Page 52 of Perfect Storm
“We’re with Andresen,” Wes told the set of eyeballs framed by the tiny opening.
A second later, the door opened, not grinding open like Aidan half expected, but swinging open smoothly, the hinges clearly oiled.
Then they stepped into another world.
The ceilings were low and the room was dim, but that was the last depressing thing about it. There were low chairs and couches scattered around, all upholstered in thick, rich fabrics. Blues and purples and dark turquoise greens. The walls were covered in midnight blue, with a subtle gold pattern picked out.
An oval bar dominated the space, dark wood shining even in the low light. And spinning out from the central room, like spokes on a wheel, were various doorways, each accentuated in a slightly different color of wood. Like they’d descended into an underworld, and these were portals to different fantastical universes.
“Holy shit,” Lane exclaimed again, but hushed this time. Reverent. Like this was the coolest thing he’d ever seen. And Aidan wasn’t sure he’d disagree. Wes had said it would be worth the trip, and so far, ten out of ten, no notes.
Leaning against the bar was a tall guy, solid muscular build, with curly hair the color of a shiny gold coin and a face that could probably make anybody on earth do anything.
“Oh, hey, there he is,” Wes said, gesturing towards the guy and leading their group over.
“This,” he said, waving at the hot blond guy, “is Ramsey Andresen. He’s a hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres.”
A brief, very complicated emotion crossed over Ramsey’s face. Aidan barely caught it before it was gone, smoothed over in a cover-model smile.
“Hey,” he said. “Welcome to Vault.”
There was a collective lull that fell over the group. Aidan supposed he wasn’t surprised. Ramsey didn’t seem that surprised either, like he was used to going around, just living his everyday life, having that effect on people.
“This place is so sick, isn’t it?” Wes said excitedly. He greeted Ramsey, tugging him into a bro-hug. “Here, let me introduce you to the team.”
Aidan stepped forward first, used to being the leader. “Aidan Flynn,” he said, offering Ramsey his hand.
Ramsey’s handshake was brief but firm. Up close he was even more attractive. Maybe before Aidan wouldn’t have noticed, but it was difficultnotto notice.
“You’re the QB, huh? Mentoring Wes here?” Ramsey asked.
Aidan nodded. But he didn’t really want to talk about mentoring Wes. He knew he’d be good at it, and Wes would even be a good mentee, frankly. But the thought of calling it that made something uncomfortable and horrifying crawl up his spine. He wasn’told. He wasn’t washed up. Not by a long fucking shot.
“Hockey, huh?” he said to Ramsey. He didn’t think hockey produced these kinds of pretty boys. Though to be honest, Ramsey didn’t seem like a boy at all. He was clearly all man.
Aidan wondered which of his teammates he was going to have to drag off this guy by the end of the night.
“Dawson.” His friend approached next, holding out his hand.
Okay. Well, there was something to be said about getting over someone by getting under someone else. And Aidan had known Dawson was bi since their college days.
“Oh my God you’re hot,” Cam said, then clapped a hand over his mouth, looking horrified that he’d actually said that out loud.
If Aidan had worried about how this guy would react—because he would absolutely throw down and protect his rookie, no questions—Ramsey only grinned crookedly, more real than the cover-model smile and said, “Hey, so are you, kid.”
“Holy shit,” Lane mumbled behind him.
Trevor nudged him. “Dude, please tell me you have something else you can say to this guy other thanholy shit.”
“That’s Cameron, we like to call him Cam,” Wes said, nodding towards their rookie. “Then there’s Levi. Lane. Trevor. And Nate.”
Aidan watched as Ramsey greeted all the guys. His gaze didn’t linger on any of them, but they all seemed half ready to slobber all over him. Nate seemed to be the exception, hanging back, barely giving Ramsey a nod.
Aidan supposed he shouldn’t be surprised that Levi looked, though Aidan could hardly blame him for it.He’dlooked, hadn’t he?
But Levi didn’t bother trying to muscle his way to Ramsey’s side as he started talking about how he’d reserved them one of the private rooms.
“There’s different private rooms?” Dawson asked as they spread out at the bar.
