and Julie turned to find the widow, Bettina Wilcox, her white cashmere shrug hanging perfectly from her narrow shoulders. Her matching silk skirt flowed elegantly to the floor. Now this woman was the epitome of a lady. “Welcome, Bettina, how lovely of you to join us.”
“Hi, Bette, how are you?” Julie smiled as Bette glared down her narrow nose and sunken cheeks.
“It’s lovely to be here. I’m so glad you invited me.” She shone a radiant smile on Edward, and then stared out over the rink. “Is it safe for your grandchild to be out on the ice? I would think a good mother wouldn’t allow that to happen.”
Edward glowed with validation. “I tried to tell her, but you know how children are.”
“At some point, they’re no longer children and they need to take responsibility for their actions. Especially, when those actions affect that darling little life out there.” Bette huffed and looked over to Edward. “My daughters are smart enough to know that they should listen to their mother. It’s unfortunate not all mothers instilled those values.”
Edward grinned in recognition. He had been saying that for years, but his daughter was too bull-headed to heed any of his advice.
“I’m going to wait for Cody in the hall. I’ll let you talk,” Julie said between clenched teeth. Edward found the whole situation amusing. Julie needed a good influence like Bette around. They’d been on numerous dates, and things were progressing nicely. Maybe it was time for him to finally merge their families together.
He’d always been afraid that his daughter was a lost cause. But if anyone could make a lady out of her, it was Bettina. Bettina could instill class into a beggar.
“I see your daughter found another baggy monstrosity to wear this evening. I would love just five minutes in her closet. I’d remove all of those atrocious tents she calls clothes.” She smiled at Edward. “You really should be sainted for all you endure.”
The game began and Edward placed his arm around her waist, happier than he’d been in a very long time.
* * *
The game ended up being a lot more fun than anticipated. Allison found herself completely immersed in the competition. Adam and Julie took the time to explain some of the finer points of ice hockey, which helped her understand the player’s movements and the spectator’s interesting combinations of swear words throughout the game.
Between the rock music and the electric energy charging through the coliseum, she found it impossible to stay on the sidelines. She found herself singing and dancing every time the Flurries scored a goal. Which meant she found herself dancing a lot. The Flurries were on fire. They were up, five to two.
The four beers she had might have encouraged the singing and dancing and the occasional outburst of “Pull your dress up and score a goal!” Yeah, the beers definitely inspired that last one. They also made the third period bathroom break necessary.
She stumbled down the hall until she found an employee who could direct her to the nearest restroom. She rushed to the penthouse washrooms, and once she felt gallons lighter, she tottered back. She rounded the corner just as an arm wrapped around her waist. She looked up and found Adam’s green eyes staring at her.
He lifted a strand of hair out of her face and smiled. ”If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were actually having a good time, Ms. Southby.” He smirked. “At a hockey game.”
“Maybe a little.” She laughed. He pressed his lips to hers, her breath hitching with every intensifying kiss.
“Have I mentioned how hot you look in this jersey? I’ve wanted to rip it off you since you put it on.” He grabbed the front of the jersey and pulled her closer to him. His lips glided along her jaw. “I want you.”
He reached under her shirt, his gentle hands cupping her breast. She gasped in enjoyment. Pleasure snaked down her spine. It felt so good, but she knew they needed to stop this. She just couldn’t seem to find the words. The hallway was not the place for sex with the boss, or anyone for that matter.
All the arguments seemed to lose their meaning as he nibbled on her ear. Her thighs burned as she tried to speak a coherent sentence.
Somehow, she managed to find her voice as she rasped, “We should probably find a more appropriate place for this.”
He groaned as he pulled away. She stepped back, moving as far as possible. The greater the distance, she reasoned, the less likely she would fall under his spell again. “You seem to be right a lot today.”
“I’m right all the time. It’s about time you noticed,” she teased.
Her heart kicked into overdrive as he gazed voraciously at her. He stepped toward her and Allison’s arm flew up to stop his pursuit. She rested her hand on his chest. She tried to ignore the strong muscles trembling beneath her hand. “Let’s go to your place. The limo should be back by now.”
They couldn’t seem to move fast enough as they sprinted out of the building to the awaiting car.
* * *
Adam lay in bed staring at Allison’s sleeping form. He hated to admit it, but he’d never been so happy. The past week with Allison had been amazing. They played virtuous coworkers during the day, and then spent every night together being wicked to make up for their restraint..
Adam loved watching her talk business, her hair pulled back into a respectable twist. She’d led meetings and negotiated deals with impeccable ease. Those had been the times he had to fight the urge to tear her clothes off. She was sexy as hell. She hid it well beneath that prim-and-proper façade, but he knew better. It was almost like he knew a secret to which no one else was privy.
Her lips sighed as she dreamt. The full, voluptuous mouth called to him. He lowered his face to hers, to taste her soft, pliant lips. Her eyes fluttered open and a grin spread over her face.
“Hi,” she whispered as she stretched. “Morning.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s nine thirty. I figured we could sleep in a little, but now it’s time to join the living. What do you think about skipping room service and heading down to the restaurant today? You know, actually eat a meal out in the real world.”
They’d spent most of the last week together. Adam and Allison had been standing by, helping Dale learn the ins-and-outs of the jewelry business. That had led to long days in the office. Fortunately, those long days had been offset by long nights of pleasure at the hotel. That hadn’t left much time for formal meals, but that was why they invented room service. It was the best way to acquire food without the burden of clothes.
“Okay.” She smiled and whipped the blankets from her body. “I just need to shower.”
He smiled as she sashayed her naked behind to the bathroom. The hum of the water hitting the tiles drifted into the
bedroom. He watched the steam inch its way through the cracked bathroom door. He closed his eyes and pictured the steam caressing her bare body. Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself wandering into the bathroom and sliding into the occupied shower.
“What are you doing?” Allison covered her sensitive areas, crimson crawling up her neck.
“You know, I've already seen all your parts. I happen to like them.” He smiled as he pulled her arms down and drank in her glistening, naked form. She bit into her water-soaked lip, turning her head as her pale complexion was overtaken by embarrassment.
He leaned into her and whispered, “You are incredibly gorgeous.”
She turned to him, her blue eyes glistening with hunger. It took all of his energy to keep the words he wanted to say trapped in his throat. Love would only mess this up, but damn, he felt it anyway.
He found the soap, and lathered the bar between his hands before returning it to the soap dish. He ran his foamy hands down the soft curves of her body, kneeling as he slathered bubbles down her taut, welcoming thighs. He gently leaned her toward the spray of water, and whisked the soap from her pink skin before he stood up, wrapping his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck, ignoring the water beating down, as they embarked on yet another stormy sexual encounter.
When the wild squall ended, they finished getting ready and headed down to the hotel restaurant. Adam stared in the mirrors located at the restaurant entrance, a smile glued to his lips. Allison just seemed to have that effect on him.
The brightly-lit establishment exuded elegance. The soft wooden walls with dark-red inlays and patterned carpet played off the dark wood of the furniture.
They were led to a table by an overly solicitous maître d’. Before they were able to decipher the menu, a flock of waitstaff mobbed the table. Men and women arrived, some bearing water or coffee, and one offering to take their order. The other staff waited around patiently to assist with any other mundane need Allison or Adam might express.
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