Page 21 of Face Off
Shit. Way to be a klutz.
“I got it,” I start to say after he’s already reaching down to pick up my bags.
He swings my carry on into the overhead compartment, followed by his own, before handing me my purse. “Sure, you did.”
Prick.
“Thanks,” I murmur lowly under my breath.
I make my way into the seat closest to the window, grabbing my iPad from my bag as I settle in. Just answer some emails, focus on work. That’s what you’re here for anyway. You don’t need all tall, dark, broody, muscular, handsome—okay, that’s enough. You don’t need Brooks distracting you.
I send a quick text to Camden and my mom before the flight attendants shut the doors. The seat next to me squeaks as a warm body plops down next to me. I’m half-expecting it to be Cassidy, but when I glance to my left, I see Brooks making himself comfy.
Can’t the guy take a hint?
“What are you doing?” I hiss as I watch him take a sip out of his coffee cup. “You’re in Cassidy’s seat. So, move.”
He purses his lips as his hand strums a beat on the armrest. “Pretty sure Cassidy already has a seat.”
He nods toward the back of the plane where Cassidy has made herself at home with Channing. Traitor. She knew I needed her as my wing woman to keep Brooks at bay, yet she’s decided to cozy up with the enemy’s bestie. I inwardly groan when she sends a wink in my direction, as if this were all a part of the plan, when in fact it’s the total opposite.
“So, now that we got that squared away,” he says, turning to me with a glint in his eye and a smile that could knock me off my feet.
I sigh and face the front just as my father walks onto the plane, eyeing me suspiciously. “Great, a two-hour flight stuck next to Mr. Cocky Hockey and the prying eyes of the owner. God, you’re testing me. Am I right?” I mumble under my breath as I fasten my seatbelt.
Hmph. “Mr. Cocky Hockey? I think I like that better than Mr. Hockey Douchebag,” he says with a smirk. “And it’s a two hour and forty-five-minute flight, Red.”
I roll my eyes at the pet name he has now dubbed to be mine, while my core hearts up with excitement at the thought of him using said nickname in the bedroom.
Stop. Seriously, just stop it right now. Nothing is going to happen between you and Brooks. Regardless of the encouragement from Cassidy, and the kiss that has fueled so many fantasies in my dreams the last several weeks. Nothing is going to happen, and I mean NOTHING.
I pull my earpods from my bag and pop them into my ears, turning on my feel-good playlist. The plane races down the runway, beginning our assent. My grip tightens on the armrests at the turbulence on the way up. I hate flying. Always have. It’s not the fear of going down due to a little turbulence—okay, that’s totally the fear, but I mean can you blame me. I’ve seenCastaway.
The plane jolts slightly as it continues to ascend to the desired elevation. I squeeze my eyes tightly as I try to focus on my breathing. The gentle squeeze of my hand causes me to fling my eyes open. Brooks entwines his fingers with mine, giving an ever so slight squeeze to let me know I can squeeze back. The urge to pull away is there, but I don’t because I feel a sort of warmth and comfort in his embrace. Just as I relax, the plane evens out and finds smooth skies. I pull my hand from Brooks’ grip and exchange a silent thank you.
Landing isn’t nearly as eventful as takeoff, but I can’t help but glance at Brooks. He grabs my hand every so often and rubs small circles on the back of it. Not once do I fight him on it either. I probably should, but it calms me in some sort of way and emanates sparks throughout my entire body. We load the bus to head toward our hotel that will be our home the next three days we’ll be in Anaheim.
Want to know the perk of being the team physician? A room to yourself. While the players and most of the staff are assigned bunkmates, I get a room to myself. I’m guessing it’s in case of punitive damages, yet I don’t care in the least. I drop my bag near the closet and pull out my things, setting up the room to make it look somewhat homey. I don’t get homesick per se, but it’s nice to be reminded that I have a life back home waiting for me. As I finish settling in, I hear a faint knock from the door to the conjoining room. Begrudgingly, I trudge over to thedoor, opening it in hopes that it’s Cassidy rooming next door to me, but you know what they say about hoping; it breeds eternal misery. To my dismay, Brooks stands before me, propped up against the door frame as if he’s doing a GQ photoshoot.
“Well, isn’t it my lucky day? I got placed in a room alone next to you.” He smirks as he walks into my room.
I roll my eyes as I step back, giving him more space to come into my room. “Who’d you pay to get a room next to mine?” I snap.
His smirk grows wider as he takes a look around. “No one. Cassidy assigned this room to me. Said it would be good for me.”
I should have known Cassidy had her hand in this.
I cross my arms over my chest, keeping my distance as Brooks sits on the edge of one of the queen beds. Everything about him screams sex appeal. He’s changed out of his suit and has traded it for a pair of khaki cargo shorts and gray button up that fits him like a glove, hugging all his muscles perfectly. It takes everything in me not to go to him and finish what we started a month ago. But I stand my ground firm, trying to erase every ounce of lust for this man.
I sigh in frustration as I run a hand through my hair. “What do you want, Brooks?”
“For you to have dinner with me.” He smiles as he gets up and walks toward me.
“Bad idea.” Very bad idea, and he knows it.
Erasing the distance between us, his hot breath fans my face. My knees feel weak as I take in the scent of his cologne. “It can be a dinner between colleagues. It’s not like people would think we’re on a date while on a work trip.”
“That’s exactly it. We are on a work trip,” I say before glancing into his eyes. His gaze pins me to my spot as my breath hitches.
