Page 64 of Unmasking Love
“During the season, yeah, kinda.”
“Gross. I’m gonna go take a lap.” He grabs Harper by both shoulders and tells her, “Don’t wait around for me, are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
He kisses her on the cheek and heads towards the backyard where Felix hired a DJ and pushed the furniture out onto the lawn so the patio could be used for a dance floor.
“I haven’t been here in a while,” Harper says and my attention snaps back to her. My look is menacing at best because the idea of Harper with one of my teammates strikes a fury in my chest that is nearly impossible to contain. “Oh, gosh, sorry, not like that, I sold this house to Felix.”
“Oh, ha.” Of course. I laugh at myself and rub the back of my neck as I feel my ears heat. They get even hotter as she steps up close to me and walks her black nails up my chest. I don’t stop her as she loops her hands around my neck and as I lean in closer to her mouth I can smell the tequila. “Did you get a head start tonight?”
“Maybe a drink or two while I was getting ready.”
“Can I interest you in some water?” I say into her ear and she groans light heartedly but agrees. We walk over to the fridge and she picks out the drink she wants and I pull out the first thing I see. I guide her out to the patio and I see Wes and Duncan chatting. Dunc does a full circle showing off his costume and Wes claps for him. Harper leans against the support beam that holds up the balcony off Felix’s bedroom and I slide up next to her and flick one of her kitten ears.
“Hey,” she says as she bats my hand away. “You’d never do that to a real cat!”
“True,” I admit and then I purposefully lower my voice, “but I might to a pussy.”
Her eyes widen and after she swallows, she looks up at me. I like getting a rise out of her so I shrug my shoulders and take a sip of the pineapple sparkling water trying not to spit it out. Gross.
She takes a deep breath and regroups while looking out at the dance floor. “What’s your favorite trick-or-treat candy?”
“Ooo, that’s tough.” I rack my brain because I haven’t had candy of any kind for sixteen years. A memory of me dressed up as a zombie hockey player surfaces and I smile because I can almost taste the candy I was enjoying way back then. “I love those caramel apple suckers.”
“Oh!” She gasps in delight. “Yes! Me too. Those are so good.”
“And I like that they’re a little sweet and sour.”
“Agreed. If I can, I mix my flavors. Sweet and sour, sweet and salty. Sometimes just full sweet is too much.”
“Except your coffee order?” I tease.
“Hey now, coffee is bitter so it counteracts the sweet. And, thank you again for sending one over this afternoon.”
“You’re welcome,” I tell her and as I stare down into her face. I realize I don’t want to look at anything else, ever again. “Did you have a good day at work?”
“I did,” she smiles, “Closed on a house with a client and then talked to another who is interested in using me as their selling agent. Did you have a good day at, uh, practice?”
I smile. “Practice was good, conditioning was tough but necessary. D.C. has a state-of-the-art facility and I’m trying to make the most of it.” While I still can is what I don’t say.
“Cool, cool,” Harper says and she kind of bobs her head. Shit. I let this conversation get boring. No one wants to talk about training for hockey except other hockey players. I really just wanted to hear more about her day. I want to know everything I can about her. I don’t know how to do casual hookups. All day long she’s been in my mind and I am going to tell her.
“So, umm…” she starts but I cut her off.
“My day also sucked because I was just waiting to see you again.”
Her wide eyes drink me in and in their depths I see trepidation but also, determination.
“Do you want to get out of here?” I ask her, hopefully keeping my desperation to get her alone concealed. When she nods I take her by the hand and pull her with me into the house. “Did you have dinner yet?”
“No, not yet.” She says as I help her slip into her coat.
“What do you feel like?” I ask her as we step outside and I pull up my rideshare app.
“Italian?” She asks.
“Are you asking me if you want Italian?” I smile to let her know I’m teasing.
