Page 31 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
I won’t even admit it out loud to myself.
Chapter 9
Andy
When I get an email notification from Barb, the team publicist, that she’s slotted me for some media time, I’m all in. Born and raised here, Colorado is in my blood. I’ve played for the Avs my entire career, and I’m proud to rep the team any chance I get. I love my job, and I’ll talk anyone’s ear off about it if they let me.
Barb’s note said Leighton would be swinging by the locker room later this morning, and with morning skate already done, I kill time pumping iron in the gym before grabbing a shower. I take every opportunity I can get to stay in shape, and I’ve been hyper since the day I was born. There’s no stopping me once I get my eyes set on something.
I goof around, bouncing a hockey stick on the tip of my finger, when a melodic voice cuts through the air from the doorway.
“Mr. Webb, I’m Leighton Jennings. I’ve seen you around, but it’s a pleasure to officially meet you.”
“Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” I say, fighting to keep my cool.
It just dawns on me. The last time a woman stole the air from my lungs like this washer. Phoenix. I never saw her whole face, but those eyes, damn, those eyes, are burned into my memory. The way she moved, like she owned every inch of space around her, confident and untouchable, but with this subtle innocence underneath. And her scent… mmm. Sweet and heady, it clung to me for days, haunting me in ways I couldn’t shake.
“Well, I’m meeting with each of you to dig into your personalities and what playing for the Avalanche means to you.” She steps forward and offers her hand. I take it, noting how small and delicate it looks swallowed up in my bear paw. They’re soft, too, like silk against my rough palm. And I’ve got at least a foot on her, but damn, she feels even more fragile than she looks.
I don’t say anything right away. I’m too busy drinking her in. She’s gorgeous, wearing a sleek pink business skirt suit, blonde hair draped over her shoulders, and killer curves, but that’s not what grabs me. Nope. What’s got me locked in is the fact that Leighton is the new sports commentator for the team. Which makesherthe woman David slept with the other day.
And she has no idea we know.
Not that it matters. Or should. But my dick? He’s got other ideas. My brain is already serving up crystal-clear images of her completely naked, tangled in sheets, that perfect blonde hair all mussed up, those full lips parted, moaning how David probably has—
Jesus Christ.
All too eager to show himself, my cock springs to life in my athletic pants, and I sidestep fast, trying to hide the evidence of that shameless bastard.
Settle the hell down, you son of a bitch.
“It means everything to me,” I finally say, voice low, rougher than I intend. My gaze tracks the line of her neck, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.
Her smile wavers, and I swear her eyes dart down, lingering at my chest, before she catches herself. She’s flustered.
Good.
There’s something about her smile, though. It lights her entire face, soft and radiant in a way I hadn’t noticed before. Those pretty blues sparkle, surprisingly warm, drawing me in like they’ve got their own gravity. Up until now, she’s been just another face in passing, someone I never really looked at long enough tosee.But now? Now I get it. Igetwhy David couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
She glances around, a little hesitant. “Is there somewhere to sit in here?”
The locker room’s full of benches, no plush couches or fancy chairs, but they get the job done. I motion her over to a spot near my locker. Thankfully, the walk across the room gives my cock enough time to calm down.
“Right here,” I say with a grin, dropping onto the bench to face her. My mind, of course, has to be a dirtbag, flashing back toall the times I’ve been parked right here, sweaty and bare-assed, peeling off my gear.
Wouldn’t you know it. Today’s the one damn day Idon’thave my jock on to keep things under wraps. Figures.
She seems nervous, and in any other situation, I’d like to think it’s becauseImake her uneasy, but this is different. I mean, I wouldn’t expect a woman who hooked up with the team captain, what, a couple of weeks after starting this job, to be just fine,but there’s no missing it. Her hands, her whole frame, she’s trembling like a leaf.
Is she nervous about something I’m not in the know about? Is she scared to ask me about it in this interview? Sick? Hell if I know. I might be a cocky loudmouth, but I have a protective streak a mile wide when it comes to people around me. And I don’t know Leighton, but she’s a woman, and my instincts are kicking in full gear right now.
“You okay, darlin’?” I ask, leaning in, trying to read her.
Suddenly, she jerks back like she’s just taken a puck to the face, her neck craning up to stare me down. There’s something in that look, something eerie, searching maybe, and it sends a weird shiver racing down my spine. She’sstudyingme, dissecting every inch, like she’s hunting for something.
My skin prickles, the hairs at the nape of my neck standing on end.
The staring goes on for a long time, too long, so I finally look away, breaking the energy between us. I don’t know what’sgoing on, but this might be the weirdest interaction I’ve had in this locker room, andthat’ssaying something. I can’t tell if she’s about to bolt for the door or crawl into one of these lockers and hide.
