Page 89 of Blindside Sinner

The only real word that comes to mind isWoah. I don’t know that there’s ever going to come a day when the first glimpse of him won’t affect me like this, but if so, this isn’t that day.

He’s dressed in one of his three-piece suits, tailored to absolute perfection. This is more than clothes; it’s an extension of him, his aura rendered in gorgeous silk. It’s a deep navy with a crisp navy shirt and a silver tie. His shoulders and chest are broad, waist tapered, ass tight.

He stops when he sees me and his eyes bulge. I look like yesterday’s news by comparison, but he smiles again.

“You’re beautiful, angel.”

It’s how he sounds that does it for me. I don’t want to read anything into it, but the tone, the words, the man saying them—I’m believing it all.

That’s what makes the fear roll through me.

Charming men are my kryptonite. My dad, who could charm the white off snow, left me hanging, owing money I didn’t know I owed to a guy who would be quite happy to take the debt out in blood.

And every boyfriend I’ve ever had has been a charmer, same as Dad, but none of them has been worth much. Certainly not strong enough to make me feel safe enough to rely on them.

In my entire life, I’ve never had a man I could count on.

Until now.

But saying I “have him” isn’t quite true, is it? He has me, that’s for damn sure. But how much of Beck can I really claim? How long will it stay?

I don’t know. I just don’t know.

“You ready?”

He’s close enough that his voice rumbles like shifting plates in the earth. I feel it as much as I hear it.

I look up into his crystal blue eyes, smile, and nod. I don’t have an ounce of snark inside me right now.

“Then off we go.”

As I turn to walk out, he rests his hand at the small of my back. Light and firm at the same time as he steers me to the passenger side, plucks the keys from my grasp, and opens the door for me all in one smooth motion.

“I’ll drive tonight.”

Again, all I can do is smile and nod.

While the team warms up, I sit in the row behind the bench and read. The closer we get to game time, the more people filter into the arena, but the guys are skating and joking and shooting pucks at the net.

For some reason, I think of my dad.

He would’ve loved sitting here, so close he could smell the ice, hear the guys calling for line changes, watch the spray of snow as they come to the bench.

“Hey.” Vivian appears out of nowhere and takes a seat beside me. “Fancy getup for a hockey game.” She’s in ripped white jeans and a Wave jersey, though I’m pretty sure her heels cost five figures.

I give her the most pleasant smile I can, though I really wasn’t counting on having to interact with her tonight. “I had something to do this afternoon.”

Her lips purse to duckface. “I’ll bet.” She motions to the ice where Beck is skating sprints with Dix. “How is Beck holding up?”

“He’s doing great.”

Viv immediately scoffs at that. “Beck never does ‘great.’ He’s a selfish, arrogant prick. Don’t idolize him. He’ll break you.”

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

She watches him skate, her eyes glued to him. “He’s got a nice ass, though. Gotta give him that.” She must see me blush out of the corner of her eyes, because she laughs cruelly and adds, “Oh, don’t tell me you haven’t been able to talk him into letting you grab a handful.”

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