Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
She has her grandfather’s suite here, but when I’d told her I’d gotten her glass seats, she’d said she wanted to be as close as she could to me. I look to the left, right by the home team penalty box, and there she is. Her eyes are bright blue and green, swirling with all the excitement that fills her gorgeous face. Her hair is half up, curled, and she’s wearing light makeup. My jersey looks stunning on her, but it’s the pride in her eyes that has my chest puffing up and cockiness urging me on.
I wink at her, and her grin takes up her whole face. I may not be able to hear her, but I know she’s screaming only for me, and damn if she doesn’t look incredible doing so. I tear my gaze from hers and stand with my team as the national anthem is sung. Next is the honorary puck drop, and when Dan Davenport walks the orange carpet, twirling a puck in his hand, my stomach drops at the sight of him. I should have known he would be the one to drop the puck. Though, that doesn’t ease my concern that he could chuck that puck at my head.
He comes to the end of the carpet, stopping between the captain of the Georgia PuckDawgs and me. He shakes the captain’s hand and then turns to me, holding out his hand. I take it, and he pins me with a look. He leans in, his head angling to the side so that no one can see or hear him speak.
“I don’t have to say that if you hurt her, you’re done. Correct?”
I look over at him just as he looks at me. Davenport’s eyes are hard, serious, with no humor whatsoever. While I’m glad Lou talked to him, I wish I were more prepared. I could have come up with a speech of promise. To reassure him that I have no intention of ever hurting Louisa. Only loving her, fully.
But I don’t have time to say any of that, only to nod and agree. “Correct.”
Davenport nods, and we line up. And when he drops the puck, I win it with ease. I pick up the puck, shaking hands with the other captain before handing it back to Davenport. Louisa’s grandpa nods to me and then turns to head back down the carpet. I glance over my shoulder, and Louisa is watching me, concern furrowing her brows. I flash her a bright smile, and she sends me one back, mouthing, “Good luck.”
Gone are the nerves, replaced by confidence that Louisa is basically feeding me with just her eyes and her smile. I have never felt like this when I play, this cocky feeling that I’m the best out here and I’m about kick everyone’s ass. I’ve always been very confident in my game, but now, with Louisa watching and knowing that she wants me to succeed, I feel like I’m even better than I thought. I want to prove that to her. I want her to see how she inspires me to be the best I can be. A bolt of energy runs through me, and I’m ready to show off for her.
To thank her for being here for me.
CHAPTER 39
Louisa
From the moment Ciaran hits the ice, I decide I will never miss a game. He belongs on the ice. He moves across it like it’s land and not a sheet of slick, frozen water. I’ve watched my fair share of hockey, but Ciaran—and I am well aware I’m biased—he’s magic on it. The way he moves, confidently, eager, makes me think of how he makes love to me. He plays thoroughly, just as thoroughly as he makes me scream, over and over. He’s a sight to behold, and in just the first two minutes of his being on the ice, I know he belongs in the big leagues. That the Knoxville Bears are too small for him.
He’s destined for bigger things.
As much as I want to be scared of that, I can’t deny it. I don’t want him to leave, but I would never hold him back. I want him to succeed, and I know he will.
My mind doesn’t change with each game I watch. It’s been three weeks of home games, and each time, I find another part of his game that impresses me and makes me so proud to be his. In ten games, he has scored fourteen goals. He is the most talked-about player on all the AHL blogs—and yes, I read them all. Just as I tell everyone, even the blogs know he owns the ice. Watching him lead his team makes me so damn hot, I can’t keep my hands to myself once he gets home.
And yes, my apartment is no longer mine; it’s ours.