Page 19 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I exhale, not even realizing I’d been holding my breath. “Okay,” I murmur. “I’ll go along with it.”

Allison claps her hands together, looking pleased. “Great! We’ll work out the details and get a timeline in place. You two will need to make a public appearance soon, something to solidify the story.”

Eric and I both nod, though neither of us looks thrilled. The meeting wraps up quickly after that, and before I know it, I’m standing outside the arena in the freezing cold, watching the snow swirl around me. Eric steps out a few moments later, shoving his hands into his pockets. I was hoping he would seek me out, away from the eyes and ears inside.

For a moment, we just stand there in silence, the energy between us thick enough to cut with a knife.

“So, Sunshine,” Eric finally says, his breath visible in the cold air. “Guess we’re a couple now.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I hugged you. I had no idea it would lead to all of this. I’m sure the last thing you want is your name out there—your photo out there—being tied to me. But we don’t really have a choice.”

“It’s no one’s fault but the media hawks, you know,” I say laughing because the whole thing is so absurd. “It’s just… complicated.”

“Weird,” he adds playfully.

I smile. “Awkward.”

“Interesting.”

I laugh. “Fun.”

He reaches out to stroke my cheek in a move that takes my breath away. I lean into his touch. For a moment, it looks like he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t. Part of me wishes he would have. The other part wonders why I don’t just initiate it myself.

“Good. It’ll end up being a good thing somehow.”

He’s looking at me so gently that I lean in and kiss him. Instantly, his hands are on my waist, pulling me in. I enjoy the taste of the kiss, the nearness of him, and the way my heart leaps out to meet his. There is a layer to him that surprises me, this earnest man so different from the player on the ice.

But there’s one part of this plan he knows nothing about—I’m supposed to spy on him. I feel terrible about that.

My body language shifts and he pulls back reluctantly, leaving me feeling even more wretched about the whole thing. I’m goingto have to live with him, go on dates with him, and take photo ops with him, all while lying to his face.

Eric gives me a small, understanding nod, thinking I need space. “We’ll figure it out, sunshine. One day at a time.”

He turns to head inside while I walk to my car. I know one thing, no matter how fake this relationship issupposedto be, the feelings inside me are very, very real.

Chapter nine

Eric

The weekend for theteam and executive holiday gala/party arrives, and the air in Denver is electric with excitement. Some of the guys showed up early to mix and mingle outside the event venue with the families and fans who showed up for autographs and the like. They didn't ask me to join them while the PR team works to control the narrative about Jessica and me.

I slide into the driver’s seat of my newly purchased and very practical SUV—given the snow in Colorado I didn’t buy a sports car—stealing a glance at Jessica as she adjusts the red dress hugging her curves… curves I know intimately. The fabric clings to her like a second skin, making it hard for me to focus.

“Ready?” I ask, admiring her beauty but trying not to show it too much. I had to go out of town for an away game right after the meeting, where the idea of our fake relationship was all butthrust upon us. The time apart was not ideal, since we didn’t get to talk about things on a deeper level. Tonight is our first “date” out and all eyes will be on us.

“Ready for… oh, you mean to be your adoring little girlfriend in front of the cameras?” she replies, a hint of humor in her tone. “I’m going to knock it out of the park.”

I reach over and pull her hand up to my lips, kissing it. “Yes, you are.”

We share a guarded smile filled with a thousand unsaid words.

As we pull out of the driveway of the Stanton’s home, I smile at the decorations lining the streets. Twinkling lights and proudly displayed Christmas trees give the city a festive glow.

“I had a great time at the game last night,” I begin, wanting to share my excitement and hoping to build some rapport between us. “The energy in the arena was unreal. The guys really came together, and it felt good to be part of the team. When I had to leave Nashville, I wasn’t sure if I’d feel that type of team spirit again.” I glance at her, hoping to see her enthusiasm mirrored in her eyes. “Winning like that—it’s what guys like me live for, you know?”

She nods, but I can sense her mind is elsewhere. “That’s awesome, Eric. I’m glad you’re settling in,” she says, her voice lacking the enthusiasm I’d hoped for and sounding more professional. She seemed fine earlier. I wonder what changed.

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