Page 127 of The Wingman

Hayden makes a noise low in his throat, and his hand comes to my back.

“Did you just growl?”

His grin is back, and we beam at each other. “Ready for tonight?”

“I think so.” Nerves tumble in my stomach. “I’ll be upstairs with the other analysts, watching.” My nose scrunches. “I’m bummed that I can’t sit in my usual spot with Hazel and Pippa.”

It would never work—I need my laptop and a quiet area to concentrate so I can make real-time recommendations with the other analysts. Our data and decisions are confidential, too, so the room needs to be secure. I’d stick out like a sore thumb with my laptop in the front row.

“Don’t tell me you’re nervous, Darce.”

“A little.” It’s my first game as an analyst, after all.

“Hey.” He leans down until his mouth is inches from my ear. “You’re going to be great. Okay?” He catches my gaze, eyes bright.

When he says it like that, I believe him. “Maybe tonight you’ll finally let me have my wicked way with you.”

We still haven’t had sex. When we fool around, he gets so hard it must hurt, but he won’t let me go any further than stroking him. I should appreciate how considerate he’s being, but I also really, really want to fuck Hayden.

“Your wicked way?” He bites his lip, eyes going hot. “What did you have in mind? Cake sitting? Wizard role play? Sexy tickling?”

“Sexytickling?” I repeat in amused horror. “I was thinking more along the lines of pushing you onto your bed and riding your cock until we both come hard.”

He stares at me, speechless, and there’s a tremor of self-consciousness through me. I don’t say things like this. The old Darcy didn’t say things like that, at least. My nose wrinkles in hesitation as I watch Hayden’s stunned reaction.

“Fuck.” He rests his forehead against mine like he’s in pain. “Please don’t make me hard before I have to get changed in front of the guys.”

He presses a kiss to my mouth, and I laugh, feeling lighter than air.

“Thought you said no hitting on the analysts,” Luca calls from down the hall, and I dissolve into laughter against Hayden’s chest. Hayden chuckles into my neck before pressing a series of quick, urgent kisses up my neck and jaw until he reaches my mouth.

“See you after,” he murmurs against my lips.

“See you after.”

CHAPTER 59

DARCY

“Shit,”I whisper as the other team scores yet another goal.

The game is a disaster, and none of the data we’ve provided is helping.

Their defenseman slams Hayden into the boards hard, and I’m on my feet, pressing my hands over my mouth, eyes wide. That should have been a penalty, but the ref doesn’t call it. Behind the glass, fans jump to their feet, outraged and shouting at the ref. The Storm starts another play we recommended, but the other team snags the puck and scores again, and the arena deflates. Two goals in less than thirty seconds.

“So much for that play,” Erik mutters, standing beside me.

The fans leave in droves, emptying the stands, and disappointment and resentment hang in the air like a thick, noxious cloud.

My lungs are so tight I can’t get a full breath. It’s happening again. I screwed up, and it’s all my fault. From up here, I can’t see Ward’s face, so I flip through camera feeds on the TV until I find one of the bench. His expression gives me nothing; it’s the same watchful, patient, unruffled look he always wears.

He has to be mad, though. He just hired a new analyst, and everything about this game has gone wrong.

When the game ends, I’m downstairs outside the Storm dressing room, waiting for Ward to finish his usual postgame debrief, nails digging into my palms.

I thought my numbers were solid, but I fucked up.

I thought this time was different, but it wasn’t.

---