But then Noah dips his head and murmurs into my ear, “Hollywood kiss?”
My skin tingles from where his lips almost touched my neck, then I remember to nod.
Noah sweeps his arm around my waist and dips me down.
Wolf whistles and applause erupts around us, and it occurs to me that if we were an actual couple, this would be amazing.
My team is the absolute best. These guys are incredible.
But when Noah brushes his lips against mine, the only thought I have is thatheis absolutely, 100% wonderful.
“It appears the rumors are true,” a deep voice says behind us over the whirr of the air conditioner.
Startled, Noah’s grip on me loosens. I slide from his arms, then he grips me toward him in an awkward manner and sets me on my feet.
We both stare at the Blizzards’ owner, and my jaw tenses.
Shit.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Noah
This is not how I expected to meet Hiroshi Tanaka, one of Japan’s billionaires, who made his fortune in electronics and decided to diversify everywhere.
Usually, I see his picture on the occasional magazine cover. Sometimes clips from his interviews appear on SlickSlide, as he sprouts wisdom so everyone else can become billionaires too.
He’s slightly shorter than I envisioned, but no less impressive. Now his distaste is not focused on rising energy costs, but me.
“This is why my advisors told me not to buy an American team,” he grumbles. “You two better come with me.”
“Er...Of course, sir.”
The others shoot us worried looks and begin to clear the glitter and balloons. This is not good. The team owner isn’t supposed to know who I am, and he’s not supposed to scold me.
My position suddenly feels precarious. Am I going to be sent away, after all? Will Providence still want me? I’ve been replaced there. Panic seizes my veins.
“I didn’t realize locker rooms had turned into orgies.”
“We were the only people kissing.”
The team owner glowers. “You’re the guy who fell on the ice.”
I close myeyes. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“So sorry you married one of my star players? I believe you Americans call that a Cinderella story. Makes it difficult to send you away now, doesn’t it?”
I stiffen. I didn’t expect to be called out on our plan so thoroughly.
Finn slides his hand into mine and leans against my shoulder. “We’re in love, sir.”
My heart flutters at his words, even though I know this is all pretend.
“Americans,” Tanaka murmurs. “So romantic. So expressive. So individualistic.”
Nervousness rushes through me, making each part of my body stiff and uncertain. “Is there going to be a problem?”
“People in Japan are not always heterosexual,” Tanaka mutters.
