Page 3 of Madden

"I sucked, didn't I? Just as the puck was sailing toward me, you popped into my head. My preoccupation with you is messing with my game, so here I am." I grin. "Let's go and eat.” I take her hand and pull her behind me, but to my surprise she digs in her heels.

"Madden, you can't just take over my life because your game is off. That's not fair to me."

I frown. That's not why I'm here. Not really. I run a hand through my hair and go for the truth. "Don't you get it, Tessa? It's you. I want to be where you are. Not miles away in Boston."

"I'm not like the women you date, Madden." She blushes quickly and slaps her thighs. My eyes narrow, not caring for where her mind is at. I step into her space until she's pinned against the wall.

"The team's publicist set me up with those women," I admit. "They want the players to be talked about in the media. It brings more people to the games. You need to understand something, and I'm going to be blunt about it so there's no misunderstanding, okay?"

She nods her head slowly.

My arms wrap around her waist, and as she is pressed close, unable to mistake my erection for anything other than what it is,I whisper in her ear, "I love the fact that you are a handful." I grab her bottom and let out a moan as she rubs my dick. “There is not one thing about you that I would change." I look into her eyes. "Not one thing, Tessa. I like you just the way you are." I grin. "Although I wouldn't mind seeing you wearing my jersey andonlymy jersey."

Her eyes go wide and a smile spreads across her face.

"That's better. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."

4

TESSA

"Ted,Adel, good to see you both again," Madden says, pulling out my chair. He winks as our eyes meet and sits down next to me. "So I guess you're all skiers."

"Not me. I prefer the sun to the snow. Don't you, Tessa?" The smile Ralph gives me is forced.

I wonder if his feathers are ruffled by Madden showing up. "I was born and raised here, so snow and skiing will always be my choice."

Madden grins when I give him a shy look. Ralph mutters under his breath, but I pay no attention. As we eat in silence, I keep sneaking glances at Madden, who does the same with me. By the time dessert is placed in front of me, I'm sure I look as red as the strawberries on the cheesecake.

"Are you going to eat that?" Ralph asks.

I frown. "I ordered it, so yeah?" I give him a curious look.

"Cheesecake is full of fat," he continues as I'm about to shove a nicely proportioned size into my mouth. The spoonful stops halfway between the plate and my mouth. "You'll just gain more weight instead of losing it."

The pig!

"What the hell does that mean?" Madden hisses, his face a mask of rage.

My parents stop and look at Madden, while Ralph does the same, but he has a look on his face I don't like. "You can't eat dessert when you're trying to lose weight."

My fist automatically clenches around the arm of the fork as I wonder about the wisdom of stabbing Ralph in the thigh. Or maybe his hairy hand. Huh! Why have I never noticed how hairy the backs of his hands are?

"Tessa's not on a diet," Madden snarls. "You know why? Because she’s perfect the way she is."

My cheeks burn and I want to hide under the table, even as my heart jumps at the words coming out of Madden's mouth. I'm horrified that Ralph would say what he did, but especially that Madden would hear him.

My heart almost jumps out of my chest when the sudden shrill sound of the fire alarm goes off. I'm about to have a panic attack. I know I should move. The others at the table stand. Ralph is halfway to the exit. My parents turn back to me, both frowning. I still can't move. Fear ricochets through me and I feel my chest tighten.

Madden cups my face in his big hands. "Look at me, Tessa. You need to breathe, okay?" His worried frown softens as I focus on him, and him alone. He's an attractive package to focus on. "Let's get out of here." Madden gets me up and moving, grabbing my coat as he does so. It's not until we're outside that I realize we came out through the back. "I thought we'd get out while we can.” He grins. "Do you want to get a hot chocolate?"

“Sounds good.” I sigh in relief. An embarrassed chuckle comes out of my mouth. "That has to be the worst meal in the history of worst meals."

Once I'm wrapped in my coat, scarf and hat, Madden takes my hand. "It wasn't that bad. No food was thrown." Pause. "Though I was tempted to throw a punch."

"Yeah, I thought about stabbing him with my fork. Too many witnesses."

Madden laughs, loud and delightful. "Oh, sweetheart! I love the way you think."

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