Page 26 of The Puck Stops Here

‘Yes. Absolutely.’ She dragged her eyes back to his and took a dainty sip from her glass. ‘Now, what were you saying about your brother?’

‘He really is a good man underneath all the…’

‘Grumpiness?’

‘I was going to say something more profane,’ he said with a laugh. ‘But yes, that works.’

‘Why do you think he’s so opposed to doing the article?’

‘I think every man has skeletons in their closet, things they’d rather keep that way, and my brother is no exception.’

‘I meant what I said in the meeting, though. I won’t print anything you’re not comfortable with.’

‘And what if you don’t have a choice?’

‘I don’t follow.’

‘If this article is to do what the franchise hopes it will, those skeletons are precisely what you’ll need.’

Interesting…

‘And what about your skeletons? Are you worried about those too?’

Would Sienna be one? One of many? Because she couldn’t believe the sudden tension in his frame was all about his brother.

‘I thought this drink was about us gettingcasuallyacquainted.’

She forced a smile. ‘You’re right. Sorry. It’s hard turning off the journalist in me.’

‘What about turning her on?’

‘Wow!’ She laughed into her glass. ‘Smooth, real smooth.’

He grinned. ‘Got you to switch off though, didn’t I?’

She shook her head, her laughter still rolling as she scanned their surroundings. She didn’t want to like him. She didn’t want to enjoy his company. She wanted to stay in control of every emotion, but then, so did he. Mr Life Is One Big Game.

‘You know, when you’d suggested going to a bar, I hadn’t expected one quite so laidback.’

‘You call a pub with a VIP member-only policy, laidback?’

‘If you forget that bit, yes.’

She’d expected a chic, upscale wine bar – not a classic pub brimming with charm and a crackling fire too. Despite being early evening, midweek, the place was already bustling. The steady hum of laughter and conversation blended seamlessly with the soft background music while the comforting scent of home-cooked meals and freshly poured ale filled the air. Her nose twitched; she could so scoff a steak and ale pie!

‘You don’t like it?’

‘No, I love it! It’s my kind of place.’ Her jeans and trainers would fit right in here.Shefit right in. ‘I’m just surprised it’s yours.’

But only because of the women in Research Exhibit C. He was a hockey player at the end of the day, not some city slick billionaire…

He gave her a lopsided grin. ‘I’m full of surprises.’

‘Is that so?’ She followed what felt like a flirtatious lead and took aseductivesip of her fizz – the girls would be proud! ‘Care to share another?’

He held her gaze, his eyes sparkling with whatever he was thinking. ‘I prefer to make you work for it.’

Game on, baby. She licked her lips, her knee lightly kissing his as she crossed and uncrossed her legs. ‘And just how?—’

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