Page 114 of Fear of Love
“Lydia.” He dipped his head in greeting. “Landon.”
The six-two coach for the Toronto Knights was intimidating as hell. That permanent scowl never left his face. Even at sixty-two, he was in better shape than most men half his age, with biceps that almost rivaled Landon’s. His dark brown hair and beard were flecked with a bit of gray. If I were into older guys, he’d definitely be my type.
“The usual. Getting grayer everyday, courtesy of some of those guys.” He nodded toward the group of hockey players just a few feet away. I laughed softly at his words. He pretended he didn’t care about his team, but he definitely did. He wouldn’t push them so hard if he didn’t.
We stood there and made small talk for a few more minutes, Landon silent behind me, before Coach excused himself.
One of Wyatt’s teammates stopped in front of me, eyes wide. “How did you do that?” I couldn’t remember his name for the life of me. I wanted to say it was Will?
“Do what?” I asked, my eyebrows drawing in.
“You talked to Coach like it was no big deal.” Will, I was guessing, said. Behind him, a few more players appeared.
“He doesn’t talk to us like that,” one explained.
“Yeah, he even sounded nice. Are you sure that’s really Coach?” another asked, looking in the direction where their coach walked off.
“He’s not that scary. He’s actually pretty nice.” At that, all three of them, including Landon, looked at me like I was crazy.
“Yeah, right.” One shook his head.
“If we tried to ask him how he was doing, he’d cut our balls off,” Another remarked.
“And make us skate suicides for an hour,” the third one pointed out.
I grinned at their expressions. They respected the guy but feared him. Funny, considering he’s always been super nice and friendly with me and the girls.
“You ladies must bribe him or something,” one muttered.
“Just go up and talk to him. It’s a wedding, so he might be a bit more approachable,” I suggested. They all shared an apprehensive look before one shrugged.
“Let's try.” With that, they walked off to find their coach. I was tempted to take back my suggestion but figured, if anything, it would be entertaining watching them walk away with their tails tucked between their legs.
“You are cold,” Landon whispered. “Sending them to their deaths.”
I looked at him over my shoulder as he shook his head. “Hey, it's not my fault Coach loves me.” I shrugged. “Not like you were any better being all silent behind me while I did all the talking.”
“Yeah, that’s because the guy is scary as hell.”
I gave him a look. “He’s not that bad.”
“Babe, he was one of the best defenders before he got hurt. He’s been ranked the top coach in the league for the last five years. Trust me, he’s scary.” Landon shook his head at me.
“Well, he’s nice to me.”
“That’s because you flash that pretty little smile of yours at him. It turns men to putty,” Landon grumbled. I turned all the way around to face him.
“Yeah?” I grinned.
“It’s annoying.” His hands landed on my hips as he dipped his head. “All the guys on the team stare at you.” At that, I scoffed. They didn’t stare at me. Maybe Josie, Tasha, and Mila, but not me.
“No, they don’t.”
“They are right now.” I tried to peek over my shoulder, but Landon drew me in tighter, my hands settling on his chest.
“Someone jealous?” I lifted my eyes to his, a teasing smile playing on my lips.
“Absolutely.” Landon didn’t pause for a second. “You’re mine, and I’m not one to share.” Before I could respond, his lips captured mine, the kiss nothing like the one outside. This one was commanding, his mouth making it clear that I was his and no one else’s.
