Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Been there, done that. Her last boyfriend had been as arrogant, flirty and bold as Brody, and that relationship died a fiery death when Adam dumped her on her birthday because the whole “fidelity thing” cramped his style. His words, not hers.
She wasn’t sure why she had such terrible judgment when it came to men. It shouldn’t be so hard finding someone to build a life with, should it? A home, a solid marriage, great sex, excitement and stability, a man who’d make their relationship a priority—was that too much to ask for?
“Why are you so determined to see me again?” she found herself blurting, then lowered her voice when her father glanced in their direction. “I told you this morning I wanted to leave things at one night. I came home to support my father, not get involved with someone.”
“You were pretty involved with me last night,” he said, winking. He uncrossed his arms and let them drop to his sides. “And you can’t deny you liked it, Hayden.”
“Of course I liked it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I wanted one night. Seeing you again wasn’t part of the plan.”
“Plan, or fantasy?” he drawled, a knowing glimmer in his eyes. “That’s it, isn’t it? You fantasized about indulging in one night with a stranger, right? I’m not judging you, just pointing out that the fantasy doesn’t have to end yet.”
The word fantasy sounded intoxicating the way he said it. Before she could stop herself, she wondered what other fantasies they could play out together. Role-play? Bondage? Her cheeks grew warm at the latter notion. It turned her on, the idea of tying Brody up…straddling him while he lay immobile on the bed…
No. No, she was so not going there. She seriously needed to quit letting this guy jump-start her libido.
“The way I see it, you’ve got two options,” he said. “The easy way or the hard way.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t become you.” His cheeks dimpled despite his words. “Now, the easy way involves the two of us heading over to the Lakeshore Lounge for a drink.”
“No.”
He held up his hand. “You haven’t heard the rest.”
“Fine. What’s the hard way?”
A devilish look flickered across his face. “Why did you look at my dick when you said the word hard?”
“Oh, my God. I didn’t.”
“You totally did. You’re still looking.”
Well, yeah, now she was. And heat spilled over her cheeks when she realized he was totally sporting a semi. The second she noticed it, her nipples grew even harder.
“It’s cool, we’ll just pretend you’re not ogling me.” He winked. “Anyway, I just realized there is no hard way. Because this is pretty fucking easy. You want to say yes to that drink.”
Hayden bit her bottom lip. He was right, damn it. Despite every single logical objection in her head, she did want to say yes.
“Better hurry up and say it, though,” Brody teased. “Because your father seems to be nearing the end of his conversation—yup, he’s shaking Stan’s hand now. Which means he’ll get back here just in time to hear you say yes, and then he’ll ask you what you’re saying yes to, and I’m sure neither one of us wants to open that can of worms.”
She turned her head and, sure enough, her father was walking toward them. Great. Although she knew her dad could handle the knowledge that his twenty-six-year-old daughter wasn’t a virgin, she didn’t want him privy to her sex life. Especially a sex life that involved one of his players.
Her dad might be totally obsessed with his team, but he always warned her about the turbulent nature of hockey players. The latest warning came during her last visit, when she’d been hit on by an opposing player after a Warriors game. She’d declined the dinner invitation, but it hadn’t stopped Presley from launching into a speech about how he didn’t want his daughter dating “brutes.”
If he knew she’d spent the night with Brody Croft, it would just add to his stress.
“So how about that drink, Hayden?”
Her pulse quickened when she realized if she agreed to Brody’s request, chances were they wouldn’t get around to the drink anyway. The second he had her alone, he’d be slipping his hands underneath her shirt, palming her breasts, sucking on her neck the way he’d done last night, as he’d slid inside her and—
“One drink,” she blurted, then chastised herself for yet again letting her hormones override her common sense. What was wrong with her?
With a soft chuckle, Brody rested his hands on his trim hips, the poster boy for cool. He grinned. “I knew you’d see it my way.”
Nine
The Lakeshore Lounge was one of those rare bars in the city that offered an intimate atmosphere rather than a loud, intrusive one. Plush, comfortable chairs and sleek wood-top tables were situated far enough apart that patrons could enjoy their drinks in privacy, and a pale yellow glow took the place of bright lighting. It was also one of the only establishments that still adhered to a strict dress code—blazers required.