Briggs (Carolina Reapers 7)

“Huh.” Sterling scratched the back of his neck. “If making time for each other includes flying to each other’s cities when it’s not work-related, I’d say that’s more of a relationship than hanging out.”

“It’s not.” I shook my head in denial, wrapping a towel around my waist.

“I think we might need an expert opinion. Axel!” Sterling called out. “Can you come over here for a second?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I rubbed my temples.

Our giant Swedish captain came over with a towel around his waist and a curious expression. “What’s up?”

“I figure you’re the most happily married guy in here, so you could answer a hypothetical question for us.” Sterling glanced at me.

I glared back.

“Well, I’d probably put Cannon and Sawyer on that list, too—”

“I’m not answering shit!” Cannon called out, striding by for the shower.

Go figure.

“And Noble,” Maxim offered from the other side of the benches.

“I’m not married, remember?” Nathan answered from across the room. “Permanently fucking engaged, but not married. Heaven forbid we sign a piece of paper.”

I wasn’t touching that comment with a twenty-foot pole, especially when he was engaged to Asher’s sister.

“Right.” Sterling drawled out the word, then turned back to Axel. “So, let’s say you’re…” He glanced my way.

“Hanging out,” I clarified, folding my arms across my chest.

“Yep. That’s the term. You’re hanging out with a girl, and that girl flies to see you in another city. Is that a relationship? Oh, and she’s been to a game wearing your jersey.”

“I hate you,” I mumbled.

Axel’s brow furrowed. “Do you talk on the phone?”

Sterling looked at me.

“Not so hypothetical now,” Maxim said with a laugh.

“Fuck off,” I snapped.

Axel slowly lifted his eyebrows at me.

“Not you,” I said quickly. “And yeah, sure. Sometimes we talk on the phone.” I wasn’t going to elaborate on the things we said on the phone, especially since my girl appreciated a dirty mouth. Not your girl.

“Are you uh…hanging out with anyone else?” Axel asked me, tapping his chin.

“Hell no.” There wasn’t anyone else I wanted. Just Bristol. I’d been totally and completely wrong to think I could fuck that woman out of my system. I only wanted her more and more.

“Yeah, you’re in a relationship.” Axel slapped me on the shoulder and walked off. “Good luck.”

My chest swelled with the oddest feeling. It wasn’t panic or dread, but it wasn’t excitement, either. What the hell was it? And was he right?

“You should let that one sink in while you’re in the shower,” Sterling said with a hint of amusement. “Because you definitely need to shower if you’re about to see Bristol. You reek.”

“Asshole.” But I hauled my ass into the shower and made it out in record time.

“There you are!” Bristol said from where she sat perched on the corner of Langley’s desk, her smile lighting up the whole damn room. She was dressed down in jeans and a light blue silk blouse that dipped to the swell of her breasts. Other than naked, I’d never seen her look better, softer, more approachable.

She wasn’t here as a CEO. She was just here for me.

“You were early.” I couldn’t help but smile back at her.

She shrugged. “There was an earlier flight, so I hopped on.”

“I’m glad.”

Langley looked back and forth between us, and a smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. “You two have a good day.”

“We will.” I held out my hand for Bristol’s, and she took it, lacing her fingers with mine. The contact eased the tightness that had lingered in my chest since I’d seen her last.

“So, what do you want to do?” she asked as I led her into the hallway.

“I have an idea.” I tugged her into the elevator and hit the rink level button. The doors closed, and I had her against the wall before we’d even descended a single floor.

I gripped her hip in one hand and the other tangled in her hair as our mouths collided. The kiss was raw and deep, just as ravenous as I felt.

She whimpered, her nails biting into my biceps as she sucked on my tongue, and for a second, I forgot the plans. Forgot that we were in an elevator. Forgot my fucking name. There was only Bristol’s body against mine, setting me on fire like no one else ever had.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened, and I kissed her one more time, quick and soft, before turning toward the door.

Axel stood in the doorway, no doubt on his way up to see Langley, barely holding back a grin. “Told you.”

“Whatever.” I took Bristol’s hand and led her out of the elevator and down the hall to the ice.

“What did he tell you?” Bristol asked.

“It’s not important.” And it wasn’t…because he wasn’t right.

“Okay…” She gave me a perplexed look but let it go. “What are we—Whoa.” Her breath caught as we came out of the tunnel and into the rink.