Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Let’s face it—at this point, I don’t have much to lose.
I take the seat across the aisle from him and watch as he shoves the headphones over his messy hair. Thank God. Guess that means we’re back on quiet time.
While he plots, I pull out my laptop, prepared to spend the next few hours catching up on work. Oskar isn’t the only guy on our team, and he isn’t the only idiot either. For the others though, their headlines usually come down to alcohol, dumbassery, or accidents. Oskar … well, he doesn’t fall into any of those categories, but I’m still trying to figure out why he’s so blasé about risking his career.
Is it arrogance? Issues with authority? Or does he have some kind of sex addiction that can only be filled in public?
“Hey, boyfriend?” The rumble in Oskar’s voice is pure sex, and I can’t stop myself from looking over. He’s pushed back one of the earpieces on his headphones, and as soon as he has my attention, his grin is automatic. “You answered that time.”
“This time, we’re in public, and when it’s a choice between causing a scene or letting you quietly be ridiculous, I’m paid to do the latter.”
“Does that mean we can go back to Daddy if I’m quiet?”
I shake my head. “Even San Jose doesn’t pay me that well.”
He sniggers, and it’s a fight to keep my passive expression. I’ve done well over the last week to act completely closed off, even when I was dying inside to return his flirting. The way I see it, at the office is fine because it’s a controlled environment where nothing could happen, but in his house? I might be strong-willed, but even I have my limits.
“Did you want something?” I ask.
“Oh, right. The guys. While Anton is away, Ez gets to play, and Tripp loves to share Dex around. You’ll probably get an eyeful while we’re there, and it’s totally up to you if you choose to join in or watch. Though … the idea of you watching …” He pretends to drool, and I pretend to be exasperated, even as that plants tempting images in my head.
“As long as nothing ends up online, your sex collective can do whatever it likes. I’m sure I’ll have work to do in the meantime.”
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to hook up?”
“You’re not. But as they’re all within the league and I’m in contact with their own PR reps, this is as controlled of an environment as we’re going to get. You better make good use of your time because it’s the last you’ll have in a while.”
Oskar rubs his hands together like he’s excited, but if I thought for one moment that we were heading to an all-out gang bang within the NHL, there’s no way I’d have let him get on the plane.
After he mentioned this collective, I’ve been looking into the other members, and from what I can tell, Tripp and Dex are more loving and monogamous than any couple I’ve met, and he can pry Ezra out of Anton’s cold dead hands.
I could be wrong, but after talking with Boston’s and Las Vegas’s PR reps, I highly doubt that I am.
The rest of our flight is spent with Oskar trying to get a rise out of me and me ignoring him in favor of work. The only time I look up is when Oskar’s telling the flight attendant what nice arms he has. The poor guy blushes to his hairline, but there’s no risk there other than Oskar’s wounded pride when he completely strikes out.
We land and I let Oskar go first, but as he passes, he leans in to whisper, “Last chance to join the Mile High Club.”
“Way too late. I’ve been a member for years.”
He finds that hilarious, like he thinks I’m lying, and keeps walking, pausing long enough to flirt with the flight attendant again, which gets him a solid shove to the middle of his back from me.
“Seem a bit jealous there, boyfie,” Oskar says as we’re walking through the terminal.
I scoff. “Jealous of what, exactly?”
“My flirting. But don’t worry, there’s enough of the ol’ Voyjik charm to go around.”
“Flirting? Ouch. If that was flirting, I seriously question how you’re in the tabloids so often.”
“But you don’t deny I have charm?” He rubs the scruff on his jaw. “That’s interesting.”
“I didn’t deny it because it goes without saying.”
“That you’re falling in love with me? I agree, but whoa, slow down there, Hoss. I only want you for your body.”
Even with how hard I’m trying, an exasperated breath leaves me. Do not engage, do not engage.
The mantra repeats through my mind as we take a car from the airport and Oskar directs the driver the long way to the hotel he’s made a reservation at.