But then I also want to smash my mouth to hers and smother her in my arms. Feel her hot body against mine and breathe in her breath. I feel like I’m holding my own breath as I keep stealing glances at her. She is fucking stunning, but this can’t happen. It’s bad enough I slept with her once; I can’t do it again. Our families are so intertwined, I’m going to see her more than I should, and that can’t be good. Shit. I need to make sure she doesn’t tell anyone.
Fuck me.
“Great. I’ll plan something for the end of the week!” Elli smiles broadly.
Shea and my dad roll their eyes, but Mom and Elli look excited. Shelli, well, she’s staring at me as I stare at her. I always observed her from afar when she was growing up. She was so much younger. I guess I didn’t notice that we only have seven years between us, but still, that’s a lot of years. I do remember the first time I noticed her, though.
She was sixteen and wore a little bikini one hot summer day. We were celebrating something, and her ass was hanging out of her bottoms in the sexiest way. Since I knew she was younger, I looked the other way. I knew I had to. But don’t get me wrong… I’ve always thought she was beautiful.
Shelli takes after her mom in all the right ways and has her dad’s blazing blue eyes. Her face is that of an angel, with a Cupid bow’s mouth and a dainty little nose. Her eyes are naturally narrowed in such a sultry fashion. Her hair is long, and it used to be super dark until she put those highlights in. She’s thick in all the right places, and my mouth is dry as I stare at her…remembering what we did in my bedroom. Shit, I want to do it again, but I know I can’t. I need her to keep her mouth shut, and I need to stay away from her. Things are changing for me, and I can’t have anything else get in the way of furthering my career.
“So can you run home and get me more eggs? Do you have time before your lunch?”
I look over to my mom as she nods. “Yeah, I’ll run home real fast, leave everyone here.”
Elli nods. “Great! I wanted to talk to Aiden.”
Mom looks at me and grins. “Ha. You’re in trouble, and you haven’t even hit the ice yet,” she teases, but of course, I’m in full panic mode.
Did Shelli tell her mom that I smashed her from behind and pushed my cock down her throat?
Oh God.
“No! Don’t look worried, Aiden. I just want to chitchat.”
I don’t believe her. “Ha. Yeah, I know,” I choke out.
My mom laughs before kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back. Lucas, are you staying?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go play with the kids and Shea.”
She rolls her eyes. “Bunch of children.”
“They are,” Elli agrees before looping an arm through mine. “Shall we?”
“Sure,” I squeak, and for the love of God, I haven’t squeaked since I was in high school. Elli just laughs, and I don’t miss the sneaky little grin on Shelli’s face.
She’s out to kill me!
As we head out of the kitchen, I feel my body shaking with nerves. Elli is animated, talking about how excited she is to have me on the team, but I’m looking around the house, taking in all the photos of her family.
Of Shelli.
How in the world didn’t I know who she was? I have seen her face for years—I know her. Yeah, I haven’t seen her in a couple years, but it’s Shelli Adler! I know her. She was just all over the NHL Network and Twitter for decking some dude in the face. She had her own hashtag! #SlapshotShelli is what they were calling her. I thought it was hilarious, yet I didn’t put two and two together when she was in my arms. Under me. When I was in her… Oh, fuck me.
I’m never sleeping with anyone else unless I see their ID.
We enter Elli’s office, where there is a pristine black desk, teal walls, and black accents. The walls are covered with photos of the teams that have played since she took over. Her chair is a wingback covered in teal velvet, and when she sits in it, she looks regal as hell. She’s wearing sweats, and I’m scared shitless of her.
“So, are you excited?”
I nod as I lean back in one of her black guest chairs. “Yeah, I am.”
Though, at the moment, I’m freaking out.
“I am too. I feel good about this trade. I feel damn good about you. We haven’t had the Cup in Nashville in a long time. I’m ready to bring it home.”
“Me too.”
“Which is why I brought you here. I believe in you.”