Page 22 of Inside the Penalty Box

I felt my phone vibrate. Pulling it from my pocket, I glanced at the screen to see Knox had messaged. They were going to Illusion and wanted to know if I wanted to go.

Dylan: Can’t right now. Family obligation.

Knox: You aren’t any fun.

Dylan: I know.

Knox: Maybe afterward?

Dylan: I’ll message you to see if you are still there.

Knox: We will be. Clark and Harris want to blow off steam, maybe pick up a couple of chicks. You could probably use a release too.

I chuckled to myself. He did not know how much of a release I needed, but I’d already set my sights on the prize I wanted.

Knox: So what do you say? In or out later?

Dylan: I’ll message soon. I could blow off steam myself. As for picking up a chick, not my style man, I’m already working on a minor project.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket in time to see one of my father’s friends making his way toward me. He always asked me a million questions, and I was looking for any way out of the conversation when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of Aurora. She looked perfect. Her hair hung loose down her back. She was with another girl who was saying something to her, and she turned and smiled. The smile lit up the entire room. Then she stepped into the den and out of my sight.

“Dylan, good to see you. How’s it going?”

“Good, Dixon, thanks for asking.”

“Listen, I want to ask you what you think your chances are of hitting the playoffs this year? I’ve been watching, and I’ll say I think it’s a long shot.”

“I’m happy to talk to you about this in a bit, but right now, I need to make an important call. Can I catch up with you soon?”

“Ah, yes, sure thing,” Dixon added. “I know you’re a busy man.”

I shook his hand and made my way into the den. The room was full, and I searched the crowd, finally spotting her. She stood across the room talking up a storm with the other girl she was with. She hadn’t spotted me yet, so I just took a seat on the couch and watched her.

My eyes skimmed her body. She looked amazing in the tight black tank top and white skirt she wore. I’d been waiting all week just to see her again, and I couldn’t wait to talk to her. She laughed at something the other girl said, and then she nodded as the girl whispered something in her ear. The other girl walked away, leaving her standing there, alone, holding her glass in one hand as she glanced around at the other people in the room, finally spotting me. Almost immediately her face fell.

Once the room emptied a bit, I got up from where I was sitting and made my way over to her. She rolled her eyes and looked away, fidgeting with the glass she held. I couldn’t help but smile at the light-pink hue that was rising to her cheeks and chest at my approach.

“Hey there,” I said, coming up beside her. “Where did your bodyguard go?”

She let out a huff. “She isn’t my bodyguard.”

“Could have fooled me. She hasn’t been away from you once tonight until now.”

“What are you doing? Stalking me?”

“Like most girls, you wish I was stalking you.” I chuckled.

Aurora shook her head and looked around the room. “What does it matter to you where she went?” she asked, locking her eyes with mine.

My eyes fell to her full lips, and all I wanted to do was bend down and take her mouth. I wanted to hear her moan again; I wanted to watch as her eyes looked up at me while I was buried inside of her.

She looked at me, but neither of us said anything.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she questioned.

“Like what?”

“Like you could eat me?”

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