Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I pick up my fork, picking at the cake in front of us. “I’ve always wanted to be a hockey player, but I never had the opportunity. I tried out for the Bears on a whim, and when I made it, I couldn’t believe it. Then my coach put it in my head that I could make the NHL, and now, I want it. I want it badly.” I look up to find her watching me, and I really don’t want to admit the next part, but I know I have to.
When she gives me a small, encouraging smile, it catches me off guard. “I’m sure you will. I’ve seen you play. You’re good.”
My mouth actually drops open at that. I hadn’t expected her to say that. “You’ve seen me play?”
She nods. “I go to the games with Louisa, my sister, to watch her fiancé play.”
That’s right. Ciaran Carter is engaged to her sister. Though, he probably won’t be playing for the Bears anymore; he should make the Nashville Assassins’ roster this season. “I didn’t realize you went.”
“Yeah, I’m the one with an overpriced glass of wine and a huge pretzel and cheese.” She grins as she takes another forkful of cake and then meets my gaze. “Be on standby—or better yet, don’t say anything to make me choke.”
I want her to choke on my cock. Jesus, what’s wrong with me?
I watch as she takes another bite and then smiles in triumph when she eats it without needing the Heimlich. “You survived.”
“I did, but I’m going in for more. Be alert,” she teases, and I flash her a grin. Around the bite she eats, she says, “Continue, please.”
Fuck, that word. It’s so breathy, so soft, and I adore how she says it. I don’t know why, and I really shouldn’t be thinking of her choking on my cock as she whimpers please. But of course, my unsatisfied self is. I mentally push that image to my spank bank and focus on what is at hand. Our goals. Yes, goals. “Um, well, I kinda fucked up my image.”
Her brows furrow at my honesty. “How so?”
“I slept around a lot, drank more than that, and gambled even more. The real kicker was me getting caught in the closet with a teammate’s wife.”
Her mouth makes a little O, but she recovers quickly, a grimace filling her sweet face. I hate admitting this shit to her. I know I look like a jackass, but I have to be completely transparent with her. “Well, that was a bad choice.”
“Very bad, and there are no excuses. I fucked up, and now I’m working to fix it.”
“Because of the NHL?” she asks, and I feel like she’s looking right into my soul.
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “It doesn’t matter how good I play, if I’m an embarrassment to the team and out there trying to wet my dick with anything with tits, they won’t want me.”
“Understandable. But I doubt you’re that bad.”
Now I’m the one grimacing, feeling like the slush of ice that ends up in the barrel during TV time-outs. I don’t want to tell her that I was. I want to lie. I want to make myself sound like marriage material, but the truth is, I’m not.
“I was, but I’ve been good for the last six months. I’ve cleaned up my act, but it hasn’t been enough.”
“It hasn’t?” I look away at her question.
The weight of my transgressions is suffocating as I stare down at the cake. “No. Fans, coaches, and staff still don’t like me. Don’t see me as a respectable, worthy player. I lived my life in the shadows because no one believed in me. And now that I have a coach who believes in me, I want to meet this goal.”
Her hand covers mine, bringing my gaze to hers. McDavid’s eyes are full of kindness and compassion. They leave me fighting for my next breath. “I am sorry that people have made you feel that way. I know you’ll make it. You can do it.”
“If you help me,” I say, and her brows draw in once more.
“Me? What can I do?”
She starts to bring her fork to her mouth, and I stop her. She narrows her eyes at me, and I quickly say, “Wait to take that bite.”
“Why?”
“I’d rather you don’t choke on another piece of cake when I ask you to be my wife.”
Her jaw drops, her eyes widen, and her face flushes as she gawks at me.
I really do need to work on my delivery.
CHAPTER 10
Eliza
Did he say wife?
I blink a few times, but each time Coleson comes back into focus, his eyes are serious, with no hint of teasing. My mouth snaps closed as I eye him. I don’t want to ask if he said wife because I don’t think that’s what he said. Maybe he said “When I ask you to end my life.” That sounds way more believable than him asking me to be his wife on our first date. I’m crazy. I made that up, surely. I force a laugh as I set down my fork and shake my head. When I meet his gaze again, he’s not laughing or even smirking at me.