Page 25 of Paradise Found
Sergei looks dazed for a second before he registers who I am. “Hey, Lance. Shit, I can’t believe you’re out to party!” He gives me a pat on the back. I shrug off the contact. I’ll deal with him later.
I turn to Cassie, set to explain exactly why dancing with a playboy Russian goon is a bad idea. Instead, I stall because…
“Cassie?” I croak. The woman looking at me has none of the amiable smile or glowing innocence of the girl I watched grow up. Her top is, indeed, ridiculously low, showing way more of her bouncing breasts than any man should be allowed to see. Me included.
That’s not where my eyes stray, however. It’s her face that captivates me. It’s framed by tousled brown hair, her brows and lashes starkly black, her perky nose lifted, that red mouth shaped like the sexiest damn pout that ever pouted.
“Let’s go,” I say, cupping her elbow.
She pulls her head back like she’s avoiding a hit. “Excuse me?”
I’m not ready for it. I’m utterly unprepared for the way she pushes her chest out and lifts her chin when she says those words with derision. I meant to rescue sweet Little Cassie and am instead faced with fury. She’s no longer pretty. No, she’s much worse.
Cassandra Atwood’s green eyes are practically glowing with rage, and it is sexy as fuck.
“This isn’t you, Cassie,” I lean over to say.
My lips are by her ear in order to be heard over the music. I get a whiff of her subtle perfume and watch as she shivers slightly. It’s that shiver that bolsters my need to protect. I take a step closer and place a hand on her hip. The soft curve against my palm feels too good.
Instead of allowing herself to be led away from this busy dance floor and a groping hockey player—I mean Sergei, obviously—Cassie pushes against my chest. I stumble back, not because it was a hard shove, but because I’m puzzled by her reaction.
“Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?” she strains over the music. “Thisisme,” she huffs before turning around and storming away.
“Fuck man, what’s your problem?” Sergei gripes, taking a step in her direction.
I don’t have much sway over Little Cassie, yet I’m still the team’s second-in-command as the alternate captain. I grab Sergei’s arm and muscle him to face me. People are staring and I see the split second he decides not to make a scene.
“I need to talk to you,” I state.
He gives one look in Cassie’s direction before mumbling, “Sure. I’ll catch her later.”
My fist is wound so tight, I might snap a ligament. We walk to the other end where there’s a stretch of hallway past the bathrooms. We still have to raise our voices to be heard. At least here a conversation is possible.
“Well?” he asks, looking nearly as pissed as I feel. “You never hang out with us, but you think you can tell everyone what to do? Fuck, Lance, there better be a good reason for scaring off that hot chick.”
“That hot chick is not a puck bunny.”
“I never said Cassie was a puck bunny.”
The sound of her name coming from Sergei makes me cringe. “I know for a fact she has a boyfriend. He’s an asshole so it’s not gonna work out—”
“Yeah, yeah,” he interrupts. “She broke up with him, man. That’s why she’s out partying with her friends.”
“Oh,” I say stupidly, processing multiple reactions.
First, good for her. That Simon guy was a piece of shit. Second, the guy in front of me isn’t much better. He’s a stellar hockey player, but it comes to treating women right, he’s also a piece of shit. Lastly, I’m left with a bitter taste in my mouth. This guy knows Cassie is single before I do? That’s ridiculous. I’m practically family.
“Just do me a favor, OK? She’s off-limits. We grew up together because she’s my best friend’s baby sister. This isn’t who she is… picking up hockey players for a one-night stand.”
“Who says I want a one-night stand?”
“Fuck off, Sergei. No one got amnesia between now and the last time you went out.”
“You think I’m stupid enough to have a one-night stand in a city I live in? That’s what road games are for, man.” He shakes his head before donning a wolfish grin. “Besides, she’s awesome. I gave her my number.”
“Suddenly you’re dating material?” I huff my disbelief. “You’re full of shit.”
“I don’t need this. Go play daddy somewhere else. I’m finding Cassie.”
