I knock on the heavy wooden door in front of me. A deep voice calls back in response, “Come in.”
Letting out a long, deep breath, I push the door open and step inside.
The office is bright and airy, so different from the spaces on the lower level. Lilly’s office is like a cave compared to the pale white walls, soft grey carpeting, and tall ceilings of this room. Behind a large mahogany desk on the opposite wall is Mr. Whitson.
“Kolgrim,” he greets me as he looks up from his paperwork. “Please, sit.”
He motions to a sleek-looking cream leather chair. I awkwardly tuck myself into the much too small seat, waiting for him to say something. His cool blue eyes assess me while we sit in tense silence. Not even the sound of a damn clock to break up this awkward mood.
“Look, it’s no secret that we were considering trading you,” he finally begins. Even just the word ‘trade’ has my heart plummeting into my stomach and rolling around like a fuckingbowling ball of anxiety. “But I have good news. Your position on this team is safe. In fact, we’re renewing your contract early, with an extension offer, and a raise,” he states matter-of-factly before returning his eyes to the papers in front of him.
What did he just say?
After a beat, Mr. Whitson looks back up as if surprised to still see me here. His eyes narrow slightly, wrinkles forming at the outer edges.
“Well, talk it over with your agent. I forwarded them all the paperwork of course,” he states as though that explains anything.
“Why, sir?” I ask in utter disbelief.
“Why what?”
“Why not trade me? Why this big extension and raise?” It might be stupid to ask and push my luck, but I can’t not know.
He lets out a long sigh and runs his hand along the salt and pepper stubble on his jaw. “An opportunity arose for us to acquire a new player. A great player. But as part of the deal, he requested you stay. You must have impressed the Raging Russian, kid. He agreed to a salary cut to come here and play with you.”
I blink, unable to form words. I open my mouth, but then close it again. I must have misheard.
“He agreed to a salary cut and a trade as long as he played withme?” I finally manage to choke out; though even as I say it, it sounds ridiculous.
“He refused to continue playing in the league unless he was granted a trade to this team, with the requirement we keep you,” my GM confirms with a subtle nod. “Get ready, kid. You have the best player in the league to impress at practice tomorrow.”
“So instead of being traded, they gave you an extension?” Lilly excitedly repeats the news back to me.
“I get to stay,” I confirm excitedly. “Here. With the team and with you.” I place my hand on the back of her neck and draw her in to me. She glances nervously at the open door of her office before giving in and allowing me to pull her in for a kiss.
I immediately ran to Lilly’s office after talking to my agent to confirm. I’m set for the foreseeable future with a very generous contract. I have no idea what the Russian wants with me, but if it got me this deal, then he can have whatever the hell he wants. I’ll take a hit or two, maybe some locker room jabs, if it means I get a contract like the one I was offered. Plus, I get to stay with my girl and that’s worth whatever he wants to throw my way.
Who knows, maybe he sees something in me.
I could barely get out the news about my contract extension and raise before Lilly threw her arms around me and squealed. We try to keep our relationship separate from work. Well, besides the first time we slept together, here on her desk. But the news was too good not to run down here to tell my girl about.
When our lips finally part, she refuses to pull back, her forehead resting on mine. A lock of her strawberry-blonde hair has come loose from the tight ponytail she keeps it in while at work. I much prefer her hair down. Like when she’s on top of me, her soft breasts pushed against my chest and her shimmering hair curtaining around us. Just a whiff of her strawberry scented-shampoo has my cock twitching in my pants.
“I’m proud of you,” she whispers against my lips.
The sudden urge to tell her that I love her hits me like a freight train. I so badly want to say it because it’s true. I’m falling for her. I’ve been obsessed with her from the first moment I saw her, but now I’m in love with her.
My ass hangs halfway off her desk where I’m sitting. My kneesare splayed wide, allowing her to stand in between them. I pull her by her hips into me so that her hands rest on my shoulders. My mouth goes dry as my nerves get the best of me.
“Why the early extension?” she asks before I get a chance to say anything.
“What?” I ask in confusion.
She laughs at my lack of focus, unaware that I’m contemplating laying my heart on a platter at her feet. “Why’d they offer you an early contract extension?” she asks again. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy, but why not just resign you at the end of the season?”
“Oh.” I hadn’t gotten to tell her about the team’s newest addition yet. “Well, we acquired a new player, and he refused to sign unless they agreed to sign a matching contract for me.”
She pulls back and gives me an impressed look that has my chest swelling. “Well then, my man is being sought after by puck bunnies and players alike. I’ll be beating off the competition with a stick,” she teases.