Page 19 of Broken Promises

Boston is up by two going into the third period. Tampa is struggling to keep up. Their team is young, a lot of rookies where Boston is mostly veterans. Their inexperience is showing, but so is their frustration. Cheap hits and shitty calls make up the rest of the game. Declan has been thrown into the boards twice when the ref’s backs have been turned. Gideon took a nasty slash to the shoulder. The left wing on the second line, Mikhail Slava, left the game with a broken finger. But through all of it, Boston kept their composure and fought them off without resorting to their dirty games.

“The guys are going to be sore tonight,” Maggie says as we stand and make our way to the locker room. “I hope you have good massage oil at home. If not, I can send you the one I get.”

“I have to get on the tour bus and head to New Jersey right after I see Dec,” I say.

Maggie frowns. “It must be hard when you’re apart so much.”

“We’ve talked almost every night since my dad got me my first phone when I was thirteen. The distance sucks, but we’re used to it.” Maggie nods, but not in a way that makes me believe she understands.

“There they are,” she says. We took our time getting to the locker rooms. The game ended earlier than I planned for, so I didn’t need to rush. Our guys are already waiting for us in their game day suits. I don’t know who made the rule that hockey players need to wear suits on game day, but I could kiss them for it.

Speaking of kisses.

“Declan,” I shout when I see him. I turn to Maggie and quickly rip my wig off. “Can you hold this?” I toss it to her before she has time to respond. Shaking out my hair quickly, I run.

Declan’s smile lights up his whole face when he sees me coming for him. He crouches down slightly and opens his arms. I jump into them, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck like I’ve done a million times before. Except this time, I lean down and press my lips to his. I meant for it to be soft and quick, but he grabs the back of my neck and takes over. His lips move against mine, his tongue flicking the seam, asking for entrance, and I let him in. I get lost in the feel of his body against mine, the softness of his lips and the teasing of his tongue.

He pulls back and looks at me. He’s breathing just as heavily as I am. “Hey, Princess,” he whispers in a husky voice. I look into his eyes, pupils blown so wide the green is barely visible.

“That was some kiss, hockey boy.”

“I wanted my movie kiss,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose. Then he rears back, eyes widening in horror. “Willa, your hair is out.” He looks around him in a panic, like he’s looking for somewhere to hide me.

“Dec, it’s okay,” I try to tell him, but he’s already moving towards the exit. “Declan,” I say louder and try to wiggle out of his hold. “They got him, Dec.”

He freezes a foot from the door that leads directly into the players’ parking lot. “Got who?”

“Senator Wolfe. He’s been arrested for a ton of stuff, but Harrison, Harlow’s dad and the private investigator Kai hired, found evidence connecting him to Harlow’s kidnapping.”

“You’re safe?” The relief in Declan’s voice hits me right in the chest.

“I’m safe,” I say softly.

“Can I move out of my shitty apartment now?” he asks, breaking the tension. I laugh. His apartment costs more per month than most people make in a year, but I don’t think this is the time to point that out.

“Can we figure that out when we’re both here at the same time again?”

Declan stares at me. His eyes showing his disappointment.

“I know, but I’m on the road for the next seven weeks. And then the week I’m back, you’re away for three days.”

He sighs and lays his forehead against mine. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, hockey boy.” He lets me down but takes my hand as he leads me into the parking lot.

“Did you enjoy the game?” he asks as he leads me to my car.

“Tampa is a bunch of dirty fuckers. You’re going to have to watch out for them during the season. If they play like that in the preseason, they’re going to be causing serious injuries when the games actually count.” Declan laughs so loud he gets the attention of his teammates who are making their way to their own cars. “Everyone is staring at us,” I say, looking around.

“Good,” he says and then leans in kissing me again. This one is different. It’s softer, less urgent. “Drive safe Mrs. Monroe.Call me when you can.” He opens my door and waits until I’m buckled and the engine is started before he shuts my door and blows me a kiss. I watch him walk to his own car, a little stunned.

We agreed to kiss for show. Which both kisses were, but they weren’t supposed to make me tingle.

Fucking hell.

TEN

declan

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