Page 11 of Meet Me in the Penalty Box

Cue melting into a puddle on the ground around his feet.

My chest expanded as I inhaled deeply and slowly let out the breath in my lungs. “This changes things now, Nico. We both work for the same organization. You know how their policies are regarding fraternizing with other staff.”

His jaw tightened and he glowered at me. “Fuck the policies, Harper. You don’t strike me as someone who follows the rules.”

“Maybe not, but I need this job.”

His face relaxed and he took a step toward me. “Can I tell you a secret?”

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth like I had a mouthful of peanut butter. He was so close I could smell the scent of his body wash from the showers inside the locker rooms. I didn’t dare speak a word, but stupidly nodded instead.

“Tonight was literally the best game I played since they moved me up from the farm team.” He paused for a beat and I counted two erratic heartbeats in my chest before his beautiful lips parted again. “I think I found my good luck charm for the season and I’m not giving that up.”

I stare at him for a moment in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

Hockey players were known for their superstitions and ritualistic behavior. If something worked for one game as a good luck charm, that was the be-all and end-all until it didn’t work anymore.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” he said with a dead serious look on his face. “I need you around, Harper. And I think I can help you too. Kind of like a mutual trade-off.”

My brows pinched together and I eyed him skeptically. “What are you proposing, Cirone?”

“You wanted me to erase the memories of your ex,” he reminded me from the night in the club, and I instantly blushed again. “Let me replace every bad fucking memory of him. I’m not going to be your rebound, but more like your stepping stone to getting back into the game.”

“Did you not hear a single word I said about the policy against fraternizing?” I argued with a frustrated sigh. “If we get caught doing anything together, I would most likely lose my job.”

Nico stared at me. “So, we don’t get caught.”

“I’m not in the habit of sleeping around.”

He smirked and shrugged. “It’s not sleeping around if you’re sleeping with the same person.”

“I cannot believe we’re seriously having this conversation right now,” I muttered under my breath as I shook my head. “Look, I’m flattered and appreciate your forwardness, I guess?” I shook my head again. “This is beyond bizarre and I think I’m just going to go home now.”

Nico stepped out of my way without arguing. Something lingered in his gaze as he watched me walk to the driver’s side door and pull it open. “Think about it, but don’t take too long.” He fell silent for a second, his gaze colliding with mine just as I was about to lower myself into my seat. “Have a good night, Harper.”

My stomach was in my throat as I dropped down and quickly closed the door behind me. I didn’t bother looking at him again, but I could feel his eyes watching me from where he stood by his car.

And as I pulled out of the parking lot, my phone vibrated in my bag. I paused at the exit, pulling it out as I unlocked my phone and read the message that had come through.

Nico

Don’t forget, Harper… I get what I want.

I quickly locked my screen and tossed it onto the seat beside me as a rush of adrenaline raced through my veins. There was no way I could get away from him now. My mind couldn’t even fully process what just happened, but there was one thing I knew for sure.

I was officially fucked by Nico Cirone and he hadn’t even fully touched me yet.

CHAPTERFOUR

NICO

Ihad no intention of being as forward as I was with Harper. It was one of those situations that you find yourself going too far in and there was literally no turning back. Once I had started, I felt like I had to follow through, even if it meant pushing her away. I wasn’t sure if that was truly the case or if I had just confused her that much.

Either way—she left me without an answer and I had no intention of accepting that.

She had just become my new obsession.

It had been almost a week since I had run into Harper at the Orchid Beach Arena and I hadn’t heard from her since. I kept glancing down at my phone, waiting for it to vibrate. It had become a recent habit and it made my eye twitch when I realized how ridiculous this was becoming.

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