Chapter 2

Heat washes over my body at his words. I swear I see desire in his eyes, but I’m sure I must be misreading the situation. I mean, this is Dean Sutton, local hockey legend and hands down the most gorgeous man to ever live in our town. Every woman has tried to bed him at least once, and so far he’s been untouchable. I can’t believe that I’m the one who’s catching his eye. I tell myself to hold it together and not get my hopes up.

“I trust you,” I manage to say, earning me a sexy smile. “So you’ll help me?”

“Of course I’ll help you. How about tomorrow night after the game?”

“Sure,” I say, grinning from ear to ear. “Alex’s mom is taking them all out for pizza afterwards, so I won’t need to run Tommy home after the game.”

“Perfect.” Dean shoots me another grin and starts to gather the equipment.

I take my bundle of hockey sticks and follow him to the locker room. Once we get there, I wait outside while he drops off all the gear and talks to the team. It isn’t long before they start filing out and heading to the parking lot. Tommy is the last one out. He’s talking to Dean and there’s an excited look on his face.

“What are you so happy about?” I ask, nudging his shoulder playfully.

I may take him to all his games and practices because I’m secretly in love with his coach, but Tommy and I have always been close. “Coach says I’m in the first line for tomorrow’s game.” He can’t stop grinning, and I slap his arm in congratulations.

“That’s awesome, Tommy. I’m so proud of you.”

His face reddens in embarrassment, but I know he’s secretly pleased.

“He’s definitely earned it,” Dean says. “Just remember, Tommy, when that puck drops tomorrow, get in there, quick as you can, and pass it to left wing. I think I’ll probably put Jordan there and then Alex on right wing.

You three will be my first line.”

“Thanks, Coach,” Tommy says, beaming.

“Like I said, you’ve earned it. I know how hard you’ve been practicing, and it’s paying off.”

When Dean starts to walk with us to the parking lot, I reach for one of the duffel bags he has thrown across his shoulder.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow at me.

Tommy has already walked on ahead of us, trying to catch up to Jordan and Alex to tell them the good news.

“I’m just trying to help.”

“You can carry my stick if you’re dying to carry something, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting you lug these heavy bags to my car.”

I happily grab onto his stick, thrilled to be carrying something of his, especially something that’s been held and used by him. It makes me feel closer to him, and I don’t care how stupid that might seem to anyone else. Besides, there’s a shit ton of people who would love to have a Dean Sutton hockey stick. He played in the NHL for years. I’ve seen footage of him playing, and he’s a damn good player. It’s also some of the sexiest stuff I’ve ever seen. Melissa likes to tease me about my “hockey porn,” but there’s just something about seeing him on the ice that does it for me.

We reach his Jeep, and he tosses the bags into the backseat before taking his stick from me. I’m not happy to part with it, but it’s not like I can just run off with it. The image of me hightailing it to my car, clutching his stick like a crazy woman as I yell for Tommy to get in makes me laugh out loud before I can stop it.

“What’s so funny?” Dean asks, eyeing me carefully.

God, he probably thinks I’m nuts.

“I was just thinking about how you’ve probably dealt with a few crazy fans over the years.”

He lets out a sexy laugh. “God, yes. Most of the really crazy ones I encountered were women. They’re so aggressive and don’t even like the game, just want to get fucked by a player.”

The idea of gorgeous women throwing themselves at Dean doesn’t make me happy. I try not to show it, but I must not be doing a good job because he gives me a sweet smile.

“I always avoided them as much as possible. There’s nothing attractive about someone who’s just trying to throw their body at you. It’s not me they want. They don’t even know me.”

I can’t help but smile at his words. I know he’s not a virgin like me, but I’m glad to hear he didn’t just sleep around like some man whore.

Seeing the relief on my face, he leans in closer and asks, “So what are your plans now that you’ve graduated high school?”

It’s hard to focus when he’s this close and the sun is letting me see the different shades of green in his eyes.

“I’m not sure,” I say, avoiding the truth of, Well, I was kinda hoping we could get married and you’d pump baby after baby into me. “I hope you’re not planning on leaving anytime soon.” Holy shit!

I try to bite back my smile, but it’s impossible. When he sees it, he smiles back, making my heart race.

“No, I’m not going anywhere,” I say.

“Good.”

He looks behind me and says, “Tommy’s waiting for you.”

When his gaze falls back on mine, there’s no denying the heat I see, and it makes every other thought fly out of my head.

“Huh?” I want to kick myself when he starts to laugh and I realize I must look like exactly what I am: a lovestruck young woman. “Oh, right,” I say, trying to get myself under control.

“Don’t forget about tomorrow, Kiera.”

“I won’t. I don’t have any skates, though,” I say, feeling like an idiot.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of everything, including keeping that ass of yours safe.”

He gives me a wink that practically makes my toes curls as a shiver of pleasure runs up my spine.

I give him a big smile before saying, “Bye, Dean. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it,” he says with a grin.

I walk off feeling his eyes on me the whole time. When I get to my car, I turn to give him a quick wave and, sure enough, he’s looking right at me, wearing that same sexy grin.

I wave and get into my car feeling like the luckiest damn woman alive. I can’t believe I’m going to be spending tomorrow night alone with Dean Sutton!