Page 97 of War

“Look at my beautiful wife,” I say, lifting my thumb off the button. “The perfect woman who’s about to run a charity event while her cum drips down her thighs.”

She sucks in a surprised breath and drops her head back.

Wrapping my hand around her neck, I tug her until her lips meet mine, then I devour her, likely ruining her perfect makeup and mussing her styled hair.

Once I’ve pulled back, I bring my mouth to her ear and talk her through what I want to do to her. “You know how hot this is, Vicious? Knowing I’ll be edging you all night? While you talk to donors and my teammates, I’ll be playing between those thighs. Enjoy it while you can, talking to other men while I make you come, because this is the only time I’ll share your pleasure. After, when I take you home, you’re going to ride my face. I’m going to suck on that clit and lap up each drop until you drip down my chin. And then we’re going to do it again.”

With one hand gripped tight around my forearm, Ava gasps. I take the opportunity to suck her tongue into my mouth, and as she comes in waves, I swallow all her sounds.

“Holy fuck,” she pants, surprise dusting her cheeks pink.

Holy fuck is right. That was one of the most satisfying orgasms of my life, and it wasn’t even mine.

“Have youheard the rumor?”

Hall made a beeline for me the moment we walked in the door. My wife, sensing that he needed me, excused herself.

I’m irritated with my friend as Ava walks away, but when I slide my hands into my pockets, finding the small remote, my mood lifts. I hit the button once and watch as she stumbles a little. She turns back and glares at me, and I can’t help but chuckle. Fuck, I love when my vicious wife makes an appearance. She takes a deep, steadying breath and smooths the front of her dress, and when Beckett Langfield and his wife, Liv, wander up to her, she pastes on a smile. Back to being perfect. With a roll of my eyes, I finally give Hall my attention.

“You are so fucking gone for her,” he mutters as he nods toward the bar.

Smirking, I follow him. “That’s the rumor you heard?”

Hall lets out a sardonic laugh. “No. I have more important things to worry about than your marriage.”

Brows raised, I simply shrug. “I don’t. So if you’ll excuse me—” I spin on my heel, ready to track down my wife.

Before I can make it more than a step, he grabs my jacket and pulls me back.

When I look at him, really look at him, I notice the stress etched into his features. “What’s going on?”

“Have you heard anything about the trade deadline?” Chin lifted, he surveys the ballroom. This event is being held on the top floor of the Langfield Corp building. There are floor-to-ceiling windows in every direction, and the view of Boston from up here is incredible. The arena and Lang Field sit opposite one another, blue monsters against a starry backdrop along with the bridge lit up over the ocean.

Rather than taking in the scenery like I am, Daniel keeps scanning the people in the room, probably looking for Gavin Langfield, the Bolts’ owner and head coach.

“No. Should I have?” I wave the bartender over and order a bourbon to share with my wife.

“I heard rumblings that the front office is bringing Noah Harrison on, and since?—”

“Shit, really?” A bolt of excitement works its way through me.Noah played with Brooks and me in college, and then the two of us played together again in Minnesota. “But he’s a winger.”

That’s why Hall is freaking out. Noah Harrison has had a great career, and like me, he’ll earn a big paycheck no matter where he goes next. Wherever that turns out to be, he’ll likely play there until he retires. There’s no way he’ll go to any team that won’t play him with their star center. Yes, both the first and second line are considered the best of the best on the team. We get equal playing time, ninety seconds on and ninety seconds off the ice, but if Gavin is seriously considering bringing Noah Harrison on, he’d play him with Aiden, the star center. Which means one winger would be dropped to second line. Either Hall or me.

Having had a long, successful career myself, and being captain, I can’t imagine Gavin would move me. If Noah is coming to Boston, then Daniel is either being traded or being shifted to play with Camden Snow and Andrew Keegan.

I give Hall’s arm a squeeze. He’s young, but he’s an excellent player. He’s got a really promising career ahead of him. Gavin fought to get him here in the first place, so there’s got to be a piece of this puzzle we’re missing. Being not only the coach but the owner, Gavin has a vested interest in this team’s future.

“I’m sure it’s just a rumor. This is what happens every January. The commentators just like to hear themselves talk.”

He ducks his head and clears his throat. “It wasn’t them. A guy I played with in college is in Minnesota. He told me Harrison is in talks with the Bolts.”

My stomach sinks. Shit. That’s a bit more serious. Still, I school my expression. “I haven’t heard anything, and don’t you think if Gavin was considering bringing on one of my old teammates, he’d mention it to me? I can’t imagine he wouldn’t want my opinion, since I know the guy so well. Not to mention my position as captain.”

That may not be true, and it’s possible he already got the background info he needed from Brooks. Sometimes I wonder if I’m captain by default. He couldn’t choose Aiden or Brooks, nepotism and all that, but Gavin has known me since I was a kid, sowe still have a relationship outside this arena, which means I respect him enough to want to impress him.

“Will you let me know if you hear anything?” Worry creases Hall’s brow.

“Of course.” When the bartender sets my drink in front of me, I bring it to my lips and turn so I can search the crowd for my wife. “You bring a date tonight?”

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