Page 39 of The Secret Play

The players had already filed into the locker room, their laughter and chatter echoing faintly through the hallways. The chill from the rink followed me as I pushed open the door, stepping into the warmth of Casey’s office.

He was seated at his desk, a notebook open in front of him, but his pen wasn’t moving. He looked up as I entered, his expression softening slightly.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, closing the door behind me.

“Do what?” he asked, though the faint smirk tugging at his lips told me he knew exactly what I was talking about.

“Barking at Hudson like that. He was just being playful.”

“He was hitting on you,” Casey said flatly. “And you’re here to work, not deal with that.”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning against the edge of his desk. “It’s not the first time it’s happened, and it won’t be the last. I can handle a little flirting.”

“You shouldn’t have to handle it,” he said, his tone softening but no less firm. “You’re here to do your job, not fend off idiots who can’t keep things professional.”

The earnestness in his voice sent a flicker of warmth through me, and I felt my irritation melt away. It wasn’t just jealousy driving him—it was something deeper, something protective and genuine. And the way he said it, I knew something more important about Casey. But I had to ask to confirm my theory.

“If we weren’t…involved, you still would have intervened, wouldn’t you?”

“Damn straight. I hate it when women get hit on while doing their job. It puts them in the awkward position of having to turn someone down while also not getting in trouble for being rude. It’s unprofessional of men, and I won’t stand for that kind of bullshit on my team.”

I didn’t know what to think. I had dated around, met some interesting men, and had a good time doing it. But this might have been the first time I had found a man with integrity, and for some reason, that turned me on more than anything else. He had shown me professional respect, not to impress me, but because he respected me outright.

Was it a turn-on because it was so rare? Maybe.

“I appreciate that.”

He nodded once, but his eyes hardened. “Hudson’s used to getting his way when it comes to women. He’s a good-looking young man.”

I half-shrugged. “I guess so.”

His eyes dipped back to his screen, and he cleared his throat. “If, once the interviews are over, you’re interested in him, I’m sure he’d be open to it.”

Something twisted in my chest. “What?”

“It’s okay, Gemma. We never said we were exclusive. I just ask that you don’t mention anything to them about us. No point in stirring up drama.”

I blinked at him. He was serious, and I didn’t understand why. “Casey?—”

“Don’t feel you have to say anything to mollify me. Please. We’re both adults?—”

“You don’t have to worry about the players,” I said gently. I had to say something, or he would keep rambling. “I like you. A lot. And nothing they say or do is going to change that.”

His lips went tight, but still, he didn’t look at me. “Good to know where I stand among them.”

I marched to the other side of his desk and spun his chair around so he faced me. “You’re not standing among anyone! You’re the only man I’m interested in. Period.”

His blue eyes searched mine, and for a moment, the air between us felt charged. With what, I wasn’t sure. Finally, he reached for my hand, his fingers warm and calloused as they closed around mine.

“Good,” he said, his voice low. “Because I don’t want to share you. I’m not interested in seeing other people. Are you?”

The simple honesty of his words sent a shiver down my spine, and before I could think twice, I leaned down and kissed him. It started slow, almost tentative, but the moment his hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, the kiss deepened into something hotter, more urgent.

“Gemma,” he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with need.

The tension that had been simmering between us since the incident at the rink finally boiled over, spilling into every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. The papers on his desk tumbled to the floor as he lifted me onto the edge, his hands finding my waist as he pulled me closer.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, his breath warm against my skin. “Here? Now?”

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