9

Ainsley Lalonde held her breath as she stepped off the elevator, sure the doors would open to camera flashes, or at the very least she’d walk right into someone famous. She was working for a professional hockey team. One of the most talked about teams in the league.

She’d pinched herself twice while gulping down her first cup of coffee and rethinking her outfit choice a dozen times. Slacks and a blouse, or her only tailored suit? The suit still looked good on her, if a little snug around the butt.

Looking in the mirror had reminded her too much of how badly she’d messed things up at her last job. She wouldn’t have the suit if she hadn’t ended up sleeping with her boss. But one internal promotion from customer service on the first floor, to personal assistant on the twentieth, and her entire life had gone to hell. She’d had to move out of the province just to get a job. A two-thousand-dollar suit in exchange for her reputation.

Burning the suit would be satisfying. But selling it would help pay the rent. And maybe get her son some of the hockey equipment he’d been begging for. Maybe Sawyer wouldn’t hate her for dragging him away from the only home he’d ever known if she could give him a reason to love it here. At nine years old, hockey was his thing. He’d at least shown some interest in her working for the team, though he couldn’t understand why she hadn’t applied for the same job in Montreal.

He, thankfully, didn’t know she was too humiliated to even try. That she’d gotten swept up by a rich man who’d promised the world. Who’d made her feel beautiful and special. Who was ‘finalizing his divorce’, but it ‘was taking awhile’. Prenups were a bitch.

Gordon Argent had given her a raise he swore she’d earned—that at least she believed, she’d worked her ass off—then brought her to the most expensive restaurants. Bought her all kinds of gifts. Sent her flowers with sweet notes. She’d fallen for him fast and hard, trusted him so much she’d agreed to explore the BDSM lifestyle with him.

A security video of him flogging her on the roof of his penthouse leaked and everything changed. His wife was threatening to take his kids away and use adultery to invalidate the prenup. His business partners questioned his integrity. He lost contracts and the press hounded him every minute of every day.

She hated him for throwing her under the bus, but she couldn’t really blame Gordon for wanting to save his own skin. Only, was it necessary to portray her as some kind of desperate freak? He’d claimed he’d been weak and she’d tempted him, asking him to play out one of her fantasies. That she had a reputation for kink and he’d given in to her suggestion only that one time…

They’d been dating for months. In secret. She’d believed him when he’d told her the secrecy was to protect her. In the end, all it had done was make him look like the victim. And her like a homewrecker, because suddenly, his marriage was strong, his wife and children were back home. Her ‘efforts to seduce him for his money’ had failed.

The viral video was nothing but an inconvenience to him. For her, it meant the only interviews she got were from those curious about the dirty details. She’d been fired so her old boss could save his marriage. No one back home would seriously consider hiring her now.

But she had gotten the opportunity of a lifetime here. Silver Bower needed a new personal assistant. And the woman hadn’t cared about Ainsley’s reputation. After talking on the phone just a few times, Silver had decided Ainsley was perfect for the job. Asked how soon she could start, because she needed someone before the season began.

Today was Ainsley’s first day. And she was determined to make a good impression. Hunky hockey players wouldn’t distract her. Nothing would distract her. She’d learned her lesson.

Halfway down the hallway, hand fisted around the handle of her purse, she stopped in her tracks as a door swung open. Sidestepping to avoid it, she tripped as the man exiting the office almost walked right into her. His hand settled on her shoulder to steady her. She met his dark brown eyes and her mouth went dry.

Oh. My. God.

Quickly pulling his hand away, his lips slanted in an apologetic smile. “Forgive me, I was in a rush and wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Damn, even his voice was sexy. Like a shot of whiskey, a drizzle of honey, mixed with a deep, earthy rumble. One that would stay with her long after she was far away from him.

And she should get far far away from him. Only she couldn’t. Unless he didn’t work here? Could she be that lucky?

Handsome men in expensive suits wrecked both her reasoning and survival skills. That her skin still felt warm under her crisp, dark blue jacket, as though he was still touching her, proved her defenses weren’t at full strength.

Pull yourself together, Ainsley. He was bad news and she damn well knew it. If only he looked the part. Maybe he had tattoos under that suit?

Thinking about what he had under his suit was not helping.

“That’s quite all right.” She planted her most professional smile on her lips, trying to ignore the sleek flow of his dark brown hair, dusted with grey, giving him a distinguished appeal she found hard to resist. “I expect things are hectic around here, preparing for the pre-season. But I’m ready for it.”

“That’s good to know.” His smile broadened, fine lines forming around his eyes as he stepped aside. “You’re new to the Forum, I believe. Do you need some help finding human resources?”

He does work here. Lovely.

She shook her head. “No, thank you. Mrs. Bower asked me to go straight to her office.” She should probably introduce herself. This man looked important. She had to be professional, but polite. She held out her hand. “My name is Ainsley Lalonde. I’m Mrs. Bower’s new PA.”

“Lorenzo Keane. The owner of the Dartmouth Cobras.” He gave her hand a shake that was perfect in every way. Not long enough for her, but she was being stupid. If she could stick to professional, and not consider how big and firm his hands were, she could focus on how his grip was the ideal balance of strength and mutual respect.

He didn’t hold on too long. He didn’t hold her hand as though she was delicate. In that brief touch, she felt like an equal.

Though, she wasn’t. She really wasn’t.

He owned the damn team.

This was worse than him being her boss.

She almost wished she hadn’t given him her name.

What if he looked her up and reacted the same way absolutely every other potential employer had before Silver? Her throat tightened and she glanced down the hall, needing to get away. Avoid saying or doing anything that might ruin her one opportunity before she’d even clocked her first five minutes on the job.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She tried to sound friendly, and professional, but was pretty sure she came off as too curt because he frowned. She forced a smile. “If you’ll excuse me?”

“Of course.” He stepped back even further. “Please tell Mrs. Bower the board meeting has been rescheduled for this afternoon. Right after lunch. And I had the prospect she suggested invited to training camp. He should arrive today if she’d like to see if he lives up to the hype.”

Inclining her head, she took a deep breath. “Of course. And should I…” Silver will tell you what you need to do. Just go! “Never mind. I’m sorry. I’m hoping to make a good impression and I’m not sure I am.”

He gave her an encouraging smile. “You’re doing fine. And don’t be nervous. If Mrs. Bower chose you, it’s for a reason. She has an eye for talent, so I’ve no doubt you’ll fit right in here.”

“Thank you, I needed to hear that.” Hopefully he’d remember his own words once he learned more about her. “Have a nice day, Mr. Keane.”

“You as well, Ms. Lalonde.” Mr. Keane motioned to her as she started walking. Pointed in the opposite direction that she’d been about to go. Then spared her any further embarrassment by simply continuing on his way.

Smooth, Ainsley. Very smooth.

A sharp cry interrupted her thoughts and she blinked as a tall blond man backed out of an office, carrying a sobbing toddler, a little girl at his side giving him a sweet, sympathetic look. At his other side was a boy around Sawyer’s age, covering his ears with his hands.

“I’ll be fine with them, Becky. It’s just ‘til Zach’s sister gets back.”

“If Silver hears Amia crying, she’ll be upset. Just leave her with me and—”

“Your pile of paperwork?” The man lifted the toddler, dancing around until she stopped crying and giggled. Once he held her against his chest again, she hiccupped and stuck her thumb in her mouth. “Conditioning doesn’t start for another week. Zach’s got the flu. Hell, everyone’s got the flu. You have to work and I’m bored. After we eat, I’ll bring them to the toy store. I got this.”

Ainsley smiled, reluctant to move and interrupt the family moment. The woman was watching the man cuddle the toddler, her eyes filled with love. And who could blame her? Now that the baby was settled, he really did look to have the situation under control.

Isaac had been just as good with Sawyer. They’d shared the joy, and the stress, of parenting equally. But he’d died when he was only twenty-six, taken suddenly by a brain aneurysm before their son’s second birthday. He’d been an amazing father and husband. She’d never wanted to replace him.

Now she was alone. But she did her best to be all her son could ever need.

Pushing Keane from her mind became much easier. She continued down the hall, and the woman glanced over at her.

“Are you Ainsley Lalonde? I was hoping to catch you before you got to Mrs. Bower’s office.” The woman stepped forward at her nod and held out her hand. “My name is Rebecca Pierce and I handle Media and Public Relations. If you’d just give me a moment to see my husband off?”

“Of course.” Ainsley shook Rebecca’s hand, then turned to the man. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Pierce. You have a beautiful family.”

The man’s cheeks went red. “Thank you, but I’m Scott. Just…ah…just Scott.”

Rebecca chuckled. “Zach wouldn’t mind you taking his name as well, but that might get confusing on the ice.”

“Not really, but it’s a bit more public than I thought you wanted to be.” Scott frowned, taking the diaper bag Rebecca held out to him.

“True. But I couldn’t help it with how red you just turned. Besides, I helped Silver hire Ms. Lalonde. She’ll fit in well here. And she won’t gossip.”

Ainsley struggled not to wince. How much did Rebecca know? And why was she calling someone other than ‘Mr. Pierce’ her husband? She cleared her throat. “I definitely won’t speak a word of this to anyone. Would you like me to wait in your office while you say goodbye?”

“Yes, please. I won’t be long.”

As she stepped into the office, Rebecca spoke softly to Scott. The two children shouted ‘Yay!’ and then there was running, followed by Scott laughing and calling for them to wait.