Page 54 of Behind the Net

“I’m your goalie,” he says. “I’ll block all your shots tonight.”

A chuckle escapes me, and I smile at him. The corner of his mouth ticks up, and his eyes fill with affection.

For a split second, I wish he’d kiss me again.

CHAPTER27

PIPPA

We step insideto a wall of sound—thumping music, laughter, conversation. The door guy checks our names off on a list before a woman takes my coat.

A ripple of curiosity moves throughout the dim space and my skin prickles under the weight of interested gazes. My pulse whooshes in my ears as I glance around, giving a tight smile to a few people I recognize. On the second floor, more people gather, and there’s someone at the top of the stairs letting people in and out. That would be the VIP section.

A flash of pale blond hair catches my attention up there, and my stomach freezes. In the dim lighting, I can just make her out, laughing and tossing her hair over her shoulder. Zach will be nearby, no doubt.

Jamie’s warm hand lands on my lower back.

“How about a drink?” he murmurs in my ear, and I nod. He leads me over to the bar and orders a whiskey sour for me and a beer for himself.

“I’m just going to have one.” His eyes flick to my hair. “I’ll be fine to drive.”

“I know.” I laugh quietly. “You’re Mr. Responsible.”

His gaze drops to my mouth, and my blood spikes with electricity. “Not always,” he mutters, taking his beer from the bartender before thanking her.

“Pippa!” Alissa shrieks, and I flinch as she throws her arms around my neck. “You made it.”

I force a smile. “Of course.”

She turns to Jamie, staring at him like he’s a piece of cheesecake she’s about to devour. “Hi.”

“This is Jamie,” I tell her.

He shakes her hand, and she’s practically drooling. There’s a crackle of pleasure in my chest, but when she bats her lashes at him, the back of my neck prickles with irritation.

“How do you two know each other?” she asks, still gazing at him.

His hand returns to my lower back. “I’m her boyfriend.”

My thoughts drop off a cliff. His hand slides up my back, over the bare skin of my shoulders, before it rests on the part where my shoulder meets my neck. It’s a possessive gesture that makes my heart beat harder, and every brain cell in my head stumbles.

“Yeah,” I say stupidly, staring at him.

He winks at me. Hewinksat me. His mouth curves up on one side, and I’m fascinated by the movement.

“Wow.” Alissa tilts her head at me, blinking. “So soon.” She glances up at the VIP section, and we all know exactly what she’s implying.

Anger drips into my blood, but I don’t let it show. I bet no one fucking saidwow, so soonto Zach and his new friend.

Jamie tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. I can’t breathe. I just stare at him in disbelief and awe. He’ssogood at this.

“With the right person,” he says, holding my gaze, “you just know.”

I could kiss him right here. In one sentence, he’s solidified the impression I make tonight as well as implied that Zach wasn’t the right guy for me. Give this guy an Academy Award.

More people from the tour swarm us, and Alissa introduces Jamie to everyone as my boyfriend. One of the tour electricians is a hockey fan, and that sets off another round of questions and curious but impressed glances at me.

“Can I buy you a drink?” the hockey fan asks Jamie.

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