[Hockey Romance] Faking it with the Billionaire by Willow Fox 📖 Romance Audiobook | Grumpy Sunshine

Chapter one Emerson rain pelts the cement pouring overhead as it splashes down on the broken umbrella I’ve managed to hold the latch open but if I move my hand just slightly it slams shut on me that’s about how my week’s been going shitty

I have a new job lined up well new as in it’s for the eagle tactical crew a contract assignment they’ve given me they need a full-time bodyguard and none of their crew can handle the workload on the East Coast they’re based out of Breckenridge Montana and I’m standing in the Deluge

In New York City it’s not exactly my dream job but that is no longer an option plus I need the money and by the looks of it the guy I’ll be protecting has plenty of it I took the subway and walked the last mile and a half in the rain up to his

Front gate the house is nestled behind the Iron Decor offering a false sense of security I’m not just taking in the whole of the property but also the details there’s a surveillance camera at the front entrance and additional cameras aimed at the iron fence along the side should

Anyone choose to climb it the pointed arrows at the top should deter them assuming there are no blind spots as well I’ll need to examine the footage the cameras and the entire house to make sure everything is working as it should be the team prepped me on the client Mr

Kyler Grayson and his daughter Bristol the eagle tactical guys set up the security system years ago when Kyler moved into the property he’s well known practically famous if you’re into sports he’s a hockey player me I’ve never been to a hockey game and haven’t spent more than a few seconds

Channel surfing past one that’s my idea of a sport I press the buzzer as Lightning illuminates the sky Thunder pounds overhead and the gate unlocks before I have time to speak he doesn’t ask me to show my identification or prove who I am over the surveillance system

And while he’s expecting me given the fact I’m here to protect his family I’m not happy with how the security within the house is being run quickly I step in through the gate and hurry across the Cobblestone driveway to the front of the house it hardly should be classified as a

House considering its grandiose size it makes a mansion look like a shack I shut my umbrella while under the front porch and leave it outside not wanting to make a mess upon entering the front door swings open and a gentleman in dark jeans and a white T-shirt stares back at me

He’s got a thick head of dark hair that I refrain from running my fingers through one glance and I recognize him how could I not after doing my own bit of research before meeting him I needed to know what kind of person would want to stalk him or his kid

It’s strange but I guess being in the Limelight does that people think they know you because they’ve been to your game or watched you on television he probably has dozens of women lining up to be the next Mrs Grayson begging for his affection and attention

Hi I say it’s not the most proper and professional introduction but the cold rain seems to have stolen the words right out of my mouth I wipe my feet my heels not the least bit saved from the rain or mud puddles I splashed through on my way here you’re what

His dark gaze stares right through me I shiver he isn’t wrong but it’s not the fact I’m soaked from the rain that sends a tingle through my core he stares at me as though I were naked seeing Right Through Me pinning me with those dark eyes and long thick lashes

He’s Every Girl’s wet dream I hadn’t noticed I say with this Mark can I help you he asks glancing me up and down he folds his arms across his chest allowing me inside but blocking me from entering beyond the front entrance I’m the new bodyguard I say I suck in a

Sharp breath did no one inform you that I was coming I’m Emerson Ryan I hold out my hand to introduce myself I’ve been hired by eagle tactical to protect Mr Grayson’s daughter Bristol he scoffs and steps back as if I’ve burned him the hell you are there’s no way you’re

Capable of protecting my daughter I was told that Mr Ryan would be here to protect Bristol Miss Ryan I correct him and I’m plenty capable of protecting your daughter his gaze moves over my body lingering a little too long on my breasts I sweep my foot out and knock him onto

His ass staring down at him on the wooden floorboards see plenty capable you don’t have to worry I trained at Quantico I offer him my hand to stand but he doesn’t take it he dusts his jeans off although he seems fine except for his ego getting a bit bruised

I remove my wet coat and find myself an empty space to hang it by the door making myself at home why don’t you work for the FBI anymore he turns and walks away from the front entrance are you coming he asks flippantly waiting for me to fall in line with him

I hurry to catch up to him he’s nearly a foot taller than I am and his strides are huge it’s no wonder he’s an athlete the man is built for it I resigned from the FBI I say I don’t want to delve any further into that topic resigned or were fired

He spins around to face me as we stand in the hallway a little too close I feel that Sizzle between us and I do everything I can to push that feeling away bury it he doesn’t get to hold my heart I’m waiting he snaps I refuse to cower to him even if he

Stands a foot above me I stare up at him unwavering I quit after my boss was sexually harassing me there’s more to the story but it’s not a path down memory lane that I want to travel you didn’t take it up the chain of command his brow tightens and his bottom lip frowns

There’s a softness to his features a warmth that he exudes when he shows concern although I’m not sure if it’s for me or the fact he’s disappointed I did and it was his word against mine I say shifting uncomfortably since I’ll be spending time with your

Daughter I don’t imagine that will be an issue you have nothing to worry about Kyler says of course I force a smile the tension between us makes the room feel several degrees warmer or maybe it’s the fact that his gaze hasn’t left mine and I’m not used to having such attention cast

On me it won’t last he’s one hundred percent off limits and I swore I wouldn’t get involved with a married man I glanced down at Kyler’s left hand there’s no wedding ring not that it should matter he’s still the client my boss and nothing can happen between us nor

Should it as far as I’m concerned I’d be happy never dating again men sex it’s all highly overrated and if that isn’t reason enough he has to be a playboy the man is a star Athlete on an NHL team he can have any girl he wants

What makes me think he’d even look at me twice good I say and Clear My Throat when he’s standing a little too close and staring too long at me I’m still not convinced you’re the best person for the job he says leaning against the wall is he waiting for me to convince him

Give me two weeks I say I’ll give you one chapter two Tyler it’s hard not to stare at the new Bodyguard the eagle Tactical Team sent me they assured me that Ryan Emerson is the best they have and great with kids what I didn’t expect was that Ryan was

Her last name and to come face to face with a tiny young brunette who doesn’t seem capable of looking after herself let alone my daughter but she knocked my ass to the floor I give her props for that but I still have my doubts sure she worked for the FBI but she

Could have been a paper pusher all day where it was safe and she never needed to use her skills by week’s end she’ll be gone there’s no way she’ll survive Bristol my daughter and the threats against my family and they’re not idle threats either if I don’t do exactly as instructed

They’ve promised to come after my daughter and kill her the only problem I don’t know who they are I could quit the league leave hockey and become a stay-at-home father but that wouldn’t exactly solve the problem whoever these men are who are threatening my family they won’t stop if

I walk away from the NHL and I’m not about to quit my job I live and breathe hockey it would be like stealing away the last bit of oxygen that I need for survival and if that’s not bad enough the Italian mafia is inches from my doorstep

But I’ve kept that from the security team I contacted all they know is that there is a credible threat against my family and my daughter that’s all they need to know right now keeping them in the dark is protecting Bristol and following their demands doing what they require of me

And no one not even my younger brother knows about the real threat can I meet Bristol Emerson asks already familiar with the assignment my daughter she’s asleep in bed it’s well after nine o’clock and if she doesn’t get enough sleep she’s incredibly Moody just like her mother used to be

You’ll meet her tomorrow in the meantime I’ll take you upstairs and show you to your room if you’re not tired you’re welcome to come back downstairs and we can continue our conversation the brunette sucks in a sharp breath I think I’ll retire to bed she says

It’s probably for the best although I do well to hide my disappointment beside the front entrance is her small suitcase I can’t imagine that it holds a week’s worth of clothes is that everything you brought I ask lifting the handle it’s heavier than it looks it’s no match

For me but I imagine Emerson would struggle with it up the stairs I can carry my luggage Emerson says you can but I’ve got it I say I lead her up the stairwell and offer her the guest room next door to my daughter I’m just across the hallway although I keep that

Little tidbit to myself the house may be enormous but I don’t need her sleeping on the opposite Wing when she’s hired to look after and protect Bristol I open the door and flip on the light letting her look around while I place the suitcase on the floor beside the bed

There’s a private bath through that door and a walk-in closet attached unlike most women who fawn over the size of the estate and the sleeping Arrangements she hasn’t said much of anything although most of those women share my bed they’re not given a room to themselves

Is it not to your liking I ask it’s not as though I’m expecting a compliment but she doesn’t look impressed everything seems fine would you mind if I looked at the security footage and cameras I’d like to have a look around so that I become familiar with the property before going to bed

Her question strikes me off guard she’s all business and while she should be it’s also late not business hours however a live-in bodyguard doesn’t necessarily work a nine to five job technically she doesn’t start until tomorrow but I insisted when I spoke with Declan that there was no need for

Her to get a hotel for the night did she just fly in from Montana or is she a local I rub the back of my head glancing her over it’s hard not to watch her and focus on the way her hips sway as she walks it’s

Been too long since I bedded a woman having a six-year-old daughter makes it difficult oh and there’s the Celebrity Status too that’s not to say I haven’t had my share of women when my daughter has a sleepover at my cousin’s place or my brothers for the night but it’s never

More than a one-night stand women tend to want my bank account they throw themselves at me but it’s never real and it doesn’t help that I became a billionaire before I could legally buy alcohol it’s not a happy story but it’s mine whether I like it or not

It weighs me down when I think about the investment where the money came from and what has happened since most billionaires would walk away from Sports and retire kick their feet up and Lounge on a beach somewhere in the South Pacific or wherever suits them I’m not like most billionaires

I enjoy the sport The Thrill of the ice under my skates and the fans shouting in unison there’s a rush of adrenaline I get in the arena that I don’t get anywhere else and I’ve tried parachuting out of an airplane was fun and exciting but it didn’t give me the same satisfactory Rush

And having a kid also takes precedence I can’t throw myself out of an airplane this same could be said about me being a father and my away games but Bristol stays with my cousin on those days and loves it sir when I haven’t answered Miss Ryan quickly enough she steps toward me

We don’t have time to waste Mr Grayson if the threat is viable we need to secure the house and I want to make sure everything is working properly it’s viable all right I mutter rushing past her I feel the heat of her Gaze on my back

As she follows me down the stairs and to the security office I open the door gesturing for her to step in first the far wall is covered floor to ceiling with surveillance screens their high end and can merge into one giant screen or 20 individual screens which each focus

On a camera around the property there aren’t too many cameras inside the home one leads up from the basement stairs and there are cameras at each entrance of the house and garage I Tower over her petite frame as she stands with her arms folded across her chest glancing over the equipment

Show me the controls she says there’s a long wooden desk with a control board and computer linked to all the cameras I lead her to the panel and provide her with the password to access the system within seconds she’s tapping away at the keyboard zooming in and out with the

Cameras glancing at the screens I’m not sure what she’s looking for or doing but this isn’t her first time I shuffle on my feet Shifting the weight slightly not wanting to feel like a complete ass for what I said earlier and worse for thinking that she was incapable based solely on her size

She is small she is petite and quite adorable I realize the longer I stare at her but this is all business I didn’t bring her into my home to have lurid thoughts about The Bodyguard I grimace just thinking of her as The Bodyguard seems comical

I run my hand over the back of my neck and exhale a heavy sigh something wrong Emerson asks she glances at me over her shoulder I shake my head she already knows I’m not impressed by her size but if she can protect Bristol that’s all that matters

You seem to have a pretty good idea of how to use the surveillance system I say and Clear My Throat trying to distract myself from the fact she’s leaning forward head slightly tilted to the side her cheeks red likely from the chill outside and the rain she is still in her damp clothes

Although with her shoes off and the jacket discarded she’s less soaked the Hem of her pants is wet and her hair is damp and messy but it makes her even more irresistible [ __ ] my [ __ ] Twitches in my trousers I clear my throat and head out of the security office leaving her alone

If Declan trusts her then I should as well besides she’s here to help not make my life more complicated the heat dissipates the farther I am from Emerson I stalk to the kitchen open the fridge and grab a bottle of water I twist the cap off and turn around

Glancing at the entrance of the kitchen Emerson seems to have followed behind me I didn’t hear her leave the security office I didn’t even hear her footsteps against the wooden floorboards I blame it on being distracted not that I need to listen for where Emerson goes but I thought she’d be

Playing with the surveillance equipment a little while longer and I really don’t want her to see the tent I’m pitching thankfully the counters in the way to combat my embarrassment hockey pucks anything to make me think about something other than what’s under Emerson’s damp clothes and her nipples have made a grand

Appearance through her shirt but I opened my mouth and I can’t stop myself my filter tonight seems to be broken you’re still wet I say her brow furrows and there’s that sexy little head tilt again it’s just from the rain I won’t melt you should dry off you’re no good to me

If you get pneumonia I say she bites down on her bottom lip and I can’t tell if she’s holding back or if something else is going on inside her head did Declan send Emerson to me as a joke we go way back and have a history together

He’s well aware of my situation with my daughter I don’t date anyone because Bristol is my entire universe I don’t want to bring someone into my life who is going to [ __ ] things up with my kid and just being in Emerson’s vicinity lights A Fire Inside Me that I hadn’t

Realized had been extinguished hockey mouth guards penalty boxes Sports references aren’t helping in the slightest the thought of Emerson at a game wearing nothing but a jersey flitters through my mind as she bends over in The Penalty Box teasing me for [ __ ] sake I need a nice bath

Not even a cold shower will help me come down from this high I have around her and we just met Daddy Bristol tears down the stairs her football is not the least bit silent I glance at the clock she should be in bed asleep there’s little chance that

Emerson or I woke her we’ve been quiet enough that sound isn’t traveling into my daughter’s bedroom upstairs she runs into the kitchen breezing past Emerson and throws her arms up in the air for me to catch her what are you doing awake I ask lifting her into my arms

I had a bad dream Bristol says wrapping her arms around my neck as I cuddle her I rub her back and her head Falls against the crook of my neck she sniffles her cheeks are red her eyes matching with dried tears that have recently streaked across her face

Are you my new nanny Bristol asks turning her head just enough to meet Emerson’s gaze Emerson opens her mouth and I stop her before she can explain anything to my six-year-old daughter yes she’s here as your nanny I say hoping that Emerson will go along with it

The last thing I want is to scare Bristol the nightmares have been more frequent over the past few weeks if I explain to my daughter that there’s a credible threat against our family she may never sleep again I don’t want to put that burden on Bristol she doesn’t deserve it

Oh Bristol says and sniffles she rubs her wet nose against my t-shirt thanks kid I’m pretty sure my shirt is smeared in boogers hi Bristol I’m Emerson I practically hold my breath waiting to see if she goes along with it lying to my kid it’s for Bristol’s sake

Scaring her isn’t going to do the slightest amount of good she has enough fears as it is I don’t want her to be afraid of the dark and never want to be alone at least believing Emerson is her nanny might help her acclimate to having someone constantly around to protect her

Bristol doesn’t say anything just stares at Emerson for a few seconds before she sniffles again Daddy can I sleep in your bed chapter 3. Emerson his daughter is absolutely adorable I’ve discovered she’s six in the first grade and enrolled at a private school not that I’d expect anything less for a

Man who was wealthy as Sin I’m not sure of his exact net worth but Forbes puts him somewhere between millionaire and billionaire I did a Google search I’m not proud of it call it research there are plenty of photographs of him not too many of his daughter

He’s done well to Shield her from the spotlight not that I haven’t done my fair share of investigating his background to determine how credible the threat on his family is and why I’m tasked with watching Bristol shouldn’t I also be protecting Kyler Grayson and sure I can protect Kyler when he’s

At home but I can’t protect him while he’s on the ice but at least the arena has guards and security a full staff trained to protect the players I sip my mug of coffee the caramel macchiato creamer making it taste not the least bit bitter dessert in a cup for breakfast

Plus it helps keep my ass Alert in the morning a necessity when taking Bristol to school the kid is in the first grade of an Eclectic private school it’s top-notch super Chic and will probably help her carve the path to get into Harvard or some other ivy league College one day

I’m sure that’s why he’s sending his daughter there for the best education and the brightest future Rich parents tend to dote on their kids giving them everything they can to encourage them that they can be anything they want it’s not my place to break it to her

That the world is cruel and unjust Emmy Bristol says as I sit beside her in the back seat of the sedan Kyler has a private driver Mitchell who takes us everywhere I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t trust my driving which he’s never seen

Or he’s just so rich he has money to throw away for a chauffeur she’s given me the nickname Emmy and I haven’t corrected her she likes Emmy better than Emerson some adults might find it off-putting or disrespectful but I take it as a win

I need Bristol to trust me so that I can adequately do my job and protect her although I’m not keen on the fact Kyler chose to lie to his daughter about why I was hired when the driver pulls up to Bristol’s school I step out with her a waiting for

Her to grab her backpack from the back seat you’re coming in with me she stares up at me with wide unsuspecting eyes an ordinary Nanny would drop her off and pick her up I need to speak with the Headmaster I say patting her shoulder as she slings her backpack on it’s practically bigger

Than she is but it doesn’t appear too heavy or bulky she gives me a way of goodbye and races off to be with her friends as they hurry inside the school the kids are all dressed in blue and gray school uniforms she Blends in which is both good and bad

From the outside everything appears normal mundane did Kyler inform the Headmaster that I would be coming how much does he know about the threat to the Grayson family the chauffeur waits for me outside the front entrance and shuts the vehicle door as I head inside the school

Immediately I’m greeted by one of the teachers or staff members of some sort can I help you the woman asks she’s wearing a lanyard around her neck with an identification tag I should be relieved that they’re quite on top of security but there are no metal detectors or any other type of

Surveillance system that I can see No cameras no high-tech equipment yes I’m Emerson Ryan I’d like to speak with the Headmaster do you have an appointment the woman asks glancing me up and down her brow tightens and she looks at her watch she probably has to be in class soon with her students

A bell Chimes and the kids start to hurry inside their respective classrooms I don’t I say Mr Kyler Grayson assured me I wouldn’t need an appointment her eyes widen and the woman nods oh I see this is about Bristol and Liam yes I say although I’m not sure what transpired

Between the two students Kyler has kept me in the dark but it is only my first week on the job the background that we dug up when trying to focus on potential threats was on Kyler no one looked into Bristol directly after all she’s six come with me

The woman says as she ushers me down the hall through the hustle and bustle as the students head into class and the second bell rings she’s quick and light on her feet and her strides make me have to jog to keep up the main office door is wide open and

She leads me inside to the front desk they’ll be able to help you in here she says before hurrying to her classroom I can only imagine the chaos of leaving a room full of Elementary aged children alone more specifically first graders I’m assuming that woman was one of

Bristol’s teachers why else would she have known who Bristol was and about some type of skirmish between Bristol and Liam maybe I’m jumping to conclusions for all I know the two could have been caught kissing on the playground although I doubt it I introduce myself to the woman behind

The desk and she has me take a seat and wait for the Headmaster to be available a few minutes pass and I shift uncomfortably not liking the idea of Bristol being on her own although if it’s a kid she has to deal with that’s far less concerning to me

Than a real threat the kind that involves violence and men with guns eventually I’m brought into the headmaster’s office and I introduce myself hi I’m Emerson Ryan I begin and the gentleman Cuts me off before I can continue I Know Who You Are he says gesturing for me to have a seat

You’re here on behalf of Kyler Grayson he couldn’t be bothered to show up or return our calls regarding his daughter I exhale a heavy breath he is incredibly busy as I’m sure you can understand given his Public Image status and wealth I’ve been brought in to protect his daughter protect her

He laughs sourly and rubs his forehead he removes his spectacles and leans back at his desk he’s an older man with a protruding belly that sticks out from his desk as he does so is that what he told you that his daughter needs protecting from Liam Moretti Moretti I repeat

The name clicking on my tongue as in the Moretti crime family any sane person would have probably not asked that question aloud but I’ve been known to push when it’s not always appropriate having worked for the FBI for even a short time I have plenty of knowledge of

The crime families in and around New York City we had a team tasked with taking down the Russian Brava they weren’t successful at the time I left the bureau but it wasn’t my unit and I haven’t followed up to find out if they ever did take down Mikhail baranov or his men

The Headmaster clears his throat pushes his chair back and stands he briskly walks to the door and shuts it before turning around to face me the walls have ears Miss Ryan he says it would be wise for you to remember that I bite down on my tongue opting to not

Divulge that I previously worked for the FBI the hairs on my arms stand on end around the Headmaster there’s something about him that’s not quite right maybe it’s the fact that he is well aware he has students enrolled in his school who have parents who are involved in organized crime

I try not to over analyze the situation like I typically would as a federal agent the fact that the guy is taking money whether it be from a donation or school fees the money is dirty but that’s not my job to worry about or uncover I’m here solely to protect Bristol

I’ve been hired by Mr Grayson to protect his daughter Bristol I say Mr Grayson has reason to believe his daughter may be in danger he exhales a nervous laugh sweat glistens on his forehead is that really necessary he reaches into his pocket for his handkerchief and dabs his forehead what is he hiding

You tell me I say refusing to let my gaze waver break it down for me what happened between Bristol and Liam on school grounds he nods and shuffles back to his desk finding the leather chair he sits his stare constantly moving around the room he’s anxious but I can’t tell if it’s

Out of guilt or fear what do the Moretti’s have on him the two children are in the same class together Liam sits behind Bristol and thought it would be fun to lift her chair with his feet it was just a little harmless flirting the Headmaster waves his hand dismissively

She took things too far what did Bristol do she punched him I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from saying something I shouldn’t I have a plethora of questions but I have this sneaking suspicion that there is more to the story that the Headmaster is leaving out

I will speak with Bristol I say and with Mr Grayson when I bring her home this evening when did this incident occur Friday I’d already had the job with Kyler Grayson lined up well before last Friday which means the incident with the Moretti family either goes further back

Or something else is the threat to Bristol and Kyler after I finish discussing the situation regarding the children I make it clear I need to see the security measures that are put in place it was obvious that I was able to easily walk up and into the school

Whether the Moretti family is the threat or not I need to know that Bristol is safe in her classroom convinced that Bristol isn’t in any immediate danger I returned to the town car and the gentleman opens the back door for me Mr Grayson has asked you to meet him at

The ice hockey arena the stadium hires its own private security so I’m a bit taken aback by his request for me to meet him at the venue did he say what it was about I ask hoping to gather at least some information before arriving Mitchell isn’t particularly forthcoming

He merely shakes his head and shuts my car door before he steps around to the front of the vehicle I glance at my phone there are no messages from Kyler or any of the eagle Tactical Team Declan assigned me the job but he hasn’t called or texted

Not that I expect him to check in and see how things are going I’m plenty capable of handling the assignment I shove my phone into my purse my stomach tenses and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m leaving Bristol behind at school where I know she’s as safe as she can be

Or the fact that something just doesn’t feel right what is Kyler hiding it has to be something there’s no reason that his life would otherwise be in danger or rather his daughters I need to know what the actual threat is and whether it’s credible

How can I be expected to do my job in the dark the ice hockey arena is on the opposite side of town we’re ushered in through a side entrance and Kyler stalks out of the building on our approach he Yanks open the back door for me just

As the town car comes to a halt you’re late Kyler says like it’s my fault for driving too slow there was traffic and I had to make sure Bristol was safe before leaving her at school you neglected to mention we had an appointment I say stepping out of the vehicle

He slams the door shut behind me his dark gaze rakes over my body for a little too long his jaw is tight he’s tense I imagine he never gets any time off between work and being a single father did you bother checking your phone

He asks and holds out his hand Palm up I just stare at him blankly your phone he States shaking his head waiting for me to get on the same page as him we’re on two different planets at this point I grabbed the cell phone that he

Provided me with and show it to him meanwhile the driver pulls the vehicle away from the curb leaving me alone with Kyler well not completely alone we are standing outside the arena which Towers above us Kyler snatches the phone from my fingers and shoves it in my face to unlock it real classy

I mutter under my breath he doesn’t comment on it and flips through until he finds the Calendar app that he clearly felt it necessary to show me right now outside by the curb apparently it couldn’t wait he’s that type the one who has to have things done

Immediately and won’t put his feet up for two minutes to relax he’s probably the type A where if it isn’t done his way he’ll go back over and do it again this should be fun I bite down on my bottom lip as he shows me the appointment for meeting him at the arena

I glance at my watch I’m three minutes late I say and you failed to mention the scuffle between Bristol and Liam at school I got to hear about it from the Headmaster I don’t mention the brief introduction with the teacher who happened to know about it as well

I have this sneaking suspicion he wants me to get right to the point kids he says and gives a mere shrug Bristol was defending herself I don’t see the problem violence isn’t a problem she told him to stop he didn’t so she did the next best thing

And you don’t think that would be telling a teacher I ask I didn’t raise a tattletail his gaze is locked on mine unwavering the heat between us sizzles and I exhale sharply and take a step back it’s too hot too much and too fast Kyler is intense

His intensity bleeds off him and seeps into my veins I’m not sure whether I love it or hate it I clear my throat were you aware that Liam’s father runs the mafia I ask Antonio Moretti yeah I’ve heard he doesn’t look shaken by the news as I expected which I find mildly troubling

It’s not a secret that the Moretti family is involved with organized crime still I wouldn’t expect the average person to have the same knowledge as myself a former federal agent I let his comment go questioning him about his knowledge may seem a bit off-putting and I need to win his Trust

I didn’t invite you here to talk about him Kyler says and his gaze Burns right through me he’s hot but he’s the kind of hot where he knows how good looking he is and it makes him arrogant a woman breezes past us in a short black

Pencil skirt and a dark red blouse with one too many buttons opened morning Kyler she flashes him with a smile and I can’t tell if it’s genuine or if there’s interest in him Beyond The Superficial he is a top dog on the ice and incredibly handsome

I don’t blame her for wanting to get his attention except my stomach pangs with Dread and I can’t quite fathom why morning Brittany he says I shuffle my feet as his gaze follows the woman Waltzing toward the main entrance he’s checking out her ass and her hips sway giving him quite the show

Seriously I mutter a little too loudly and jealous I clear my throat of you and Barbie no she’s just interested in getting in your pants I say I don’t know if that’s true but it comes out a little too hastily before I can snap my mouth shut you’re definitely jealous

He smirks his gaze eating me alive it’s hot under his stair I want to remove my suit coat and strip down let the Cool Wind caress my skin but I can’t do that in the stadium parking lot I’m pretty sure if I started stripping someone would have me arrested

Not the best plan to keep Kyler close and protect him and his little girl yes he hired me to protect Bristol but she’s not my only responsibility he needs someone watching his back and with women like Britney vying for his attention it’s going to be hard to keep

Him under a tight leash if he likes to flirt with other girls and even date them are you going to invite me inside I ask gesturing to the stadium behind him walk with me he stalks toward the door grabs the handle and Yanks it open there’s security at the entrance but

They know him and let him inside I’m handed a visitor’s pass as he leads me through a maze of hallways the stadium has private security why do you need me here wouldn’t it be best for me to stay with your daughter I ask as I practically jog to match his strides

Bristol is at school and you’re still on the clock a smirk grazes that face but it’s not warm and genuine it’s almost like he has something planned and I’m going to regret accepting this job from Eagle Tactical thanks boys for throwing me to the wolves or rather just one wolf Kyler Grayson

Don’t get me wrong the eye candy helps make up for his annoying habits already I’ve only been in his home for a few days over a long weekend but he likes to blast his music when he cooks breakfast and tends to leave the dishes in the sink until mid afternoon when he cleans

Them up keep up Eminem he quips Eminem you aren’t seriously giving me that as a nickname I have half a mind to Pummel his ass to the ground but that tiny voice in the back of my head reminds me that he is my boss you’re tiny seems fitting

You’re an ass but you don’t hear me calling you Puck hole he Chuckles under his breath that’s cute it’s nice to see you have a sense of humor Eminem I scoff at his nickname and Jab him with my elbow did you seriously just assault me I stop walking my mouth hangs a gape

No I say and I’m not even sure what to make of his comment he’s the one making up nicknames I just retaliated it wasn’t that bad he stops walking and glances back when he realizes I haven’t chased after him he’s used to all the girls chasing him probably since grade school

Relax he Grunts and gestures for me to join him I don’t bite well not unless you’re into that sort of thing and he Winks at me [ __ ] are you flirting with me Mr Grayson I ask and suck in a nervous breath my voice quivers but I hope he doesn’t notice

Kyler Smiles as I catch up with him and he keeps walking turning the corner and I’m right at his side I swear we’ve walked in circles but maybe I’m just not paying enough attention to my surroundings while flirting and huggling Kyler Grayson I bite down on my bottom lip the pain

Slightly piercing enough to jar me back to reality I need to focus I wouldn’t dream of it he says come on I’ll give you the tour we reached the locker room entrance and I’m about to ask if it’s appropriate for me to follow he tugs on me to keep up grabbing my arm

The warmth and sudden contact feel natural as his eyes stare right into my soul the man could tell me to walk off a bridge and at that moment I’d do anything for him a man comes barreling around the corner and rips Kyler from my grasp pointing a gun at his head

Instinctively my fingers reach for my belt where I secure my weapon but I don’t have a gun on me chapter 4. Emerson the gun in the assailant’s hand glistens under the harsh fluorescent overhead lights adrenaline surges through my veins my heart pounds in my chest and I act on instinct

I’m trained for this type of scenario and while I haven’t had to endure it aside from practice at Quantico physically I’m here now faced with the grave situation at hand I’m the only one capable of calming the man down and keeping him from pulling the trigger you don’t want to do this

I say my gaze locked on the perpetrator as he keeps one arm secure around Kyler and the other with the barrel of the gun poised at his forehead having my weapon right now would be helpful but I intentionally left it behind locked in the safe at Kyler’s home

Because I couldn’t bring a gun onto school property certainly not before meeting with the Headmaster and getting the appropriate approval and seeing as how Kyler neglected to secure that authorization and Eagle tactical couldn’t have done so without Kyler’s express permission I’m currently screwed I don’t even have a taser on me

Just my wits and charm plus my training and instincts I don’t see another choice the man growls at me and glances behind him briefly as he keeps Kyler as a hostage walking him backward I’m not familiar with the arena there’s another door but where does it lead to the shower the Ice Arena

The armed man is distracted just enough that I can make my move and I lunge at him yanking the gun upward into the air while wrestling him down to the floor tackling him and forcing the assailant onto his stomach yanking his arms behind his back I managed to kick the gun away

From him ow he scowls grab me some zip ties I say glancing over my shoulder at Kyler he’s got a huge grin on his face as he folds his arms across his chest watching me help me would you I shout at him for [ __ ] sake man let me go the

Assailant whines and tries to break free from my grip someone tell her tell me what several men in Jersey slowly emerge from around the corner their cell phones capturing the whole exchange and I realize this was all an elaborate setup you can let Jasper go Kyler says

He takes a few steps bending down and grabbing the gun from the ground he’s my brother and this isn’t a real Glock [ __ ] me you’re an [ __ ] I should probably watch my words considering he’s my boss but I don’t care I could have shot your brother he glances me over thoroughly

You don’t have your gun on you it’s not a question it’s as though he made sure of it and I’m a bit flustered by the accusation even if it’s not intended as one I couldn’t bring my gun onto school property precisely he says with a smirk you planned all of it I say

And I have half a mind to Pummel his ass to the ground and embarrass him in front of his buddies you don’t think I can protect your daughter I take a step back the air around me hot and suffocating maybe it’s also a bit of the testosterone permeating my nostrils the

Room is filled with men twice my size meanwhile Kyler Grayson is composed calm collected I’m a mess thanks to him I needed to see what you’re capable of and how you would react you surprised me Kyler says and that smirk is back the one that makes me want to wipe the grin

Off his face like he proved his point and I didn’t just make an ass out of myself in front of him or his teammates you’re still an [ __ ] I say and storm out of the locker room I attempt to head in the same direction that we came from

It’s a maze of hallways and Kyler is right behind me he grumbles something unintelligible under his breath I’m not sure if he’s cursing me or what but I hurry my Pace to get away from him seconds later he’s strolling alongside me damn his long legs making it effortless to catch up

If you want to play games you can find someone else I wasn’t hired to entertain you and your brother hey wait a second Kyler grabs my arm and I shrug out of his hold but I stop walking turning to face him I don’t know why I give him the

Opportunity nothing he says is going to make me forgive him for his inexcusable childish behavior I stare up at him waiting for his Grand apology boy am I severely mistaken you can’t quit Kyler says I signed a contract you can take up your complaints with Jackson Monroe the owner of Eagle

Tactical I say I quit I turn on my heel and hurry down the hallway for the exit grabbing a ride from his chauffeur seems a bad idea given the fact I just quit so I grab my cell phone and request a ride share service I have to walk around the outside of the

Stadium to catch my ride it’s not ideal but at least it’s still light out I I’m iPhone my ride is 10 minutes out in the distance I catch a glimpse of Kyler in his jersey stalking towards me there’s no avoiding him he’s not out here for a nice leisurely stroll

Just great I mutter under my breath come to grovel hardly his jaw is tight and his eyes are piercing and sharp his gaze sends butterflies into my stomach as he studies me I thought you’d make it a week Eminem it’s a shame you can’t even realize I was trying to help you

You’re delusional if you think your little Antics back there were helpful they were helpful to me I needed to see that you were capable of subduing a man twice your size you proved me wrong you are plenty qualified to protect my daughter you should have thought about that before you humiliated me

You know what it’s not even that I don’t care that you embarrassed me in front of your teammates it’s the fact that you blatantly lied to me how am I supposed to protect someone who can’t be honest with me you’re supposed to protect my daughter he says why does your daughter need protecting

I ask staring up at him he’s tall and brooding I hate the fact that he’s handsome and I bite down forcefully on my bottom lip dispelling any such Thoughts From My Mind Bristol’s mother Ashley she has ties to the Italian mafia chapter 5 Kyler I hadn’t intended to share Ashley’s secret with anyone

I swore to Ashley that I would keep our daughter safe give her a good home and protect our daughter from her uncle Antonio Moretti but in Rolling Bristol at a private Academy had proven more challenging than I originally anticipated Antonio happens to send his children to the same school

I’m sure it’s a coincidence the institution is known for being Elite and highly sought out but the fact that his son and my daughter are in the same class it’s unsettling I tried to shake it off as a mere coincidence Antonio doesn’t know about Ashley Bristol’s biological mother

From what Ashley told me Antonio went missing before she was born he was kidnapped but one of those at-home DNA tests had confirmed her suspicions long before she was pregnant with Bristol he shouldn’t know about Ashley but it wouldn’t be hard for him to find her and so when she became pregnant with

Bristol she wanted to protect our daughter by any means necessary I didn’t expect Ashley to walk away as a mother or leave me as a single parent but that’s all in the past Ashley granted me full custody before disappearing what do you mean Bristol’s mother has ties to the Italian mafia Emerson asks

She’s fidgety with the news her eyes are wide and bright as she folds her arms tapping her fingers against her forearm it doesn’t matter she’s out of the picture but if the Italians find out Bristol is their blood I don’t know what they might do how closely related are we talking

She Taps her foot and I can sense the cogs rotating in her head trying to piece it together with the bits I’ve given her given that she’s former FBI I expect her to be relatively familiar with the Moretti family they’re the only Italian mafia organization in the New York area

Of course there’s also the Russian mafia run by the baranovs but I should consider myself lucky my daughter doesn’t have ties to them doesn’t matter I’m trying my damnedest to keep Ashley’s secret while still protecting Bristol and Antonio Moretti has his children Liam and Sophia enrolled in Briarwood Emerson says reiterating what I’ve

Already told her yes I nod waiting for further instructions from her she curses under her breath just as the vehicle she’s hired pulls up to the curb she opens the back door tells him she’s canceling the ride and then spins around to face me if you pull any more of that crap you

Did earlier I’ll shoot you myself with my real gun got it Eminem and no more stupid nicknames she Jabs her finger into my chest Emerson is cute when she’s pissed her cheeks are flushed and her eyes pin me making my [ __ ] Harden the things I could

Do to her if given a night together one wild abandoned Knight don’t they say good things come in small packages she’s definitely a small package but I’d love to unwrap slowly and methodically I’d take my time undressing her savoring every inch of her naked skin we’ll see I say silently relieved that

She’s sticking around I’m not sure why considering the fact that an hour earlier I was questioning her ability to keep my daughter safe did I want her here for me that was a thought I needed to squash before it became outright dangerous my little firecracker is off limits mine

I clear my throat and Usher her back inside the stadium doing my best to dispel any lingering thoughts of Emerson I did manage to cast a glance at her pert little ass what I’d give to see her naked writhing beneath me begging for my [ __ ] giving up

All control as she lets me take her and possess her down boy those are wicked thoughts bound to land my ass in boiling water and without a bodyguard for Bristol you can have the rest of the afternoon off until Bristol is released from school I say expecting Emerson to work

24 hours a day seven days a week isn’t fair to her besides she’s no good to me if she’s burned out or distracted the minute Emerson is away from the arena Jasper comes barreling down the hallway heading right for me where’s the cute bodyguard he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively he’s the only

One who knows about Bristol’s mother it was on his suggestion that I hire someone to watch over my daughter when I can’t be around he’s been on my case for years and with the recent threats I finally took the plunge and the team they all think I hired Emerson after a

Stalker incident with an overzealous fan I sent her home to rest or whatever I say waving my hand in the air I don’t need to worry about any threats here and if she’s burned out before Bristol gets home from school I’m screwed you’d like to be screwed by her

Jasper says with a wicked grin he’s right but that isn’t the point she’s my daughter’s bodyguard I’m not [ __ ] her well not yet anyway are we still on for this weekend I’m grateful Jasper manages to steer the conversation away from Emerson but I had completely forgotten the Gathering I planned with my buddies

[ __ ] you forgot Jasper folds his arms across his chest glancing me over that’s uncharacteristic of you I thought by now you’d be hiring caterers in a full staff to entertain shut up I growl at my younger brother don’t give me a reason to kick your ass like you’ve ever needed

A reason before Jasper quips and please tell me you’re inviting The Bodyguard I don’t have time to plan a gathering although it’s usually nothing extravagant a few of my buddies get together have drinks and dinner and bring their spouses or dates if they’re so inclined

We tend to sit around the fire pit in the backyard when the weather cooperates and just chill the [ __ ] out it would be good to see the guys and unwind for a couple of hours I’m sure Emerson has better things to do than attend a barbecue I say

If you don’t invite her she’s going to feel left out if I do it’ll be awkward as hell I mean what if she starts gossiping with Levi’s wife about me oh you can count on it Jasper says and smacks me on the back if she’s not doing it I sure as hell will

It’ll be fun to uh what do the kids call it these days spill the tea you’re an [ __ ] you know that I know you keep me around because you love me Jasper quips and I love to give you hell chapter six Emerson Emmy Bristol squeals as she runs out of

The school building and across the lawn where I stand waiting for her I’m still within the school grounds and the teacher is grumbling under her breath as the kids don’t seem to listen and wait until their parents check them off the list for pickup I stepped toward Bristol’s teacher the

Young woman with whom I had conversed earlier when I had first arrived before the school day began I’ll need to see your ID the woman says smiling politely at least she knows I’m picking Bristol up I have a sneaking suspicion that Kyler called the school office to confirm my arrival

I initial the sheet as requested and the teacher hands me back my driver’s license I inhale a sharp breath as Antonio Moretti stalks toward us he has one little girl clutching his hand and a gorgeous woman on his arm she seems to be trying to Wrangle the little boy over to her

Apparently the mafia Dawn is married or at least involved with a woman I hadn’t done my due diligence on the family I only discovered earlier today Bristol’s relation to the morettes his gaze is hard his jaw is sharp as he stares at Bristol shooting daggers at the six-year-old

If looks could kill he’d have murdered her by now I refrain from causing a scene the last thing I want is to put Bristol in further danger than she already is perhaps I should discuss transferring Bristol out of Briarwood Academy and suggests she attends someplace less problematic a private school where the

Mafia doesn’t have their children enrolled Mr Moretti and Miss Ryan the teacher says gesturing for us to hold on a moment I’d like us all to schedule a meeting together with both families so that we can discuss the in classroom issues we’ve been having

I don’t see why we need to attend my son isn’t the problem Antonio says and you’re saying that Bristol is I’m appalled that he thinks his son Bears no responsibility for the issues at hand please if we may the teacher says and force is a smile

This would be best left to the parents could you pass the message along to Mr Grayson for us and let us know when he will be able to attend on behalf of his daughter right my jaw ticks there is no chance I’m allowing Mr Moretti and Mr Grayson

Alone Together even if Bristol isn’t in attendance I will pass the message along Bristol and I hurry across the lawn my hand gripping hers as I practically tug her toward the driver it’s not my fault Bristol whines as I hurry her to the awaiting vehicle Mitchell opens up the back door and

Bristol climbs in first I scoot in beside her and glanced back to see Antonio Moretti getting into the vehicle behind us he too has a driver chauffeuring him and his family around I’ll need Declan or Jackson to do a little reconnaissance work on the Moretti family if they’re the main

Threat to Bristol then sitting down with them to discuss the children’s Behavior at school isn’t going to make the problem disappear we should be getting her as far from Antonio and his men as possible you look mad Bristol says as she stares at me put your seatbelt on

Mitchell waits for her to buckle herself into the booster seat before he pulls out into traffic is daddy going to be mad at me Bristol asks she snaps her seat belt and shifts in her booster seat to face me I don’t know Kyler well enough to determine if he’s going to be upset

Disappointed or just overly concerned perhaps it could be a bit of all three Kyler isn’t home when we arrive after school I have a key to the front door so I let Bristol inside and do a quick sweep of the place to make sure it’s just the two of us

I’m not his daughter’s Nanny I’m her bodyguard why isn’t he home I’m hungry Bristol whines she drops her backpack by the front door along with her coat and shoes what time does your dad normally get home I ask Bristol shrugs he picks me up from school jackass I mutter under my breath

Bristol’s eyes widen you have to put a dollar in the swear jar she grabs my hand and drags me into the kitchen on the marble countertop there is a glass gallon-sized jar stuffed with one dollar bills how about we don’t tell your dad what I said I tried to bargain with the kid

It’s not the dollar that’s the issue I don’t need her tattling to Kyler about the situation he’s already questioning my ability as his daughter’s bodyguard I don’t need to give him any more ammunition make it two dollars Bristol holds up two fingers the kid knows how to negotiate

I nod and grab two one dollar bills from my wallet stuffing them inside the clear jar who gets all this money anyhow I ask daddy says it’s for my college fund but I’m saving up for a unicorn she squeals excitedly I’m not going to be the one to burst

That bubble at least she’s not saving for a horse or some other expensive creature that she could actually buy my phone pings and I grab it from my pocket glancing at the screen Kyler I’m running late I’ll be home to make dinner damn right he will my job isn’t to cook

And clean for the Grayson family I’m supposed to be protecting Bristol and if I’m distracted with entertaining her I can’t do my job is that Daddy Bristol asks trying to peer at my phone I show it to her and her eyes narrow trying to read the text

It takes her a minute before she seems to comprehend what it says can you make me a snack didn’t you have lunch at school I lean back against the counter folding my arms across my chest giving her the most pointed look imaginable yes but that was hours ago I’m starving

She whines like she hasn’t eaten for weeks I’m going to die if I don’t eat that isn’t going to happen over a couple of hours I head toward the fridge and yank it open having a glance inside see anything you want I ask she shrugs and then points at the

Fruit bin I open up the plastic bin and grab a pint of raspberries rinsing them off before handing her the dripping wet container it’s what what she squeals and Shucks water at me from her little fingers thanks kid grab a paper towel I gesture to the counter trying to make herself sufficient

It’s Too Tall I can’t reach Bristol points at the cabinet and Waggles her finger waiting for it to open do you know magic or something I tried glancing at her because last I checked wiggling a finger doesn’t open cabinet doors unless you go to Hogwarts but I’m pretty sure there isn’t a magic

Curriculum at Briarwood you need a wand silly but there could be Bristol giggles Abracadabra open the cabinet shaking my head I give in using just one finger to pull the cabinet open I retrieve a pink plastic bowl and hold out my hand for the raspberry container

I dump the contents into the bowl and wait for her to use the magic words I’m looking for either a please or thank you would suffice thank you she says with a wide-eyed eager grin and I hand the fruit back to her in the bowl she’s a cute kid

Spoiled Beyond Compare but that isn’t her fault her father is a billionaire for the next couple of hours I have her seated at the kitchen table going over her homework assignments which are far more than I remember doing in the first grade the sound of a car door slamming sets my adrenaline pumping

Stay here I say as I Waltz out of the kitchen and head toward the front of the house glancing conspicuously out the window Kyler stands outside his cell phone pressed against his ear as he talks animatedly to whomever he’s on the phone with he doesn’t look particularly pleased with the caller

Emmy Bristol calls for me and I exhale a heavy breath and make my way back into the kitchen is this right she asks wanting me to check her work thankfully she’s only in the first grade and not the 11th or 12th I can easily handle glancing over her work except for

Her math where she’s shown her work as a bit of a nightmare I can’t even fathom how she came up with the answer that she did but it is right yeah that looks good I say cringing then why are you making that face Bristol asks staring up at me

Saved by the sound of the front door Kyler heads inside the house and Bristol jumps up from the kitchen table and tears out to the hallway sliding on the wood floor in her socks to greet her father daddy Bristol squeals excitedly and he holds out his arms for her as she runs

Right for him he lifts her spinning her around and giving her a hug the girl is six she’s not a toddler but neither seems to care she’s having fun and he can still practically toss her around without hurting his back you’re late I say a little more tersely than I intend

His gaze moves from Bristol to me I can’t exactly leave a practice because you want me home give us a minute sweetie I say to Bristol yanking Kyler out of the hallway and away from Bristol’s little ears sweetie I didn’t know we were starting on pet names

Kyler jokes to me he’s trying to disarm the situation at least I think that’s his intent because the anger sizzling seems to dissipate when his eyes shine down almost as if he were smiling this I say gesturing between us is a business Arrangement I’m not your daughter’s Nanny I’m The Bodyguard you

Shouldn’t be expecting me to babysit your daughter got it I’ll hire a nanny he says a little too quickly and what do you plan on telling Bristol since she thinks I’m her nanny I fold my arms across my chest waiting for him to think up a brilliant excuse to fix the

Predicament he’s found us both in obviously not the truth he says his gaze sending a shiver down my spine my insides are toasty the longer his gaze lingers and I feel the heat of his breath against my cheeks he takes a step closer pinning me back against the wall

He doesn’t touch me the man doesn’t have to and I’m still practically a puddle of goo the wall holds me up as I exhale a nervous breath there’s zero chance that he’s going to kiss me but his gaze lingers on my lips a little too long before he drags his

Eyes back to my stair we could tell her the truth that we’ve been secretly dating and you’re my girlfriend I laugh at his words he can’t be serious you said it I can’t have two nannies how would that look and I need someone capable of protecting my daughter that’s

Your job you can help me hire the perfect nanny you want me to be your fake girlfriend I still can’t get his words out of my head it’s insane I squeak a little too loudly and he brings his hand up to my lips his finger grazing my mouth silencing me

Bristol likes to eavesdrop she wants to be a spy and I can’t have her spilling our secrets unless we want the world to know about us hiring you is my fake girlfriend would be good PR for me his eyes light up and I’m pretty sure he’s talking before he’s thinking

I shake my head I did not agree to this I shove my hand between us gently pushing him backward I’m your daughter’s bodyguard that’s it Kyler I glance around the room are there hidden cameras is this some type of reality show where you tell me you had

Me fooled I slipped quickly from his grasp and he runs a hand through his unkempt hair I don’t dare admit that he looks boyish and Suave with his messy bedhead look he’s recently showered and still smells of soap from after his game his tongue darts out to the corner of

His lips staring at me I’d pay you for your services you couldn’t pay me enough to fake date you I say a little too quickly is that so he asks did I just challenge him that was not the plan neither is faking dating my boss he is my boss technically we have a

Contract that we both must abide by but it seems that he wants to change the terms typical of a billionaire always out to get what they want what about what I want having his strong arms wrapped around me doesn’t sound that bad I could handle a few pictures in public

How bad could it be pretending to date a star hockey player my stomach flutters at all the possibilities but my brain is screaming at me that this is a terrible idea this morning he had me believing he was being held at gunpoint what will your teammates think I ask

They saw me in the locker room they’re not going to believe I’m your girlfriend he’s crazy if he thinks either one of us can pull it off and worse we’d have to lie to Bristol it’s not bad enough that we’ve already been doing that but I don’t want to

Break her heart when she finds out the truth and the Headmaster at the school I ask he already knows I’m your daughter’s bodyguard you can’t keep it a secret forever the smile on Kyler’s face grows even wider right you know I called him and explained everything after you met with him this morning

Explained what I don’t like where this is going I told him that you concocted The Bodyguard story so it wouldn’t put pressure on our newly formed relationship especially with the media looking for a bite of the dirtiest details of Our Lives he already thinks we’re an item

And what about your brother can he keep it a secret he already thinks we’re [ __ ] it won’t take him long to buy whatever story I sell to him I smack his arm and he grabs my wrist refusing to let me go did you just hit me what do you think Einstein I shoot

Back he drags both of my arms above my head pushing me up against the wall this time trapping me I have nowhere to go and while I could outmaneuver him with my legs the truth is that I don’t want to it’s a dangerous game and I want to see where this leads

Will he kiss me touch me taste me my breathing deepens the longer he holds me against the wall my chest rising and falling I’m not the only one feeling the heat Sizzle between us I swear his [ __ ] is poking me and I want to glance down

But if I do I’m worried he’ll pull away from me I want that even less cat got your tongue I ask staring up at him his eyes have darkened and he leans down I swear his lips will graze mine but he doesn’t kiss me his breath lingers over

My lips the heat melting together mixing like an aphrodisiac and I’m under his spell are you in he asks and his voice is thicker heavier I swear the scent he evokes as a heavy musk that permeates all of my senses he smells amazing and I want to reach in

And lick his neck tease him drive him over the edge I want him to beg me to let me [ __ ] him but I would guess he’d make me be the one to do all the begging what are the terms I force the words past my lips my jaw feels heavy the

Words like a lead balloon while my legs grow wobbly under his spell we would have to kiss make public displays of affection and have people believe that we’re a real item in public I thought this little game was to convince his daughter that we’re together because having two nannies seems outrageous

Why does the public care what you do I whisper staring into his piercing blue eyes my insides flutter but this time it’s not my stomach doing the dance want him more than I’ve wanted anything or anyone I blame it on his proximity the fact he has me nestled against the wall and he

Doesn’t seem intent on letting me go anytime soon his breath tickles my neck as he leans in beside my ear it’s not only my daughter who needs convincing this is real we’ll have a nanny who has to believe we’re together and the team he says grazing my ear

The team you outed me to that I’m a bodyguard did he miraculously forget what happened with Jasper they’ll believe any story that I sell them Kyler says a little too confident my eyes involuntarily slip closed and I feel a silent shutter Ripple through my body

The man knows how to turn me on even when I’m fighting it and for the record I am fighting it just maybe not hard enough I press my lips together mulling over his words but they’re not the public I say what’s your end game there has to be more something he

Expects out of all of this it would keep the spotlight off my daughter Kyler says and that’s reason enough for me to agree I’d be doing my job protecting Bristol you’re not convinced he says and pulls back slightly I whimper in protest from the lack of warmth and the electricity

Humming through my body has since vanished he releases his tight grip on me I’ll pay you six figures on top of the initial contract seven I want seven figures I say if I have to put up with your ass and pretend to like you I won’t do it for a penny less

He smirks and holds out his hand deal chapter 7 Kyler I put it into writing but I’ll pay Emerson a minimum of 1.2 million dollars to put up with my shenanigans well it wasn’t in those exact words and yes she weasled another 200 Grand from me when she realized the

Arrangement is ongoing until the threat with the Moretti family is extinguished that’s the only threat I’ve told her about but it’s not the worst one out for blood I agreed to pay her one hundred thousand dollars per month during the ordeal and with the remainder paid in a lump sum if

Completed sooner I’ll give her an incentive to play my games and if we go over the course of a year which I don’t think is even a realistic possibility with us pretending to be an item then we’ll renegotiate a new contract I won’t let that happen she’s

Not getting any more of my money she may be good with Bristol but paying her seven figures as a glorified babysitter is insane yes she’s a bodyguard but she’s being adequately compensated by her employer and I’m letting her double dip she gets paid by both Eagle tactical and me

And yes the eagle Tactical Team will be made aware of the arrangement because I don’t want them firing her ass or kicking me to the curb as a client this better be good I say answering my phone I’m showered and dressed before the sun comes up it’s a practice day and I’ve

Got to assemble for training which at least means I’ll get out early today why did I interrupt you banging the hot bodyguard Jasper asks with a laugh there’s no way you hired her for her skill set tell me how many times a week are you putting it to her I growl at his

Insinuation do you want to lose a few teeth I didn’t call to talk hockey Jasper says and I swear he’s probably wearing the biggest smile on his face he knows how to get under my skin do you need me to bring anything to the party that’s tonight I repeat having already

Forgotten about the Backyard Barbecue and get together I had planned which was really my younger brother suggesting we all get together at my place to hang out for drinks and to chill out because his place was too small and embarrassing to host a party I’ve been playing in the league for four

Years it might be Jasper’s first year but he’s known the guys since my first year of playing I’ve made sure to include him whenever I host any Gatherings with the team he was a bit Starstruck in the beginning but now they’re like family to him and

He’s ecstatic that he’s part of the team we’re lucky he didn’t get drafted to a different city yes the party you’re hosting is tonight he says do you need me to bring anything you’re not old enough for beer I’m Mock and I swear I hear him growl back at me

I can bring some if you’re so desperate to get laid by The Bodyguard she’s the nanny I say correcting him reminding him that’s what he’s supposed to be referring to her as until I make it public that she’s not the nanny and she’s my girlfriend the last thing I

Need is him tripping up in front of his niece right Jasper laughs I can’t keep your fake [ __ ] straight are you sure you’re not banging it out with her because if you’re not I’d love my shot at the cute little you’re an [ __ ] he’s lucky he’s

Not within my vicinity or I’d be taking a swing at him an [ __ ] that you love other than your own Jasper Chuckles I’ll see you at practice I’ll bring chips and dip tonight why the hell couldn’t he have waited until we got to practice to mention the

Party probably because he knew with the stick up my ass that I’ve had all week that I blocked out the invitation to the guys mostly that stick was caused by the one and only Emerson Ryan she’d managed to turn me into more of an [ __ ] than I’m used to being lately

Which was another reason to convince her to be my pretend girlfriend she no doubt could play the part and put up with my [ __ ] better than anyone else she isn’t Star Struck like most of the girls I run into I shove my phone into my pocket and head out of my bedroom

Bristol is still sound asleep but Emerson opens her bedroom door as I head into the hallway you’re up early I say glancing her over I don’t usually see her before practice I was going to go for a run on your treadmill I hope that’s all right

I have a decent sized home gym that I’ve created not that I use it all that much most of my work is done with the team but it’s nice in the evening if I want to clear my head to do some weights or go for a run indoors

That’s not to say I don’t love running outside I prefer it but Bristol can’t keep up with my pace and I can’t ask my cousin or my brother to come and help with my daughter every time I want to leave the house which meant a home gym

Made the most sense it was practical even if I don’t take advantage of it as much as I should sure have you had a chance to pull out some resumes for nannies Emerson asks I have a list on my desk but I haven’t narrowed it down I still need to do background on

Them I’ll do that she says a little too quickly good oh also tonight I’m having a few of the guys from the team over you want me to get lost I get it she nods what time should I plan on coming back I’m surprised that she thinks I want her

Gone when my teammates come over for drinks actually I’d like you to be here when they arrive to watch Bristol she guesses you remember that I’m not really your daughter’s Nanny and I know I say with a heavy sigh and head down the stairs she’s right on my heels even though she

Has to hurry to keep up with me she’s got little legs compared to mine it’s cute how tiny she is maybe tonight we tell the guys the truth that you’re my girlfriend she’s silent and I glance at her over my shoulder as I reach the landing in the hallway

Is that a problem I ask is she having second thoughts about our arrangement I haven’t deposited the first payment into her bank account not until we’re publicly acknowledged will she receive a transfer to her account I need to know that she’s not backing out she smiles but it’s forced anyone can

See right through it which means she’s going to have to work on our fake relationship of course not her hand grips the banister of the second to the last stare White knuckled she’s having doubts but I’m not sure if it’s because we’re lying to my daughter or if there’s something else she’s not

Telling me I’m sure this won’t be easy for her being the center of attention for a while but that’s why I’m paying her adequately to compensate her for the headaches that go with being in a relationship with me not that I’d have to pay someone to really be in a

Relationship but this is fake she takes one step down and we’re the same height my hand grazes her hip pulling her tight against me my lips crushing hers proving to her that we can do this it’s as much an attempt to prove to myself that I’m not making an even bigger mistake

Emerson is rigid and everything with her feels forced no doubt even Bristol will see through the farce Emerson’s lips are sealed she doesn’t grant me entrance past her mouth it’s a chaste kiss if this is going to work I need more from her it’s obvious there’s an

Attraction I won’t deny the facts that she’s gorgeous and sexy and I’m certain she feels something for me most women throw themselves at my feet but Emerson is different what makes her tick she does like men right maybe she’s not into sweet some girls like the bad boys the rough unrefined

Ones who they know are bad news is that her type or something in between it shouldn’t matter this is nothing more than an arrangement but I want to know what drives Emerson wild she’s too buttoned up and stuffy how the hell was she ever an FBI agent I certainly don’t see her playing

Undercover if she can’t even pretend to kiss me like she means it unless it’s me she’s just not attracted to me I don’t rev her engine like the other guys my heart pounds in my chest imagining her with another man makes my blood boil who is this other man why would she let

Him kiss her I tug my fingers into her hair fisting her long locks until her neck back guiding her mouth farther up toward me taking control she gasps slightly taken aback by my forcefulness and her lips part I take it as an opportunity to explore her mouth her lips and her tongue

This time she’s not as cold and rigid as the first graze of our lips she melts into my touch her fingers fisting my shirt tightening her hold against me as she succumbs to her desires well that or she’s a fantastic actress but I doubt it’s the latter given the

First few seconds of our lips locked together the pads of her fingers move down to the Hem of my shirt teasing my hips and stomach her fingernails dragging over my skin causing my insides to warm I pull her tighter my [ __ ] throbbing from just a simple kiss

I break apart and swear I hear her whimper her eyelids flutter open and her cheeks are red she’s slightly Breathless what was that for no one is around she says her demeanor is soft and sweet unlike what I’m used to being faced with when she’s throwing questions at me it’s usually an interrogation

I needed to make sure that you could play the part of my girlfriend and I didn’t want our first kiss to be in front of everyone that means there will be a second she Whispers I don’t answer I leave her standing there while I head out the door where my driver is already

Waiting for me morning Mitchell I say as he opens the back door for me and I slide into the back seat the day goes without a hitch and by evening I’m hosting a gathering with the guys mostly it’s the team but there are a few friends I’ve made over the years whom I

Invite including Levi Luxenberg who happens to own the Luxembourg Hotel chain we met a few years back when we shared a private jet after a scheduling mix-up and the rest is history we’re gathered in the backyard a bonfire roaring to life as the guys sit around Levi brought Claire his wife but they

Left the kids at home with a sitter she’s nestled on his lap as they share one of the Adirondack chairs his arms are wrapped around her waist possessively he doesn’t need to worry none of the guys would steal her away but if she were single he would have quite the competition

So where’s the hot new nanny Jasper quips giving me a wink what’s that look for Noah asks he’s one of the three goaltenders on our team his job is to communicate and I swear it goes well beyond the ice when he’s reading body language not that it’s much

Of a secret either with my younger brother mocking me she’s busy in the house I say trying my best not to turn around and glance over my shoulder at the open window shades I want to look for her find her drag her outside and show everyone that she’s mine

Even if it’s pretend it doesn’t feel that way so I hear this new nanny is hot oh and grins and uses air quotes wait is this the chick we met at practice when she tackled Jasper to the ground is she single she is recently off the market

I say and Clear My Throat the Flames of the fire flicker upward toward the sky I shift uncomfortably from the Heat and pull my chair back a step what was she doing at your hockey practice Claire asks have you met the elusive boyfriend she’s watching me and curious her eyes tighten

And she glances at the house she’s coming outside I’ll ask her about him I open my mouth to stop her but it’s too late join us clear shouts with a friendly wave and beckons her over I glance over my shoulder and Emerson has a beer bottle in hand

She stalks methodically towards us and I stand heading over toward her what before she can finish her question I scoop her up into my arms carrying her back to my seat showing everyone that she’s mine you’re the boyfriend Claire says dumbfounded as she stares at me her mouth a gape

I’m such an idiot Emerson takes a swig of her beer one arm is gingerly wrapped around my neck from carrying her telling everyone about us Emerson asks with a Sly smile I thought we were going to do it together she stares straight into my soul her gaze never leaving my face

And I’m sure I have the stupidest grin known to man covering my lips playing the role of her boyfriend makes me way too happy I shouldn’t be playing with fire but what’s the worst that could happen I’ve already been burned how does this work Owen asks leaning forward a little too

Curious about our situation does he pay you for Nanny services and girlfriend services give me your beer I growl at Emerson prepared to Chuck it at him she raises an eyebrow I don’t know how she does it but the gesture is sexy why she asks holding it away from me

Just out of Arm’s Reach teasing me he deserves something thrown at him and waste a perfectly good beer she scoffs at my suggestion and brings the bottle to her lips tilting her head back and drowning the contents God she makes everything look sexy with her cute little mouth wrapped around the

Neck of the bottle my [ __ ] twitches she shifts her hips on my lap and she’s only making me harder is that on purpose is she toying with me because she wants me or is this a game to her and she’s really good at her little Act I’m happy for the two of you

Noah says it’s nice to see my man happy for a change maybe some of that luck will finally rub off on the ice I’m tired of our losing streak I have any sisters I do but she likes [ __ ] Emerson says and Noah’s mouth drops I have no idea whether she’s making [ __ ]

Up or just trying to get a bigger rise out of me which is working [ __ ] those words coming from her lips are tantalizing God woman I Grumble under my breath and grab her beer when she’s not paying close attention if you throw that it’s empty I scowl

I was planning on drinking it tossing it at Owen is no longer a priority she smirks all too knowingly and I can’t just sit there and take the Sass without doing something I lean in stealing her breath away with a heated kiss Levi Claire’s husband whistles as the world around us melts away

My fingers tangle in Emerson’s hair pulling her lips upward her mouth opening as I get lost in the moment with her I keep reminding myself this is all an act I need to convince my teammates that Emerson is mine she shifts her weight grinding against me as she pushes me back against the

Chair I swear I’m seeing stars and it’s not the night sky that I’m looking at because my eyes are shut and she’s lighting up the Heavens as I feel things buried deep within me the kiss we shared the other day on the stairs was pale compared to the heat

Sizzling and emanating between us now my heart pounds loud enough but I’m confident everyone within a five mile radius can hear it gosh you two get a room before you make another spawn out here for everyone to see spawn that captures my attention and I turn my head glaring at Jasper I could

Kill him right now yeah you know the little thing that runs around here and recites the alphabet in song version he’s referring to my kid obviously but Bristol hasn’t done that in years my daughter is a lot more grown up than you are I snap back at my brother

Emerson Pats my chest reassuringly settle down there I’m sure he’s just playing with you I’m not I mutter under my breath annoyed that he managed to interrupt a perfectly good moment between Emerson and me even if it isn’t real and we’re just pretending to date I’m sure as hell enjoying it

Probably because I haven’t stuck my dick in anyone in months not that I intend on doing that with Emerson that’s a line we won’t cross given that this is a business transaction and it’s Emerson she’d probably chop off my dick if given the opportunity the girl is a real firecracker and while I’m

Comfortable pretending she’s my girlfriend there’s no chance it can come to fruition we’d undoubtedly kill each other first but she’s a good actress making me believe she wants me even my body believes her but my heart should know better Owen stands up and stretches his legs approaching the fire

How long did it take for the two of you to hook up she’s been nannying for your kid for what a week really stuck it to the nanny didn’t you I stand guiding Emerson off my lap as I stalk toward Owen swing my fist back and

Land a blow Square across his cheek I’m not done with him I’m nowhere near done don’t you ever talk about M like that I say snarling as I grab him by the lapels and shove him across the lawn were just feet from the raging fire blazing beside

Us and the three guys seated closest to us jump up to intercept Owen pummels me back in the chest pushing me back not the least bit interested in Walking Away good neither am I it’s an all-out brawl between the two of us Jasper grabs Owen yanking him back

Keeping him from lunging forward it takes both Levi and Noah to hold me back from breaking Owen’s face into dozens of tiny pieces the other guys on the team stand walk it off Asher says his Gaze on me like this is somehow my fault what the hell Daddy

Bristol’s voice is soft and filled with concern I spin around and find her standing by the door in her pajamas she’s clinging to her stuffed monkey that toy gives me the creeps with its beady eyes but she loves the damn thing what is it sweetheart I ask stalking

Across the yard and back toward the house the movie ended she says staring up with wide Soulful eyes can I watch the mermaid movie Next I glance at my watch as I head into the house I’m about to shut the door when I look over my shoulder and realize that

Emerson is following me is it because of what happened outside I can’t deal with her right now of course I say to Bristol and follow her into the living room she climbs on the sofa and curls up under the blanket she stretches out laying her head on the pillow and

Staring at the screen while I switch movies within seconds I’ve Got The Little Mermaid playing and she’s happily fixated on the screen oddly enough she knows how to change the channel and find any movie she wants but I suspect she wanted to see what we were doing outside

I drop a kiss on Bristol’s cheek and she pushes me away Daddy I can’t see the movie okay okay I laugh holding my hands up and surrender I head for the hallway and notice that Emerson is watching the two of us need any help she asks although I suspect she doesn’t mean it

She made it clear that she wasn’t Bristol’s nanny I can’t expect her to help tuck my daughter in or get the kid ready for bed that’s my responsibility Emerson is here to protect her I run a hand through my hair the thought is still strange to me a girl protecting my daughter mostly

Because of her size and stature but she proved herself in the locker room and I can’t keep testing her as much as I may want to I’ve got it she just wanted another movie I say and gesture for Emerson to follow me down the hallway toward the kitchen

I’m careful to make sure I’m out of Bristol’s earshot when I add the last part and I think she secretly wanted to see what the adults were up to what was that outside Emerson asks she licks her lips and folds her arms across her chest I didn’t

Like the way Owen was talking about you I stepped closer encroaching on her personal space trying to defuse the tension building around us she’s irritated with me at least that’s what her stance and tone are telling me and I don’t need her getting feisty when all I was doing was protecting her honor

She scoffs and stares up at me her gaze never wavering I don’t need you fighting my battles I can handle Owen or any of your guy friends no I say I take another step closer and she steps slightly back bumping into the counter behind her she has nowhere else to go

No she squeaks her voice betrays her the longer I stare into her eyes the darker they become her cheeks are a faint shade of pink and her lips part does she think I’m going to kiss her I swallow back that thought or any other ones leading to the bedroom

Not that I couldn’t [ __ ] her on the kitchen counter but the shades are wide open and the guys would get quite the show my [ __ ] stirs at the thought of shoving my hand up her dress are her panties soaked the flushed look on her face tells me

That she wants me although most girls would throw themselves at my feet for a wild night with a professional hockey player but from what I’ve seen Emerson isn’t like most girls maybe that’s why I’m attracted to her she doesn’t act like she’s interested at least most of the time

The guys are watching I say as long as we are supposed to be pretending to be in a relationship I might as well take advantage of the opportunity that’s presenting itself I don’t bother to look at the open curtains to see if the guys really are

Watching us or if their backs are turned and they’re still seated around the campfire honestly they probably don’t give a [ __ ] about what Emerson and I do other than to tease the hell out of me because that’s what the guys do give me [ __ ] I dish it back it’s part of the

Camaraderie of being on the team [ __ ] she says calling my bluff and as she turns her head to see if there are any sets of eyes on us I make my move my lips crash onto hers hard and fierce I tangle my fingers in her hair gripping

Her to me pressing my body firmly against hers I want her to feel my [ __ ] through my jeans and know that I want her it’s all a game a war to see who can last the longest and not break I want to [ __ ] her right here right now

Her mouth opens and whether she knows the guys aren’t watching or not she gives me what I desire tongue [ __ ] her is fun but it’s not enough it’s not nearly satisfying as I yank her head to the side and my mouth descends on her neck biting and nipping at her skin

I intend to Mark her I want any man who gets a glimpse of her collarbone to know she belongs to me if she so much is thanks about going out on a date with another man there will be questions if they see my mark [ __ ] why am I thinking about her dating

Another man she belongs to me I paid for her time her body and her ability to be my fake girlfriend that comes with exclusivity at least from her Kyler she rasps and her words are sweet and sultry they make my [ __ ] even harder with one hand buried in her hair I take

Another forceful bruising Taste of her lips needing to satisfy the craving Building inside of me I drag my other hand up her thigh beneath her little black dress and feel her panties soaked as I dip my fingers inside you’re so [ __ ] wet for me I bite her lips wanting to make her come

It’s not for you she says denying me any hint of satisfaction liar I don’t believe her she’s displaying all the signs of arousal her breathing is heavier and thick her eyelids drooping and her panties are soaked if not for me then who here has you dripping wet

I grab her [ __ ] waiting for her to answer she presses her lips together trying to keep her composure I plan on tearing it down here brother she says with a smirk and my eyes widen I’m sure as hell she’s trying to make me jealous and rile me up well it’s working

Every Pang of jealousy imaginable seeps through my veins she won this battle you want to [ __ ] my brother Jasper I say I can’t [ __ ] believe her I spin her around and loosen the button and zipper on my jeans pulling my [ __ ] out I stroke the length with one hand while I

Continue to grip her [ __ ] holding her to me but not giving her the satisfaction she wants I’m not fingering or [ __ ] her yet you’re going to beg for my [ __ ] I say her hips gyrate against my palm when I don’t use my fingers to tease her

I want to I want to plunge my digits into her warmth and make her scream my name my name not my dumbass Brothers I swear if you say Jasper’s name I will rail the [ __ ] out of your tight little ass jealous she’s thrusting against my palm

Trying to get off and I smack her [ __ ] she gasps and I’m pretty sure that’s a chorus of pure pleasure as she rocks against my hand do that again she Whispers do what I ask my lips against her ear as I smack her [ __ ] and grab my shaft dragging it over her bottom

Oh she shudders and I haven’t even [ __ ] her do you like ass play I ask nipping her neck and her shoulder I don’t I don’t know she stammers I’ve never her voice Trails off when I remove my hand from her [ __ ] and slide her bottom cheeks apart

Say my brother’s name again and I’ll [ __ ] you hard in your tight little ass I warn her her breath catches in her throat unless you like it dirty I whisper she tilts her head back to the side and I bite her lips [ __ ] me Emerson says and I want to more than anything

No not until you beg for it I command I Glide two fingers into her [ __ ] and my thumb grazes her little pink pucker her hips shift and she grips the counter leaning forward she gasps and she’s not the least bit quiet I have half a mind to silence her

But I want the guys to hear her screaming my name let them know I’m [ __ ] her have them come and watch if they want I drive two then three fingers into her tight [ __ ] and my thumb circles her pink Pucker she tightens her insides clenching down as she thrusts against my hand

I’ll [ __ ] you princess but you have to beg for my [ __ ] oh God she screams and wiggles her hips and gyrates as she leans farther back half bent toward the counter giving me the perfect view of her ass and her [ __ ] lips from behind I stroke my [ __ ] the condoms upstairs

And Out Of Reach I won’t chance getting her pregnant [ __ ] her bear won’t do either of us any good if she gets knocked up [ __ ] me she’s clinching down her inside’s quivering as the first wave begins to Ripple through her not until you beg for me I say

I Glide my [ __ ] against her [ __ ] lips teasing her with my head tell me you want my [ __ ] in your ass she gasps and trembles her [ __ ] walls clenching onto my fingers as her full orgasm rips through her she tightens dripping wet and gasping for breath her [ __ ] is all over me

And I withdraw my fingers wishing it were my [ __ ] spinning her around bringing them to her lips suck I say putting my fingers to her mouth Emerson opens her mouth and I guide my two fingers coated in her [ __ ] juices past her lips she obeys sucking them clean I might actually explode

My [ __ ] twitches and throbs watching her suck my fingers tasting herself it’s a huge [ __ ] turn on and most girls refuse my kink she’s staring up at me her dress falls back down around her and other than her messy sex hair and the Flesh on her

Cheeks no one would know what she’s done on your knees I command pushing her shoulder down and she instantly falls to the ground her lips parting as she takes my [ __ ] in her mouth her tongue is like heaven as she takes me in past those sassy little lips of hers

My fingers tangle in her dark hair and my eyes shut as she takes me deeper into her mouth my [ __ ] throbs and aches growing closer as the back door swings open and two of the guys Jasper and Noah walk in on the impressive [ __ ] whoa Jasper says covering his eyes at least

Warn a man like put a sock on the doorknob or something Noah is grinning like an idiot when Emerson releases her mouth from my [ __ ] I’m rock hard even with two spectators three if you count Emerson staring at my glistening shaft like it’s a lollipop and she wants another taste out

I shout at the two men by the door hey guys wanna watch Kyler get sucked off by his new girlfriend Jasper shouts over his shoulder at the team I’m going to [ __ ] kill you I growl at my younger brother Emerson stands and wipes the imaginary dirt from her dress

Don’t worry princess no one is looking at you I’m going to have the worst case of blue balls I shove my [ __ ] back into my jeans just as several other members of the team come barreling toward the back entrance seriously I can’t believe them never took you all for voyers I mutter

What’s going on Levi asks what are we watching Owen is next poking his head in behind the other guys maybe they didn’t hear verbatim What Jasper said only that they should come and look and I want to kick the [ __ ] out of my brother for ruining a perfectly good [ __ ] with Emerson

I’m not sure there will even be a second chance after what just transpired between us it was [ __ ] hot but the fake Arrangement didn’t include sex finger [ __ ] or [ __ ] Emerson sneaks off toward the fridge a few feet away opening it as she buries her head in there

She’s probably trying to cool herself off or maybe she hopes that they’ll forget she’s in the room grab me a water I say to her bringing the attention back to her kill me now she mutters into the fridge she grabs two bottles of water tosses one at me and keeps one for herself

Chapter 8 Emerson it’s been two weeks actually 15 days since the amazing orgasm Kyler Grayson gave me two weeks since my lips were wrapped around his enormous [ __ ] that I surprisingly didn’t gag on that was a first and we haven’t spoken about it since I probably shouldn’t have told him I

Wanted his brother which was in fact a lie Jasper is a nice guy but he’s not my type I was trying to make Kyler jealous and it seemed to work he does realize I’m not interested in his brother right Kyler has been all business for the past two weeks

With games at home and away I’ve been looking after Bristol without any time off except while she’s in school apparently I did a good enough job convincing the team that I’m Kyler’s girlfriend getting down on your knees and blowing a guy is a convincing enough act that we

Haven’t had to make any public appearances yet I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on Bristol while Kyler has been interviewing potential nannies for an actual position involving caring for his daughter not that I couldn’t care for her but I can’t do an adequate job of watching surveillance footage and making sure

That everything is secure while I’m cooking her dinner or getting her ready for a bath before bed we need to settle on a nanny I say gesturing to the file folders spread across the kitchen counter it’s been hard to pin Kyler down long enough for him to hire someone

Are you leaving Emmy Bristol asks glancing up from the picture that she’s working on the kid has a knack for drawing at six I was still making stick figures no sweetie your dad and I we think it would be a good idea for you to have a new nanny

I say glancing at Kyler and waiting for him to elaborate he should be the one explaining to his daughter why he’s hiring a nanny he never should have lied to her and put me in this predicament in the first place I don’t want you to leave Bristol says

Slamming her colored pencil onto the table I want Emmy to watch me and Emerson will be here with you Kyler says bending down to her level but she’s my girlfriend he says glancing at me my stomach has a thousand tiny butterflies fluttering its wings on his admission because it isn’t real even if

He makes me feel things that seem like they are it’s all a ruse and lying again to Bristol doesn’t feel like the right thing to do she’ll be crushed when she realizes that we’re no longer together because that’s the only viable outcome when everything settles down and Bristol is no longer in danger

You’re dating the nanny Bristol says her eyes widen and she glances from her dad to me does this mean you’ll be my mom thankfully Kyler answers before I have to disappoint the six-year-old no sweetie Emerson and I aren’t getting married we’re just dating like we talked

About the thing you get to do when you’re 30. her nose scrunches and she glances back at me are you sure you want to kiss my daddy that’s gross a smile grazes my face and I try my best not to laugh definitely gross I say with a wicked grin

But more importantly I’m not going anywhere I’m still going to be here with you and your Nanny but she’s going to help you make dinner when your dad is at his away games and when oh so she’s like a chef Bristol says her eyes lighting up good because you’re cooking stinks

I never claimed to be the best cook but I wouldn’t consider my food inedible Bristol had pushed her food around her plate a bit but I assumed it was because she was picky I don’t understand why Emmy can’t watch me and you just hire a really good cook

Bristol is adamant about my culinary skills lacking Emmy is taking care of some important business matters for me when I’m away she can’t do that and watch you all the time Kyler drops a kiss on his daughter’s forehead Emmy I press my lips together finding the nickname far more endearing than Eminem

Maybe it’ll stick with Kyler do you want to vet the list of potential candidates Kyler asks gesturing to the manila folders on the kitchen counter I thought you’d never ask I tease grinning at him as I take a cursory glance through each one I’ll have to do a more thorough

Investigation into each potential new hire more specifically Eagle tactical will have to do the background check but I can stalk the potential candidates on social media and see if any obvious red flags come up with a little minor digging each file has a picture along with the potential candidate’s resume

They are far more impressive than my nannying experience but then again I never was a nanny and it had only been to convince Bristol of why I was there and watching over her we’ve spent enough time together these past couple of weeks that hopefully when

I see her off to school and pick her up she won’t think anything of it are all the new hires young and gorgeous I can’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy seep into my veins they’re all in their early twenties the same as me but they’re cute

And I swear they could all be cheerleaders or whatever type of girl chases after a hockey player do they even have cheerleaders at hockey games I didn’t notice Kyler says and I glance at him but he’s not smirking he seems genuine in his acknowledgment I’ll let you pick the top three that

Meet your expectations for my daughter’s safety and then I’ll interview them none of them have Decades of experience I say I was hoping he’d have picked an older woman someone he wouldn’t think twice about sleeping or flirting with definitely jealous I suppose not but I thought that Bristol

Might Bond better with someone younger I bite down on my tongue because I don’t think it’s Bristol he’s thinking of when it comes to bonding with anyone I grabbed the stack of files and shove them on top of one another grabbing them from the counter I pushed them into his chest

Find someone more qualified is that all it is you don’t think they’re qualified because I’m confident that with what I’m paying I’ll get the best that money can buy all of these girls have a degree in elementary education some of them have spent the last couple of years teaching grade school

You’re not hiring a tutor you need a nanny I say as if that emphasizes my point but I don’t think it does and there plenty qualified but if you don’t think they’re the best candidates for whatever reason I’ll contact the agency and have them suggest a dozen more whom you can vet

He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a heavy sigh am I being unfair I want what’s best for Bristol and if one of these girls is the best thing for her shouldn’t I look past the fact that they’re cute maybe one of them is happily married and

I won’t have to worry I wince up my own thoughts what’s wrong Kyler asks studying me I hate how much he’s an open book and although I tried to keep my thoughts and feelings buried away I’m not great at it it’s nothing he steps closer tell me he says his tone Stern

If it involves a nanny or my daughter out with it I inhale sharply and exhale a nervous breath I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea when you hire a nanny who’s cuter than I am you’re jealous he States it’s an accusation not a question I lower my voice making sure Bristol

Doesn’t overhear us as I step closer I’m just worried about your image if you are paying me to be your girlfriend what will everyone think when you bring home an even hotter nanny his gaze flickers and he glances me over like he’s studying my body trying to decide if I’m right or not

I’m not hiring a 50 year old woman to watch my kid someone older wouldn’t be able to keep up with Bristol and all her after-school activities I’m not jealous I counter but my heart slams against my rib cage and my stomach is a bundle of knots

He nods slowly but he’s not buying my story you’re right we do need to keep up appearances when we bring in the new hire you’ll need to come to a few of my games no one is going to believe you’re my girlfriend if you’re never around my eyes flicker with concern

What about your daughter I can’t protect her if I’m at the arena you’ll bring her with you and the nanny can come too Kyler says with a shrug it’ll make it more believable if you go out with me and the guys for drinks can’t bring a

Kid to the bar and the nanny can take Bristol home and tuck her into bed I can’t protect Bristol if I’m not around her I say did he forget why he hired me his gaze flinches yeah I know it’s fine if we have Mitchell chauffeuring Bristol and the nanny back to the house

He has special forces training and can handle anything thrown at him why isn’t he Bristol’s bodyguard he is when he drives her around but I need someone who can look out for me too he can’t be in two places at once wait he’s your bodyguard why didn’t anyone mention that Kyler had

A bodyguard I don’t need anyone protecting me but I trust Mitchell and I’d rather have someone on my payroll who has his level of expertise exactly that’s why I think these nannies are less than Stellar they’re too young to have enough experience the money can’t be a factor in determining who

He’s hiring he has plenty of it given his net worth this discussion is over Kyler says shaking his head he walks out of the kitchen probably trying to get away from me I send the list of potential candidates over to Jackson at Eagle tactical to run a detailed background and Analysis on

Each of the girls applying for the position it takes a few days to get the results but all of them are clean with not so much as a parking ticket or moving violation ever no criminal records they all graduated with honors and have Stellar letters of recommendation

It’s almost as if they’re too good to be true but I choose three candidates and leave those files on the kitchen counter for him Kyler can choose which Nanny he wants to hire out of the three I’ll just have to accept that someone else will be in his life

Not that it should matter I’m hired as his daughter’s bodyguard but why do I have to keep reminding myself of that fact it’s obvious that Kyler’s interest in me is strictly for the sake of his image he’s up for a new contract at the end of the season and making himself a

Household name by putting himself in front of the media helps with his career it doesn’t hurt that he’s an amazing player too but being all over the news helps give him an edge it helps him get a bigger contract he’s home late after a game and Bristol is already in bed

I’m sitting on the sofa reading a hot new romance novel that just released when he pokes his head into the living room how was she tonight he’s got a hell of a bruise on his cheek disappointed that you didn’t get to tuck her into bed but I got her bathed teeth

Brushed and read her a story are you okay I ask he gestures at his face it looks worse than it is are you sure you’re not secretly the perfect nanny Kyler says as he comes to sit beside me on the sofa I close my book leaving the back cover

Up so that he can’t see the title of the steamy Romance pretty sure I say with a faint smile I left you three potential Nanny candidates on the counter and they all claim to have culinary skills perfect Bristol will be thrilled he nudges me with his shoulder do you

Have plans for Friday night aside from watching Bristol I ask it’d be nice if he had the nanny start by then so that I wasn’t pulling double duty the only free time I have is when Bristol is at school The Bodyguard job isn’t 40 hours a week

My cousin is willing to keep her for the night you and I have a party to attend we do I ask and my mouth suddenly goes dry what kind of party the team is attending a charity event and we’re expected to bring a date which means you’re going to be the highlight

Of the evening I doubt that I say with a laugh what kind of event what’s the attire it’s fundraising for the local children’s hospital every couple of months the team goes to visit the sick kids we sign jerseys and bring a little light into their Bleak lives

The attire for the gala is Black Tie super fancy he tilts his head glancing at my book Kyler tries to flip the book nonchalantly with his finger but my death grip doesn’t let him glance at the title he’ll tease me until the end of days if he sees what I’m reading

Nope I press the book to my chest the cover buried against me oh really his eyes sparkle and his boyish grin makes my heart flutter in a matter of seconds he has me pinned beneath him as he tries to pry the book with one hand and his fingers tickle

Against my stomach with the other he’s bigger than I am and a hell of a lot stronger but that doesn’t mean I get to fight fair I’ve had my share of stronger men at Quantico during training think they can topple me and win looks can be deceiving I tangle our legs

And flip us onto the floor rather roughly Kyler lands smack on his back and Grunts from the Sudden Impact he winces he wasn’t expecting me to fight back I’m lying above him the book nestled between us don’t mess with the girl I say staring down at him I’m straddling his hips and

The position is definitely enticing with his rock hard body beneath me it takes everything in my power not to wiggle my hips against his and tease him is that so Kyler grins pretty pleased with himself he grabs my wrists and binds them together with one hand

Rolling us around and pinning me on my back against the floor his hips straddle me but the book is no longer pressed between us it lies unceremoniously against my chest don’t even think about it I warn or what the grin on his face makes my stomach

Somersault and with one hand he keeps me pinned down and with the other he knocks the book to the floor managing to flip it over lady porn that’s cute I scoff at his suggestion it’s not porn then why were you trying to hide it he asks jailed little Jade sounds like something

That would give you a lady boner i knee him in the thighs careful not to injure his groin or hurt him too much since he has another game tomorrow and I swiftly roll out from under him what do you know about lady boners I laugh sitting up on the floor my back

Against the sofa I’d say I know a thing or two about making a girl moan Kyler grins staring at me want to go for round two this time no interruptions the room is several degrees warmer and I laugh nervously glancing away I grab my book bringing it back onto my

Lap as I pull my knees to my chest we were just pretending for your friend’s sake I say the harmless Crush I feel towards Kyler Isn’t So harmless if I catch feelings for him and that isn’t an option he’s an NHL player I’m just me there are a million girls out there who

Would tear down this door for one night with him I’m not that girl not that I wouldn’t love to experience a night with him but I have to be realistic and not set myself up for failure again too bad my friends aren’t here he says and sits up beside me leaning on the

Sofa he drapes his arm across the cushions and I swear it’s a maneuver to cuddle me except he doesn’t place his arm on my shoulder like I think he might I try to mask my disappointment oh yeah we have the meeting at Bristol school tomorrow morning Kyler says

Tomorrow happens to be Monday way to start the week off head on the one with the Moretti family he’d been trying to schedule the conference with the school and there were constantly conflicting schedules between his games and the other family not being available the one and only he says with a heavy sigh

I’d like you to be there but I also want to know Bristol is safe I’ll watch Bristol I say in agreement it’s not really my place to attend the parent-teacher conference the Headmaster is asked for Bristol to attend the meeting I think he’s expecting an apology from her

Kyler grimaces and rubs his forehead you’re concerned I say about the Moretti family or Bristol I ask sensing his discontent he’s silent and the air is thick surrounding us it’s unlike Kyler to not say what’s on his mind both I’ll be there I reiterate I won’t let anything happen to your daughter

Thank you he whispers when the school day ends Kyler and I head into Briarwood he’s done a decent job covering up the bruise on his cheek and his knuckles he got into it with someone on the ice but he won’t talk to me about it shrugs it off as game stuff

That happens during a hockey game the kids are bustling out the door with their teacher as she signs them out for pickup I’m always on high alert looking for potential threats although the biggest one is where we’re heading the headmaster’s office we’re meeting with the Moretti’s and I’m not thrilled with

The idea of being in the same room with Antonio the head of the mafia not that we’ve had a run-in together other than during pickup time with the kids I didn’t last very long at the FBI given the circumstances for why I left and so

At least I never had to work a case involving the Italian mafia which is good considering he’d find me a threat if he knew who I was in a former life but my work with the FBI is behind me the boys club with their sexual innuendos and trying to get the newly

Appointed women agents drunk and into bed during their own brand of initiation for new agents sucked [ __ ] me I thought College was bad and maybe I should have done more but it was his word against mine and he was a senior supervisory agent I was fresh out of Quantico

Not to mention he was married yeah I [ __ ] that up for him at least I’m no saint but she deserved to know the truth about her husband even if she didn’t want to see it one last glance and there’s a woman in the distance standing outside the wrought iron gates

She’s watching the school the teachers and maybe even us she doesn’t come inside to pick up her kid there’s something about her but I shrug it off I don’t sense any immediate danger or threat but something feels off my hairs prick on the back of my arms

But it could also be that we’re walking in alongside the Moretti family Antonio and his wife Alexandra she rests a hand on his arm it’s possessive and his tight gaze screams that if you mess with him he’ll murder you okay maybe it’s just the fact I know

He’s killed people for a living that makes me feel uneasy around him I stand between Antonio and Kyler doing what I can to protect him from the morettis Kyler is tall he’s at least six foot and while Antonio isn’t short by any means he’s also not quite built like a hockey player

You should let me stand on the inside Kyler Whispers into my ear it’s difficult to hear him amongst the hustle and bustle of the few kids remaining in school for after school activities and sports he wants to protect me from Antonio Moretti that’s Charming but completely unnecessary

Kyler reaches for my hand a sign of solidarity at least I think that’s what he’s going for he doesn’t have a wife to accompany him like Antonio does you’re dating the nanny Antonio apparently sees the gesture and can’t stop himself from stating the obvious Kyler beams his face lighting up as we

Stop and he tugs my hand to keep me from going any farther toward the headmaster’s office apparently Bristol can wait a little while longer for us because Kyler is ready to have a pissing match with the head of the mafia this can’t be good is that what you’d call it sweetheart

Kyler says staring down into my eyes he releases his grip on my hand only to move his hands to my cheeks his palms are huge as they envelop my face I’d say we had him and the rest of the world fooled Kyler is grinning and Antonio raises a

Curious eye as he stands there taking it all in I don’t give a rat’s ass what you two are you could be felons for all I [ __ ] care just keep your daughter away from my son Antonio is staring fiercely at Kyler when he says your daughter

He probably would like it if we were dirty that way he’d have someone else to do his bidding on his payroll I’m his girlfriend I announce proudly The Nanny was a ruse and your lame ass fell for it whatever who gives a [ __ ] and why the [ __ ] did you bring the nanny

Antonio glares at us like we’ve lost our minds maybe we have the ruse wasn’t to convince Antonio of our relationship but maybe we could convince him that I’m actually Bristol’s biological mother in which case any concern regarding Ashley would be Moot and since Kyler doesn’t seem to give a

[ __ ] when it comes to telling Tall Tales this one would actually help solve one problem not create two new ones you don’t think it’s sweet the two of us finally rekindled our relationship after all these years and Bristol is my daughter I say with determination I’m her mother

Kyler winces at first glance and his jaw is set tight okay not exactly what I was going for he looks pissed but I’m slightly concerned that look is at me and not at the culprit the man standing across from him Alexandra smacks her husband’s arm

It’s kind of sweet don’t be such a dick she says to him her mother Antonio says and Huff’s you abandoned your kid for years that’s really Noble of you showing up now when Kyler Grayson is wildly famous you think I’m famous Kyler grins trying to Defuse The Situation

Do you want an autograph I don’t have any jerseys with me but I’ll bet there’s a marker somewhere around I can sign your arm I’ll even give you permission to get it tattooed forever I cover my lips with my hand trying not to chuckle too loudly let’s get on with the conference Antonio

Grumbles stalking for the headmaster’s office he drags his wife alongside him and they walk on ahead of us the last 20 or so feet to the main office Kyler pulls me back a little keeping us farther away from Antonio and Alexandra he leans against me his arm brushing

Mine as he whispers into my ear that was quite a bomb you just dropped her mother his tongue darts out to the side of his mouth as he stares at me his jaw tight I had to think on my feet I say we’ll talk more after we’re done he says

His arm wrapping around my waist as he accompanies me into the main office Bristol is seated by the door legs swinging nervously as she Rings her hands together beside her is a little boy scowling in her Direction Liam Moretti I recognize him from pickup after school

The boy seems a bit feral although I’m not sure if that’s as much from the dirt on his clothes from recess and a little that stained his cheek can we go home Bristol asks the moment she sees her father no we’re having a conference with the Headmaster Kyler says reminding her although I

Doubt she needs reminding it seems more likely that she’s trying to get out of it I can’t say that I blame her I’d be doing the same thing bummer she grumbles under her breath the Headmasters door swings open just as we arrive I’d like to speak with the parents first

He says sharply Bristol’s eyes widen and she glances at me for help this isn’t my expertise getting her out of that kind of trouble behave Kyler warns his daughter before heading into the headmaster’s office he glances back at me as I stall at the entrance it’s not really my place to

Attend and isn’t it better if I’m at Bristol’s side watching over her come on you’re her mother he says under his breath tugging my hand and practically dragging me into the conference crap well I did that one to myself have a seat the Headmaster says and

Gestures to the three chairs in the room it’s obvious that he had two extra seats brought in likely for this very meeting sit Kyler commands nodding for me to take a seat you take it I whisper it wasn’t like I planned on being in the room

And I can do a better job of keeping Kyler safe if I’m standing and on high alert as it is I don’t like having my back to the door I give his hand a firm squeeze silently trying to tell him I want him to sit without making a fuss over the situation

His gaze tightens and then he nods sitting in the chair I stand behind him one hand on his shoulder he’s tall and even while seated he is enormous there’s an heir to him and when he walks into the room everyone takes notice I thought it was because he was a famous

Hockey player but the more I come to know Kyler the more I think it’s just him he’s magnetic I thought we were only bringing in parents to this meeting the Headmaster says and although he’s talking about me he’s staring at Kyler disapprovingly Antonio clears his throat

Turns out she’s the kid’s mother the way he says it puts me on the defensive oh the Headmaster says his brown knit and he gives a nod then I suppose it’s good for her to be here perhaps being in Bristol’s life again will give her a positive female role model

I want to slap the guy but instead I dig my fingernails into my hand the pain biting me from using my Sharp tongue how have the children been since the last incident several weeks ago Alexandra asks Liam’s teacher hasn’t mentioned any further incidents between the kids their teacher will be joining us shortly

The Headmaster says but I would like a united front among the parents it’s important that the children see the parents getting along which might help alleviate some of the problems excuse me I can’t keep my mouth shut what the hell is he insinuating the Headmaster shoots me a look as if to

Say that I have no place here but he continues on with whatever asinine idea he has running through his thick skull it would be beneficial to have both families gathered together to get past the differences between the children you want us to invite them over for a barbecue Antonio asks shocked by the

Suggestion we don’t entertain people we don’t know precisely the Headmaster says I want both of your families to get to know one another whatever differences your children have we need to be able to put them aside it’s a teaching moment it’s an insane moment thankfully I’m quick enough to not let

My mouth run with that thought it’s a horrible idea letting the Moretti family into our home or vice versa what the hell is the Headmaster up to he knows the Moretti’s are part of the Italian mafia with one hand I grip Kyler’s shoulder he’s rigid and tense and so is Antonio

Neither wants to go through with this arrangement we’ll do it but it has to accommodate my schedule Kyler says Antonio glares at Kyler you’re not the only one who has important meetings to attend Alexandra reaches for her husband’s hand play nice she warns him her voice is

Soft and coaxing and he seems to relax under her touch perhaps I should get to know Alexandra she might be an ally in this whole predicament that we’ve found ourselves involved in that’s not to say that she’s not Mafia because she is but her name strikes me

As Russian and that I find even more perplexing because the Russians and Italians do not get along chapter nine Kyler Emerson vetted the potential candidates for me to hire as a nanny they have the qualifications and on paper they’re perfect but none of them are Emmy as Bristol

Likes to call her but I can’t keep putting the pressure on Emerson to babysit Bristol I need a nanny Leah is the best on paper and holds up to every standard I could ever expect but I value Emerson’s opinion and I need to see how she interacts with Bristol as well

I text Emerson even though she’s just out back with Bristol in the garden I want both of them to meet this nanny the others were qualified but didn’t really pique my interest in the same way within a few short minutes Bristol comes jogging in m is just a few steps behind her

You called boss she says with a teasing grin Leah I’d like you to meet my daughter Bristol and my girlfriend Emerson em may be around a little more than what you’re used to just to make sure the transition is smooth I say not wanting the nanny to know

About any inherent danger in the job it’s nice to meet you Leah says shaking Emerson’s hand and then bristles what do you like to do for fun Bristol she asks giving my daughter her undivided attention I let the two of them Converse glancing every so often at their Exchange

Bristol immediately seems to take to her and I nod for Emerson to join me on the other side of the desk so that we can speak quietly I think she’s the one I whisper to em wanting to get her approval her gaze tightens for only a second

Before nodding her eyes are on Leah and Bristol the entire time while keeping her voice low so only I can hear her she’s qualified there’s no question it’s a statement both of us had been through the list of candidates repeatedly before settling on three who were the best for the job

What do you think about her watching Bristol while the two of us attend the charity gala I want Em’s honest opinion I value her input she lets out a soft sigh I prefer someone with different qualifications M says glancing at me giving me a look to tell me she wants someone who can

Protect my daughter not just babysit her Mitchell will be parked right outside except for when he drives us to the gala she presses her lips together unconvinced yes to her as The Nanny and maybe for the charity event I should be making sure that your daughter is safe not playing your girlfriend

Her words strike a chord within me it hurts but I don’t let on to it and I’m paying you to accompany me to these types of events to be my girlfriend I say I glance at Leah who seems to be focused on Bristol but this conversation needs

To take a different turn I don’t want her overhearing anything about my arrangement with Emerson Daddy can we hire her Bristol asks before I have time to pull my daughter aside and ask her what she thinks of Leah when can you start hiring Leah was a good decision

She’s only been with us a few days but already M seems not to be so overwhelmed while she accompanies The Nanny to school in the afternoon for pickup with Mitchell on the premises it gives her the morning free to herself but she’s insisted on still being there

In the afternoon which I find oddly satisfying like she wants to be in Bristol’s life yes I know it’s just a job she’s hired to protect my daughter but I can’t help but think maybe she wants to be here too and with that realization it Dawns on me that Emerson’s not going anywhere

She’s here to stay at least while the threat remains on my family and she’s my fake girlfriend if I’m honest I could drag it out I rather like having her attention on me as if I’m the only one in the world who exists I’m a selfish bastard for making her

Play the role of my girlfriend but it’ll be so worth it especially tonight at the charity event Mitchell comes Waltzing in through the front entrance carrying a garment bag in one hand and a shopping bag in the other Mr Grayson he says announcing his presence I can see him over the banister

From upstairs I knew the minute he opened the front gate that he was on his way inside but I appreciate what he was trying to do I glance at the garment bag everything go okay at the store I don’t need any surprises perfectly I have what you requested for this evening

Great bring it upstairs a gesture for him to come on up and then I lead him to Emerson’s room having him hang the dress on the closet door and leave the shoes in the Box on the floor nearby are you sure it’ll fit sir you only have

A few hours until the event this evening he’s more concerned than I am about the gown and shoes I snuck a peek inside her closet while she was away and contacted one of the designers I use to guarantee that the dress and shoes would fit Emerson there are some surprises I don’t like

And not having the dress and shoes fit on the night of the event is one of them it’s fine Mitchell she should be back from the park with Bristol any minute I just miss him for the rest of the afternoon he’ll be required to drive us

To and from the event this evening and I don’t want him getting tired behind the wheel or distracted the front buzzer whales and I grab my phone letting Leah inside unlike some nannies who live with their employers Leah is more of a day shift nanny she helps with Bristol during

Business hours or when I have away games there’s an extra bedroom for her if she needs to sleep over but it’s not a requirement of the job I suppose some of the responsibility still falls on Emerson but not nearly as much Leah makes the meals gets Bristol ready

For bed and once she’s asleep is free to go so long as m is home to take over it’s an arrangement that seems to work for everyone it gives Emerson more free time and Bristol is ecstatic to have two people who adore her Emerson punches in the code at the front

Gate when they arrive back from the park it’s a short walk a couple of blocks away and with the weather being nice today I’m happy to see Bristol get out and run around for a bit my phone buzzes with a visual of the two girls coming back from the park I can’t

Help but smile at the side of them and shove my phone into my pocket I need to shower and get dressed shortly for the gala but I want to surprise em with the gown and shoes that I picked out just for her hey she says opening the front door surprised to see me

I’m usually busy buried in the gym working out if I’m home and have a little free time no workout this afternoon I had practice with the guys this morning I remind her I’m still a little sore from the beating that I had on the ice the other day the bruise on my face

Was nothing compared to the bruise on my chest from James I can’t even remember when the beef between us started but every time we’re playing the bruisers he’s always coming at me and I’m nailing his ass to the wall the other day it felt like we saw more

Of the Penalty Box than the ice seems neither of us are willing to forget a grudge but the gala is tonight and I’m grateful for the time away from work I certainly intend to enjoy Emerson’s company I have a surprise for you I say for me Bristol’s eyes widen for both of you

I don’t want to disappoint my daughter when the surprise is solely for Emerson I tread carefully wanting to make this into something fun oh Bristol’s eyes light up and she hurries over toward me excitedly the kid is spoiled rotten but that’s my own doing I want to give her everything as long as

She appreciates it Leah is going to watch you tonight I had Mitchell pick up some cookie dough so she can make you an extra yummy snack after dinner Bristol Grins and Taps her fingers together excitedly yum I’m relieved that the cookie dough is enough of a surprise to excite my daughter

Do you have a treat for me too em asks a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips actually I do but it’s more the kind of surprise that you wear come with me I take her hand and lead her up the stairs to her bedroom what are we

Bristol is following on our heels and M keeps giving me a question and glance with our little shadow in tow I open the door to her bedroom and the garment bag is hanging obtrusively from the door what’s that she asks glancing from the closet to me and Back Again open it I say

I lean against the door frame a smug grin on my face as she saunters into her bedroom and slowly unzips the bag she gasps as she unwraps the dress from the bag Kyler it’s too much you shouldn’t have I can’t accept you can and you will I say it isn’t a question

The charity event this evening is extravagant and I need you looking the part of a hockey player’s girlfriend and it’s no secret my net worth you can’t attend in anything less stunning it would reflect poorly on me and this is the image that you want of me on your arm wearing this

She Whispers In Awe yes I want everyone staring at you I confess I want to make all the men jealous and all the women envious of her it shouldn’t be difficult considering how stunning she always looks in a simple pair of jeans or black leggings and a t-shirt

Crap I’m going to need a pair of shoes already done I pointed the Box on the floor near the closet my daughter grabs the box and hands it to Emerson open it Bristol says excitedly slowly Emerson lifts the lid of the box and I didn’t expect her to be even more surprised wow

You’ve really outdone yourself and everything will fit I say I have no doubt she will look amazing in The Ensemble try it on Bristol squeals with excitement jumping up and down Emerson looks Exquisite the Gown fits her like a glove it’s tight in all the right places which doesn’t do me any

Favors as she struts down the staircase with her grand entrance we need to head out to the event but I can’t take my eyes off her body it’s hard not to stare as the v-line of the dress dips down into her cleavage leaving me with quite an eyeful

I’m a man it’s hard not to stare at her assets I’ll have to send an extra large tip to the tailor who made sure the dress fit perfectly I owe him big time is it too much Emerson asks her cheeks blush and she pushes a strand of hair behind her ear

It’s perfect I whisper I escort her outside and Mitchell is waiting for us he opens the back door and Emerson slides into the back seat I shuffle around to the opposite side to climb in beside her while Mitchell shuts her door we’re really doing this she says and

Bites down on her bottom lip Mitchell pulls us away from the house I glance back knowing that Bristol is safe with Leah the security system is armed and if anyone should so much as open a window I’ll know about it I don’t worry about Bristol at home the

Concern is when she’s outside where I can’t protect her I reach for Emerson’s hand and she forces a smile you’ll do fine I say and offer a smile trying to reassure her that she has nothing to worry about we can pull this off we certainly did well with my

Teammates and friends visiting not that I expect her to get down on her knees and put on a show during the gala although wouldn’t that be something if she did it would certainly make the headlines I shift uncomfortably that’s not the kind of press I need right now

Coach Malone has been on my ass for showing up late to practice I’m always on time for game day but I’ve been stretched a bit thin before Emerson waltzed into my life another reason I’m doing this Gala it’s punishment for me showing up late contractually we’re required to do a

Certain number of appearances per season but I got shafted with doing a few extra big events it’s also a cause that I want to support which is why I’m happy to be such a large donor for the gala I don’t blame coach for chewing me out and forcing me to attend this charity

Function he didn’t have a choice Malone is a tough ass but he’s Fair it’s the owner Brent Fitzgerald who has my balls and his grip and he’d love to squeeze the [ __ ] out of them to torture me you would think being a hot shot hockey player would usurp the issues with

Fitzgerald but my contract is up at the end of the season and he’s got balls of steel when it comes to negotiating he always gets what he wants and if he thinks he can hire someone younger and cheaper I’ll be tossed aside it’s not like I need the money I’m a [ __ ] billionaire

At least that’s what everyone keeps saying and they’re not wrong but I love being on the ice and playing professionally is a dream come true and now that Jasper has finally made the team I don’t want to leave the ice dragons I’d pay to stay on the team

[ __ ] I’ve lost my mind I’m madly in love with the sport I feel at home alive when I’m on the ice the tension before a game the adrenaline while on the ice the screams of the crowd when we make a shot it’s freeing like nothing else in the world exists

Besides New York is my home and the team is my extended family so I’m doing my best to impress Brent Fitzgerald tonight who will be in attendance and flaunting my gorgeous fake girlfriend in his face will hopefully make him realize I have the support he tells me I desperately need and he’s not

Wrong I do need a support system depending on my cousin isn’t fair to her she has a family of her own and my brother can’t help anymore now that he’s on the team are you okay M’s voice pulls me from my thoughts as she squeezes my hand beside me in the vehicle nervous

She asks trying to guess what’s running through my head she has no idea about Fitzgerald and how his brother and I are rivals on the ice but James isn’t here just Brent the owner I shift to face her forcing a smile cool as a cucumber she raises an eyebrow unconvinced

How the hell do you do that I ask with a laugh do what the eyebrow thing you have to teach me she releases her grip on my hand smiling faintly and she pushes an errant strand of hair behind her ear has been curled and she has the top part

Secured in a fancy clip at the back of her head she looks absolutely stunning I can’t keep my eyes off her and my gaze dips down to her cleavage because I’m a man and her breasts are one of my favorite parts of her body

I try not to leer I don’t want to be that guy the creepy perv who can’t control himself but she makes me feel like a giddy school boy with a crush and I do not intend on her ever finding that out I don’t think it’s something I can teach

She laughs and her shoulders relax as she nudges me do you want to check the cameras and make sure Bristol is safe I shouldn’t be surprised by her level of concern especially since I’ve taken her away from Bristol for the evening I retrieved my phone from my pocket and

Opened the app shuffling through the video feeds until I find my daughter sitting on the sofa watching a movie a bowl of popcorn in her lap I added a half dozen new cameras for inside the house when we hired Leah I think we hired the right nanny I say

And nudge her right back can I tell you a secret she rolls her lips together and nods her eyes wide as she stares straight into my soul I’ll have to share her tonight with the world but right now she’s mine and mine alone Bristol isn’t the only one in need of a bodyguard

What her voice catches in her throat I thought you hired me because of the connection to her mother and chapter 10 Emerson I swear he’s trying to give me a heart attack leaving Bristol alone with Leah wasn’t exactly easy is that how it feels like for first-time

Mothers to leave their child with a babysitter Bristol isn’t my daughter but it’s my responsibility to make sure that she’s safe and protected Kyler leads me effortlessly out of the vehicle his hand is nestled at the small of my back his scent is strong and masculine and I try not to make it

Obvious that I want to lean in and take a strong whiff what the hell is wrong with me I still can’t get Kyler’s words out of my head that his daughter isn’t the only one in need of protection from the moment I laid eyes on him I

Suspected there was more to it than the story he’d told the eagle Tactical Team he’s been leaving out details and I can’t do my best to protect him if I’m left in the dark but right now isn’t the time or place to argue and demand answers there are cameras everywhere flashing

Lights and reporters asking questions as we Shuffle inside I’ve always seen the red carpet on television but I never thought that once in my life I’d step foot on the plush velvet under my heels smile he whispers into my ear pretend that you like me

That’s a tough sell I say leaning in and planting a soft chaste kiss on his cheek he smirks and tugs me closer as the cameras around us flash over and over again taking in the sight before them I try not to give an awkward look but

I’m not used to being in the spotlight I knew what I was getting into when Kyler suggested that I play his girlfriend but I didn’t think quite so far ahead to realize I’d be in the spotlight with him imagining his arm wrapped around my waist or my hand on his arm as he

Escorted me to fancy events was the most I envisioned Kyler turns his head his Gaze on me as he dips me back and plants a long and firm kiss on my lips I’m startled by the gesture his mouth doesn’t loosen and his lips tease mine apart slowly my mouth Parts granting him

Entrance as his tongue Glides in past my lips the world around us seems to melt away his hand remains planted at my lower back keeping me secure to him before he lifts me back to my feet I’m sure my cheeks are flushed and the cameras catch every glimpse of it what

Will the headline tomorrow read something embarrassing undoubtedly Kyler leads me inside past the paparazzi and into the gala it’s being held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art a private function after dark allowing only those invited guests inside I can’t imagine what it cost to host something quite so extravagant

To say I’m impressed is an understatement the event alone is probably more than I’d make over the course of a decade okay maybe that’s a little over the top it seems like a million dollar event but what charity would spend that much to bring in more money that would be insane

Do you want to drink Kyler asks his hand remaining at my lower back as he escorts me toward the bar yes I’ve never been quite so excited to get something to help loosen me up the atmosphere is Regal and I don’t feel the least bit like I belong

My gaze scours over Kyler he shifts a bit uncomfortable in the stuffy suit he’s adorned for the night but he looks handsome as hell and dare I admit that if another girl so much as looks at him I’d feel a twinge of jealousy I suppose I’m lucky I get to play his

Girlfriend it’ll keep the vultures away won’t it Kyler escorts me to the bar pick your poison he says with a smirk my eyes narrow with a faint smile and my grin widens when I see the list of suggested cocktails they all have ridiculous names for the event

I’ll have a code blue I say curious to try the blue cocktail featuring rum Blue Curacao coconut cream lemon juice and pineapple juice defibrillator Kyler orders for himself someone has to save you my breath catches in my throat and his stare feels like he’s undressing me

Flustered I glance at the drink menu and discover what his defibrillator features gin champagne and orange liqueur I thought that was my job I grin trying not to show that I’m way out of my league at this type of event the bartender hands us both our drinks

And I take a sip the sweetness masking the alcohol to our first date together Kyler says holding up his drink for a toast you know this isn’t a real date I whisper keeping my voice down so that only he can hear me Kyler shrugs and clanks our glasses together

Feels pretty real to me he takes a swig of his defibrillator and somehow he doesn’t even manage to wince just to the smell of it is overpowering and bitter I want to show you off and make all the guys on the team jealous Kyler says before I have time to object he wraps

His arms snugly around my waist pulling me close against him I breathe in his scent and my arms wrap around him my fingers tangling in his hair he invades my personal space and his lips come crashing down onto mine hard he backs me up several steps pushing me

Against the wall as his fingers inch the Hem of my dress higher Kyler I Squeak My Voice betraying me I don’t need to give everyone a show or let them see that I’m not wearing underwear ever since you put that damn dress on I can’t stop thinking about what’s underneath

Kyler nips at my neck leaving a mark claiming me I’ll give you a hint it’s nothing I say with a smirk his hands are rough and calloused his body firm against mine the pads of his fingers Trail higher over my thighs as his eyes widen he pins me with

His stare wanting silently to know if I’m playing with him everything inside of me aches for Kyler my body hums with electricity but we can’t do this here not with eyewitnesses and vultures with cell phone cameras he growls against my neck and I try not to moan

I want you so bad right now em butterflies fill my stomach and I inhale sharply we should greet your teammates I whisper trying to keep this from getting out of hand I want Kyler but not here not where cameras will get an eyeful and will be the front page gossip for the

Tabloid magazines he pulls back his eyes dark as he stares at me you’re right he says like he can read my mind and he knows now isn’t the time to fool around even if we both want it he walks me over toward the team all the

Guys are in suits and ties they clean up well for the event freshly shaven hair trimmed showered and impressive you remember Jasper Kyler says reintroducing me to his brother I never forget the face of a man whose ass I kicked I quip with a rye grin Jasper’s gaze Titans and he smiles but

It doesn’t seem forced as one might expect I let you win you really didn’t Kyler says slapping his brother on the shoulder but I still love you bro even though you got your ass kicked by a girl Jasper’s face turns bright red and he hightails it to the bar without another word

He is pissed at me Kyler shrugs and doesn’t seem to let it bother him is that what brothers do fight all the time I have a younger sister Amber whom I don’t see often enough I should call her and get together she lives in the city coach Kyler says wrapping his arm around

My shoulders you haven’t met my girlfriend Emerson Malone the coach says holding out his hand to introduce himself it’s nice to meet you I say forcing a smile Kyler doesn’t appear tense around his coach which I suppose is good news but I don’t quite fathom why he needs me here

Tonight where is the threat or is it just because he wants the media to eat up the fact that he has a new girlfriend you should be mingling Grayson Malone says Fitzgerald is already in a mood and you guys standing around isn’t going to help matters he’s always in a mood

Owen one of his teammates says I recognize him from the party Kyler had at the house at least he hasn’t been riding your ass all season Kyler says glancing at Owen there are plenty of other teams to play for Owen says you don’t have to take his [ __ ] no I suppose I don’t

There’s hesitancy in his gaze his words evoke confidence but Having learned to read people there’s something that Kyler Grayson isn’t saying what is keeping him in New York is it his brother glancing around my stomach tightens and I sway on my feet at the sight of Brad Clemens

My stomach flops and nausea rears its ugly head he was the leader of the initiation when I joined the FBI getting me drunk and taking me home was part of his game bile Rises to my throat and my cheeks burn I still hate him for taking advantage of

Me but most of all I hate myself for letting it happen guilt anger humiliation it all resurfaces with one glance in his Direction he took everything from me my friends the bureau and my career that was just getting started I was stupid to file a formal complaint

What I thought would be right only made everything a thousand times worse every friend at Quantico I discovered was nothing more than a colleague they turned their backs even those who were caught up in the initiation had been victims they didn’t want to be tied to the same Scandal that burned me Emerson

Brad stocks right up to me his wife on his arm he doesn’t appear the least bit bothered by the fact that he slept with both of us although only one of us was conscious enough to let it be consensual I remember bits and pieces biting down hard on my bottom lip tasting blood

She on the other hand looks like she sucked a lemon before being dragged over not that I should be surprised I told her what her husband did to me her one word response on the day I showed up and told her what a dirt bag her husband was and what happened between us

And she asked staring up at me like she was waiting for more as if his forcing himself on me wasn’t enough like I was looking for something from her Kyler stands taller if that’s at all possible he wraps an arm possessively around my hip and presses his lips to my temple

Making it known that I belong to him I want to relax in Kyler’s Embrace but I probably look more like a deer in headlights and stiff as a surfboard Brad Clemens the douche introduces himself I used to work with Ryan he holds out his hand to Kyler Kyler

Pauses a beat casting a quick glance at me before shaking the douche’s hand he doesn’t so much as tell him it’s nice to meet him and while Kyler doesn’t know much about my short past with the bureau he must sense my discomfort Kyler Grayson I know I’ve seen you on the ice

Brad says it’s quite impressive what you guys do out there getting the [ __ ] kicked out of you and going back for seconds Kyler is steaming and holding me tighter possessively like he can read my mind which I know is impossible just part of the job Owen says chiming

In when Kyler doesn’t say a word the two men are having a stare down and I can’t help but wonder who will blink first or maybe one of them will growl it feels a bit animalistic the heat between them Kyler pulls me closer and Brad flinches

His nostrils flaring as he takes in a deep breath of air through his nose Brad’s wife Ainsley tugs on his arm quietly gesturing that she wants to move on and probably mingle with anyone else I don’t blame her I’d prefer Brad to get lost too why the hell did he show up tonight

Ainsley doesn’t meet my stare her gaze Landing anywhere else my stomach roils how could Ainsley still be with him after I told her what happened clearly she didn’t believe me just like my friends former colleagues and the rest of the bureau it was his word against mine Brad

Ainsley’s voice is soft as she tugs on his arm perhaps we should meet with some of the other guests Brad flinches and nod’s curtly of course it was nice seeing you again he says his gaze landing on me I don’t say a word because if I do I

Know I’d tell him off and give him the finger the minute he turns away with Ainsley and heads in the opposite direction I exhale a heavy breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding [ __ ] Kyler growls a bit too loudly in Brad’s Direction excuse me Brad spins around having overheard Kyler’s remark

Kyler lunges at Brad but coach Malone jumps in along with Owen to intervene before there’s a full-blown fight breaking out at the gala walk away Malone shouts at Brad pushing him backward and in the opposite direction Ainsley is right on Brad’s hip pulling him farther from Kyler

What the hell was that Owen asks stealing my question before I have the chance to voice it nothing Kyler Huffs under his breath doesn’t look like nothing to me coach Malone says after Brad takes the hint and heads off in the opposite direction I don’t know what the hell is going on

Grayson but now is not the time to be starting [ __ ] with cameras around go take a walk several guests have their phones in hand and I can’t help but wonder how much of that interaction was recorded and will be uploaded to the internet Kyler grumbles under his breath

Releasing his hold from me as he storms off in the opposite direction of Brad I clear my throat force a smile and hurry after him he storms out through a back exit and I’m seconds behind him following him outside the door slams shut behind me with the thud

There’s no way Kyler knows about Brad I never told him and while it became water cooler gossip at the bureau Kyler never worked there what the hell was that I ask catching up to him his jaw is terse and his arms are folded across his chest as he Paces the length

Of the loading dock nothing his demeanor tells me he knows who told you I glower stalking closer to Grayson who the hell told you about bread no one had to tell me he was a creeper his eyes were on your rack during our introductions is he the reason you dropped out of Quantico

I shift the weight on my feet I didn’t drop out I clarify I quit same difference it’s not I’m appalled that he thinks I didn’t make it as an FBI agent I passed Quantico and had a badge and gun I was an FBI agent for a few months

Before I botched it by going to the office of professional responsibility yeah all they gave a [ __ ] about was covering their own asses and his so you slept with him Kyler says scowling he drops his arms to his sides his hands ball into Fists not willingly I say as if to excuse my

Own actions at the time I was drunk I don’t want to talk about it he raped you Kyler lunges for the entrance back into the party and I grab his arm to keep him from losing his [ __ ] it was a bad night I don’t really remember much of it maybe

I encouraged him before we ended up in bed I’m making excuses even though I don’t believe the words coming from my lips but I don’t want Grayson to end up arrested for beating the [ __ ] out of bread even if he deserves it Kyler pins me with his stare his fingers

Reach mine intertwining our hands together it’s not consent unless it’s enthusiastic and you’re both sober he should have respected the fact that you were inebriated he’s the reason I was drunk hell I didn’t even want to drink I mutter chewing on my bottom lip it was some stupid initiation with the

New hires and that jerk off was buying all of our drinks insisting we drink and [ __ ] our superiors or wash out I went along with it until I told him to stop and then I glance away tears glistening in my eyes I’m going to [ __ ] kill him Kyler heads back inside yanking the

Heavy door with ease as it flies open Kyler wait no I hurry after him chapter 11. Kyler I’m literally seeing red you know the expression when someone gets so angry all they see is red that’s me right now after hearing about how that [ __ ] forced himself on Emerson

She deserves so much better than what that prick did to her and the damage to her career I knew she left the bureau she hadn’t kept that a secret and I’d done a tiny bit of digging online to find out why but most of the dirty laundry had been swept under the rug

Her reputation had been tarnished by an accusation of sexual harassment against her boss the [ __ ] liar tried to destroy her because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants my hands ball into fists as I storm back into the gala I don’t care that there’s a party going

On with cameras around and the paparazzi are just outside the door none of it matters I stalk inside and come face to face with that chick who had her arm linked with Brad now shoving her tongue down Noah’s throat for [ __ ] sake I yank him off her shoving him back against the wall

What the hell man Noah’s eyes Flicker and he pushes me forcefully backward I Stumble but catch my footing she clears her throat and saunters off down the hallway like she didn’t just get caught sucking face with a member of the hockey team she’s married I shout as if that’s the worst of it

Because it’s not but I can’t bring myself to say the words aloud they’re not even mine to Bear since when did Noah start sucking faces with married women he met her husband it’s not as though he wasn’t aware she wasn’t on the market she cornered me Noah says holding his

Arms up in surrender I just went along with it you and your dick I scowl at him keep it in your pants there are reporters everywhere outside sure what’s gotten into you Noah glances past me presumably at Emerson everything okay in Romance landia he jokes just peachy I reach behind me grabbing

Hold of Emerson’s hand and I tug her to follow me past Noah and back into the crowd my gaze darts around looking for Brad which I know is a bad idea but I can’t stop myself either Kyler I didn’t confide in you so you’d start a fight

Her fingers graze my cheek bringing my gaze down to her stare her eyes are glistening and she tugs her bottom lip between her teeth there’s a smear of blood it’s small and Tiny but I hate seeing Emerson hurt herself my thumb grazes her lips and the longer I stare the calmer I feel

Like she’s a siren and she’s lulling me into the harbor except she’s not going to make me crash she wouldn’t do that she’s protecting me what was all that about em asks as she sizes me up her gaze moves over me with a questioning glance and I stand taller trying to shrug off

Her concern nothing doesn’t result in shoving your teammate M says she’s on point but how can she not be pissed about what she saw she’s married and he’s a prick M says pointedly I’m not excusing her behavior but you have no business getting into fights with your friends over a girl who isn’t

Your concern it wasn’t about the girl I say a little too quickly she nods knowingly and does that cute thing with her one eyebrow raised above the other you can’t go assaulting Brad or your teammates over what happened your friend doesn’t deserve it and he’s a big boy if

He wants to make out with a married woman I don’t like seeing my friends get played I say clearing my throat and she was using him her tongue darts out to the side and she offers a quick nod of understanding she doesn’t argue with me and I take that as

A win at least for tonight leaning in closer my lips brush against her ear do you want to get out of here I ask don’t we have to mingle or something Emerson asks she’s right we’ve barely made introductions with anyone other than the guys on the team and coach

If I leave now I’m risking renewing my contract which is up at the end of the season I have to play nice with Fitzgerald who I thought was worse than that FBI asshat with the pole shoved up his butt until I found out what he did to em

And now I’m not keen on introducing Fitzgerald to Emerson mostly because of Fitzgerald’s reputation I’m not afraid of losing him to him I’m more concerned about how he’ll treat her and I’ll be stuck between a rock and a hard place when he hits on her because undoubtedly he will she looks freaking

Gorgeous tonight what man wouldn’t stare at her perfect tits and while I’m sure she can handle herself she shouldn’t have to be ogled and harassed by decrepit men fine I say relenting because she’s right I want to stay glued to her hip I wrap my arm around her waist keeping her

Close to me my lips brushing against her ear every so often as I lean in close to make sure she can hear me over the crowd and live band glances in our Direction and turns on his feet heading the opposite way good it’s one less pig to deal with again

And if he so much as glances at Emerson again I’ll knock his teeth out another reason to stay joined at the hip with Emerson if I let her out of my sight he’ll pounce like the animal he is and I don’t want anything happening to em anyone we should mingle with first

Emerson asks she Scouts the room but I suspect she’s also reading the crowd getting a feel if anyone poses a danger I shouldn’t have doubted her at first sight just because she’s petite doesn’t mean she’s not fierce it makes her the perfect undercover candidate because no one would suspect

That she’s former FBI and a trained agent what else has she been trained to do I lean in close stealing a whiff of her perfect vanilla and hazelnut scent I try not to Swoon from the smell as she has The Uncanny ability to make me rock hard have you ever killed a man

I ask what she laughs her eyes widening where is that question coming from Emerson shifts slightly sizing me up there’s a rye grin on her face and I can’t tell if she’s nervous or appalled by my question when I don’t answer her she smiles and shifts back into my Embrace letting me

Hold her for the world to see that she belongs to me my arms instantly wrap around her waist my fingers at her hips possessively I hold her touch her and press her up against me to hide the growing bulge in my pants I’ve never been in the position while working for the FBI

That I’ve had to kill anyone before she says with a soft sigh there’s a sense of dread of discomfort in her tone anyone else might miss the disconnect but I hear it a mile away and before you were an agent I protected my sister when we were younger

I don’t want to talk about it she says and spins around In My Embrace she wraps her arms around my neck and leans in on her tiptoes trying to meet my lips I’m still several inches taller than she is I know this routine trying to silence me with a kiss

I’m not an idiot I’m a hot-blooded male who would gladly take her distraction and use it to my benefit I let her kiss me and pull her closer as her lips brush against each other it’s chased at first but that doesn’t last for long I press my tongue at the entrance of her

Lips and my fingers tug at her hips her lips open granting me entrance deepening the kiss her body is like a flow of hot molten lava burning and exciting me there’s no denying she makes me hard and while I don’t need the entire Gala witnessing my erection I don’t mind

Emerson feeling my secret pushed up against her belly someone clears his throat beside us and I feel a rough pat on the back I hate breaking apart from M but I don’t feel like there’s much of a choice Jasper I Grumble not the least bit surprised to see my brother interrupting us

What i bark don’t bite off my head Jasper says a wide smirk on his face he’s not the least bit afraid of me the guys probably sent him over here to disrupt us Fitzgerald just arrived of course he did I mutter whose head has he chewed off thus far

No one he’s saving his coyote teeth for you big brother jackass save it for Fitzy Jasper Grins and smacks me on the back I’m no longer hard which is both good it won’t embarrass me and bad I no longer have the distraction of M’s body pressed tightly against me

Do you want me to stay with you or disappear for your meeting with the owner em asks her hand falls into mine and she gives it a prominent squeeze while Fitzgerald is a huge douche I refuse to let em out of my sight after what she confided in me about Brad

I need to protect her you’re coming with me I say dragging her with me we’ll make this quick M force is a smile and I’ll do everything I can to protect her but I also need this contract which puts me in a tight spot not that I’m willing to pimp em out to

Get it on the contrary I need Fitzgerald to believe I’ve got a girlfriend who’s serious and who will take care of my daughter he expects every man with a kid to have a wife someone to stay home with the kids while his men are on the ice

Fitzy is an old man with caveman ideals that is if cavemen were running around playing hockey all day even so he’s an [ __ ] with the contract that I need signed in his hands so I pretend to play the part that he so eloquently wants to keep me in the game

It’s not as though any other team won’t have me they probably would but I like where I live I want stability for Bristol and my brother is on the same freaking team how much luckier could I get finally I have everything I could ever want and I don’t want to chance it all

Disappearing right Grayson Fitzgerald says his gaze cross and he sneers up at me he shoves his hands into his designer pants an ensemble that shows his worth with his crisp suit coat tailored with perfection it’s the only perfect thing about him he’s got a hell of a crooked nose and I

Can’t help but wonder who did that to him and when another player someone in his younger days perhaps it was more than just one man who beat the [ __ ] out of him he certainly deserves it sir I say forcing the words out past my dry lips this is my girlfriend Miss Ryan

He says glancing her up and down slowly and methodically like he’s undressing her with his gaze his jaw is slack hung a gape as he takes every inch of her in with his mind I feel like he’s [ __ ] her with that disgusting glare and I step forward

Chest held out ready to shout at him to avert his stare when Emerson squeezes my hand and forces a smile I’ve heard so much about you Mr Fitzgerald it must be such an honor to have one of the most talented players on your team she’s good his tongue darts out and he

Swipes his lips before letting out a huff you call this guy talented he Jabs a thumb in my direction I can feel the insults Brewing before he even releases the first one and I bite down hard on my tongue my jaw turs to keep from fighting back that’s what he wants isn’t it

Grayson has passed his Prime and when he is dedicated on the ice he’s too busy thinking about that Rugrat at home the kid is a distraction I don’t get why the mother isn’t in the picture raising the little imbecile like a mother should be but it’s nice to see

He has a girlfriend willing to do a mother’s bidding excuse me Emerson drops my hand folds her arms across her chest and steps closer coming face to face with him she’s a Spitfire my em and something about her boldness makes me hot and horny for her thankfully my dick is managing its

Ability to stay in check do you not speak English you’ve got a nice set of tits but no one was talking to you sweetheart Fitzgerald snortz disgracefully at Emerson Grayson keep your woman in line his attention is on me ignoring the brunette as if she no longer exists

I pull my arm back to land a blow on Fitzy’s face when Noah and Owen jump in each throwing an arm around my shoulder keeping me from making a career-ending mistake this nice set of tits Emerson says stepping closer and leaning up to meet his Beady stare belong to a woman with

More class than you could ever have I suggest you take a course or two on sexual harassment before you end up with a lawsuit on your hands by the looks of it you have plenty of money that could make this set of tits even better she smirks and turns stepping on his

Foot with a grin you coming Grayson I’m dumbfounded and speechless by her remark but my grin doesn’t seem to vanish he really stood up to that pompous ass someone had to I hope it won’t hurt your chances at a new contract for next year she bites down on her bottom lip

Did I go too far you were perfect I whisper leaning in and brushing her lips with a searing kiss I want to take you home in an hour do your mingling and I’ll manage on my own for a bit you’re leaving me to deal with these vultures

I’m shocked that she thinks she can disappear without being harassed by wealthy old men looking to stick it to a hot young girl She’s Fresh Meat to these guys like a virgin ready to be sacrificed and I’m not letting anyone near her even if she can fend them off herself

Oh come on Emerson grins you’ll be fine there are plenty of cameras and security just stay inside I want to check the footage back at your place and make sure Bristol is safe and in bed by now shouldn’t that be my job the staff brings out hors d’oeuvres and

Champagne flutes and we’re in the way as they Shuffle on by us I back M against the wall helping the staff by keeping out of the way I swear I’m not trying to cop a feel but it’s difficult not to get hard being pressed up against her

You need to worry about your hockey career and making sure everything is golden before we leave even if that means another round with your favorite vulture she teases I groan please don’t make me talk to Fitzy again if you don’t I will she’d better be joking because if Fitzgerald comes anywhere near Emerson

I’ll put her over my shoulder and carry her ass out to the car chapter 12 Emerson we kissed quite a bit on the night of the gala it’s not as though we haven’t fooled around in front of his friends like the time I dropped to my knees and gave him

A [ __ ] at his house but that was all part of the plan wasn’t it well maybe not the [ __ ] but making out with him and pretending to be a couple it just went a little farther than expected he’s hot and our hormones got the better of us completely normal

At least that’s what I keep telling myself but when we’re not in front of Spectators or potentially on camera for an audience we keep our distance and the gala was six days ago he hasn’t been so much as within Arm’s Reach physically for nearly a week and I hope his avoidance doesn’t have

Anything to do with Brad I hadn’t wanted to tell Kyler the specifics of my leaving the bureau he wasn’t like Brad Jackson had assured me that what happened at the FBI would not happen with his men or any of his clients and I can’t stop thinking about when

Kyler’s lips grazed mine or when his [ __ ] poked into me it’s just a physical reaction nothing more right he doesn’t actually want to be with me that’s ludicrous he could have any girl and I’m not the girl NHL players chase after or fantasize about I’m lucky he even suggested we fake date

Not that I feel very lucky our schedules mean we barely cross paths with one another when he’s home he’s practicing every day with the guys or at the gym training his schedule is rigorous and Leah seems a bit confused about why I’m always around but she hasn’t said anything to

Suggest that I shouldn’t be accompanying Bristol to the park or at home when she returns from school I Corner Kyler late after one of his games when he rolls in smelling clean like almond soap I’m sure he had a shower after his match but the scent

Rolls off him and I can’t help but take a step closer wanting to breathe him in we need to talk I say he laughs half-heartedly like he’s nervous do I make him nervous nothing good ever comes from those four words he says what’s really going on between you and

The owner he drops his bag at his feet and Cox a grin like whatever he’d been caught doing went unnoticed and he’s relieved by my line of questioning what am I missing he’s a dick wad you met him tell me I’m wrong Kyler isn’t wrong but I don’t think

That’s why he’s playing the fake relationship angle you’re a billionaire why do you care so much about the contract to play for his team you could play Anywhere hell you could buy your own team he glares at me to keep my voice down and grabs my arm dragging me with him

Into the library he flips on the light and shuts the door behind us is he really that worried that his daughter or the nanny might overhear the conversation money isn’t everything Ryan I bite down on my bottom lip of course it’s not but it helps what’s going on

Why the hell is he referring to me by my last name it’s impersonal like he’s trying to add more distance between us when we’re just inches apart he drops his hold on my arm and I let out a soft sigh disappointed for the break in contact I shouldn’t care that he isn’t touching

Me this relationship is one hundred percent fake he doesn’t want me he could never want someone like me tell me I’m wrong that you’re not a billionaire I say he shuffles his feet staring down at the floor it’s more complicated than that how so I pushed the issue wanting to

Know what the hell he means I’ve seen his net worth when the eagle tactical guys dug around to make sure there weren’t any skeletons in Grayson’s closet I don’t want it I’m giving it all away I cough clearing my throat he can’t be serious you’re what he glances up at me his eyes

Darkened and fueled with passion I don’t deserve a scent of it so I’m giving it away to whom I can’t believe him why didn’t Jackson or one of the other guys tell me when they ran background on him does it matter it does if you’re being blackmailed why

Else would he have handed over more than seven figures he steps closer breaking the distance between us I wasn’t being blackmailed Kyler says his gaze twitches and I can’t quite read if he’s lying or just holding something else back no one gives away that kind of money willingly I do he says

I don’t deserve it I grab his hand and pull him to the sofa forcing him to sit beside me what do you mean you don’t deserve it I shift on the sofa to face him giving him my undivided attention I mean all it’s done is lay a huge curse

On my family since Landing in my account my cousin immediately got a cancer diagnosis the day I cashed the funds two weeks later my brother fell off a ladder and nearly killed himself then the following week my daughter was in the hospital for nine days with pneumonia

Those things happen they’re a part of life does he really believe he’s cursed I lost every game Ryan until I started giving the money to charity the childhood home that Jasper and I grew up in burned down my car was stolen and on the last date I went on

She stole my credit card and went on a shopping spree while posting pictures that she photoshopped of the two of us together on the internet so you got a stalker and a string of bad luck oh I’m not done Kyler says there’s more you feel guilty that’s understandable it happens with lottery winners

But I can’t fathom why he feels guilty that’s not the same thing he says clearing his throat he stands unable to sit still and he begins pacing the length of the room he’s uneasy his hands bunching into fists at his sides as he speaks I earned the money every cent

But money doesn’t equate to happiness and the more that I acquired the worse things got so I began donating it to Charities like the gala you attended I hosted the fundraiser you paid for the gala I tried to hide my shock but I’m sure it’s evident all over my face

That isn’t your responsibility Kyler it’s wonderful that you want to help but it shouldn’t all fall on your shoulders I know and that’s why it was an event to encourage other donors to help fund the children’s Wing at the hospital he says there’s a weak smile on his face

I’ve met those kids and I’m telling you every cent I’ve donated is worth it that’s wonderful I say staring up at him does that help alleviate the guilt of course not the money I used to acquire the wealth was from my share of my parents life insurance policy

When they died I got drunk and stupid I tossed it all on a gamble with a digital currency turns out it blew up and I became stupidly rich and what about Jasper he kept his in a high interest savings account until he was old enough to buy a house

But do you think I let him use his money so you let him use yours the cursed money hell no the money that I’ve earned from hockey it’s helped pay for his place education and living expenses I’m not giving him cursed funds what kind of monster do you think I am

He runs his hands through his hair clearly frustrated with the situation I can’t help but smile the generous kind he glares at me and I can’t help but stand and stalk toward him and what about me his brow is furrowed unclear about my question what about you Kyler shakes his head

Waiting for me to elaborate the money you were giving me to play your girlfriend is that money cursed he smirks and glances away Maybe but I’ll find a way to pay you I don’t believe in curses Kyler and you shouldn’t either I think it’s generous that you want to donate all

Your money to charity but don’t do something you might regret you have a beautiful house and a daughter who goes to a private school and you’ll want to fund her education when she goes to college those things cost money Bristol will be taken care of it’s why I

Need the contract with Fitzgerald to go through for next year does he know about the curse I ask trying to see things from Kyler’s point of view if Fitzgerald realizes that Kyler is desperate to stay with the team then the jackass could easily take advantage of him it’s not something I go around

Advertising he says but he picked up wind of it from coach Malone he overheard Malone telling me I’m out of my [ __ ] mind for giving it all away I have to agree with your coach on this one I say he Huffs and his nostrils flare you haven’t seen what that money can do

Ryan how it tears people apart I step closer reaching for his hand my fingers tangle with his your parents were already deceased when you chose to invest that money it was yours I say reminding him that he wasn’t stealing something that didn’t belong to him

I know but I was also seeing someone and she became interested in what I could buy her a car a penthouse suite anything she could get her hands on made her magically tell me I love you it was disgusting they have a name for that gold digger

But she wasn’t like that when we started dating she was actually really good with Bristol and helped me change diapers and was there for me until she wasn’t I say cutting him off any chance she could be holding resentment could she be behind the threats to Bristol

She’d never hurt my daughter Bristol was like a daughter to her he pulls away from me and opens one of the books retrieving a half torn piece of paper with a note written in blue ink this isn’t her handwriting but it’s the reason I need you to keep Bristol safe

Kyler make one wrong move and your little Bristol will meet the same fate as your parents lose the next six games or pick out a casket for your little one X I inhale a sharp breath how long have you had this note why the hell didn’t

You show it to the security team you hired or to me it was only six games I couldn’t take a chance that someone would hurt Bristol he folds his arms across his chest we play 82 regular games a season unless we make the playoffs losing six sucks

But it wasn’t going to kill our record until they ask you to lose more I study the lettering the note and the way the pen bleeds against the paper someone took their time Penning such a simple threat as if they were trying to disguise their handwriting

It makes sense that the mafia would be behind something like this I say why because they’re involved in illegal activities like gambling Kyler doesn’t look merely as convinced we still have dinner with them already is coming up and I doubt either one of them has ever seen a hockey game in their life

Doesn’t mean they don’t run a gambling ring and want to ensure they’re keeping the odds in their favor is this the only threat that you’ve had against Bristol I wave the paper at him still dumbfounded that he kept this from me by now he’s played dozens of games and he’s

Lost more than half of them I can’t help but wonder if it’s been on purpose there may have been more I burned them he says glancing away from me how many more there’s practically a new one every week instructing me to throw specific games and you’ve been following through with his orders

How am I supposed to help you if you’re keeping secrets from me Grayson I didn’t ask for your help I hired you to keep my daughter safe in case this wanker decides to go after Bristol even though I’ve followed his orders you could get kicked out of the NHL if

Anyone knew what you were doing Kyler steps closer backing me up against the wall no one can find out if you tell anyone Ryan we’re done you won’t get a scent you think that’s all this is to me money I’m trying to protect Bristol I can’t do

That if you’re not honest with me jackass I’m mutter smacking him on the arm as I push him out of the way and storm out of the library we’re not done Ryan he says calling after me expecting me to do as he pleases well he’s got another thing coming if he

Expects me to fall in line like his teammates he may be the captain of his team but he’s not bossing me around we’re done I storm out of the library and he grabs my wrist pulling me back to face him his hands land on my hips keeping me

From moving out of his grasp if I really wanted to slip from him a swift kick to his groin would have him toppling to the floor but I don’t feel threatened by his presence he wouldn’t hurt me this isn’t over he says his gaze darkened and his grip rough against my skin

You don’t get to walk away from me because you don’t agree with what I’m saying I’m pissed that you are more concerned with keeping secrets from me than letting me protect your daughter all this time I could have been helping look into the threats instead I’ve been going at this like the

Only real threat is the mafia I’m sorry I should have told you save it I hold up a hand not ready to hear his apology you’re right you owe me the respect of being honest if you want me to protect Bristol I need to know everything

He nods slowly and takes a step back releasing his Hold On Me do you have any other threats that you’ve saved anything on your cell phone I ask waving the piece of paper at him just that one note is all I kept and how were they being delivered

They mustn’t be coming to the house or else the security cameras would have captured the footage they’re always hand delivered to my private mailbox at the arena they must be sent via Courier unless it’s someone on the inside it’s not he answers a little too quickly my teammates would never threaten my

Daughter nor would anyone else I conduct business with and I’ve tried The Courier angle what do you suggest threats don’t arrive by carrier pigeon he Huffs not pleased with my brand of snarkiness there are hundreds if not thousands of employees who have access to our mailboxes nothing is locked it’s all open and

Available for anyone to tamper with and there aren’t any cameras I’ve checked someone knows how to play detective I mock his lips land hard on mine crashing against my mouth silencing me I open my lips to protest and he only takes it as further encouragement his tongue pushing its way inside

Kyler’s hands graze my hip pulling me closer the pads of his fingers teasing the Hem of my shirt grazing my bare skin as he inches the material higher [ __ ] the man knows how to kiss his lips move a path down my neck sucking the sensitive skin that drives

Me absolutely weak at the knees stop I say and it’s the only word he needs to hear he Yanks himself back blinking down at me his breathing heavy and ragged [ __ ] he mutters taking a step back he runs a hand through his hair flustered I didn’t mean to take advantage

His face redens and he backs himself against the wall trying to get as far away from me as possible you didn’t I assure him he’s not Brad he’s never done anything to hurt me or force me into anything I’m uncomfortable with and he stopped the moment I told him to

But he’s also my boss I work for him but this isn’t going to happen Grayson I need to put up a wall between us making it clear that this can’t occur unless it’s part of the job pretending to be in love because if we keep kissing it won’t be pretending not for me

Right he shakes his head like he’s clearing the cobwebs no audience no making out my mistake he takes a step this time for the door like I’m fire and he’s too close to getting burned by The Roaring flames before I can say anything further he’s out of the library down the hall and

Gone he hasn’t left the house the cameras haven’t alerted me that anyone has come or gone from the residence which means he’s probably up in bed which is where I should be my own bedroom but I’m not tired Kyler has a way of making me wide awake at the most

Inopportune times I’ll have to be up early tomorrow to investigate the note and figure out who might have a grudge against Grayson the threats could be anyone from some mobster running a gambling ring to an addict trying to get rich by betting on Grayson’s team losing a game

Did I mention I hate hockey chapter 13. Kyler Emerson is avoiding me is it because I kissed her while we were arguing or because she’s pissed at me for hiding the stupid letter she’s asleep or at least in the shower every time I try to get a word with her

But it’s near impossible to get a moment alone with her and Leah isn’t exactly helping she’s been going to Emerson for advice on what to make for dinner or if she should take Bristol to the park after school today Bristol is my daughter The Nanny should be coming to me not m

But M has been around more than I have lately it’s like the two of them are becoming friends and I’m not sure I like that they both work for me I wait for em to emerge from the shower sitting on her bed we have a game tonight so at least I’m

Not going to be late for practice the shower turns off and I’m silent not wanting to alert her that I’m waiting for her in her bedroom she won’t be thrilled but if she’s going to avoid me then I’ll do whatever is necessary to get five minutes alone with her

The bathroom door squeaks open and steam emanates from behind her as she steps out in only a towel her hair is wet dripping down her shoulders making her skin glisten Kyler what are you doing in here she clutches the towel tighter across her chest if only she dropped the towel and let me

Ravish her we both need it the sexual tension between us keeps growing I shift against the bed hoping she doesn’t realize how hard I am for her we’re having a home game and I want you to come in the stands I want you there I feel like a teenager all over again

Blabbering and nervous it’s not like she hasn’t seen my dick when she was sucking me that night the guys were over I should have another night with the team over if that’s what it takes to get her down on her knees it was Pure Heaven she knows how to use

Her tongue and throat a groan when she interrupts my thoughts fine I’ll be there get out she points at the door wanting me to leave I take my time slowly standing from the bed as I Waltz toward the door my dick hardens as I steal another glance at her over my shoulder

Can you move any slower she Huffs with wide eyes out now once again The Feisty Burnett avoids any time alone with me she’s focused on her tablet which gives her access to all the security cameras and anything else that she needs Bristol has the day off from school and

Leah is on her tail making sure she’s changed fed and cared for she’s attentive to Bristol’s needs which is incredibly important while she doesn’t have the faintest idea about the threats to our family Mr Grayson Leah says closing the fridge after grabbing the carton of orange juice when

I picked up Bristol from school yesterday her teacher mentioned you’re supposed to have dinner with one of the other parents right I’ll have M call and schedule the dinner for our place Emerson glances up at me one eyebrow raised higher how the hell does she do that

Are you sure that’s wise it might be better if we go out to eat M says glancing briefly at Leah she’s trying to talk around the nanny and not alarm her about the Moretti family I highly doubt the Moretti’s are the ones threatening me leaving notes behind for me to fall onto

It’s not like the mafia to leave a threat unsigned I’d expect them to hand deliver it or more likely make the threat to my face this leaves me pondering who the hell is behind the threats to my daughter I’ve never been involved in any gambling Rings or met with any bookies Jasper is

Just as clean the boy is a saint he spent his years after mom and dad passed away focusing on school his grades and hockey the threat is coming from somewhere else I glance at Leah and give a forced smile we’ll follow up with them and make dinner arrangements thank you for

Bringing it to my attention Leah gives a puzzled look but shrugs it off and helps Bristol clean up after breakfast M seems to sense Bristol and Leah are getting ready to leave the kitchen and she grabs her coffee and tablet prepared to follow after them I appreciate her shadowlike abilities

But they’re safe inside my home I grab Em’s arm not letting her disappear just yet tonight I want you at the game I know I heard you after my shower I’ll be there in the meantime I need to make a few calls and find out what I can about that note

She glances me over there’s a look of disappointment that crosses her features you should have told me sooner I lower my voice to keep the echo down to a minimum I don’t want Bristol or Leah to overhear the conversation I told you what you needed to know I did

What I needed to do to keep my daughter safe we could have put all this behind us a whole lot sooner if you’d have just turned over the note and let me investigate its origin and you’d have been at the hockey arena instead of keeping your eyes on my daughter

Bristol is the priority send whatever you need to Jackson and his team but your responsibility is protecting my kid her gaze tightens and her tongue swipes across her top lip before jutting out slightly to the side you don’t have to remind me how to do my

Job I know what I was hired for good I steal her fresh cup of coffee untouched and take it with me outside I need some air and a few minutes away from Emerson bastard she mutters under her breath on my way outside I choose to ignore her remark stepping

Out and shutting the door behind me I need to get my head screwed on for game night I don’t see Emerson again before heading out to catch up with the team before the game Bristol is at the park with Leah and Em I’m sure they’re fine but I really wish

I’d installed some sort of tracking device on The Nanny and my fake girlfriend’s phones at least if something happens to them I’d know their last known whereabouts you seem distracted Jasper says pulling me aside in the locker room there’s a lot of noise and commotion the team getting ready to take on an

Undefeated Champion for the season is it because the guys are groaning about our last four losses and we’re about to get our asses kicked I’m not looking forward to playing the island bruisers every time we play their team James and I get into it on the ice

We throw insults back and forth as often as the puck and we both end up beating the [ __ ] out of each other until we get thrown into the Penalty Box I don’t want em or Bristol to witness that tonight I huff at his remark hell no we’re not

Going to lose tonight M’s going to be in the stands you didn’t give her tickets to the private box I glance at my younger brother no I want her to experience the game like it’s meant to be Jasper grins do you even know if your girlfriend likes hockey I avoid his question

Unsure about the answer although she’s never really swooned over the fact I play for the NHL or the sport I can’t even recall her asking me a single question about hockey I want her to see me up close I say smacking him on the back she can’t do that from those private boxes

Right Jasper’s eyes narrow as he studies me is Emerson really your girlfriend I mean I know the whole Nanny Act was a cover is that what this is too [ __ ] if Jasper doesn’t believe that m is my girlfriend then no one else is going to believe it either

I have to convince him no matter the stakes are you asking because you want a piece of her because she’s mine I growl instinctively the thought of him or anyone else so much is taking her out on a date makes my stomach not and my hands Bunch into Fists

Jasper tosses his hands up into the air just checking bro she’s cute but the two of you haven’t really been seen at any After parties and she hasn’t been invited to the wives room I assumed parties weren’t really her thing but the guys talk you’ve been talking about m

The room feels several degrees hotter and I scour the room who else I want to know what they’ve been saying about my girlfriend even if it’s fake no one else knows the truth Jasper shrugs and shuffles his feet avoiding the question just the guys he doesn’t give me a straight answer and

I grab him by his jersey shoving him up against the wall who I growl whoa Noah shouts as he jumps between us pushing me back and keeping me from pelting my brother Owen jumps in protecting my little brother he’s twice the size of Jasper and not the least bit apologetic in his tone

Save it for the ice Owen says if you’re going to break someone’s neck do it to that [ __ ] James Fitzgerald walk away Grayson coach Malone says coach refers to most of us by last name especially when he’s pissed at us but given that I was on the team before

Jasper I’m Grayson and Jasper is always Jasper there’s no question which one of us he’s referring to and I let out a huff before heading out of the locker room for a Beat I don’t expect anyone to follow me but a minute later the door opens from behind and I hear heavy footsteps

A word coach Malone is standing there arms folded across his chest do you want to tell me what the hell is going on or should I ask your baby brother my top lip Twitches At The Mention Of Jasper being my baby brother tell me something I don’t already know

I’ve helped raise that kid since our parents passed away I’ve looked out for him I helped make sure he got a fair deal when he got drafted I trudge back toward the coach wanting to keep this between us it’s nothing I say and glance away it’s hard to ignore the Steely gaze of

Coach Malone I’ll walk it off you’d run laps if it were up to me but I need you in game shape in under an hour get your head screwed back on Grayson if this is about your daughter it’s not I say and breathe a sigh of relief

Bristol is at home with Leah and I don’t have to worry about either of them because I know without a doubt that the security system is top-notch and if anyone came within several yards of the house I’d be notified as would Emerson then it’s about the girl coach Malone’s eyes tighten

Is your brother in love with her or something I’d kill him if you were I growl a little too quickly and Malone’s gaze widens don’t let some girl come between Brothers there are a lot of fish in the sea Grayson she’s not just some girl I say and I inhale sharply at the

Realization that as much as Emerson gets under my skin it’s because I want to be around her I think I might actually be harboring real feelings for her he smirks and his shoulders sag as he glances me over is that so I’m just not sure she realizes that yet

How much she means to me can I I glance at his wedding band it’s plain and simple and yet it would be perfect for a ruse can I borrow your wedding ring coach Malone Squints at me fiddling with his wedding band are you sure about this Grayson don’t be stupid over something your

Little brother said or did this isn’t about him I say the guys clearly don’t realize I’m serious about M and if I can’t convince them that our relationship is real how am I going to convince the rest of the world chapter 14. Emerson what the hell do you wear to a hockey game

I glance over my shoulder at Leah and Bristol in the door frame waiting on me to hurry up I’ve tossed open every drawer in my bedroom pulled apart the closet and left clothes scattered on the bed floor and hanging over the bathroom door a jersey Bristol says matter of fact

She’s wearing an ice dragon’s hockey jersey that’s a little big but clearly a youth size that won’t work for me I have nothing to wear did you check Mr Grayson’s closet Leah asks no I gasp Leah and Bristol part ways letting me hurry across the hall they both follow close behind as they

Watch me tear apart Kyler’s closet I don’t know much about hockey Leah says as she opens his dresser drawer and pulls out a jersey that I’ll be swimming in but this jersey definitely has the NHL logo Bristol’s eyes widen and she bites down on her bottom lip before grinning wildly

You should definitely wear that Dad will she snaps her mouth shut and I hurry into his bathroom and close the door I slip into the jersey and wear black leggings to go with the ensemble Leah has helped put everything back into place in Kyler’s room although he’ll know I borrowed the

Jersey I’m sure he won’t mind are you sure these are for the same team I ask glancing at the different emblem and colors it’s vintage Bristol says dad always goes on about how the old jerseys were so much cooler trust me you’ll make him blush I glance from Bristol to Leah what has

Gotten into her I laugh and pull Bristol to me for a hug you’d better be right Leah hurries out with Bristol ahead of me I shut and locked the house climbing into the vehicle and letting Mitchell take us to the game are you sure you guys are ready Mitchell

Asks glancing at us in the rear view mirror it’s game time I say with a rye grin the hockey game hasn’t started yet but I’m looking forward to it Mitchell shrugs and pulls away from the house taking us to the arena Bristol is seated beside me and Leah is

Up front having a nice and quiet discussion with Mitchell I can’t quite make out what’s being said but they’re having a good laugh who is playing the ice dragons tonight I ask I know next to nothing about hockey but I’m looking forward to watching Kyler on the ice actually seeing him play

It’s a bit exciting not that I want to admit that to him the island bruisers Mitchell says he laughs under his breath maybe I should get a ticket and join you guys in the stands you should Kyler would love to see all of us there cheering him on

Mitchell shakes his head but I can hear the laugh as he pulls up near the stadium traffic is heavy and there are lots of people crossing the street heading for the stadium you’ll want to check in at the box office show them your ID let them know you’re with Kyler Grayson and they’ll

Have seats available for the three of you you’re not coming I ask surprised he sounded interested moments earlier I would love to see Grayson’s face but I don’t want to be blamed blamed I ask he pulls up out front near the box office and we climb out of the vehicle

Bristol takes my hand walking beside me Leah is a few feet behind me and she gasps what do I have toilet paper on my shoe or something I ask glancing back at her holy mackerel Leah gasps nice save but that was an intended curse you owe the jar back home one dollar

Bristol says she drives a tough bargain I say glancing at Leah we hurry up to the front as the line moves fast and within a matter of minutes I have three tickets in hand and three VIP lanyards with golden tickets you can’t we have oh my gosh

Leah is trying hard not to cry from laughter Bristol glares at her shushy your Facey that’s not even a word I glance at Bristol what has gotten into the two of you did you guys Punk me is this a jersey for another team I can’t see the back of the Jersey but

The crowd thickens and were pushed forward toward the entrance I show our tickets and they scan all three letting us inside we follow the signs for our section and Leah grabs me before we make it down to the floor you should probably look to buy a jersey with Grayson’s name on it

He would like that a little too much I say with a laugh and Grimace realizing I’m supposed to be his girlfriend of course I’d have a jersey with his name on it [ __ ] Leah seems way too kind or unsuspicious I’m not sure which it is if she suspects anything between Kyler

And me isn’t real she hasn’t let on can I have popcorn Bristol asks pulling me in the opposite direction of the stand with the merchandise of course I say after the snacks and drinks are handled we head down to our seats which are directly behind the team bench

It isn’t long before the game starts and the players come out onto the ice there’s a panel of glass between the team and us and Bristol climbs onto her chair waving at her father Daddy she squeals excitedly while on the ice his focus is entirely

On the game I’m not sure he’s even seen that we’re in the stands but that’s probably for the best I don’t want to be a distraction to him I’d love to get Kyler alone for a moment and find out if there were any more recent threats sent to him or if he has

Any other suspects in mind about who might want to hurt his daughter there is plenty of security at the arena and sitting just behind the bench with the glass between us I don’t get the feeling that anyone from his team is involved but there are plenty of others who could be responsible

Bristol leans against the glass pane shoving her face against it making faces at the players in an attempt to get their attention most of them are too busy focusing on the game but Noah is on the bench and gives a smile and waves to Bristol she waves back excitedly and spins

Around to face me did you see that Noah waved to me before I have time to answer Noah is pointing at me and shaking his head in dismay what the hell are you wearing it belongs to Grayson take it up with him I shout back

Noah grins I know we gave it to him as a joke you’re not supposed to wear the other team’s Jersey he’s going to kill you when he sees what you have on I exhale a hearty laugh I guess it’s a good thing I’m behind the glass I tap the partition and give a

Little wave when Kyler skates by a frown on his face when he catches a quick glance in my direction Grayson shouts something but he’s gone long before Noah or I hear whatever it is that’s on his mind I’m telling you take that off before he loses his [ __ ] mind Noah says glaring

At me you can’t be supporting the other team I scoff at his suggestion I’m not a whoever they are fan bruisers Noah says and you’re wearing their Jersey like you’re in support of them I’m not a fan it was the only Jersey I could find why the hell would you give

Him this as a joke I ask pointing at it swear jar Bristol says pointing at both Noah and me one dollar each oh my gosh I groan hell isn’t even that bad of a word Bristol’s jaw drops two dollars no arguing the kid is all sass I give her that

Fine when we get home I’ll put two dollars into the jar you too Noah you owe me a dollar how about I buy you a soda Noah asks Bristol shakes her head I know you and Daddy get stuff for free besides I can’t buy a unicorn with soda

Huh a unicorn Noah smirks and shakes his head good luck he says staring at me I’m not sure if he’s referring to the fact that Bristol is six going on 16 or that the Jersey I’m wearing might start World War III Noah heads onto the ice when Kyler

Skates off and to the bench the coach is blasting him about missing some easy play but honestly I can’t imagine any play is easy did he miss on purpose was there another threatening letter Left Behind for him instructing him to throw the game it’s not a question I can ask here where

Anyone might overhear us Grayson grumbles and glances over his shoulder at me are you trying to make me bleed what I ask you’re cheering on the island bruisers Grayson’s eyes are wide I can’t believe my girlfriend is supporting the other team this is your shirt I refrain from

Calling him dumbass although it does cross my mind his eyes widen and he gestures for me to spin around it’s not a dress not happening I say what’s the big deal take it off Kyler says and his top lip snarls my girlfriend isn’t wearing that tonight I laugh nervously

Yeah that’s not a good idea and wearing a jersey for the bruisers is he snaps I’m not wearing anything underneath that’s not a complete truth I am wearing a bra but I don’t think everyone would appreciate me removing the Jersey and quite frankly it’s a bit chilly only

To be wearing a bra and leggings he shoots a look at Leah go buy my girlfriend something else during intermission that isn’t necessary I say Daddy I told her to wear it Bristol beams giving her thousand watt smile at her father he laughs he you little devil are the reason the

Guys are giving me hell always she says and blows her daddy a kiss and another dollar in the swear jar we both grown in unison Kyler glances behind him at the guys and the game this isn’t over go put that Jersey on inside out not happening

Take your jersey off and I’ll wear that one I’m joking but if he wouldn’t get in trouble he’d probably take it off and toss it to me over the glass partition you’re in trouble Ryan I know and you love it there’s commotion on the ice and Kyler shovels around to watch the action

Hopefully the coach won’t give him too hard of a time for talking to us in the stands several minutes pass before he’s back on the ice scoring goal after goal he’s on fire tonight until he gets into it with another player on the island bruisers team I can’t see what’s happening with the

Guys standing up in front of us shouting animatedly Kyler was tossed into the Penalty Box along with the other player he was fighting I glance at Leah what’s happening I ask her she shrugs it’s a hockey game fights break out it’s common I hope she’s right

But I don’t like seeing Kyler fight with anyone it makes me sick to my stomach the ice dragons are down and the buzzer sounds the teams Retreat to the locker rooms and the guys on the bench head out is the game Over Bristol grins no silly it’s intermission time oh like half time

More like thirds apparently the kid knows her fractions I try to play it cool like the six-year-old beside me didn’t just point out that she knows more about the game than I do but for the record her father is a professional hockey player I’m sure this isn’t her first game

Leah will you take me to the bathroom Bristol asks of course we’ll be right back Leah says and stands taking Bristol’s hand they walk down the aisle and up the stairs to the restrooms there’s a lot of hustle and bustle the Zamboni comes out and repairs the ice for the next period

Standing I stretch my legs as I catch sight of the coach heading back toward the benches he is carrying something in his hands and grumbling under his breath Ryan he says nodding at me yes sir I’m not sure why I’m addressing him quite so formally but it comes out

Before I can say anything else he tosses a white long-sleeved t-shirt over the glass at me your boyfriend wanted you to have this go change before you wreck our game I laugh under my breath seriously do I look like I’m joking the coach asks I shimmy off to the bathroom the line is

Out the door and I don’t actually have to pee I just need to get changed but at the current rate I don’t know how long the intermission is but it’s likely I’ll miss the next part of the game if I’m standing in line Bristol is hopping from one foot to the

Other seemingly attempting to hold her bladder there are at least a dozen women ahead of them I have to pee Bristol squeals can I use Daddy’s bathroom I don’t think that’s allowed I say I doubt security would let us into the locker room while we were given VIP lanyards to wear

It’s unlikely they’re going to let us ladies into the men’s locker room during the game it’s probably for a private Suite or after party she whines I can’t hold it any longer Leah frowns sweetie if we get out of line and can’t use the bathroom anywhere else we’ll

Have to start waiting from the back and start all over Bristol groans and wiggles like the kid has ants in her pants her nose scrunches and I swear she’s about to start crying fine I grab Bristol’s hand and glance at Leah do you want to take a chance coming with

Us or hang in this line it’s moving but it’s slow I’ll just wait it out Leah says if you can’t find a bathroom elsewhere maybe you can make it back here in time I’m not sure Bristol can hold it that much longer the girl looks like she’s

About to burst based on her potty dance which I thought was reserved for toddlers but she’s hopping from one foot to the other and grimacing the entire time let’s hurry I say escorting her away from the bathroom with one hand gripping hers and the other holding the white t-shirt that

Coach Malone tossed at me we hurried down the corridor and are stopped by a set of security guards blocking a back entrance sorry no access the taller of the two says they’re both big and Burly there’s zero chance of skirting past them without being tackled they could have been retired football players

We’re VIPs I say showing him our badges and this little one has to use the bathroom the taller of the two laughs at her awkward dance sorry the team is in the locker room I can’t let you in while they’re there during intermission daddy Bristol shouts over the Roar of the

Crowd is she hoping he can hear her we’re not anywhere near the locker room we’re at one end of the hallway and it’s at least at the opposite end if not around a corridor I can’t quite tell from where we’re standing the guard Smiles at the little girl

Who is your daddy he asks bending down to her level daddy obviously Bristol rolls her eyes and snaps her fingers tell him I need to see him the kid is all snark I laugh Kyler Grayson is her father you don’t say the guard Chuckles I can see where she gets her attitude

And who are you he asks glancing me up and down Grayson’s girlfriend isn’t he lucky the guard grins he glances at his buddy who doesn’t appear nearly as interested in conversing with the two of us watch the post he tells him and holds up a finger for us to wait

You could get fired if you interrupt them Chris the other guard says he clearly has zero intention of helping us let me handle it Chris says Bristol is still hopping and groaning her nose scrunching which would be adorable if she didn’t have to pee quite so badly

I’m impressed she’s managed to hold it as long as she has given the circumstances truthfully she probably would have been better off staying in line with Leah the guard stalks back and in the distance I can see him waiting outside the door he doesn’t knock he just Waits

How long does he plan on standing by the entrance it’s only a few seconds before the door swings open and Coach Malone steps out Chris accosts him long enough to explain our story before pointing in our Direction let them through Malone says gesturing for us to go on back

You’re going to have to cover her eyes he warns nodding toward Bristol with one hand gripping her hand my other covers her eyes with the shirt this smells like Daddy Bristol says as we Waltz inside the men’s locker room the guys are mostly geared up and ready to go back on the ice

A few of them are lacing their skates and putting on the final touches to their gear I’m not sure why he insisted that I cover her eyes until we get to the bathroom with urinals and the shower is running one of the players has his back to us

And there’s not a lot hidden from View I Usher her quickly into one of the bathroom stalls and slam the door shut behind her someone couldn’t wait for the restroom upstairs I say when the water shuts off for the shower as if I’m trying to explain why

I’m in the men’s locker room with a kid I stand with my back to the showers doing my best to give Owen privacy at least that’s who it looked like from the quick Glimpse I got while ushering Bristol inside where’s the boyfriend Owen asks his footsteps thutting over the floor as he approaches

I’m grateful when I glance wearily in his direction that he’s wearing a towel around his waist I haven’t seen him I say but I also wasn’t looking for Kyler my focus has been on Bristol and getting her to the bathroom without getting an eyeful he’s here Grayson says coming up from behind

And why the hell are you still wearing that damn Jersey another dollar in the swear jar PS from behind the closed bathroom stall swear kid he Sighs and shakes his head change shirts now he growls his eyes pinning me making my stomach flutter um okay I shuffle into an empty stall not

Wanting any of his teammates to get an eyeful when I change I’m quick shucking the jersey in a matter of seconds I pull on the white shirt and take a deep breath Bristol was right it does smell uniquely of Kyler it certainly beats the smell of the locker room which isn’t ideal

Stepping out from the stall Kyler grabs the Jersey from my hands did you think wearing this was funny he asks flipping it around for me to see the back and all the scribbles and crude caricature drawings in thick black permanent marker oh my gosh I gasp Bristol

I can’t believe Bristol and Leah let me wear that Jersey out Bristol flushes the toilet and steps out to wash her hands what it was funny there’s a penis on the back of the Jersey Bristol Giggles like it was the funniest joke in the world

I don’t know how you even know what that is Kyler shoots Bristol a pointed stare you gave me a book about the birds and the bee’s dad I’m six I’m not a baby right Kyler mutters under his breath well six-year-olds still need plenty of sleep he glances at the clock on the nearby

Wall where’s Leah upstairs in line for the bathroom I say she should probably take Bristol home and tuck her into bed daddy no Bristol whales and I swear the entire Stadium can hear her outburst you’ll want to go home I want to watch you play can’t I stay for the whole game this

Time please she bats her eyes up at her father they’re wide and Soulful and I swear he’s going to Cave any second no I’m surprised she doesn’t have him wrapped around her little finger you can watch for a few more minutes but before the next intermission you ought

To be on your way home we Shuffle out of the bathroom and the team is on their way back out I escort Bristol out of the locker room and the security guard stands outside the door waiting for us thank you I say we head back to our seats and Leah is

Already waiting for us I take it you managed to use the bathroom she asks Bristol beams with excitement daddy let us use his in the locker room oh is that so Leah asks with a laugh she glances over at the new shirt I’m wearing I see you’ve changed I glare at Leah yes

Thanks a lot for letting me wear that Jersey out in public I didn’t actually see the back until we got to the arena Leah admits and I suggested that we buy you something else but someone distracted us with snacks she stares pointedly at Bristol guilty Bristol says with a grin the girl

Is cheeky Kyler asked that you take Bristol home before the next intermission and get her tucked into bed of course you should stay see the full game and enjoy a little quiet time without us Leah says I’m not sure I’d describe a hockey game as quiet but I

Appreciate that she’s offering to take Bristol back on her own although I’m sure Mitchell will be chauffeuring them home I text Mitchell and wait for his reply when he arrives the game goes by rather quickly especially with Kyler on the ice for most of the period he gets tossed into the Penalty Box

Again I’m not sure who started the fight but it’s clear he’s got an issue with a player on the opposing team the ice dragons managed to score three goals and are in the lead but it’s a relatively close game Mitchell texts a few minutes before the period ends and I escort Leah and

Bristol to the car I don’t want to risk anything happening to his daughter I’m sure she’s fine but I prefer handing her off to Mitchell who is capable of protecting Bristol Leah is sweet and great with Bristol but I don’t think she could fend off anyone dangerous she’s not trained in self-defense or

Combat perhaps I should suggest to Kyler that he send Leah to a course or two even I could teach her a few maneuvers I hurry back to my seat just as the second period ends the team hustles back to the locker room but one of the players heads toward me with a wink

Grayson wanted me to tell you to come around to the bench and have a seat that’s allowed I ask with a nervous laugh he shrugs and smirks not really giving much of an answer turning around I glance at his jersey Jameson retreats to the locker room

I stand from my seat and I have to walk up the stairs and back around by the locker room to join the guys on the bench it seems weird but this time I have no trouble at all getting through security the guard recognizes me and nods for me

To head on back through the hallway there’s hustle and bustle behind the locker room doors I can hear the noise and camaraderie among the players no one stops me as I pass the locker room doors and head down to the bench by the ice there are no guards on Watch and the

Players haven’t emerged yet I hope this isn’t some elaborate joke from Kyler’s buddy trying to get me in trouble or embarrass Grayson a few minutes pass before the guys start to re-emerge from the locker room they took a shorter break since there’s still 11 minutes until the game starts hey Eminem

Grayson says with a grin when he sees me sitting on the bench I straighten up and my eyes widen worried that maybe I shouldn’t have listened to his buddy Jameson we don’t usually allow girlfriends on the bench coach Malone says and clears his throat but your man here had something he

Wanted to say during intermission a glance from the coach to Grayson shaking my head confused what is he talking about Grayson’s wearing his skates and swings open the door to step onto the ice giving me a look are you coming Eminem not if you keep calling me that I laugh nervously

And I don’t think I’m supposed to just walk onto the ice he gives a half-hearted shrug they still have to Zamboni the ice did you just use Zamboni as a verb the grin on his face widens you know more about hockey than you let on Eminem seriously Grayson that nickname has to go

I scowl at him but I’m not the least bit mad he takes my hand and guides me carefully onto the ice I never asked but do you know how to skate now you ask and not in tennis shoes I feel my feet slipping but he’s keeping me Steady his arms around my waist

We’re only a few feet from the door to the bench which has now been shut by another teammate ice skating lessons for a future date he says more to himself than anything else I don’t remind him that we’re faking dating but ice skating lessons don’t sound like a bad idea

Mostly because the thought of spending time with Kyler makes my stomach flutter and my heart race I enjoy spending time with him even if it’s entirely related to the job right planning our dates already I tease and my feet slip but he pulls me close his arms wrap around my waist and my

Arms instinctively move around his neck in an embrace that’s not the only thing I’ve been planning with you m the way he says my name steals my breath it catches in my throat and I tremble in his arms is it the cold my nerves maybe I’m just freaking out because

There are thousands of eyes on us in the arena except no one else hears his words they’re meant solely for me is that right another nervous laugh and I really wish I had my emotions under control it’s suddenly warm and my cheeks are heated I can feel the flesh like a fever

Coursing through me Jasper skates onto the ice carrying a microphone with him I glance Between Brothers what the hell are they up to Jasper skates off the ice leaving Grayson in my arms he pulls back only slightly making sure I’m not going to fall before he releases his grip from me

With one hand he takes the microphone and in the other my hand is in his Kyler what are you doing I whisper staring up at him with wide eyes there’s a smirk on his face fueled with passion and Mischief like whatever he’s got planned nothing and no one will stand in his way

[ __ ] my stomach does a belly flop Kyler I warn and already he drops to one knee and I swear my eyes practically fly out of my head get up I whisper to him and he Chuckles not until you hear what I have to say those words are meant only for me

He brings the microphone to his lips ladies and gentlemen may I have everyone’s attention please I can’t speak only stare at Kyler Grayson my mouth a gape and my eyes like two saucers there’s nothing pretty about looking speechless a bug could fly into my mouth and I’d still be standing there dumbfounded

His eyes stare straight into my soul I swear he’s stolen my breath and I blink rapidly before I realize I need to inhale and exhale or I might pass out the microphone moves away from his lips again making it so that only I can hear him I need you to say yes

He stares at me his eyes boring into mine my head is in the clouds like a misty fog and the moment feels incredibly surreal what I whisper trying to comprehend what he’s saying because my mind and my heart are thoroughly confused when I ask say yes

It’s like a set of instructions a manual I have to follow and I’m not even sure what the hell I’m building except I know my stomach tenses and my hands tremble because there’s no other reason that an NHL player gets down on one knee during intermission and holds a pretty girl’s hand

Unless he’s about to ask her that question he brings the microphone to his lips everyone probably thought he gave me a sweet private speech instead it was a list of his demands say yes okay actually one demand I should have asked for more money if I’m putting up with these shenanigans

Kyler speaks into the microphone loud and clear making sure everyone hears him Emerson Ryan will you marry me chapter 15 Kyler the plan went exactly how I wanted it to and then it imploded not the proposal at least not publicly M said yes just like I asked her to before

I made a formal proposal for all to see and hear I wanted it to be the headlines on the news and in the paper I wasn’t disappointed with her answer and I’m sure that tomorrow the news channels will be all over it I’m pretty sure if I turned on the

Television to one of the sports channels they’d be talking about it it was what happened after the proposal that has me dumbfounded she stayed for the rest of the game insisted on returning to her seat and then Emerson hightailed it out of the Arena the minute the game ended

Not so much as a goodbye I headed off the ice to the bench and she was gone in the locker room I texted Mitchell and he assured me that he was taking her home I didn’t want to read into anything traffic is always awful after a game

Maybe she wanted to get out before reporters tried to Hound her with questions but when I stepped in through the front door she was nowhere in sight she’s not answering her texts and now she’s locked herself in her bedroom refusing to speak with me you can’t ignore me forever I’m your

Boss I knock once again on her bedroom door the girl is practically steaming when she finally throws open the door and folds her arms across her chest that was a dick move even for you Grayson so we’re back to a last name basis that isn’t exactly good but the guys on

The team referred to me as Grayson so maybe it isn’t all bad I’m trying to see the silver lining asking you to marry me I know it’s fake and while my feelings for her are slowly becoming real I pushed things too far we should have discussed it first

I like you you like your career she spits back I’m just trailing in third she slams the door in my face I’ll let her sleep it off maybe tomorrow we can have a genuine conversation and I can apologize for throwing her off and making her uncomfortable with the arrangements

But she agreed to be my fake girlfriend it’s just one more step to proving we’re an item and after seeing her today at the game I want her there beside me all the time I have no qualms about her bringing Bristol into the locker room today

But she wouldn’t have had to do that if the guys knew I was serious about m she hasn’t been invited to the wives room yet it’s reserved for the wives and serious girlfriends of the team to hang out there’s even a place for the kids to play which would be great for Bristol

But I can’t just give her an invitation it’s a sacred Place among hockey wives even though I’m the captain of the team hopefully by proposing the ladies will see how serious I am about Emerson and invite her into their Inner Circle I don’t believe any of them would be

Behind the threats to Bristol’s safety but maybe they’ve seen or heard things the group I’ve been told is gossipy but also Incredibly Close and protective of their Inner Circle and getting Emerson an invitation isn’t an easy feat I can’t just ask them to invite her it doesn’t work like that

I head off to bed deciding that riling up M any further isn’t going to help she’s tired I’m beat a good night’s sleep May fix things could I be that lucky I stripped down into my boxers and climb under the warm blankets I try not to Envision her curled up in

My arms but it’s impossible I still smell her on me even after the game and the shower in the locker room her scent is intoxicating and it’s invading my senses from the inside out the kiss on the ice the fans cheering and her arms wrapped around my neck are imprinted on me forever

I could die a happy man if only it had been real if only the kiss had meant for her what it means to me The Proposal may be fake but the feelings behind the attraction are 100 real I’m not ready for marriage with M or anyone else yet

But I want her solely in my life no strings and no other attachments the thought of her so much is looking at another man fills me with an intense Rage of jealousy I toss and turn unable to sleep and talking to em isn’t going to help

Put me out for the night she’s mad or at the very least disappointed in me which makes me feel a thousand times worse because I do like her and not just as a friend I’m trying to bury those feelings but the more time we spend together flirting and talking

The more I see her for who she is and I like it I like her [ __ ] did I screw up by pushing the fake relationship into a fake proposal sleep eludes me the clock on the bedside table taunts me my thoughts are entirely of M her body

Her mouth her tongue teasing my [ __ ] [ __ ] it’s been too long since I’ve gotten laid having Emerson under my roof has been a distraction the perfect titillating distraction who gave me the best [ __ ] of my life until the guy is interrupted I have wanted her since that night

But she’s been distant and I’ve had to focus on my career and protecting my daughter which means keeping Emerson at arm’s length she’s here for Bristol not me talk about complicated because a part of me wants her here for me and it isn’t a small part it’s my

Dick and it’s acting based on my heart which is not the least bit logical for me I like em and I don’t want to screw things up because like she said I’m her boss but it’s more than that with her she’s not just my daughter’s private bodyguard

She means so much more to me and she doesn’t have the slightest notion of how I feel because I haven’t told her how can I without screwing things up further I’ve already made a mess out of what we have going on between us the clock reads half past three and I’m

Not about to get any sleep when I’m restless and having thoughts of Emerson there’s only one way out of this mess and my tenting boxers are indicating to me the obvious answer I keep my breathing as quiet as possible as I reach down inside and stroke my

Length it’s hard not to picture Emerson when we were on the ice together except for this time I’m in control of the fantasy and I have her wearing nothing but my jersey and I mean nothing it rides up barely covering that pert little ass of hers and I want to steal a

Taste push her up against the glass and drop down to my knees and tongue [ __ ] her I’d show her what it means to be with a real man a man who worships every inch of her body and takes her over the edge repeatedly that’s what she deserves nothing less

I imagine it’s her hand on my [ __ ] as I pump harder and faster her name spills past my lips as I try to stifle the urge to control myself my breathing is labored and heavy I should flip on the ceiling fan and do something to drown out the sounds coming

Up from me in the Stillness of the night but I don’t care let her hear me warmth runs through my veins and I wish it were her wet tongue on my [ __ ] or her tight [ __ ] trembling around me I imagine her sneaking into my bed finishing the job Emerson

I grunt grabbing a tissue from the nightstand as I feel the flood of heat seep out of me but it’s only my imagination as I’m trying to catch my breath my eyelids are heavy and finally sleep wins over but for how long the soft powder of footsteps awakens me

Along with the light streaming in through the curtains it’s evidently morning my alarm has yet to go off but I’m certain it will soon enough I roll over to ensure it’s off before it startles me or anyone else I Stumble out of bed use the bathroom

Yank on my boxers and then head into the hallway to make a pot of coffee Emerson’s gaze moves down my body I neglected to put on anything else half asleep and too exhausted even to care you’re in your underwear she says and her cheeks Redden as she averts her eyes

Pajamas mine corrector but she isn’t wrong I’m not wearing a shirt and if it were anyone else I wouldn’t be walking around in my boxers for the world to see but it’s just um Bristol is asleep and the nanny didn’t stay the night she must have gone home

Once Emerson came in after the game that’s not pajamas she laughs under her breath do you make a habit out of walking around in your underwear M does a decent job of meeting my gaze not staring at my bare chest or my low riding boxers I can’t quite read her this morning

Which only makes me more puzzled she could have just walked away or given me the cold shoulder but I’m glad she hasn’t done either her cheeks Redden as she holds my stare and I’ve yet to answer her I want her to look to take it all in I’m

Proud of what I have to offer her and it isn’t like she hasn’t seen the goods hell she took it for a bit of a test drive my [ __ ] begins to stir at the heated memories of her lips around my shaft [ __ ] I cannot get hard while she’s

Staring at me and things are finally getting back to normal after last night hockey pucks fights on the ice I try to throw random hockey thoughts into my head to keep my dick in check you shouldn’t have proposed to me on the ice not without first discussing it

There’s a chill in the air and it’s coming entirely from Emerson that’s one way to crush a man’s ego and his boner not that I thought it was a real proposal or that she was in love with me but the kiss on the ice had been spectacular

Will you marry me I ask holding the microphone with one hand and gripping her hand staring up into her eyes she smiles and nods and for a moment it feels real the happiness behind her gaze appears 100 genuine and if I didn’t know any better I’d think she was as ecstatic as

I was I slide the ring onto her finger it’s a simple gold band and far too big but she doesn’t say anything about it I stand and wrap my arms around her waist crushing her lips against mine my heart pounds against my chest the drowning of the crowd hushed by the heat building

Between us she opens her mouth her fingers playing at the back of my neck tangling in my hair as I deepen the kiss the world Fades away it’s as though it’s only the two of us and I pull her tighter closer my clothes are thick and hard between us

Making it nearly impossible to feel her body against me but she doesn’t seem to care or notice her tongue Glides past my lips and I want to explore every inch of her body from head to toe on the ice a loud thud jars us apart and I realize I’ve dropped the microphone forgetting

It was in my fingers with her body pressed tightly against mine Emerson is staring at me waiting for a response as to why I proposed without discussing it with her first because I knew she’d never agree to it I was just emphasizing our fake relationship you don’t emphasize by proposing she says

Or by moaning my name in the middle of the night were you seriously fantasizing about me while jacking off daddy what’s jacking off neither one of us heard Bristol climb out of bed and sneak into the hallway with us chapter 16 Emerson I could die of embarrassment that is not

An exaggeration and if looks could kill I’d already be dead from the death glares Kyler shoots in my direction I take it upon myself to answer to try and minimize the damage it’s when you’re bouncing on the bed and jump off Bristol’s eyes widen you were jumping on the bed without me Daddy

You never let me jump on the bed I can’t tell if he’s relieved or even more agitated by my answer and you’re not going to start jumping on the bed Emerson didn’t literally mean jump on the bed then what did she mean Bristol asks with wide curious eyes

He groans and runs a hand through his hair I need to shower before practice can you watch her until Leah gets here I force a smile sliding the ring off my thumb it was far too big for my ring finger and whoever it belongs to they probably wanted it back of course

Come on let’s get you breakfast head on downstairs I say Bristol hurries down the stairs are you coming just a sec I call back I hand the ring to Kyler next time maybe don’t use your finger to measure an engagement ring thanks he says and Palms the ring it belongs to coach

I kind of figured it wasn’t for me I head down the stairs not able to take the pain of staring at him at the ring at all of it without feeling more than I should why do I feel torn up inside when I know it’s all an act he’s always made his

Intentions clear that this is a fake relationship I probably just need space to clear my head and collect my thoughts as far away from Kyler Grayson as possible hurrying down to the kitchen I get Bristol situated with breakfast and put on a pot of coffee the surveillance system indicates that

Leah has just arrived and is entering through the main gate the front door squeaks open hi Leah calls out announcing that she has arrived hi we’re in the kitchen I say grabbing a cup and waiting for the coffee to finish Brewing before I pour it half an hour later my tablet pings but

It’s not from Kyler leaving it’s an alert that someone is at the front gate he’s still lacing up his sneakers by the door it’s not Mitchell because he’s inside the property waiting out front I grabbed the tablet and open the app to check the surveillance footage

It’s a woman with dark hair wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses it’s almost like she’s trying to be inconspicuous but it’s not going over real well everything okay Grayson glances up at me when he sees me studying the tablet he’s got a cool exterior calm and collected like he isn’t worried

And I’m not sure if it’s because he trusts me or he doesn’t think the threat can touch him inside these four walls well he’s wrong the surveillance isn’t foolproof it’s helpful as an alarm system but it’s not about to shoot someone or throw stones at them if they breach the property

My job is to protect Bristol and Kyler yes he may have hired me solely to protect his daughter but if they’re both around I intend to keep them safe know her I ask showing the screen to Kyler she pulls back the shades and pushes the buzzer yeah you can let her in

That’s all he says Kyler heads for the front door and Yanks it open there’s no game tonight just practice Bristol hurries toward him to give him a hug and kiss goodbye bye daddy she says waving as he exits the front door and heads toward Mitchell

He’s out the door before I have time to ask who the hell she is well I’m about to find out I step out onto the porch not wanting this strange woman anywhere near Bristol even if Kyler isn’t concerned he hasn’t answered any of my questions about who

She is and what she’s doing here she stalks down the length of the private driveway and heels the woman is all class but why the hell didn’t she drive in past the gates she cranes her neck getting a full view of the property before landing eyes on me

The brunette Smiles but it feels forced Emerson right she asks glancing me up and down she looks a tad disappointed by what she sees I’m still in pajamas I wasn’t expecting visitors yes that’s me can I help you my back is to the house keeping her from the front entrance shielding Bristol and

Leah inside in her right hand is an envelope sealed with wax and in calligraphy my first name she hands it to me and purses her lips if you decide to come it’s required that you wear your fiance’s Jersey without another word she turns and heads back down the road

I didn’t even get her name I wait until she’s outside the property and the metal gate closes before sauntering into the house was that Kate James Leah is still peering out the window when I step inside she’s Asher’s wife he’s the enforcer for the team his wife isn’t familiar but I know Asher

It’s my responsibility to know all the players but their wives I haven’t studied up on because I didn’t think of them as suspects maybe I should what did she bring you Leah asks glancing at the envelope in my hand it’s formal fancy I carefully opened the thick envelope to

Reveal an invitation to a private event hosted by the hockey wives you have to go to that Leah says and tell me everything afterward I thought you weren’t into hockey I frown putting the invitation back into its envelope my high school boyfriend used to blab on about the sport

I don’t really know much but she did a full spread in one of those scantily clad magazines and I remember catching him I nod vaguely toward Bristol who was watching the two of us eagerly Leah’s eyes widen and she blinks repeatedly shutting her mouth perhaps realizing the conversation needed to end and quickly

Let’s get you ready for a fun day at the zoo Leah says what were you two talking about Bristol asks it’s time to get you upstairs and dressed I say changing the subject and trying my best to distract Bristol the kid is smart and I don’t need her

Blabbering on to Kyler about anything she overhears I text Kyler while he’s enroute to the guys for practice invitation received she mentioned wearing your jersey should I grab one at the store he immediately responds via text absolutely not that isn’t acceptable I’ll bring you one of mine to wear when’s the get together

I don’t feel ready for an event with the hockey wives but I’m going to have to pull it off if I want to be invited to the wives room where the ladies gossip before the game and during intermission tomorrow I text him back food drive how did you know

He doesn’t text me back it isn’t overly important he probably arrived at practice with the guys but uh see you later or goodbye would have been nice I put my phone away and hurry upstairs to get showered and dressed so that I can accompany Leah and Bristol on their outing

You don’t have to come with us Leah says I promise I can handle Bristol on my own for a day is that what she thinks that I’m spying on the nanny or something of course that would imply that she doesn’t know I’m joining her and I don’t

Make a habit of stalking Leah in Bristol I know but I like spending time with you guys I’m confident Mitchell could handle any situation with Bristol but he’s driving them to the zoo not accompanying them throughout the entire park it’s really no bother don’t you have work to do

Leah asks her brow pinched she’s asking too many questions and I’m grateful when my cell phone interrupts us except it’s my sister and I haven’t talked to her since before I started working for Kyler hey Amber I say and I can already feel the prickly heat of electricity coming from the other line

You didn’t tell me you were seeing anyone and now you’re engaged I suck in a sharp breath this isn’t a conversation I want to have in front of Bristol although she’s bound to find out eventually she and the nanny may have missed Kyler’s big announcement on the ice when

He got down on one knee but word travels fast in this city and the moment Leah hears the news she’s bound to comment on it which means I should squash it far before she gets wind any other way except she isn’t supposed to know what Kyler and I have is fake I grown

This has gotten out of hand and far too complicated I don’t want to disappoint Bristol or put her in the middle making her think that I’m going to be her mother one day that isn’t fair to her but Kyler should never have suggested it either we’re both to blame

It’s not entirely his fault I went along with it it’s kind of a new thing I say feeling Leah’s stare on me she’s ready to go and now they’re waiting on me can I call you back fine but you owe me the details even the juicy filthy ones

I end the call with my sister and follow the girls out to the vehicle Mitchell is already back at the house after dropping Kyler off for practice this morning where to Mitchell asks as Bristol climbs into the back seat and I make sure she’s buckled before securing my own seat belt I let

The nanny sit up front for some reason it feels natural sitting next to Bristol like she’s my daughter it’s also the best way for me to protect her by keeping her close we spend much of the day exploring the zoo filling up on popcorn and sweets before returning to the house to make

Dinner Mitchell swings by to pick up Kyler on our way home from the zoo he Yanks open the back door surprised to see us all stuffed inside I scoot over squeezing up against Kyler not that I mind what were you guys up to today Kyler asks yanking his seat belt on while

Mitchell pulls back out through the lot and into traffic we went to the zoo Bristol proclaims shoving her penguin across my lap for her dad to see she doesn’t relinquish it into his hands though gripping it tightly before bringing it back to rub noses with it I’ll bet you two spoiled my little

Bristol I’m not little Bristol says staring at him pointedly of course I’m sorry my mistake Kyler says with a rye grin he shifts in the back seat to get comfortable but he’s tall and his legs are up to his knees the front seat is typically shoved all

The way forward when we get in making Leah push it back I suppose now I see why how was your day I ask nudging him good practice went well nothing too exciting yours he glances at me with a genuine smile and my stomach flutters it’s hard to keep the feeling straight

The ones that aren’t real when he looks at me as if nothing else matters and his eyes stare straight into my soul my breath catches in my throat just an ordinary day at the zoo I want to talk to him about Amber calling and how Leah is bound to

Overhear the gossip we need to address this before Bristol hears about it he must sense my hesitation because his brow knits and he reaches for my hand intertwining our fingers together we’re not on display Leah isn’t watching and we’re far from the stadium his teammates and the hockey wives

My sister called this morning I whisper keeping my voice down the radio helps give us a hint of privacy although Bristol is seated beside me yeah anything special Kyler asks she watches television I say hoping that’s enough of an indicator of what we need to discuss

When we get back to his place he shrugs nonchalantly that was inevitable someone you know would find out about us babe he squeezes my hand relax how can I relax when I was too naive to think about the agreement that far ahead I mean sure I figured I might be in a

Few pictures with Kyler but I never thought my sister would see the headline I never thought he’d propose at a hockey game for everyone to see Mitchell pulls up to the house and we all climb out of the car I head inside first making sure the house is still secure

Kyler is right on my heel with Leah and Bristol following behind I slip out of my shoes and head up the stairs where are you going Kyler asks I’m just going to start dinner Leah says as she helps Bristol out of her sneakers do you need me to do something first

I was talking to my fiancee Kyler pins me with his stare the air rushes out of my lungs and Aaliyah’s eyes widen you two are engaged she doesn’t seem to get the message that Kyler is focused entirely on me and for the first time it scares me what does that mean

Bristol asks peering up at us as she’s Seated on the bench beside the front door she kicks her feet wildly and wiggles her toes bear of her shoes her socks are mismatched but the kid doesn’t seem to care knowing Bristol she probably insisted on wearing one unicorn sock and one bunny sock

Leah quickly Zips her lip and ushers Bristol into the kitchen how about you help me with dinner you don’t want to cook Bristol wines that’s your job you can draw me a picture while I cook Leah suggests as she guides her out of the hallway and into the kitchen

Affording us a tiny bit of privacy I was trying to avoid that I say and gesture towards the kitchen with Leah and Bristol upstairs Kyler is short and even tempered he grabs my hand on the way up the stairs and I have half a mind to push him away but I don’t

I’m not sure what game he’s playing at and even worse I hate the fact that I might actually like it well not the games I like Kyler at least I think that’s the reason for the butterflies in my knotted stomach I chew on my bottom lip as he pulls me into his bedroom

It smells like Kyler warm woodsy and thick I try not to inhale but it feels like I’m taking a hit Kyler Grayson the newest drug on the Block and I want to bring it to my lips and breathe it all in set his one word is a command and he

Untangles his hand gesturing for me to approach his bed that is definitely not a good idea I’ll Stand I say my mouth goes dry and my tongue swipes out trying to save me from embarrassment when I speak Kyler shrugs like he doesn’t really care whether I sit or stand he’s trying to

Make me comfortable well nothing about this conversation is about to be comfortable we just told your daughter we’re engaged actually technically you did I say I’m not usually one to point the blame but this time it was all him and I’ll explain it all to her later but

I had a good day and I wanted to celebrate it with you my voice betrays me as it comes out more like a squeak in your bedroom I’m confident my cheeks are flushed and I shuffle backward trying to keep ample distance between us not because I don’t

Trust Kyler the truth is that I don’t trust myself how can I when I heard him last night he moaned my name and I thought maybe it was in his sleep he could have been having a bad dream but then I quietly opened to the door and he definitely wasn’t asleep

Thankfully he didn’t see me walking in on your boss doing that and moaning your name is non-negotiable if he caught me watching I’d have to quit it’s not like I haven’t fantasized about Kyler but there’s the fantasy world locked up tight inside my head and the real world those two can’t collide

You look terrified Kyler says and the smile Fades from his face [ __ ] I didn’t think I’m sorry he backs away from me giving plenty of space between us frowning I shake my head what are you talking about I don’t want you to think I’m like that creep Clemens who I cut him off

I know what he did I don’t want a reminder or for him to feel sorry for me I fold my arms defensively across my chest that thought never even crossed my mind Grayson he looks hurt I thought he’d look relieved what I ask wondering why he’s staring at me

You call me Grayson when you’re trying to put distance between us I hadn’t noticed he’s probably right you call me Ryan rarely he counters I don’t argue because this battle he’s won I stand by the window beside his bed so what now I ask tell me the truth um

Do you have any feelings for me at all I let out a heavy breath that’s a loaded question I say it really isn’t do you have feelings for me um he asks again you’re my boss I avoid answering the question we’re in a fake relationship it’s easy for it to feel real

I shuffle my feet and glance away why do you have feelings for me Kyler doesn’t back down I swear the man has no fear no sense of dread or the fact that how he answers might screw everything up how could I not you’re gorgeous funny and great with Bristol

Those could easily be traits between friends I breathe a sigh of relief at least he’s not throwing around The L Word that would be crazy wouldn’t it I’m also your daughter’s bodyguard I remind him Kyler shrugs yes I hired you I know that it doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings

For you m but if you don’t reciprocate them just say the word I’ll compartmentalize what we have and keep it professional until we’re in the spotlight you’re putting me under a lot of pressure I say got it he nods and opens the bedroom door letting himself out

I exhale a heavy breath and glance around the room what the hell just happened chapter 17. Kyler Emerson has been distant since I cornered her in my bedroom maybe I should have chosen a different room but I doubt the outcome would have changed I wasn’t asking her to actually marry me

Just admit if she harbored feelings for me her non-committal answer was enough of a blow to make me realize that this relationship is entirely fake just like I asked for it to be I did it to myself one hundred percent suggesting that we fake date and then

Blindsiding her when I fake proposed not my finest hour in terms of communication but at least she’s still speaking to me I mean she texts me that everything is as it should be with the house no new threats no suspects I haven’t received another letter at the

Arena but it’s only a matter of time I doubt the threat is over when he can so easily manipulate me into doing what he wants because I’d do anything to protect Bristol we have the food drive today and I tossed one of my jerseys in M’s room

After her blowout not that it was a huge fight or anything it was more of a standstill two steps forward a thousand steps back she gave me the cold shoulder at dinner focused entirely on Bristol and then claimed she was tired and went to bed early

Which I know was a lie her bedroom light was on past midnight I could see she was logged on to the internet and on the tablet doing work hiding from me and I should give em her space clearly she needs it if she’s avoiding me but I

Also don’t like her being mad at me I get dressed and head downstairs for a cup of coffee Emma’s standing in the kitchen with her back to me she’s wearing my jersey with a pair of black leggings and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride inside

That’s what I wanted when she came to the game I won’t make the same mistake twice she’ll keep the jersey and wear it to every game she attends so everyone in the stands and on the team will know she belongs to me I walk up beside her and grab a mug from

The cabinet pouring myself a steaming cup of coffee you look good in my jersey she laughs nervously and spins around raising an eyebrow wear it to the next game you attend and the one after that and so on you mean you don’t want me wearing the

Dick Jersey she asks with a laugh and shoves her face into her hands I can’t believe I had that on were there any reporters who took pictures thankfully they weren’t aware of who she was until after the proposal and at that point I’d already had her change into one of my white undershirts

We lucked out whose idea was it really to wear it I asked I don’t believe that M would ever lie to me had she thought it would be a funny prank like the guys did when they gifted it to me your daughter she says I swear she insisted that I wear it and

I didn’t even think to check the back I wasn’t even sure it was for the team you play for but Leah assumed it was and that it was one of those old style jerseys throwback I ask with a laugh yeah I probably have one of those around somewhere that would fit Bristol

I don’t usually keep a stack of jerseys on hand at home you should for visitors Emerson says and grabs a cup of coffee for herself or for any potential dates I’m not dating anyone else that would look bad with us being fake engaged I smile at her hoping that she’ll lighten up

She sips her coffee and nods right I should get ready and head out I don’t want to keep the hockey wives waiting are you sure Bristol is okay with Leah today can Mitchell keep an eye on them since I have to cover this event I’ve got it covered you worry about yourself

Remember we’re madly in love I wrap my arms around her waist and she freezes her body tenses beneath my touch at least we don’t have to pretend today in front of others although to be honest I kind of want to do that with her maybe I’ll show up after a

Couple of hours to see how everyone is treating my fiance then I can steal a kiss from her right madly in love she says with a heavy sigh I should go M slips from My Embrace and it’s like the room dropped several degrees her body heat and being pressed against

Her had warmed me from the inside out when the hell did I become a man obsessed with a woman let alone my daughter’s bodyguard I run a hand through my hair and hurry down the rest of the coffee in my mug I should be avoiding caffeine with the

Way that she makes me feel inside but maybe one small hit isn’t so bad after all it’s not like I’m going to see her for at least a couple of hours Bristol comes tearing down the stairs not the least bit quiet the nanny has today off I can’t expect

Her to work a seven day schedule even if she were willing to accommodate the overtime I don’t want her to burn out I should probably give em more time off too Daddy Bristol squeals as she slides across the kitchen in her fluffy pink socks can we go ice skating today she asks

Let me think about it I say teasingly and offer a huge grin yes the kid loves the ice but I’m not sure if she’s just trying to follow in my footsteps because she thinks that’s what she’s supposed to do last year she joined a hockey team for

Kids but she wasn’t too fond of chasing the puck or being competitive it might have to do with the fact that one of the other girls whacked her with the stick it wasn’t on purpose but hockey is a bit more aggressive than my Bristol is used to after that game she preferred dancing

With the hockey stick on the ice which made her coach unpleased and somehow he thought it was my fault when hockey wasn’t such a hit I suggested ice skating with other kids or competitive figure skating and she stuck her tongue out at me and told me no

I don’t believe in pushing her too hard some kids that works for but not Bristol can Emmy come with us Bristol asks she plops herself at the kitchen counter waiting for breakfast I make a batch of Pancakes taking my time this morning enjoying a bit of quality time with my daughter

It isn’t often enough that it’s just the two of us anymore not that I’m complaining I enjoy having em around a lot and it’s nice Leah can help with some of the added stress and work that needs to be done Emmy has plans for today I say mixing

The pancake batter while Bristol quizzes me the smile on her face grows doing what is it a date my stomach churns at my daughter’s question what makes you say that she’s pretty Bristol says with a shrug but aren’t you dating her daddy I bite down on my tongue Now isn’t the

Time to reveal to Bristol that em and I are just faking this whole relationship for the world but eventually I’m going to have to tell her I’m nauseous just thinking about the disappointment she’ll feel when she realizes the only reason m is around is that I’ve paid her to be

Liam at school he said that Emmy is my mom I told him he’s wrong that daddies can have girlfriends Liam as in Liam Moretti isn’t this the kid whose parents were supposed to have dinner with a meal that I’ve been avoiding thankfully my schedule has been a good

Enough reason for not making plans but I’m not sure how much longer that will last Bristol keeps jabbering on he’s the boy in school who’s stupid who bullied me he thinks that because his dad is big and tough that he can say whatever he wants

I told him he was a liar Emmy isn’t my mom but he keeps saying he heard it from his mom and dad I exhale a heavy breath and turn on the stove heating up the pan to make pancakes how do I explain this to my kid without outright lying to her

Am I a shitty father for already hiding the truth about M to her [ __ ] it I may not want to scare her regarding the threats but I can’t keep up this charade M isn’t really my girlfriend I say hoping that Bristol can understand her brow tightens is she my mommy

No sweetie your mom lives in another city far from New York I say but we may have told Liam’s parents that Emerson is your mother Bristol’s eyes widen and she gasps covering her mouth with both hands you lied she doesn’t seem particularly upset that M isn’t my girlfriend she’s more

Transfixed on the LIE that I told you’re right I shouldn’t have done that lying is wrong I don’t want Bristol to think that it’s okay to FIB Bristol points at the stove for me to remember to work on the pancakes I dropped some butter on the pan and then watch it Sizzle before

Adding a few scoops of batter can em be my mommy I like having her around she’s really nice I like nanny Leah too but M is so funny she makes me laugh until I pee my pants I chuckle under my breath is that why Leah has been doing extra laundry

I’m kidding Daddy I’m not a baby we finish up with breakfast and I take Bristol to the ice rink she’s been skating on her own since she was three and she’s mastered skating backward and twirling with ease she’s bundled in a scarf hat and thick parka it’s not really that cold but she

Insists on dressing for the rink weather does em know how to skate Bristol asks as she gives me her hands and wants me to twirl her in circles as fast as I can how does she not get dizzy I don’t know I admit I had asked her that question and then

Had brought her onto the ice for a proposal she never really answered me when I was going on about how she had to say yes you can ask her that after we’re done we’re going to swing by the food drive she giggles while I help her Twirl in

Circles until I finally stop there’s a squeal of delight and her cheeks are red from the cold she lets go of my hand and skates in circles staring up at the ceiling arms straight out the kid looks absolutely free and blissful eventually she skates over to me and

Puts her hands on her hips she has a pointed look on her face why did you tell me Emmy was your girlfriend Bristol asks I’m not quite sure where the attitude comes from but I smile surprised she finally decided to address it for a minute I thought that it had gotten by

Her when she’d focused entirely on the other lie I told nothing gets past my kid is it because you like her Bristol guesses I do like her but that developed after our little agreement and how do you tell your six-year-old daughter that she has a bodyguard without worrying her

That is one secret I don’t want to share I’m worried about what it will do to her the fear and concern making her constantly look over her shoulder I do like her I say but do you remember how the owner of the team is a big stinky poo

Bristol giggles and nods staring up with bright eyes those are my words she beams proudly he doesn’t like the idea that you don’t have a mommy around he believes in a traditional family with traditional roles Bristol shrugs I’m not sure that she’s comprehending everything that I’m saying to her he’s stupid she says

Ordinarily I would correct her because that isn’t nice but Brent Fitzgerald is stupid he’s an [ __ ] yes so M promised me that she’d play pretend for a little while until Fitzgerald leaves us alone like how we play House Bristol asks does that mean Emmy is going to move out one day

I exhale a heavy sigh I don’t know sweetie let’s just focus on one day at a time okay I like Emmy Bristol grabs my hands and skates backward bringing me with her she’s nice to me and makes me smile you seem happy too Daddy when you’re around her she makes you happy

You make me happy I say staring at Bristol it’s not the same the kid is wise Beyond her years can you keep this little chat just between the two of us I ask I hate making her keep secrets but I don’t want her saying anything to the

Kids at school or even the nanny Bristol grins wickedly no promises I give her a pointed stare telling her I mean business okay but only if you answer this daddy do you love her chapter 18 Emerson the minute I put on Kyler’s Jersey I’m surrounded by his scent

The Jersey doesn’t stink at least not like he wore it for several games without washing it but it does smell uniquely of Grayson it’s musky woodsy and thick I try not to breathe in deeply like I’m getting high off wearing his jersey what the hell is wrong with me

Thankfully no one is around to notice I’m out of the house as quickly as can be and Mitchell drops me off at the food drive with the hockey wives to say I’m nervous is an understatement it shouldn’t be a big deal it’s just another assignment to get close to these

Ladies find out what they know and who might be threatening Kyler and Bristol but the minute I pull up to the event they’re standing outside wearing their husband’s jerseys and some of them nothing else underneath maybe boy shorts or boxers it’s hard to tell

A few of them have jeans on and I feel oddly dressed donning Grayson’s Jersey he’s supposed to be my fiance but it’s all an act and I’m not sure how long I can keep up this charade don’t get me wrong the money is golden right now having worked for nearly two

Months with Grayson I’ve got a hefty balance in my checking account I haven’t thought far ahead about what I’ll do with the full million dollars after we part ways and I don’t believe that it’s cursed that’s complete superstition the women have Designer Shoes and Handbags their makeup is spot on and

Their hair looks like it took all morning for a professional to do before attending the food drive I feel out of place other than the Jersey I’m wearing the outside air is fresh and cool it’s still early and while the Sun is up it hasn’t battered the day with its warmth

Wearing Kyler’s Jersey is like a warm bear hug if I could sleep in it and he wouldn’t make fun of me I totally would but he’s going to expect the Jersey back when we get home I’m just borrowing it and it’s covered in his scent

I swear if he bottled it up like a fragrance he’d be the wealthiest man in the world but knowing Kyler he’d want to give it all away because he’s undeserving of it or so he says I don’t believe him at least the undeserving part I believe he’d give it

All to charity but I don’t think he should donating is nice but not at the expense of giving away your entire wealth that’s insanity or I’m just seeing it from a different perspective because I haven’t accumulated the wealth that Mr Grayson has acquired I’ve never been able to toss money at

Engagements and Galas to help people there’s something freeing and strangely hot in his generosity and philanthropy although at what expense Emerson you came Kate says and she’s wearing that fake smile that she had when she handed me the invitation she’s cute and tall and I can’t make out almost any of her body

Because she’s swimming in her husband’s Jersey she also has Dynamite legs because she is showing them off by not wearing any pants of course thank you for inviting me I’m quickly introduced to the other hockey wives and it’s a polite interrogation as they ask me a hundred

And one questions about how Kyler and I met and what I think about him playing professional hockey you don’t just Marry Your Man Ava says your life will become living and breathing everything that is hockey you’re marrying him and the sport she’s Parker Montgomery’s wife whom I’ve yet to meet off the ice

I caught a glimpse of him during the game and he was good but so was the entire team it’s not like I know much else about the sport other than they toss a puck around and hit it into the goal but I’m careful not to spoil that secret with the wives

I spend the next hour chatting with the wives as we pack together boxes for the food drive and handing them out there’s a press crew who stops by for a few minutes to get photos for their article they’re writing down everyone’s name making sure to get the correct spelling

When Kyler comes up from behind wrapping his arms around me his breath tickles my neck as he nuzzles my skin sending warm tingles all throughout my body I like the Jersey on you Kyler Whispers loud enough for the other hockey wives to hear I imagine he’s doing it on purpose

Putting on a show for everyone the woman with the Press snaps a few extra pictures of the two of us smiling brightly like we’ve just made her day wonderful except I don’t feel ecstatic because I’m concerned that our picture will be the highlight at the top of the article

The last thing I want is for these other wives to get jealous or start a cat fight smile for the camera Ava says with a grin and steps out of the shot Kyler spins me around in his arms and dips me back kissing me passionately taking my breath away

I hear the snap snap of the camera watching the two of us there’s no such thing as a private moment when your Fake Fiance is a professional hockey player you didn’t have to do that I say glancing at Ava the photographer steps back checking her work with the digital

Camera before heading away clearly done for the day she got the shot she needed Ava is genuinely smiling and happy about letting us be front and center for the photo oh please it’ll make good press for the team and that’s one thing you should know about us we’re sisters

We protect each other and look out for our families we are not competitive with each other ever there’s enough of that on the ice amongst the other teams good to know I say exhaling a laugh I want to relax but being wrapped in Kyler’s arms just makes the butterflies take flight hi Emmy

Bristol chimes from around the opposite side of the table I didn’t see her with Kyler stealing away my attention she’s wearing her ice dragons Jersey but instead of it reading Grayson on the back it reads Daddy she leans on the table and rests her hands on her chin with a wicked grin

Daddy says you’ve been faking it with him I cough shocked by the words coming out of Bristol’s lips can the ground swallow me up and bury me I am not ready to deal with Bristol and her sassy little comments and does she even know what she said or what that sounds like

She’s six of course she doesn’t know what Faking It means but every hockey wife is staring at me mouth a gape eyes wide and I just want to die Kyler peels his arms off me and climbs over the table not bothering to walk around to the opposite side I haven’t been faking anything

I say to the ladies forcing a smile the only relief I find is that the reporter isn’t still here because heaven helped me Kyler’s image would probably be ruined I don’t even know how to respond to Bristol’s little outburst does she think what she said is funny

Did someone put her up to it who Kyler grabs Bristol and tickles her mercilessly returning the sentiment of torture that we’re both enduring because of her words daddy no she squeals with laughter and squirms in his grasp the hockey wives don’t seem phased by the endless tickles to Bristol only with

The words that spilled past the kid’s lips don’t worry Ava says smiling and I can tell she’s trying not to laugh what I said still stands we don’t gossip about each other once you’re invited to the wives room you’re one of us for life but I haven’t gotten that invitation yet

I’ve only been invited to the hockey wives hosting a food drive not the main event Kate Chuckles under her breath like we all haven’t faked it before meeting our husbands she chews her bottom lip and wrinkles her nose please tell me that he’s brought you to oh oh please stop I say

Wanting this conversation to end I appreciate that they’re trying to be friendly but they’re not helping at least Kate isn’t if she’s trying to offer pointers or something maybe let’s not do it during the food drive when there are guests walking up to the table to take boxes back to their car

Finally releases Bristol from his clutches putting her feet back down on the ground no more embarrassing me got it he says to his kid she sticks out her tongue daddy you didn’t answer my question at the ice arena that was Payback he’s raised an adorable little monster

And if this weren’t all part of the job I’d laugh it off but no one can find out that our engagement is as fake as our relationship we finish up at the food drive and Ava pulls me aside as Kyler and Bristol head to the car Mitchell is waiting for us

The next game you attend you’re joining us in the wives room Ava says wow thank you I wasn’t expecting the invitation today I thought that maybe the ladies would discuss it at the next game or social event when they got together I would love that bring Bristol with you there’s a

Playroom for the kids during intermission and a bathroom we heard about what happened during last game Ava Chuckles and Embraces me in a hug and don’t worry about Grayson and having to fake it we’ll talk next time when he’s not around get to the bottom of it

I promise our sex life is perfect I say well I imagine it would be with him it’s not like we’ve actually done the deed yet it’s okay if it’s not you don’t have to lie and I promise we’ll keep it between us girls she releases her hold on me and waves

Before heading to her awaiting vehicle none of the ladies drove themselves they all have chauffeurs escorting them to the event but I didn’t lie I muttered to myself I head for the vehicle and Grayson steps out letting me climb into the middle seat beside his daughter she’s testing my patience he grumbles

Under his breath and that’s a first I slide into the back seat and try to buffer some of the tension between father and daughter do you love my daddy Bristol asks as soon as I sit beside her in the back I buckle my seat belt and glance at Kyler

I love all sorts of things about him like how he’s good with you and he’s kind he also has a great sense of fashion I say gesturing at the Jersey I’m wearing Bristol’s head is tilted as she stares at me daddy told me you’re Faking It

Kyler relaxes in the back seat beside us fake dating he corrects his daughter he doesn’t seem phased by addressing it in front of Mitchell was he aware or does Kyler not want his ego to take another hit that’s what I said Bristol Jabs a finger in her father’s

Direction giving a scowl and a playful pout you told her I ask glancing at Kyler yes she also found out from Liam that we told his parents you’re her mother oh I inhale a sharp breath that one was entirely my doing it’s fine I mean I think she knows to

Keep it between our family Kyler says but I also told her not to talk about our fake relationship Bristol shakes her head no I promised if you answered my question and you didn’t answer what question was that I asked glancing between them I can’t even fathom how this

Conversation between them came to pass Kyler is glaring at his daughter silently warning her not to answer my question I asked daddy if he loved you Kyler exhales a heavy breath and I feel the exact same way well maybe not the same I don’t know how he feels about me only

Bristol asked a very loaded question that neither of us is ready to address he can’t love me because what we have isn’t real that’s the truth but I don’t want to voice it either I don’t know why it stings and makes me sad but it does I’ll turn on some music

Mitchell offers and I can’t tell if he’s trying to help the situation or just give the three of us privacy in the back good choice Kyler mutters Leah is off for the day so Kyler preps dinner and I keep an eye on Bristol to make sure that she’s not getting into

Any more trouble I head into the kitchen to grab us both some water when Kyler’s peering into the fridge distracted he doesn’t seem to notice me can you grab us two waters I ask I didn’t hear you come in he grabs the bottles of water from the

Fridge and hands them to me shutting the door everything okay I ask the air between us feels stuffy and overly complicated not that either of us did anything overtly wrong to make it that way it’s just been a trying day tomorrow will be better I’m sure of it yeah just thinking

He glances at the oven where he’s got dinner and he’s just hanging out in the kitchen is he avoiding me don’t do something that might hurt too much I joke he snorts and folds his arms across his chest leaning back against the kitchen counter I’ve been working you too hard you

Should take more time off his comment surprises me what you work seven days a week em you should take some time for yourself go out get away from Bristol and me for a few hours my brow pinches even if I wanted to do that I can’t go out without being seen

People know who I am I remind him every Paparazzi and tabloid will have my face on the cover if I’m out in public I’ve caught a few photographers trying to get pictures of Bristol and I’ve shielded her from the Limelight as best as possible skirting her into a store and even going

Out the back exit to avoid being harassed does that bother you he asks and he opens the fridge grabbing himself a beer he pops off the top and takes a swig the kitchen is a bit stuffy and his heated stare does nothing to cool me off quite the opposite

I don’t mind the attention it’s not like I want it but it doesn’t bother me it did the other day when your sister called he reminds me of my discomfort when Amber reached out to tell me that she had heard about our engagement he has a point

I don’t like lying to my sister and it’s not just a little white lie any other family he takes another sip of his beer I didn’t realize there’d be another Inquisition I say I Grimace realizing my tone is too harsh he doesn’t deserve it just curious how you’ll handle it when

They all find out about the engagement you talked with your sister but you didn’t call anyone else to explain I don’t have to explain myself to anyone his gaze tightens no I suppose you don’t I just thought if you wanted to go out shopping or meet up with your sister I’m

Giving you the night off with not much notice I don’t think Amber will be available tonight I open my mouth and quickly shut it it’s hard not to run my gaze over every inch of him he’s gorgeous and I hate that my body is beginning to realize the attraction between us

What is it he asks noticing my hesitation you want me gone for a couple of hours do you have a hot date with my hand my eyes widen and Kyler Chuckles it’s a joke relax who could I even date em the Press is all over our fake engagement my social calendar isn’t

Exactly booming he takes a swig from his beer but it could be I say you’re a hot commodity in the dating world I should keep my mouth shut I’m not doing myself any favors by telling him what I think it’s only going to complicate matters between us how do you figure

He tilts his head his gaze never leaving mine it’s like he’s staring right into me and it makes my insides warm and gooey like nothing else in the world matters but me right in that very moment do you really want me to list all the reasons

My cheeks Heat at the thought of bearing my innermost private thoughts to him he knows he’s good looking but the real Reasons I’m attracted to him go beyond his sex appeal the corners of his lips turn upward I kind of do he admits the way I see it this hot commodity has

A career that takes all of his focus and is only second to his kid the ladies aren’t interested in single fathers you’d be surprised he laughs under his breath I would be he steps closer and I feel the air sucked out of my lungs his gaze is on me it’s hot and primal

There’s a hum of electricity between us charging the air making my insides tingle as he steps closer into my personal space it’s the reason I’ve avoided him and him me after our little romantic encounters at least I assume that’s why and it doesn’t have anything to do with

Him not being attracted to me I can feel his attraction his desire poking me and I gasp Softly are you going to list the reasons he asks his voice Gravelly and sexy my body reacts to him like a magnet I’m drawn toward him even if I don’t want to

Be the gravitational pull is undeniable and by the heavy look in his gaze he wants it too the reasons I like you I say and I’m not sure that was exactly what he was asking but somehow my mouth has run rapidly on its own and I ought to snap it shut

We could go with that Kyler says you called me a hot commodity I’m confident that I’m blushing because the room is several degrees hotter and his attention hasn’t left me I’m not sure it will until I answer him that I did I say you’re avoiding the question

He pushes me gently to tell him and takes one step closer his hands encircle my waist and he backs me up against the wall I’m grateful for the wall it’s practically holding me up right now so I am I say with a smirk his lips fall to my ear

Sucking the lobe his breath tickling my neck my eyes close relishing the feeling that he bestows on me the Heat and warmth as it floods my body and senses answer the question Eminem I chuckle at his nickname I thought we were over that but I don’t argue

Maybe it’s his term of endearment toward me you’re kind I whisper as he kisses from my ear to my neck generous um he nuzzles my neck as his lips move across my collarbone my fingers graze his neck and his back wanting him closer I’m tingling inside

Warm and relaxed as his fingers skim my hips slipping under my shirt the pads of his fingers tease my skin caressing my lower back you put your daughter first some women find that attractive what else he whispers letting his fingers Glide across my stomach as his lips continue teasing my neck

I want him to kiss lower to take off my shirt and pants and have him explore every inch of me my eyes fall shut and I Revel in the warm feelings that tingle across my body not staring into his intense gaze makes it easier for me to voice my feelings

You’re passionate in everything you do I say and he guides my thighs apart pushing his leg between mine my mouth parts and I gasp as the friction from his [ __ ] rubs against my core passionate he mumbles against my ear his breath warm and tingly he hasn’t kissed me but dry humping me

Against the wall definitely takes the cake each word comes out raspy I’m already finding myself breathless as I speak answering his question with hockey your kid everything it’s becoming harder to talk as my head becomes foggy he nibbles on my neck grinding against me and my hands fall to his ass gripping

Him through his jeans as he thrusts into me my head Falls forward as the warmth spreads through me making my insides ache and throb [ __ ] I mutter under my breath not yet Kyler Whispers grinding and thrusting with our clothes still on with one hand my fingernails dig into

His shoulder the other at his ass gripping him tighter I whimper and I’m not sure if it’s because he means we’re not taking this to the bedroom right now or he doesn’t want to let me come yet either way it’s torture as I’m deliciously on the edge with him and

He’s bringing me closer to Oblivion you want to come he nuzzles my neck his breath in my ear I’m nodding and gasping for breath his hips gyrate and tease me look at me He commands my eyes lazily open it’s a struggle to focus to see what’s right in front of me

When I’m close to the brink and he’s thrusting with his rock hard [ __ ] pressed against my [ __ ] it takes all my measurable strength to let my eyelids flutter open staring up at him you’re mine he whispers covering my lips capturing my mouth my tongue pushing into me like

It’s his [ __ ] as he tongue [ __ ] me his hips thrust and the friction between us is like fireworks as my body trembles and my inside walls clench down seeking out his [ __ ] I want you in me I rasp between kisses he Grunts and tenses into the world around us disappears

That’s the hottest thing anyone’s ever said to me Tyler Whispers pressing a kiss against my neck cheek and finally my lips I don’t want to doubt his words but no one’s ever said anything hotter really he’s a professional hockey player I’m sure he can have any girl he wants

And even if he wants me I’m sure he has more experience he untangles his knee from between my thighs but he doesn’t let me go I’m not sure if he’s worried I’d run or if he wants to savor everything a little longer Kyler moves his finger to my chin

Lifting my gaze to meet his stare his breath is heavy and thick as he kisses me lazily and out of breath we should clean up I whisper resting my forehead against his dinner will be ready soon my eyes close and I drink in his scent his touch the Afterglow of the orgasm

With him Daddy Bristol skips into the kitchen her tablet in hand it’s frozen while he untangles from My Embrace he doesn’t back away give it here Kyler says Bristol hands him the device and he does a hard reboot when the power button fails to work his daughter stares at me tilting her

Head curiously as she waits for her tablet back were you kissing my daddy guilty as charged I bite down on my bottom lip do I have to answer she’s staring at me waiting for me to respond and the words have disappeared from my vocabulary I can’t even nod I’m like that tablet Frozen

Chapter 19 Kyler my daughter has impeccable timing although we’re lucky she didn’t walk in any earlier I keep my back to Bristol as much as I can because I’m not sure that my pants aren’t actually evidence of what we just did Daddy was kissing em I say answering my daughter’s question

I’m done lying to her and while I don’t know what Emerson and I have going on between us the spark is real I can’t just walk away from it not when we’re pretending to be engaged I’d regret it if I don’t pursue something with her I hand my daughter the tablet that’s

Been rebooted and is now ready for her go play dinner will be ready in under an hour she scurries off with her tablet she’s been fixated on a number of new apps which I usually wouldn’t encourage but the nanny assured me that they’re highly educational and her teacher had

Requested the kids download them to work on their skills at home now where were we I say returning my attention to m I was about to use the bathroom and clean up a bit she says she scrunches her nose and drops a kiss on my lips before skirting past me

I wait until m is upstairs changing and my daughter is preoccupied before I Waltz into the laundry room I grab a fresh pair of sweatpants from the dryer my back is to the door when it swings wide open and M stares at me sorry she says quick to apologize and slams

The laundry room door shut I open the door half naked and grab her arm get in here I growl pulling her inside with me and shutting the door behind her there’s no luck but there’s less chance of Bristol finding us in the laundry room than anywhere else in the house

It’s not as though M hasn’t seen me naked my [ __ ] has had those sweet luscious lips wrapped around it but that was far too long ago what are you I cut her off when my lips Crush into hers in another searing kiss she drops the dirty clothes she was

Holding onto the floor her arms wrap around me pulling me closer tighter you make me feel like I’m a teenage boy I whisper against her ear she glances down at my growing [ __ ] already what can I say I smirk you make me horny and that is what every girl wants to hear

M teases me and pulls back dropping a kiss on my lips I came in here to do laundry are you sure you weren’t stalking me she laughs and bends down grabbing her dirty clothes and mine on the floor and throwing them into the washing machine

I can’t help but stare at her ass the entire time she turns on the washing machine before spinning around to face me you caught me I followed you in here so that I could have my way with you M says woman I growl my heart hammering against my chest what

She wears that smile with pride as she steps closer closing the gap between us her lips are parted and her soft breath teases me as she stares up into my gaze does she have any idea how turned on she makes me the feelings she Stokes are like a raging fire that’s burning down

An entire city my fingers tug at her waist pulling her against me put some pants on she teases tossing my sweatpants at me that she grabbed from the top of the dryer I release my hold on her and pull the black sweats on choosing to go commando

She watches and exhales a heavy breath I need a cold shower she confesses I have to make it through dinner with your daughter sitting at the table oblivious to this and gestures between us I think she kind of already knows that we kissed M says sure

But the fact that I want to jump your bones I already know the answer but I like hearing her say it you want to have sex with me I ask her cheeks turn Crimson as she nods yes you’re not going to make me wait for the wedding are you the fake engagement

For a moment all of it felt real and what we shared it wasn’t fake but her words jar me back to a sharp reality the smile Falls as I shake my head no m M I’d never make you wait I wouldn’t want to deny you of any type of pleasure ever

Is that a promise she shuffles her feet and while she’s staring at me I can sense the hesitancy creeping in like a thick fog I’ve been around em enough the past couple of months to read her she’s an open book even if she doesn’t realize it after Bristol’s in bed I’ll prove how

Much I want you I’d like that she Whispers a lot dinner seems to drag on for hours and Bristol refuses to go to bed I swear it’s like my daughter has it out for me to not get laid in the past when I wanted to hook up

With a woman I made sure Bristol wasn’t home or I banged a chick at her place neither of those is an option and the second doesn’t appeal to me anymore I’m not tired I want to play a video game Bristol says there’s this paintball game which looks

Like so much fun can we download it absolutely not I can’t believe Bristol’s suggestion at this hour please Daddy it’s almost my birthday it can be a birthday present your birthday is six months away I can’t believe this kid I swear she’s just trying to get under my skin tonight

Does she have a radar that detects when I want adult time upstairs now I snap at her she grumbles and Stomps up the stairs to her bedroom brush your teeth I shout upstairs at her m is reading a book or at least pretending to feign interest in it I

Don’t think I’ve seen her turn the page in 20 minutes but I’ve also been distracted by a three and a half foot monster she glances up from her book do you want me to help she asks it’s not her responsibility to discipline my daughter but right now

Bristol doesn’t want to listen to me I’m not sure if she’s testing her limits or just my patience no just give me a few minutes I follow Bristol upstairs checking to make sure that she’s in the bathroom doing As Told five more minutes Daddy she asks batting those pretty blue eyes

It’s already past your bedtime I don’t bargain with her and eventually she listens I get her tucked in and the bedroom door shut before quietly making my way back downstairs m is still curled up on the sofa with her book Bristol is finally in bed I say stalking over toward m

She holds out a finger indicating that she wants me to hold on a second she flips the page and then dog ears it which makes me cringe you’re one of those people and you’re not M closes the book holding it to her chest I stare at her trying not to smile

I don’t think I can sleep with someone who dog ears a page in a I try to catch the title but she’s hugging it to her chest is that so I promise it’s not your book that I dog eared her legs are curled up around her and I

Pulled them out from under her forcing her to lie on the sofa as I straddle her let me see what you’re reading I say pulling it back just a few inches but I can tell the genre by the half naked book cover looks spicy she giggles and I can tell she’s nervous

She doesn’t have to be with me I toss her book onto the floor and she gasps at my mishandling of her novel the same book that she dog-eared my hips push hers into the sofa pinning her beneath my weight I adore the feeling of her body under me

Her face is flushed and her eyes are wide as she stares up at me you’re a monster she laughs I can’t believe you threw my book the smile that covers her face makes me desire her lips on mine I leaned down kissing her tasting her I relish every moment alone with em

She is like a drug and I’m slowly becoming addicted to every hit I take when my lips graze her warm skin we take things slow exploring each other’s bodies I don’t want to rush anything with em there’s no reason to when I want to spend the rest of my life with her

She isn’t just a girl I’m looking for a good time with or a romp in the sheets I want to know everything about her M moans as my lips Trail down her neck and her body and she lifts and removes my jersey that she’s been wearing giving

Me a full view of her gorgeous tits she wasn’t even wearing a bra underneath I groan I swear I wasn’t planning on [ __ ] her tonight but my body has other ideas lowering my mouth over one breast my other hand plays with her nipple she moans and gasps

The sweet sounds fill the night air we should probably move this to the bedroom but my daughter is likely still trying to fall asleep at least downstairs there’s more of a buffer zone for noise and M isn’t the quietest right now I’m definitely not complaining I tug her leggings down with her panties

Admiring her as though she were a piece of art quit staring she says with a grin get naked or I’ll make you pay I can’t help but smile down at her is that a threat I tilt my head curious about what she might do if I don’t disrobe quickly tempting offer Eminem

She leans up toward me and bites my lips playfully wrestling us around I let her have the upper hand I like seeing this dominant side of M there’s something highly arousing in watching a woman take charge especially one I’m falling in love with I moan as she captures my mouth and lets

My bottom lip go she straddles my hips and tugs at my shirt working it free tossing it across the room Tit for Tat she says with a smirk you’ve seen my tits I groan I love it when you talk dirty I whisper staring up at her my fingers

Move for her tits and she grabs my Palms pushing them into the sofa not until I get a taste of your [ __ ] I’m moan and just hearing her talk filthy makes me even harder you’re torturing me I whimper I doubt that she smiles and lifts her hips helping me

Out of my pants and boxers freeing my erection M runs her tongue over her lips before leaning down bringing her mouth to my [ __ ] holy [ __ ] I mutter and my head dips back my fingers thread through her hair I’d forgotten how amazing it feels to have a woman’s mouth and tongue wrapped

Around my [ __ ] I swear Emerson gives the best head I’ve ever had in my life she teases the crown with her tongue licking and sucking in just the right way with the perfect amount of pressure words are lost on me as she takes my shaft deeper and her fingers play with my balls

I’m trying to hold on to keep this moment from ending too soon em I growl at her as the feeling toward Oblivion nears I’m going to you have to stop I warn her I don’t want her to stop but I’m not ready to end our night just yet either

The last thing I want is her disappointment or for her to tell the hockey wives that she never even had to fake it because I came first and left her hanging she releases her mouth from my [ __ ] and climbs up my body teasing me hovering and making me want to plunge inside her

I slide my fingers between us teasing Apart Her Folds she’s soaking wet and ready but I’m not about to deprive her of anything yet em Smiles down at me her eyelids half closed as she struggles to focus Kyler that feels amazing she Whispers and kisses me but I want your [ __ ] inside me

I want that too I whisper condom I climb out from under her on the sofa and hurry to grab a condom from the other room I didn’t plan this having one available downstairs wasn’t even a forethought this morning I tear open the foil packet and sheath the condom on my [ __ ]

This time I take the lead my lips on hers pushing her down onto the sofa foreheads pressed together already gasping for breath are you sure I ask not wanting to push her too far if she’s not ready after all she’s been through I’d never want to force her into anything

I’m sure that I want you to [ __ ] me already M says she spreads her legs and leans forward reaching for my body I run two fingers over her slit she’s soaked and I dip them inside her wetness making sure she’s ready please she Whispers And it sounds almost

Like she’s begging me to [ __ ] her I Glide my [ __ ] slowly into her warmth She’s Tight and M grimaces keep going she says when I stop I don’t want to hurt you you could never hurt me em says I Crush her lips and push harder deeper inside of her

She wraps her legs around me taking every inch of me inside her warmth my heart pounds just feeling the connection the closeness with her I’m falling for her slowly I withdraw before slamming back into her [ __ ] filling her completely with me her fingernails scratch at my back my

Shoulder my buttocks she’s gripping me tugging me and pulling me deeper more her soft rasps encourage me each breath is loud and vocal I cover her lips with mine quieting her as we both near the edge we have to be silent we’re not the only ones in the house

Her insides tremble and she clenches onto my [ __ ] moaning into my mouth as I push deeper and feel her come undone I’m right with her tumbling over into Oblivion coming inside of her we fall asleep on the sofa Tangled in each other’s arms the morning light wakes me as does my

Phone buzzing in my pants pocket on the floor I entangle my body from M’s sorry I apologize hating to wake her we should get dressed and be decent for when Leah comes in or Bristol tramples down the stairs I grab my phone and Clear My Throat attempting to sound as awake as possible

When I read the caller ID it’s Fitzgerald what the hell does he want at this hour hello my voice comes out Gruff as I answer the call don’t tell me I woke you Grayson he doesn’t sound pleased and I’m not surprised he’s never in a good mood the

Man wears his bad attitude like it’s part of his Ensemble it only comes in Black what can I do for you I ask I’m not about to admit that yes he woke me normally I’d be up getting a run in Before Dawn or working weights to get

The blood pumping but last night with M was enough to make my heart race wildly and I was catching up on some much needed sleep I need you in my office in 30. can you do that Mitchell isn’t scheduled until later and I’m not sure I can get him to pick me up

In time I’ll have to grab the keys and drive one of the vehicles in the garage yeah I can do that I don’t ask what this is about honestly I have no clue it could be about the contract I’m hoping that he’s offering me another year at minimum although I’d

Prefer it to be a solid three-year deal I’ve never bothered with an agent I’m probably the only player who was chosen to forego an agent because the last agent and I didn’t see eye to eye he was trying to get me a contract for the most money I just wanted to play

Hockey with the ice dragons it was as simple as that he wouldn’t listen to the client me so I fired his ass I’m quite capable of negotiating the contract on my own but this is the first time I’ve had to do that the offer last time came in and we

Argued about the deal until I went to Fitzgerald on my own and signed it behind my agent’s back that didn’t go over well and looking back that might have been the start of the beef between Fitzgerald and me I don’t cave under the pressure of authority I make my own path

I hang up and grab my boxers from the floor yanking them on as I grab my clothes and toss Em’s clothes at her as she sits up the throw blanket from the sofa drapes over her naked body you’re in a rush this morning she says watching me curiously

Fitzgerald wants me to meet with him in 30. can you get to the arena that quickly it’s across town I Grimace I don’t have time to even answer her question as I’m heading upstairs to change clothes she Yanks open my bedroom door as I pull my jeans on

I’d have opted for a suit if I knew without a doubt that this was a contract meeting but we also have practice in a couple of hours and when I get done with practice I’m going to want something comfortable to wear should I reach out to Mitchell or maybe

I should go with you and make sure Fitzgerald isn’t up to something sinister M says you’ll stay here with Bristol I grab a black T-shirt and yank it on before sitting at the edge of the bed to pull on my socks I’ll take the truck and drive myself to the arena

She’s watching me silent and curious what I ask standing and running a hand through my hair I pop into the bathroom real quick to brush my teeth and make sure that I look like I didn’t just roll out of bed or off the couch my stomach is in knots M says why

I shut off the light in the bathroom breezing past her it’s probably nothing but I don’t think it’s normal for him to just call you into his office at six in the morning she glances at the clock on my bedside table I head out of the bedroom with a Brisk

Pace down the stairs and grab my sneakers it’s fine I’m sure it’s part of his usual being a dick routine will anyone else be there em asks I glance up at her as I grab the keys hanging on the wall near the garage it’s the ice arena there are plenty of

People there even at six in the morning I’ll be fine I give her a quick kiss on the lips relax look after Bristol and I’ll call you when I figure out what the hell is going on okay I hurry out into the garage hitting the button for the doors to open

M is watching me from the door jamb she’s leaning on the frame arms folded across her chest she doesn’t look pleased yeah me either I’d have rather stayed curled up against her this morning I jump into the truck and head out through the main gate hightailing my ass

Toward the arena I’ll be lucky if I make it there in 30 minutes I park in the private garage and while I don’t typically use the space I have an access card that lets me inside my pace of walking is more like running when I hurry through the garage and inside

I use my key card to enter the building and hurry through the hallway and down several corridors until I reach Fitzgerald’s office my Pace slows only when I’m two doors away so that I don’t look like I’ve been running through the hallways it’s all about composure and looking calm and collected

I don’t feel any of those things but I refuse to let him see through my charade Fitzgerald’s door is open and I give it a knock as I step into the doorway sir I say and the words are bitter on my tongue trying to mask my disgust for the man

Shut the door and come in and have a seat he gestures to the empty chair opposite his desk I quietly close the office door he doesn’t thank me for coming in so quickly or at all not that I’d ever expect to hear the words thank you from his lips

Do you know why I called you into my office Grayson his tone makes me feel like I’m in the principal’s office it’s condescending and I’m ready for a scolding from the man I don’t feign to know why no sir I force the words out trying to give him

The respect he wants even if he doesn’t deserve it care to explain this he asks and pushes a piece of white paper across his desk it’s scribbled in the same handwriting as before another threat throw the game or Bristol dies chapter 20. Emerson Leah texts me that she’s running late

And stuck in traffic it’s fine my job is to keep Bristol safe so I’m not overly concerned Bristol has the day off and I’m trying to figure out what to do with her this afternoon maybe when Leah gets here she’ll have a suggestion we’ve done the zoo the Art Museum and

The park recently with the nicer weather making it possible to enjoy a few outdoor activities we’ve been doing what we can to enjoy it I’m busy in the kitchen making pancakes for Bristol when my phone rings is that Nanny Leah Bristol asks with hopeful eyes she’s not keen on my pancakes but I

Swear I follow the Box directions when I make them they’re just not as crispy as Leah’s it’s your dad I hit accept on my cell phone and take the call hello um it’s me there’s a lot of noise and commotion in the background is he in the locker room what’s going on

I ask feeling a sense of urgency in him calling if it were nothing he’d have texted me to tell me that Fitzgerald is a douche more background noise and chatter follow before I hear his words clearly and the noise behind him dies down he must be taking the call in another room

I need you to come down to the arena yeah sure I can call Mitchell and have him bring me down there this morning as soon as Leah gets here she’s running late I think at this point just bring Bristol with you and I also need you to bring that note the note

I repeat glancing at Bristol trying to keep things as discreet as possible so as to not scare his kid yes a heavy breath slips past my lips was there another threat I ask my stomach tenses with the dreaded possibility that another threat has been left for Kyler

Yes he’s a man of few words this morning I’m making Bristol pancakes this morning they’re just about done turn off the stove and leave it Leah can clean it up I’ll get Bristol something to eat when you get here the urgency in his tone is unmistakable okay

He ends the call before I can ask anything further the pancakes are half cooked go upstairs and get dressed your dad needs us at the arena this morning why Bristol asks I shake my head I don’t know what about breakfast she asks if you hurry and get dressed I’ll have

These done and you can take one with you Bristol doesn’t seem convinced but she rushes up the stairs her patter of footsteps thumping up the staircase I turn the heat up on the stove I’ll have to rush to get dressed when the pancakes finish but I don’t want to leave the stove unattended

And I know Kyler told me to turn it off but listening to Bristol complain about how hungry she is on the ride to the arena isn’t a good plan either the front entrance buzzes and the tablet indicates a guest opening the front gate I grabbed the tablet and check the

Surveillance footage to see who has arrived first Mitchell that’s probably for the best I can text Leah what’s going on when we leave with Mitchell I flip the pancakes as they’re starting to burn and Bristol comes tearing down the stairs I’m ready she squeals proudly she hurries into the

Kitchen wearing a polka dot t-shirt and leopard print pants Bristol is gripping her unicorn socks which she puts on while seated at the kitchen table I grabbed some napkins and a bottle of water for her and text Mitchell can you come inside the front door clicks everything okay Mitchell asks

I need to get dressed and the pancakes need another minute on the stove Mitchell finds his way into the kitchen I’ve got it he glances me over go get ready Grayson is waiting for us I race out of the kitchen and Bristol is giggling I hurry upstairs and into my

Bedroom stripping down out of my pajamas and into a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt I need to do laundry which I was planning on working on today I grabbed the note that Kyler asked me to bring which is enclosed in a clear plastic envelope

I had it sent to the eagle Tactical Team to check for fingerprints or any DNA that might be on the paper it was clean not even a partial print they sent me back the original should I need to compare it to another sample that must be why Grayson wants me to

Bring it to the arena I would have thought that he’d discuss it at home between us unless someone saw something is it possible Fitzgerald is behind the threats I toss the envelope into my purse keeping it out of Bristol’s sight she’s old enough to read and I don’t

Want to frighten her Kyler has gone out of his way to keep this from his daughter and I agree with him she doesn’t need to know there’s a monster out there threatening her life I hurry downstairs and Mitchell is ushering Bristol into the hallway he’s holding her pancakes and a bottle

Of water while she puts on her sneakers ready ma’am Mitchell asks as I take the stairs two at a time I’m not thrilled with being called ma’am but I don’t argue I’m not an old lady yes I just need to put on my shoes as well I

Slang my purse over my shoulder and grab my shoes slipping them on and stretching them as we hurried to the car once we’re in the back seat I text Leah to let her know we had a change of plans and to meet at the Ice Arena

Maybe she can pick Bristol up from the stadium and spend the day with her exploring the city traffic is heavy and slow on the way to the arena it gives Bristol time to finish her pancakes although she repeatedly complains about how they taste better with syrup and when Nanny Leah makes them

We pull up at the back entrance of the stadium the private entrance and when we go to enter there’s a security guard and a police officer who glances us over we’re here for Kyler Grayson the security guard glances at his sheet names I’m Emerson Ryan and this is Bristol Grayson his daughter

I need to see identification for you Miss Ryan the officer says Mitchell is waiting in the car he hasn’t pulled away yet making sure that we get inside before he leaves I dig into my purse grab my wallet and show my driver’s license to the police officer relation to Mr Grayson he asks

They’re with me Kyler says coming up from behind the officer just doing our due diligence the officer steps aside letting us into the building what’s going on I ask keeping my voice low he picks up Bristol carrying her in his arms protectively holding her as we walk alongside one another down the hallway

Bristol sweetie I want you to keep uncle Jasper Company can you do that Kyler asks as we approach the locker room of course Daddy he carries her into the locker room and I stand at the entrance of the door the guys are sitting around chatting but none of them are undressing or changing

Into game day attire confident that Bristol is cared for he takes my hand and leads me down the hallway what’s going on I ask relieved to have him alone for a minute Fitzgerald found another note the air is sucked from my lungs I had suspected there might be another threat

What other reason would there have been for him to ask me to bring the first note but it hadn’t crossed my mind that someone else might have found it first what did he say not much he’s gotten the league involved and the police I curse under my breath

What does this mean for your career when they find out I threw one of my prior games to protect my kid it will cost me everything and you told them this isn’t the first threat that you’ve received a small part of me wishes that he’d lied for his own sake

I told them everything M about how I hired a bodyguard to protect my daughter the league the police Fitzgerald they will want to speak with you there isn’t much new information that I can give them I sit down with Fitzgerald in his office first he’s available and ready to shoot

Questions at me like I’m the goalie firing shot after shot at me why didn’t you go to the police Fitzgerald asks Kyler is outside in the hallway speaking again with the police showing them the note that I brought it’s just me and Fitzgerald in his office so far he’s been less disgusting and

Horrible than I thought considering the way Grayson speaks about the man I’m also part of a team who does Private Investigations I trained at Quantico calling the police would have put Bristol in more Jeopardy that wasn’t what Kyler wanted sir that wasn’t up to you he says sharply

He stares at me as though he’s waiting for me to spill some other Secret I’m not discussing our fake engagement with him it’s none of his business and whether he’s caught on to it or not it’s irrelevant regarding the threats finally Fitzgerald opens his mouth I saw who delivered the threat to

Grayson’s mailbox what my eyes widen shock evident in my features there are times I can keep my cool pretend I’m not surprised by news but this Revelation has me jumping out of my seat I’m standing staring at him like he’s lost his mind did you tell Grayson the police anyone I ask

I did not because it puts me in a predicament sit back down Fitzgerald says and gestures with his finger at the chair the man’s hair is slicked back greasy and his overpriced suit is one size too tight like he’s trying to make up for something

I don’t want to sit but I also want every detail and I’d prefer if Grayson hear it as well at least one other witness because if he denies it later then I’m screwed I can’t record our conversation with my cell phone that would be illegal who delivered the threatening note I ask

Hanging on his every word a slimy grin curves at the edges of his lips wouldn’t you like to know my stomach churns that’s what I asked he Taps his fingers together relaxing in his chair the smugness rolls off him like a fog and it makes me sick to my stomach

Without even hearing his request who delivered the note I’m not playing games this is Grayson’s future on the line and his daughter’s life is being threatened he pushes his chair back come sit on my lap Fitzgerald says excuse me I’m not asking for a [ __ ] just sit on my lap I’d rather not

What a creep oh come on you’re sticking it to Grayson on a regular basis you can’t tell me that’s real I can show you a good time no strings attached unless you like to be tied up baby I stand unwilling to take his sexual harassment a moment longer

Sit your pretty little ass down if you want me to save Grayson’s career my mouth hangs a gape and I put my butt back down on the chair that’s a good girl I like that you follow my orders you’re a [ __ ] pig I’m not playing these mind games with

Him or [ __ ] games whatever he wants to think of them as I’m not going to indulge his disgusting fantasies Fitzgerald shrugs not the least bit appalled by my suggestion you will sit and you won’t move your pretty ass if you want Grayson to play for the ice dragons next year

He unzips his trousers and pulls out his [ __ ] put that away I demand if he comes anywhere near me with his dick I’ll grab the letter opener and stab the [ __ ] where it counts but he doesn’t move other than his hand with which he pumps his dick as he stares at me

I can’t take this level of [ __ ] I stand and head for the door if you leave this room Grayson won’t be playing hockey for any team ever again his breathing comes out labored as he continues to give himself a hand job I’ll report you for sexual harassment

I say and slide my phone out of my purse snapping a picture of his hand on his dick it’s your word against mine I’ll tell them you came on to me and begged to watch me pleasure myself some know-nothing girl with a reputation For Crying Wolf during sex he taunts

I read about your little stunt with Clemens my blood runs cold and I stiffen I see I’ve struck a nerve Fitzgerald says and smiles his eyes are on me while he continues to pump his [ __ ] with his fist I can destroy Grayson’s career the league is interviewing him today and me

All it takes is for me to tell them he threw a game and he’d be tossed out for good he Grunts and I glance away refusing to watch his pathetic Act of sexual harassment I have you on camera I say shaking my phone in my hand

Your word against mine or not it would still make a hell of a headline NHL general manager for the ice dragons gets caught with his hand on his dick while discussing threats to a six-year-old girl I’m not a [ __ ] pervert he growls no you’re a sexual predator because that’s so much better

I say sarcastically I snapped one more picture enjoy being on the news because your career is over I head for the door my back to him my hand on the door handle wait he shouts at me I Grimace really wanting to get the hell out of his office it was my brother what

I spin around and Grimace when I see he’s still got his hand around his dick but it’s grown flaccid put that tiny pickle away I gestured toward his dick he snarls and shoves it back in his pants the threat it was from my brother James Fitzgerald chapter 21 Kyler

I finished speaking again with the police the members of The League are arriving at noon to fully discuss the situation they’ve been made aware of the threats to my daughter but that’s all they’ve been informed of the rest is to be discussed in detail Emerson storms out of Fitzgerald’s office

That’s about right without [ __ ] goes down with him whenever I’m forced to meet with the jackass I wasn’t thrilled to leave her alone in the room with him but he’s mostly harmless she slams the door of his office when she leaves and her cheeks are flaming I glance her over

Her hands are trembling and she folds them across her chest show me to the bathroom she says it comes out more like a demand and I’m not sure she isn’t going to be sick this way I say hurrying down the hall and she’s right at my side

Even with her shorter legs and smaller footsteps she easily keeps up with me it’s clear that she’s in a rush I escort her to the ladies room and she hightails it inside I wait for her wondering what’s going on I give her a few minutes of privacy before I knock on the door

M no response I knock again and poke my head inside I haven’t seen any other women go in she sniffles and stares at her reflection in front of the mirror what happened I ask sensing hesitation on her part her eyes twitch and her jaw is tight

She doesn’t answer me and I’m not sure of her silence is any better because now I can’t stop thinking about what Fitzgerald might have said to her did he harass you I ask stepping fully into the women’s bathroom and letting the door shut behind me em glances at me and her silence tells

Me yes there’s hurt in her eyes pain radiating off her in waves that make it clear to me something bad happened in that asshole’s office did he touch you I growl stepping closer to M and she freezes her body goes rigid and I see the look of shock and fear on her face

I’m going to [ __ ] kill him I growl and spin around on my feet heading out of the bathroom and down the hall wait M’s voice is soft and fragile as she races to catch up with me please don’t do anything stupid I repeat I stop walking and stare at her

What did he do to you m I can tell she’s keeping something from me and the rage Burns bright through me needing to protect her she’s like family to me he didn’t touch me she says he better not have I can’t keep my voice down or the anger that runs through my veins

I keep walking my foot falls heavy as I stalk down the hallway please don’t he’ll ruin your career I don’t care about my [ __ ] career em I care about you she grabs my arm her touch is soft and soothing as she pulls me to stop walking and face her

I’m staring deep into her gaze transfixed and calmed by her presence but one fleeting thought of Fitzgerald and I’m back at 100 ready to beat the [ __ ] out of him and I don’t even know what he did other than it went beyond acceptable I’ve never seen em look quite so broken and

Fragile and she wasn’t like that before stepping into his office don’t go after him M says her voice is soft there are a few officers at the end of the hallway our privacy is disappearing the longer we remain in the hallway several Doors Down from Fitzgerald’s office she carefully retrieves her cell phone

From her purse if I show you this I don’t want you to freak out freak out now she’s actually scaring me what is it I demand snatching her cell phone from her hands Fitzgerald did something inappropriate while I was in his office she says M looks skittish and presses her lips tight together

I can take this to the police file charges but if you lay a finger on him they’ll arrest you she warns you don’t have to look out for me I say I can handle myself her cell phone is locked and I show it to her waiting for her to unlock it

Promise me you won’t fight him or lay a finger on him when you see the photo she says I won’t make a promise I can’t keep what’s the code to unlock your phone promise me Grayson her eyes are filled with pain as she stares up at me and my heart shatters

Into a million tiny pieces I love you Em I’m not promising anything that I won’t follow through with her breath catches in her throat you love me she asks I didn’t even realize the words I said until she repeats them I rub the back of my neck nervously

It is true my feelings are stronger for her than anyone else outside of Bristol and that is a completely different kind of love I smile and avoid the question I’m not ready to say it again what’s your phone passcode she offers a lopsided smile through the

Hurt in her gaze and shakes her head I don’t want you to start something with Fitzgerald if it’s that bad then just tell me I hate being kept in the dark I stare down at her pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear just tell me what happened

I don’t want to she says and her cheeks burn even brighter I know who did it M pulls back out of my grasp and hurries down the hallway in the opposite direction of Fitzgerald’s office and the police officers who are investigating the recent threat what I’m not quite understanding her

Statement unless it has to do with Fitzgerald and that’s why she’s so shaken up who I need confirmation from her before I lose my mind Fitzgerald’s brother bile roils through my stomach making me nauseous as it churns again and again I’m grateful I didn’t put anything else in there this morning

I haven’t even had coffee yet this day keeps getting better and better what the hell do you mean his brother was behind the threats to Bristol I ask staring at M James Fitzgerald my stomach drops at his name I should have realized the connection maybe I didn’t want to see it

He plays for the bruisers a snarl disgusted at the man who would think it’s acceptable to threaten a six-year-old girl sure we hockey players make threats on the ice get into fights during a game but we never go after anyone’s kids that’s a line that should never be crossed

Who the [ __ ] does that a growl threaten a kid I’m steaming and I want to punch someone’s face right now the closest Target is the owner and his brother Brent Fitzgerald Emerson doesn’t let me skirt past her in the hallway she’s small But Mighty as she blocks me squarely not letting me pass

You’ll regret it she says there are a half dozen cops ready to have your ass arrested if you try anything it’s his fault Fitzgerald gave his brother access I see between clenched teeth my top lip Twitches in a snarl and my hands ball into fists at my sides

We’re going for a walk Emerson says and grabs my arm dragging me in the opposite direction down the hallway let go of me I snap and yank out of her hold he deserves what does he deserve Kyler she asks her eyes meeting mine never wavering

Do you want to punch him is that it beat the crap out of him then what my jaw ticks but my silence is all I can give her without shouting and storming past her for Fitzgerald’s office I want to kill him I growl unafraid to voice my anger she

Knows the fear that’s rattled me for the past six months while I’ve been worried about my daughter you’re not the only one she says but her voice is softer calmer she takes my hand intertwining our fingers together her touch is soothing and I exhale a ragged breath the anger slowly

Dissipating from her touch alone damn it the police are going to want to talk to you she says I know I’ve already told them everything I know I lean against the wall and shut my eyes the league is going to kick me out what M’s fingers graze my cheek and my

Eyelids slowly flutter open staring down at her her body is just inches from mine trapping me against the wall it’s against the League’s rules to throw a game I say you didn’t have a choice sure I did I could have gone to the police months ago when the first threat was delivered

Instead I hired a bodyguard and followed through with what the notes demanded of me her gaze tightens and she presses her lips together but you love hockey what are you going to do if the league doesn’t let you play chapter 22 Emerson I head to the locker room to find

Bristol while the league is interviewing Kyler I give a firm knock you guys better be decent I say pushing open the door Bristol is Seated on the bench giggling when she sees me enter with my eyes half covered I’m peeking through my hands making sure I’m not about to walk into

Something I can’t unsee but given the fact a six-year-old girl is hanging out in the locker room I’m assuming it’s okay for me to come in how’d it go Jasper asks he’s seated next to his niece and their knee deep in a mean game of hand slap

She rests her hands on his and as soon as he goes to flip them over she shoots them back he’s definitely giving her an advantage moving slow enough to make sure she wins my turn she grins wickedly and Jasper groans again he puts his hands on top and pulls them

Away too slow constantly getting his hands smacked by Bristol I raise an eyebrow that doesn’t look like a very nice game Bristol it’s not Jasper mutters Bristol grins but it’s fun hitting your uncle is fun Jasper groans as he tries to move his hands away but he’s too slow

Maybe I should wear my hockey gloves for this game you’re going to leave bruises don’t be a baby Bristol says she sticks out her tongue and then jumps off the bench running down the locker room hallway where are you going I call after her bathroom Jasper shakes out his hands

I was letting her win until I realized the kid hits as bad as her dad Kyler and I used to play this game as kids and he’d always win how is he doing he’s holding himself together he’s with the league right now explaining everything how much do you know I ask

I knew there was a threat against his kid and that was why he hired you but the actual threat he kept a secret he wouldn’t tell me what was going on and I assumed it had to do with Ashley I never liked her why is that Jasper stretches and glances back in the

Direction of the bathroom he probably doesn’t want his niece to overhear our conversation she was a bit too judgmental for my taste but I never thought she’d be a suspect the good news is we actually have a suspect I say suspect for what Bristol asks skipping back to the bench

I exchange a quick glance with Jasper this is a conversation that needs to change fast for our murder mystery game Jasper says remember that game I bought you for Christmas last year you bought it for Daddy Bristol says and I’m too young to play right right Jasper says with a nod

Maybe in a few years kiddo he Ruffles her hair and stands I’m going to gear up and skate do you want to join me Bristol’s eyes light up yes what about you Jasper asks do you want to join us I inhale nervously and my breath catches

In my throat I have only ice skated once when I was a kid and I wasn’t great at it I can teach you Bristol says it’s easy what size do you wear Jasper asks eight I say he mentally does the calculation and returns with a men’s

Skate for me to wear and a pair for Bristol as well hers have stickers and are lavender mine are black with white laces we lace up our skates and Jasper tosses me a sweatshirt from Kyler’s wood Locker throwing it at me you might get cold on the ice he says

I don’t imagine Kyler will mind if I borrow a sweatshirt of his I slip it on and his scent wafts over me it’s warm and cocoons me as I carefully follow Bristol and Jasper out of the locker room and toward the ice arena the discussion about the suspect with

Jasper will have to wait Jasper grabs my hand helping keep me Steady as I’m clutching every nearby orifice to hold on to I don’t want to fall on my ass and make an idiot of myself you’ve got this Jasper says do I I laugh not the least bit confident in

What we’re doing I should be watching and protecting Bristol not giving myself a concussion when I fall on the ice which is inevitable yes Bristol says with the widest grin I’ve ever seen just follow what I do she Glides onto the ice with ease and Twirls around before skating backward

The [ __ ] I can’t follow that it takes concentration to Glide with one foot and then the other on the ice man if I knew you couldn’t skate Jasper says I’d have offered you lessons a lot sooner we could have surprised my brother with a routine on the ice and really made him jealous

There’s a teasing tone in his voice and while I imagine that he likes to rile up his brother I don’t get the impression that they fight over girls he doesn’t know how bad I am on the ice but he did ask me once if I could skate I say

And you told him the truth Jasper asks he pulls me farther into the center of the rink and works with me to keep my balance and focus on my movements I wasn’t about to lie to him small fibs aren’t necessarily lies Jasper says and I’m honestly shocked that he agreed

To date you he swore he’d never lay eyes on a woman who couldn’t ice skate and didn’t love hockey I chuckle I know nothing about hockey and I suck at ice skating a match made in heaven I joke both of these things are fixable he lets

Go of my hand but skates alongside me making sure that I’m steady I’m slow but I haven’t fallen on the ice yet Bristol skates up to us and glances me over you’re slow she says thanks kid I mutter as she skates away and does more Twirls spinning rapidly

Has Kyler ever thought about putting her in competitive ice skating I ask she hates playing competitive Sports the pressure gets to her and she goes off and does her own thing Bristol is a bit of a free spirit I watch her on the ice not seeming to

Care that we’re on the opposite side of the rink I’ve noticed there’s more commotion and noise as several other teammates head on to the ice with their hockey sticks and a puck working on practicing for their next game Jasper should be doing that instead of babysitting me and Bristol on the ice

But I appreciate his patience we should give the boys their space I say my ankles hurt and I don’t want to interfere in practice I wave at Bristol attempting to gesture for her to come over to me but she just waves back and dances to the beat in her head

It’s cute and also a bit unnerving when I’m trying to get her attention and I’m not good enough on ice skates to go chase her down it’s all right we can share the rink for a couple of hours it will be good to teach the boys some discipline about not

Fighting with every player who trips them up and gets in their way I narrow my gaze it’s really no problem Bristol and I can wait on the bench Jasper shakes his head you can but you won’t my niece is happy and I don’t want what’s happened today to affect her he says

She’s bound to overhear the guys talk or Kyler when he gets done with the League’s interview we spend another hour on the ice and my ankles by now are very sore but I don’t want to complain the guys have slammed each other into the glass at least a dozen times they’re wearing

Their full gear but even so it has to hurt more than my little ankle discomfort Ryan Jasper Kyler shouts for us and I frown unsure why he’s using my last name I get the dreaded sense that he’s putting distance between us and we haven’t even talked about what happened with the league

Looks like your fiance’s done Jasper says e Bristol squeals and skates over to the bench he opens the door letting her exit the Ice Arena it takes me a few more minutes to get there and Jasper is beside me making sure that at least if I fall there’s

Someone to help me back onto my feet learning to ice skate Kyler asks as I step off the ice something like that he leads us back to the locker room and the minute we’re inside I sit on the bench working the laces free how’d it go

I ask trying not to worry Bristol but I want to know what’s going on I’ve been suspended for the remainder of the season his jaw is tight and he helps Bristol out of her skates the NHL doesn’t want to make public knowledge the reason for my suspension because it could jeopardize the

Integrity of the game the team has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon and I am expected to give a statement to the press and tell them that I’m taking the rest of the season off to focus on my family wait Jasper says as he puts his gear on

Ear out the rest of the season Kyler nods it’s only a few more games we have zero chance of making the playoffs I’m going to shower and get cleaned up for the press conference I’d like you in Bristol to be there he says staring at me

You want me at your press conference I’m surprised and I’m pretty sure that’s evident on my face I tried to keep my cool because there is no reason I need to be there other than for support I change into my sneakers and Bristol does the same seated beside me

I glance from her to Kyler I have so many questions about the man who was threatening Bristol but I have to wait until we’re alone to ask them and more importantly what happens now that his daughter is no longer in danger he’ll expect me to pack up my belongings at his house

And move out there’s no reason for me to continue living with him under his roof my responsibility as Bristol’s bodyguard is over later that afternoon I’m standing beside Bristol her hand and mine Mitchell picked clothes up for all of us to wear for the press conference Bristol is an address with a gingham

Print I’m in a black skirt and a matching blouse Kyler was wearing a suit she clutches my hand and wiggles uncomfortably can we go home Bristol Whispers staring up at me we’re in the background on the side for pictures and for the press to make us look like a family during the interview

He’s standing at the podium answering questions rattled off by a number of journalists when he walked out we were beside him but he’s at the podium by himself while we are patiently waiting for him to finish his spiel thank you all for coming today Kyler says into the microphone

I know this might come as a surprise but I’ll be taking the rest of the season off to focus on my family as you may hear there were some recent threats to my family’s safety and while the police have found the suspect arrested him and he’s being charged with

Numerous crimes I find it in my family’s best interest to take some time at home there’s chatter among the crowd and then one reporter gets the microphone what types of threats were there a reporter asks Kyler’s jaw tightens the kind that threaten a child he says Bristol squeezes my hand

What’s daddy talking about I gesture for her to keep her voice down why the hell are Bristol and I here if Kyler is going to talk about the threats we were trying to Shield her from all of it more chatter erupts among the journalists the microphone is passed to another gentleman

Are there any other reasons that you’ve decided to postpone your career right before playoffs Kyler laughs I’d love to say that the ice dragons will be making the playoffs this season but we have zero chance given our record a soft Rumble of laughter registers through the crowd

I can assure you that I will be back next season Kyler says more noise erupts and he gestures for the audience to settle whether he heard the question or he’s decided to answer before a reporter specifically asked is hard to tell there are a lot of voices vying for attention

No I haven’t received a contract yet but I am in negotiations with the current owner of the ice dragons is he in negotiations or is what he’s doing a tactic to help push his career for next year will he even want to return to the ice dragons after what happened with Fitzgerald’s brother

Fitzgerald is a certifiable [ __ ] pulling out his dick and trying to make me uncomfortable he did manage to do the latter but I don’t want it to affect Kyler’s Chances with the team he wants to be on where his brother plays any other questions Kyler asks more chatter erupts and then he covers

The microphone and gestures for Bristol and me to join him I assume it’s for a photo and that he’s trying to milk this angle as best he can the league is giving him the opportunity to protect his career even if they’re looking out for themselves I do have one announcement to make

Kyler says as many of you know this is my fiance and my daughter he introduces us to the Press Kyler takes a question in the front row from one of the reporters it’s common knowledge that you’re a wealthy billionaire and you don’t need the NHL’s money to play the sport have

You considered purchasing a team in the league he smiles and his shoulders seem to relax with her question if I do that it would be against the League’s rules for me to play the game so when you retire she asks probing further he leans forward into the microphone

I have no plans to retire now or anytime in the near future he says making his position absolutely clear this is just a short break a couple of weeks to focus on my growing family growing family the woman asks does that mean that you’re expecting another child Bristol’s eyes widen and while sometimes

She doesn’t pay complete attention to what’s going on this time she catches every word am I going to be a big sister she asks with an excited squeal no doubt every reporter heard her excitement and a few of them even managed to get it on video no comment

Kyler says but it’s too late the rumor escaped and there’s no chance of leashing this monstrosity chapter 23 Kyler I end up paying Leah for the day but letting her go home early with Bristol safe at the arena and M keeping an eye on her there really isn’t

Any reason to have the nanny pick Bristol up but now I regret not having Leah home to cook us all a nice dinner or watch Bristol in the evening I could use some alone time to talk with em I don’t want her to think that last night was a one-off incident

I don’t want no strings attached sex with M I want the whole package I end up ordering dinner and Mitchell is generous enough to pick it up and bring it back to the house before he takes off for the night Bristol helps set the table and once

Dinner arrives I stock upstairs to find em who seems to have been hiding from me since we got back from the arena I give a firm knock on her bedroom door and it squeaks open the latch wasn’t secure she’s standing beside the bed her suitcase open and the dresser drawers

Open as she folds her clothes and packs her belongings are you planning a trip I ask she hadn’t mentioned going anywhere but she’s certainly got the money after the last couple of months that I’ve been paying her six figures she glances up at me and her gaze flinches not exactly

What does that mean I ask stalking into her bedroom I glance at her bag curious if she’s packing summer clothes for the beach or maybe she’s planning on going someplace in the mountains and needs some cooler clothes for the climate she’s got everything stuffed into one bag

From her bathing suits on top to her sweaters peeking out underneath the contract is over Kyler I’ve finished off my job now that James Fitzgerald has been arrested and is behind bars you and your daughter are safe that’s what this is about you don’t have to leave

Don’t I she laughs nervously and bites down on her bottom lip who are we playing make believe for now the team thinks we’re engaged and she’s holding her lacy black bra in her hands folding it in half but she doesn’t put it into her luggage she’s fiddling with it

We knew this had an expiration date just neither of us knew when it would be I wish I could argue with her that she’s wrong but she’s not I didn’t ask her to marry me out of love it was all part of a farce to get Fitzgerald to renew my contract

Which didn’t work I’m still waiting on a phone call from him but what the reporter said has been itching through my head since the moment I left the arena ownership I could own an NHL team my body tingles at the thought of being in charge of the team kicking Fitzgerald

Out and hiring a new general manager while I’d be on the board I could also just get him fired for harassing Emerson I’m not sure what he did she hasn’t shown me the photos but knowing his reputation it was vulgar offensive and unprofessional but I love playing on the ice and I’d

Have to sit back and watch from behind the glass or on the bench I’m not ready to hang my skates up just yet in a couple of years it might not be such a bad investment and I’ve felt like that money was cursed at least I’d be throwing it into

Something that I love and if I never make another Cent from it I wouldn’t care because I love hockey what if I don’t want it to have an expiration date our relationship I say stepping closer to M last night was great but what we have isn’t real

She says reminding me of our agreement the one where I’m putting boatloads of money into her account my feelings for you are real she places the black bra into her luggage and folds her arms across her chest you just don’t want me to leave because you’re going to be off from now until

Next season and you like my company my grin I do like your company I say and rest my hands on her hips I also like everything about you from the way you smile and your giddiness lights up your eyes and face to The Sassy sway of your hips when you walk

You’re the most honest and genuine woman I know you speak your mind and you always know what you want I don’t I kiss her to silence her protest it’s soft and warm and my fingers stroke her hips as I pull her closer to my body you don’t want me she Whispers I do

I have I say last night wasn’t just about a good time with The Bodyguard she glances down avoids my stare and smiles sheepishly do I make her nervous I had fun last night she Whispers And my stomach twists waiting for her to let me down did it mean nothing to her

Maybe she just wanted to have a little fun since it’s been a while but she shakes her head no but just I had fun and that’s all you want I guess her eyes narrow I didn’t say that you’re putting words into my mouth because you’re not communicating with me

I say I run my hand through my hair taking a step back how is it that this woman who I have such strong feelings for also irritates me you’re a professional hockey player Grayson our relationship is fake the sex last night on the sofa was pretty damn real I say

So was the orgasm I gave you she blushes and I know for a fact that she didn’t fake a single moan last night that’s besides the point is it I push harder not wanting her to walk away from me I stepped closer and this time she steps

Backward as I trap her between me and the wall I could have told everyone that you’re having my baby during the press conference her eyes narrow like two sharp daggers you wouldn’t have it crossed my mind after Bristol’s comment I say that’s evil or maybe manifesting what I want

I lean closer and her breath catches in her throat you will have my baby m we will get married and you’ll let me worship your body and give me your heart because you love me her eyes are dark her lips pucker as she exhales a soft breath there’s a flush that spread

Across her cheeks and her chest desire is written all over her and the way she looks at me tells me that she wants me that she wants this life I’ve described what else M Whispers and her breath is warm against my cheek what do you see happening for us

My gaze tightens and I see the desire and arousal as she stares at me with such warmth and affection you’ll have to wait and see em she leans in and presses her lips softly to mine the kiss is soft chaste questioning what we are and full of uncertainty

I don’t want her to have any doubts about us about my feelings for her I deepen the kiss pulling her closer tighter letting her feel my erection poke her through my trousers you’re the only woman I want my whisper against her lips and I do think that you should move out my say

Her brow pinches and her bottom lip juts forward it’s the most adorable expression and I want to kiss the worry right off her lips out of your own room and into my bedroom we’re officially dating Leah has promised to babysit Bristol while I take M out on a real date

I can’t promise there won’t be Paparazzi following us I remind her as I poke my head into our bedroom while she’s getting ready out she shouts and points at the door you’re not supposed to see me like this it’s not a wedding I say with a shrug

But damn does she look good the black and red dress hugs her body in the best way possible I shift uncomfortably when I feel my [ __ ] Twitch in my pants not now boy there’s plenty of time for that later I want to whine and dine her she deserves a real date

One where we’re not holding hands and forcing Smiles because the guests are trying to decipher our relationship status this isn’t a show that we’re putting on to impress anyone else well there is one person I’d like to impress and that’s Emerson it’s a tall order considering that I’m a

Billionaire but she made me promise nothing extravagant no flying her to Paris for an early breakfast or Aruba for a midnight stroll on the beach damn both of those were on my dates with M list so I’m trying to do something normal I’m not the least bit normal when it comes

To dating women I have a kid and let’s face it m is living with me we’ve done this dating to get to know each other completely backward ass backward if you ask me but I don’t mind it because I’ve already sampled the goods and absolutely love them

I want more of her more of this wild romance with m so tonight is about two normal people going out in New York City for a typical date she made me stick to a budget one hundred dollars I’m tempted to sneak a few extra hundred dollar bills into my wallet because her

Budget is unrealistic for me let’s face it a bottle of wine is at least twice that cost plus appetizers dinner and suppose we go anywhere at all that charges admission like a stroll at the zoo or a walk through the museum and my budget is already blown one hundred dollars will barely cover

Dinner I want to make this night special with M and while I wholeheartedly agree to keep things from being extravagant I also want to whine and dine her the girl isn’t after my money I mean sure I’ve paid her six figures a month for her to fake date me but she’s earned

Every cent especially when I propose to her on the ice and she had no idea what I was doing the media still thinks we’re engaged there are rumors we’re pregnant but we haven’t addressed those with the media let them talk I’ve avoided their questions and now that I’m no longer on

Thin ice with the league I’m out cold and the news media isn’t interested in pestering me they got their interview and have moved on their most recent Focus has been on James Fitzgerald who has only delivered one line repeatedly to the Press no comment he has since been arrested for

Threatening my daughter among a number of other criminal charges it turns out that I’m not the only hockey player he blackmailed who has a kid and the league has quietly suspended those players as well they’ve all taken time off to be with their families and support their kids especially since we

All have one thing in common we’re single fathers my phone buzzes in my pocket and I step into the hallway letting M finish getting ready it’s Fitzgerald the slimy owner who at least did one decent thing with his life he admitted that his brother was behind the threats Grayson

I say answering the phone I wasn’t sure you’d take my call Brent says why because you sexually harassed my fiance or your brother threatened my daughter there’s silence that befalls the line seems I’ve made him speechless that’s a first she showed you the picture on her phone

Fitzgerald says and he Huffs under his breath I’m surprised you haven’t taken it to the league M never showed me any photo but I can Bluff like the best of them maybe I should seeing as how your brother [ __ ] me over and you’re trying to [ __ ] my fine I’ll do it what

I’m not sure what he’s agreeing to you want a contract with the ice dragons next year I’ll do it Fitzgerald says I shift the weight on my feet and lean against the wall in the hallway not like this this isn’t how I envisioned my new contract negotiations going with Fitzgerald

I’m not about blackmail and CD deals that isn’t how I play and it’s not what I want to get me onto the ice dragons for another year I want you to resign I say fat shants Grayson he laughs like I’ve suggested the most ridiculous suggestion in the world

Even with the pictures my fiance has on her phone he clears his throat pictures she took more than one of course I say sounding firm and confident in my bluff she has several and a video [ __ ] me Fitzgerald mutters to himself a little too loudly the bedroom door swings open and M looks

Spectacular with the knee length black and red dress hugging her in all the right places the red emphasizes her breasts and I can’t stop staring at her amazed at how good she looks who is that she Whispers pointing at my phone I have to go I say to Fitzgerald keeping

Control of the conversation you’ll send me the contract and then offer your resignation effective at the end of the season and if I say no M grabs my phone from my hands with a smirk I’ll send the press the photos and video of your dick in your hands and yanking off

My eyes widen and she ends the call I’m not sure if it was intentional or she accidentally hung up but thank heaven she did or my bluff would have been ruined he did what I’m ready to drive down to the arena and kick the [ __ ] out of him

And rests a hand on my forearm it’s fine I’m over it well I’m not I shrug out of her touch and stomped down the stairs Kyler wait up she calls after me M’s footsteps are soft and light padding down the stairs while I’m quickly putting my shoes on and heading for the garage

I can’t stand the thought of what the slime ball did to em maybe I wasn’t there for her when Clemens forced himself on her but I sure as hell am not going to let Fitzgerald get away with sexually harassing M or anyone else M grabs her purse and her heels racing

Me out the door she jumps into the front seat beside me before I can back out of the driveway you’re not about to ruin our date by stopping at the arena M says she slips into her shoes once she’s seated in the passenger side of the SUV her words slice through me

I gave Mitchell the night off so that em and I could have a date night alone and now I’m about to ruin our special night by focusing on Fitzgerald my hands grip the steering wheel hard as I hit the button for the garage the garage door slowly Rises

What am I supposed to do just let him harass other women show me the video the photos I need to see it m I don’t think that’s a good idea she clutches her purse to her lap let’s go out have a nice dinner together like we planned please

I rub my forehead my stomach tossing and turning you deserve to be cared for M protected I don’t want you fighting Fitzgerald she is firm in her answer and her hold doesn’t loosen on her purse I exhale a heavy sigh maybe I could suggest we play a game on the ice together

I’m sure he has his skates from his younger days why so you can beat the crap out of him fairly on the ice em Smiles as she stares at me shaking her head no means no you are not going to fight my battles for me I can handle his dumb

Ass in fact I did when I was in his office you have to let it go how am I supposed to let it go he admitted to masturbating with you in the room he’s a pervert and says Karma will catch up with him but he did one thing right

I refuse to see her point of view he’s a douche pervert and he admitted to seeing his brother plant the threatening note in your mailbox M says her voice soft and calm she rests her hand on my arm and slides it down to my fingers intertwining our

Hands together her touch is soft and soothing like a drug that settles my anger and my adrenaline how the hell does she do that I hate him I see between clenched teeth don’t waste your energy on him he’s not worth it babe I glance at her surprised by her term of endearment

And shrugs just trying it out she says she gives my hand a squeeze and releases her fingers from my grasp her hands protectively clutching her purse now where are you taking me on this cheap date and chuckle and shake my head you’ll have to wait and see chapter 24. Emerson

Dinner is absolutely delicious sitting across from Kyler I can’t believe that he found this cute little hole in the wall Italian restaurant the prices are affordable which meets the requirements I set for him to spend no more than one hundred dollars on our date

Which is still a lot of money but to him it’s nothing he griped about my budget for several days before our date I half expected him to prepay for dinner or take me someplace fancy and have the restaurant foot the bill because he is friends with the chef neither of which he did

I’m impressed I’m also love struck which makes me nervous and giddy around him I’m trying my damnedest to keep my cool it’s Kyler Grayson the man I used to work for as his daughter’s bodyguard and had a fake romance with but now it’s real the pressure is definitely there at least for me

I want to live up to his expectations and it’s hard when I swear every girl on the street turns her head or there are Whispers inside and glances as people recognize him it doesn’t seem to phase Kyler in the slightest or maybe he just doesn’t notice it anymore

He’s been in the public Spotlight for years Kyler orders us one dessert to split and it’s divine I’ve never tasted chocolate quite so good in my life apparently I’ve been missing out he smirks as he watches me lick the spoon is he seriously getting turned on right now watching me eat

The tips of his ears are red and his eyes have darkened as he stares at me I glance down at the desert are you going to have any more of it Kyler shifts in his seat I’m thoroughly enjoying watching you lick that spoon he confesses I’m sure I’m blushing from his comment

And I glance down smiling nervously why does he make me feel like I’m a teenager all over again I don’t get nervous around boys or on dates but with him he makes my stomach flutter and my heart race his stare is intense as he watches me

And I glance away noticing a woman at another table sitting alone watching us you’ve got a secret admirer I say nodding toward the Burnett alone at the table a few feet away let her look he says his gaze entirely on me he doesn’t so much as glance behind

Himself it doesn’t bother him in the slightest I recognize her I whisper trying for a moment to pinpoint where I’ve seen her before it takes a minute for the cogs to click into place she was outside Briarwood months ago I assumed she’d been waiting for her child

Kyler’s brow pinches and he glances over his shoulder and sucks in a breath do you know her I ask the slight sound he makes indicates to me that he does that he’s surprised to see her I do he whispers and she stands coming to the table to approach us Ashley he says

And the name on his tongue clicks into place she’s Bristol’s biological mother my fingers clench onto the spoon as I stare up at her she has The Bluest Eyes just like Bristol and a warm smile what are you doing in New York Kyler asks she stands at the edge of the table

I’m grateful there isn’t another chair or she might invite herself to our table and interrupt our date however she’s technically interrupting it right now what does she want Kyler’s question is Kinder asking her what she’s doing in New York I’d be asking her what the [ __ ] she wants and why she’s bothering us

I’m a bit Moody at the moment staring up at her she’s got Perfect Skin her hair is gorgeous and her body makes me even more envious I take another bite of the chocolate dessert not exactly what I need but I’m stewing in my jealousy I can admit what I feel at least to

Myself I keep my lips zipped letting Kyler and Ashley do all the Talking I wanted to see Bristol Ashley says her voice soft and fragile she doesn’t seem threatening but that doesn’t mean anything you made the decision to grant me full custody Kyler says his jaw ticking Ashley raises her hands

I promise I’m not looking to change that but sometimes I wonder what she’s like I saw Antonio Moretti at her school are you sure she’s safe sending her to Briarwood I have it handled Kyler says the biggest issue I have with him at the moment is that Bristol and

His son Liam haven’t been getting along in class not that it’s any of your concern I’m her mother Ashley Whispers Kyler shakes his head no you were her surrogate she winces I love Bristol you know I’ve always wanted what’s best for her Kyler stares at Ashley letting her finish speaking

I granted you full custody because I thought that was in her best interest but I’m concerned that she’s in the same class and what if they do a family tree or learn about DNA tests and realize they’re related there’s six Kyler says her family tree won’t include your family

And they’re not going to learn about DNA until what high school it could be Middle School Ashley counters great Bristol is in elementary school we have plenty of time and I don’t think the kids are going to compare samples to each other you’re grasping at straws to make this into something it isn’t

I just worry about her and you think I don’t that we don’t Kyler says gesturing toward me I’m not sure I should be included in this conversation I remain quiet letting him deal with Ashley this doesn’t quite feel like my place why are you here Kyler asks getting directly to the point

I just want to see her are you going to fight me for custody he asks going right for the tough questions Ashley shakes her head no I wouldn’t do that to Bristol or to you I know you’re a good father I saw on the news that you’re engaged

She finally glances at me like I haven’t been sitting here for the last five minutes congratulations you didn’t come over here to congratulate us I say finally having enough I have tried to keep myself out of the conversation but it’s difficult with the two of them having it right in front of me

The brunette size no I suppose I didn’t I want Bristol pulled out of Briarwood that isn’t your choice to make Kyler says she likes her school and she’s doing well I’m not transferring her I can hear the tension seeping out of his voice and I reach across the table

For Kyler’s hand trying to calm him down do you agree with her he asks pulling back when I touch his hand no I don’t but we also don’t know where we’ll even be next year your contract is up you could get offered a deal with another team in another state

I don’t want to play for another team Kyler says he takes my hand and squeezes it I’m playing for the ice dragons and Bristol will continue to attend Briarwood Ashley opens and shuts her mouth several times I’m not sure if she’s speechless or just realizes that she can’t win an argument

With Kyler Grayson she turns and heads back to her table drops a few twenties and then grabs her coat and heads outside well that was something else I’m mutter Kyler untangles his hand from mine he takes a sip of his drink and gestures the waitress over can I see your wine list

For the rest of the evening Kyler is much quieter and more reserved than I’m used to witnessing he has one glass of red wine and offers me the wine list I turned down the offer and he doesn’t push which I appreciate he settles up with the bill and then we

Walk a couple of blocks to Central Park he still seems lost in his head probably over analyzing what happened with Ashley earlier do you want to talk about it I ask nudging him as we walk Fitzgerald offered me a contract for next year Grayson says the words thick and heavy

Like he’s not happy about the news that’s what you wanted isn’t it I ask turning to face him we stop walking and I reach for his hands trying to offer a small amount of comfort this is something he needs to decide on his own what he wants from his career

It was it is Kyler size I don’t know anymore after what happened with Bristol and finding out it was Fitzgerald’s brother I’m torn how so I ask leading him to sit on one of the nearby benches with me he plops down and I sit beside him our legs brushing together

I rest my hand on his thigh trying to help ease his mind Fitzgerald would continue to be my general manager if I sign with the ice dragons he’s a pig Kyler says glancing up at me and Karma will give him what he’s due in time I keep thinking about getting him fired

Do you want me to report him for what he did in his office I ask Kyler shakes his head you don’t deserve that type of media attention he leans forward folding his hands together I’m considering buying the team is it for sale I ask everyone has a price babe

He glances at me with a smirk giving me the same nickname I gave him earlier I nudge him playfully babe huh couldn’t be more original I ask teasing him okay we can go back to Eminem he Chuckles and rubs his eyes while laughing I pinch his arm I’m not a chocolate coated candy

But you could be he says glancing me over from head to toe I have some chocolate sauce that I could cover your naked body with and lick I lean in capturing his lips taking a taste my fingers tangling through his hair I’m trying to offer him Comfort

Warmth and love because I don’t want him to go through all of this alone and what about your hockey career can you play and be the owner of a team Kyler size no it would be against the league rules I might be able to appoint a trust as owner and continue to play

But I’d need to consult a lawyer and I’d have to appoint someone I trust to run the team you can appoint me I say he laughs at my suggestion my fiance who knows nothing about hockey I know that you’re the best player in the league I say with a cheeky grin

He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer that’s sweet babe but you really know nothing about hockey I’m the best player on the ice dragons but there’s some other Talent out there not true I say you don’t give yourself enough credit he pulls me onto his lap and it’s

Unmistakable the bump of his [ __ ] poking me he has a wicked gleam in his eyes and I run my fingers through his hair before leaning in to kiss him so What’s it gonna be babe I tease Kyler groans as our lips pull apart I want to take you home

He whispers crashing his lips on mine again for another searing kiss the pads of his fingers skim my thighs grazing bare skin as his fingers play with the Hem of my dress you already get to do that I say reminding him that we’re living together he growls and kisses me more forcefully

Pushing his tongue past my lips his fingers Glide under my dress caressing the elastic of my panties someone might see us I whisper let them his lips cover mine once again his fingers sneaking into the side of my panties and I shift closer wanting his touch elsewhere

I want them to know that you’re mine he growls yours the air is sucked from my lungs and my head is cloudy pulled through the fog of a storm at sea his kisses move from my mouth to my jaw as he whispers into my ear spread your legs for me babe

I inhale sharply and do as he commands there’s a grin on his face his eyes are dark and they match the night sky that affords us the only hint of privacy outside he’s not the least bit gentle when he Yanks my panties to the side and runs his fingers over my slit

I moan unable to stop myself and his lips cover mine silencing me [ __ ] he breathes is he surprised by the sounds that he’s caused my body responds solely to him and right now I want him you started this I whisper struggling to stare into his heated gaze as his thumb

Teases around my [ __ ] he knows the right ministrations two fingers grazing over my labia riling me up teasing my folds apart my insides shudder for him aching with an intense need but he doesn’t fill me I did start this m and I want to watch you come on my

Fingers in my mouth on my [ __ ] every night for the rest of my life I gasp and my breathing catches in my throat at his words you like dirty talk babe a smile grows on his face I’m going to [ __ ] your tight little [ __ ] when we get home

I whimper and one finger Glides through my wetness offering him my arousal unable to deny what he does to me not that I’d want to deny him anything he pulls his finger from my [ __ ] and brings it to my lips open He commands I part my lips and he pushes his index

Finger into my mouth I suck my juices his eyes on me the entire time [ __ ] babe you make me want to have you right here right now do it I say daring him to [ __ ] me on the bench he groans and I see the inward struggle we can’t

He stands and lifts me over his shoulder Kyler what are you doing I squeal with laughter my [ __ ] throbs and he spanks my bottom as he carries me back to the car showing you who’s in charge I swear I hear him growl he puts me down

Letting me walk as we exit the park his hand is in mine keeping a tight grip on me not letting me out of his sight the minute we reach his car he opens the back door what are you climb in he says his gaze eating me alive

I suck in a breath and climb into the back seat he follows and shuts the door behind himself he’s on me in seconds his tongue in my mouth my fingers raking through his hair my insides throb aching to feel his [ __ ] and he’s pushing his tongue past my lips

[ __ ] me with his mouth I need more crave more with him I push my panties down lifting my dress and giving him all the access that he needs [ __ ] me I say wiggling Underneath Him I’m not above begging at this point gladly Kyler rasps staring down at me he climbs

Down guiding my legs apart and pulling them up on his shoulders as he tongue [ __ ] my [ __ ] there’s not a lot of space but we make it work the back seat big enough for our little tryst my fingers Claw at his hair his neck anything I can grip as he shoves two

Fingers inside my wetness thrusting and stretching me I want him more than I’ve wanted anything in my life you’re such a tease I Grumble as he gets me near the edge and then pulls back his lips trailing a path up my torso pushing my dress higher to reveal my breasts

Just enjoying sex with my fiance Kyler says with a wicked grin except he is not my fiancee we’re just dating and that thought is lost on me when his tongue moves back down to my [ __ ] with one hand he’s playing with my nipple and with the other he pushes three fingers

Inside stretching me I groan from the pressure the buildup the intensity and his mouth doing that thing that makes me tremble and gasp for breath I feel myself teetering on the edge come for me m he encourages and I tug at his pants my fingers attempting to unzip him and free his [ __ ]

Not until you [ __ ] me I mumble I want your [ __ ] in me he groans and pulls back long enough to disrobe pushing his pants down around his ankles and gripping his [ __ ] he drags out the moment sliding the crown of his [ __ ] across my slit you’re such a [ __ ] tease I grumble

Are you going to [ __ ] me like a man or a girl he growls and pushes into me inch by inch I grip the handle in the car above my head as he drives deeper inside of me I gasp from the mixture of pain and pleasure

He’s huge and he fills me as I groan condom I say he pulls out and grabs his wallet grumbling when he flips the condom over and examines it s expired I curse under my breath and exhale a heavy sigh I’ve been regularly tracking my cycle I shouldn’t be in my fertile window

And if I am I’ll deal with it just pull out I say are you sure I was I say with a nervous laugh but he doesn’t sound confident which is rattling me he presses a soft kiss to my lips and guides my dress back down

How about we finish at home in a real bed and I can worship you the way you deserve I groan but he’s right we shouldn’t be doing this in the back of a car we hear adults not teenagers trying to hide it from our parents the minute we get home Kyler makes sure

That the nanny is asleep in the guest room before he joins me in our bedroom it feels weird to refer to it as our bedroom but I like sharing his bed with him I find it funny that Leah never asked about us sleeping in different rooms when we pretended that we were together

Maybe she saw through the charade or she was polite enough not to ask I toss my dress and my panties off climbing onto Kyler’s bed get over here I say gesturing for him to join me as he loosens the buttons free on his shirt he is methodical and takes his time

Watching me as he undresses touch yourself He commands I want to see what you like my nose scrunches up really I’m lying here naked waiting for you and you want me to masturbate yes that’s hot he says and I swear there’s steam emanating from him I exhale a nervous breath and let my

Fingers wander across my stomach and I tease apart my Folds I’m still achy and wet from our little Adventure in the back seat of his vehicle spread your legs I want to watch Kyler says and he lets his dress shirt hit the floor as he stalks toward the bed

I inhale sharply and his gaze is transfixed on my [ __ ] as my fingers trace a path along my lips teasing myself going slow he unbuttons and unzips his trousers letting them hit the floor his [ __ ] is standing at attention in his boxers and he removes the last thread of

Clothes as he crawls onto the bed the mattress dips and I bend my knees giving him a view of my [ __ ] lips as I touch myself my fingers slowly caress my labia the blood flowing and warming my body from head to toe you’re flushed he says watching me a Twinkle in his eyes

And wet I say letting my fingers graze over my [ __ ] and I slide the tip of one finger inside coated with juices this time he captures my hand and brings his mouth to my fingers sucking the liquid and swirling his tongue around my finger I whimper and he straddles me pushing my

Arms into the mattress pinning me down I like when you do what I ask watching you touch yourself it’s a huge turn on the room swelters and he kisses me don’t be embarrassed there’s no reason to feel bad about giving yourself pleasure his lips move down my body and he’s back

Where he was earlier this time he’s tongue [ __ ] my [ __ ] my breathing is labored and my fingers tangle in his hair the room is warm my body tingles with pleasure from head to toe as he makes my toes curl I swear I can feel the smile on his lips

When my hips gyrate and buck off the bed slow down Kyler says we have all night to enjoy this together all night I pant already Breathless I need to feel his [ __ ] inside me is he going to tease me all night until I’m on my hands and knees begging him to

[ __ ] me like a good girl you heard me babe all [ __ ] night long he fingers my [ __ ] and his tongue teases my [ __ ] making my hips Rock back and forth needing more desperately craving release Kyler I moan his name’s spilling from my lips don’t come yet I want you to come with

My [ __ ] inside you he says I moan and my [ __ ] walls clench down on his fingers I’m close I rasp feeling the edge coming for me and he pulls away grabbing the condom and sliding it on before gliding into me every sensation inside my body is on Overdrive

I tingle all over like electricity runs through my veins my inner walls clench spasming as I tremble in his arms my back arches off the mattress pulling him deeper Tighter and farther Within Me my toes are curling and I’m unable to hold out any longer he Grunts and thrusts trying to keep up

My pace and it’s only a matter of seconds before I’m Letting Go and he’s following close behind with a groan holy [ __ ] I mutter panting for air Kyler rolls off me and climbs off the bed to discard the condom he cleans up before flopping back down beside me draping an arm across my

Stomach good he asks with a smirk as if he couldn’t tell by the sounds I made and the feeling of my [ __ ] walls squeezing his [ __ ] I smack his arm do you really have to ask I laugh and he leans in kissing me we should have been doing this a whole

Lot sooner he drops soft kisses from my lips across my jaw you’ve been living under my roof all this time he Trails off I wanted to I confess refusing to look away but I’m glad we waited as long as we did it was worth it he pulls me closer

I’m not all this time wasted when I could have been doing this he whispers brushing his lips over my neck and trailing a path down to my breast or this tongue flicks across my nipple and I shudder Kyler I moan unable to suppress the desire burning through me when his mouth teases me

The smile on his face never wavers I love when I make you do that make me moan I laugh and my cheeks Redden yes when you moan my name chapter 25 Kyler I can’t believe they agreed to have dinner with us I grumble I honestly thought that the Moretti’s

Would cancel tell us they were sick or make up some other last-minute excuse to prevent them from showing up at my house em refused to accept us going over to their house for dinner and was concerned that if we went out it could be an ambush this was the better option M Whispers

The Two Of Us keeping our voices down while we grabbed dinner from the kitchen Alexandra and her husband Antonio are seated at the dining table with their son Liam and his twin sister Sophia what are we Whispering about Bristol asks grab the bottle of lemonade from the fridge em says

Can I have wine my daughter chirps seriously the kid is going to send me to an early grave no we both say in unison em and I carry the platters out to the table for dinner and we finally sit we haven’t spoken too much excusing ourselves to finish prepping dinner

Leah helped with the recipe but I let her leave early because there was no sense in getting her mixed up with the Moretti’s and Mitchell is watching the property from the security office making sure that the Moretti’s don’t bring company the night is quiet almost too quiet when

It’s the mafia at your dinner table please help yourself M says and gestures toward the food letting the guests serve themselves Alexandra glances at her husband and serves the children and then herself the kids wait patiently before digging in I don’t think Bristol has the same amount of patience

She’s sitting on her knees and reaches for the tongs for the salad the moment Alexandra relinquishes it to the Bowl Bristol piles food onto her plate and then starts eating Antonio and Alexandra watch Bristol gobble up her food before they tell their children to eat did they honestly think we might poison them

The twins grabbed their forks and dig in both of them clearly hungry while the adults wait for us to finish dishing out our food before eating Kyler we heard you took some time off from hockey Antonio says yes to be with my family my forces smile it’s hard to feel anything but dread

With the Moretti’s in my home but this dinner wasn’t by choice the Headmaster insisted that we break bread together or both families risk expulsion from the school a bit harsh if you ask me especially considering our generous contribution but the kids have been finding it difficult to get along

And maybe there’s something to be said for finding common ground what could we have in common other than our children are both the same age and attend the same school that’s nice Alexandra says she reaches for her wine glass swirling the dark liquid around before taking a sip

I wish you could do that take time off to spend with me and the kids she says glancing at her husband I do that we went to Cancun in the winter and those were work trips and you know it she says with a smug grin she’s playing with him and he shifts albeit

Uncomfortable with where this is going what type of work do you do em asks the business kind it would bore you Antonio says staring at M and what about you are you a stay-at-home mother or do you work outside the home Alexandra elbows her husband being a stay-at-home mom is work

He glares at her but she doesn’t so much as cower it’s clear they’re both strong-headed individuals I’m taking some time off right now M says avoiding the question I suppose she doesn’t want to admit that she was Bristol’s bodyguard or that I hired her to be my fake girlfriend

And saying anything about previously working for the FBI or being hired by eagle tactical probably isn’t wise either have you two made any wedding plans yet Alexandra asks we saw the proposal on the news it was so sweet asking her to marry you at the ice Dragons game wasn’t it sweet Antonio

It was sweet he mutters staring at his food he’s not enjoying the conversation but he does seem to be enjoying the meal or at least using it as a distraction M Smiles at the twins what do you both like to do for fun she asks trying to direct the

Conversation to the real reason that we’re together finding common ground I love riding my bicycle Liam says I want a dirt bike for my birthday but Dad says I’m too young he rolls his eyes and I smile I’ve seen that same look from Bristol you are too young no ATVs no dirt bikes

Not until you’re at least double digits Liam wines and his nose Twitches that’s forever away can I have a dirt bike Bristol asks her eyes lighting up I’m not even sure the kid knows what it is but because Liam can’t have one she probably wants to rub it in his face

No I say and M is trying to hold back her laughter what about you Sophia um asks what do you like to do for fun I love ice skating and hockey me too Bristol’s eyes widen ice skating is my favorite hockey isn’t your favorite I ask my jaw dropping as I tease Bristol

I don’t like playing hockey the kids hit hard and I don’t like falling on the ice it hurts too much Sophia grins I don’t like playing hockey I like to watch it mom took me to a game so we could Google the players Ogle the players

Liam says tattling on his mom and sister m covers her mouth to keep from laughing and the look on Antonio’s face is pure gold is that so he asks staring at his wife she gives an innocent shrug like you don’t enjoy the cheerleaders at football games I don’t go to football games

He says and straightens his back like he’s above sports or some [ __ ] no but you still like cheerleaders Alexandra tants I’ll bet the guy has his wife Donna cheerleader costume for some crazy role-play [ __ ] in the SEC Antonio clears his throat it seems our girls both have a common interest ice skating

Can Sophia and I go ice skating together Bristol asks Liam do you like to ice skate I ask hoping we can get all three kids to bond but I’d at least settle with the two girls being friendly toward one another maybe next year they’ll be in the same

Class instead of Bristol and Liam the little boy shrugs it’s okay I prefer hockey over ice skating Alexandra smiles did you know that Bristol’s father is an NHL player for the ice dragons Liam’s eyes widen what really no way I smile yes I’ll bet I have an extra Jersey that’s in your size

Can I have one too Sophia asks her eyes wide and could you sign mine with a heart next to your name dinner with the Moretti’s went better than MRI could have ever anticipated Sophia made it clear that she had a crush on me which was cute I can’t help

But wonder if that stemmed from her mother’s interest in the sport and there was a commonality between the girls we have an ice skating date set up for the three kids and each of us is to bring at least one parent to attend I can’t imagine Antonio letting Alexandra

Go after learning about her interest in hockey although that has less to do with the sport and more to do with the players or as her daughter later put it eye candy could you imagine having two kids um asks she’s helping me finish the dishes while Bristol wipes down the dining room table

I don’t think two is that bad but twins raising two infants and then toddlers at the same time they’re both six M points out yes but imagine two Bristols I say and Nod toward the dining room you got lucky with Bristol she’s a good kid there’s a wide grin spread across Em’s face

But I prefer one at a time gives a parent a chance to screw up one kid not two before the next is born I can’t help but laugh are you saying that I’ve screwed up Bristol she exhales a heavy breath and shakes her head no she says cautiously

Just that it can’t be easy raising a daughter on your own first-time parents are bound to make mistakes somewhere along the way I Turn To Face her pinning her with my stare what mistakes do you think I’ve made I ask M sucks in a sharp breath

None I’m not saying you’ve made any just that firstborns always get in trouble and never get away with anything parents are stricter on the first kid than the second and you know this from experience I have a younger sister Amber our parents were a lot stricter on me than they were with her

So you’re saying that when we have another kid we’ll be less strict on our little boy or girl because we’ve already done this once before I step closer and she pulls her teeth between her bottom lip Maybe her voice squeaks I thought you were pretty confident in your answer I am

But I’m less confident in us giving Bristol a sibling she says her cheeks Redden and she leans on her tiptoes to kiss my lips why is that whatever hesitancy I sense vanishes from her features it’s hard to get pregnant when we’re always using a condom she Chuckles and I sense there’s more to

It than her little joke are you telling me that you want us to try for a baby and grab her hands intertwining our fingers together because I’d love that she exhales nervously but what about your team the game you won’t be around much if you sign the

New contract for the ice dragons and I’m terrified to do it alone Fitzgerald sent over a generous three-year contract but I’ve been stalling on signing it’s everything that I want and more but he is still the general manager and I want him gone we still have plenty of time I assure her

She’s 24. we don’t have to rush into expanding our family yet daddy your team is on television Bristol chimes from the other room I thought she was cleaning up the table in the dining room but it seems that she abandoned her post for a little more entertainment

I turned the small television on in the kitchen and watch as the headline announces that four women have come forward accusing Brent Fitzgerald the general manager of sexual harassment and sexual assault what does that mean Bristol asks coming into the kitchen you shouldn’t be watching the news I tell my daughter

Go turn on cartoons I’d rather her not ask a million questions about Brent Fitzgerald she scampers off to the living room and I turn up the television trying to get as much of the story as possible the news further elaborates that criminal charges are being pursued and that Brent Fitzgerald has resigned from

The ice dragons effective immediately what does this mean for your contract em asks I have no idea I can renegotiate for more money or I could just buy the team epilogue Emerson there was zero chance of Kyler turning down the opportunity to play for the ice dragons

And when the new general manager offered him a three-year deal with the same terms he jumped at it it’s never been about the money for Kyler he has plenty of it and while he still believes it’s cursed he’s put it into a trust that will make an offer on

The team the moment he’s out of the game his lawyers insist that he can’t play for the NHL and be the owner of an NHL team simultaneously and he loves being on the ice too much to hang up his skates but he will he talks about it with me and his

Brother Jasper all the time it’s our little secret and I like that Kyler trusts me like family we are practically family we’re still fake engaged and since we’re dating we’ve just kept the fake relationship news a secret a little longer no one needs to know the truth it’s no one’s business

And I honestly don’t mind hockey especially watching him play it’s been nice meeting the hockey wives and their kids Bristol has made a ton of new friends since the first day I was invited to the wives room and I’ve made a lot of new friends myself

None of them know that what Kyler and I had wasn’t real in the beginning but it’s real now one hundred percent genuine Bristol and Sophia have become best friends ever since the dinner once a week we take the girls ice skating and Liam tags along Bristol and

Liam seem to be warming up to each other at least they don’t fight in school anymore and while they’re not best friends they’re getting along I’ll consider it a win Jasper’s coming by Kyler says he met a girl and wants us to meet her my eyes light up

Oh is he asking us for our approval I can’t help but feel a little bit giddy that Jasper has found a girlfriend he’s Kyler’s brother and is like family to me he deserves to be happy something like that do you want to put on dessert on second thought how about I do the

Food prep and you pull out the dishes are you saying that I can’t make dessert it just has to go in the oven I say Leah made several Peach pies from scratch during the summer we froze a few of them yes and I’m not taking a chance that

You’ll burn it Eminem I love you but your cooking leaves much to be desired I grabbed the dish towel and smack him on the ass with it he Yanks the towel pulling me toward him as he spins around to face me Are you seriously trying to spank me

My lips part and I laugh nervously what are you gonna do about it I taunt Kyler drops down on one knee and pulls a ring box out of his left pocket I clasp my hands over my mouth as I stared down at him Kyler we didn’t do this the right way last

Time when I asked you to be my wife it was entirely for selfish reasons I had feelings for you but they weren’t anything close to what they are now Eminem no what you are not proposing and calling me Eminem I grin continue but with my real name he snorts Emerson Ryan

Will you do me the honor of being my wife Kyler flips opened the blue Tiffany’s box and shows me the diamond engagement band my knees wobble and the air suddenly leaves my lungs it takes too much energy to stand and my legs give way I drop down to my knees shocked

His Arms Reach Out catching me pulling me onto his lap you’re not supposed to be down on your knees too babe he says and kisses me you’re going to give me a heart attack I laugh resting my hand on his chest me you’re the one telling me no mid proposal

The smile never leaves his face I lean in and brush my lips over his I’d never tell you no just don’t call me Eminem babe but it’s a term of endearment Kyler says with one hand around my hips he Nestles me on his knee he shows me the ring

Will you be my wife yes I give him my hand and he slides the engagement ring on my finger it’s a perfect fit the front door swings open and my lips are locked on Kyler’s not paying the least bit of attention to the arrival of our guests

I know they’re here but I honestly don’t care Jasper clears his throat maybe we should come back a female’s voice Chimes and I recognize that voice I’d recognize it anywhere Amber my eyes widen and I nearly tumble off Kyler’s lap as he pulls me to my feet to stand

I’m trying to comprehend how this happened when did they meet how my mouth must be hanging open because Kyler glances at me and smiles before reaching a hand out to introduce himself to Amber at least that’s what I think he’s about to do it’s good to see you again he says

Kyler knows my sister since when my head spins trying to comprehend what the hell is going on I glance from Amber to Jasper awaiting an explanation you’re dating my sister Jasper Grins and shakes his head we’re just friends your brother introduced us when he needed help picking out the ring at Tiffany’s

You’re just friends I glance at my sister and then at Jasper Jasper nods and my sister forces a smile that’s right just friends something tells me that she wants more from him but it’s Jasper he’s focused on his career not dating women I spin around in Kyler’s arms

Why did you tell me Jasper was bringing his girlfriend girlfriend Amber coughs on the words and I glance at her over my shoulder her cheeks are reddening I wanted to surprise you with the proposal and if I told you my brother and your sister were coming over you’d be suspicious he’s right

I would have asked a dozen questions and known he was up to something well you did a good job with the surprise I say placing a kiss on Kyler’s lips I turn around in his arms facing Jasper and Amber well did you say yes Amber asks and glances at my hand

I show her the ring on my finger I’m engaged thank you for listening to faking it with the billionaire ice dragons hockey romance book one by Willow Fox narrated by K Kennedy

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