Page 24 of Paradise Found
If you enjoy hockey heartthrobs like Axel, check out this sizzling series of interconnected hockey romances: The Columbus Mavericks.Each standalone book features a diverse cast of irresistible heartthrobs and the audacious women they love fiercely. Enjoy uniquely satisfying happily-ever-afters in each book, although favorite characters have great cameos throughout the series.
Ready for a spicy sneak peek of other Mavericks hockey standalone novels?
Keep reading to meet Lance and Cassie, the couple that started it all!
If you love the sexual tension of a brother’s best friend romance, BREAKAWAY delivers!
Visit LauraMarquezDiamond.com
Amazon amazon.com/author/romancinglauramd
Instagram @romancinglauramd
TikTok @romancinglauramd
Lance
I’m surprised to get a text from Gordon Tomsky, first rate defenseman and party animal.
Unsurprisingly, he’s out with a couple of other teammates. Few things are as satisfying as winning a game and heading to your town’s bar where, as clichés would have it, everyone knows your name. Adrenaline is usually spiked after playing hockey. I’ve learned to channel it in ways that don’t involve the temptation of women throwing themselves at me.
After the game, I had gotten into my suit, blazed through the screaming fans and eager puck bunnies, and dove into my car. While driving home, I compulsively scanned around the arena and my condo building. The only thing worse than Xavier showing up at my game is me not knowing why.
Instead of my past, however, it’s the present that demands my attention. The text from Gordon reads:Hanging out with your girls. You should come out and meet us at Lexi’s.
I know he means the dance club down the street from the arena. Although, what does he mean,my girls? Gordon clarifies the message by adding a group picture of him, Sergei, and Sean with Cassie and her three friends.
I do a double take. The last time I saw Cassie an hour ago, she was in a hoodie with her hair in a ponytail. Now? Her hair is seductively slung over one shoulder and her top is so low, I don’t think it’s legal. Or it shouldn’t be. I had felt the fullness of her breasts when she lay on top of me, but I neverlookedat them. Fuck, they’re glorious to look at.
Sergei has his arm around her waist, the Russian grinning down at her instead of looking at the camera. It’s that predatory grin that launches me off my couch to get dressed and run out the door.
I don’t text Cassie until I’m in the dance club. No need to talk to anyone else. I’m here because these guys are going to assume she’s a puck bunny, dressed as she is. Hockey players like Sergei go home with a different girl nearly every night we’re on the road. She might not thank me for looking out for her, but her brothers will. I’m simply doing what they would do if they were here.
Where are you?I text her. The place is packed and it’s getting harder to walk through the crowd as more people recognize me.
Little Cassie:Why?
Me:I’m at the club.
I see the dots come and go. Straining my tall frame, I attempt to single out any of my teammates. I check my phone and Cassie still hasn’t answered.What the hell?!
Making my way deeper into the club, I see a crowd gathering by a corner. Gordon’s laugh booms over the music and I plow onward. When I reach their group, cheers erupt. I’m not fool enough to think they’re particularly happy to see me. They’re merely surprised because I never go out.
“I can’t believe that worked!” Gordon says, clapping my back.
“I told you.” It’s Cassie’s neighbor, Sadie, who I recognize because whose hair is that long?
“Where’s Cassie?” I ask impatiently.
“She was here a second ago,” Sean says, a girl splayed over his lap.
“On the dance floor,” Sadie says with a sly grin. “I’ll take you to Cassie if you promise to dance with her, Lance Jefferson.”
“Sure, yeah, whatever,” I say absentmindedly. The sooner I convince Little Cassie to leave, the better.
Sadie grabs my hand to lead me to a mosh pit. I see Sergei first because he’s tall and burly. His hands are firmly clutching Cassie’s waist, fingers spread so he’s brushing the top of her full,round ass. I look away from her swirling hips encased in another man’s grip. Releasing Sadie’s hand, I storm over.
“Hey, man, watch it,” I hiss.
