Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“I guess I don’t have a choice.”
Tom shakes his head. “Nope. So, what’s it going to be? Make up your mind. Anger management or a trade?”
I shove a hand through my hair and sigh. “Anger management.”
“It’ll be over before you know it.”
I snicker at his comment. Easy for him to say.
“This could be a good thing for you, Duke. You have a lot of pent up anger you need to get out.”
“I’m a hockey player. I’m aggressive by nature.”
Tom laughs. “Look on the bright side. You’ll be back in time for the playoffs. Bide your time and keep your head down. Your dad told me all about the situation with Kat and Dean Crawford. Family issues don’t belong on the ice. Next time you have a problem, take that shit outside. No more screwing around after this suspension is over, or you won’t have a position on this team. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Duke, I’ve known you since you were in diapers,” Tom says, “back when you were missing your front tooth and spit milk on the carpet for fun.”
I laugh at the memory. I was always defiant, even as a kid.
“I’ve watched you grow into a talented hockey player,” he continues. “And you’re an asset to this team. But you have issues you need to address off the ice before you can come back. Consider the advice the doctor gives you and use this as a way to learn from your mistakes. Now that you’ve gotten that shit with Crawford out of your system, I expect you to come back mentally and physically stronger and better than ever. No more screwing around. Got it?”
I lean forward, sinking my elbows into my thighs. “Yeah. So, what quack are you sending me to for the next few months?”
“The team uses Dr. Devine for cases like these. She’s far from a quack.” He slides a business card across the desk to me. “She’s expecting you tomorrow afternoon. Don’t hit on her,” he says in a firm tone. “You need Dr. Devine on your side if you want to come back. If she tells me this isn’t working out, you’ll be stuck with the second option. So, I would advise you to be on your best behavior.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why would I hit on my doctor?”
“Because I know your reputation with women.”
“It won’t be a problem.”
He tips his head. “Take a better look at her business card.”
I lift the card from the desk. Dr. Delilah Devine doesn’t look like any doctor I’ve ever met. Long blonde hair sits right above her large breasts, and wide blue eyes stare back at me. She’s gorgeous, her skin pale and freckled, with only a hint of makeup on her face.
I shove the card into my pocket and then look at Tom. He’s testing me to see if I can control myself.
He flashes a wicked grin. “Good luck, Duke.”
I’ll need it.
Chapter Four
DELILAH
Sitting behind my desk, I flip through the report from the Flyers game. Duke Baldwin knocked both Dean Crawford and the linesman out cold, all in less than one minute. I missed this game. My daughter spent that night with her dad while Mommy caught up on some much-needed sleep. With my crazy schedule, I rarely get time to myself.
Over the years, I’ve watched Duke fight his way to another victory. My ex-husband is Duke’s biggest fan, which also makes him our daughter’s favorite player. Ted forced me to watch hundreds of hockey games with him while we were married. I never paid much attention. Not until Duke became the star of our home team.
As I read through Duke’s file, I stare at his picture. His short, dirty blond hair is messy as if he styled it that way on purpose. He looks like a sexy caveman, with broad shoulders that fill out every inch of his jersey, the fabric tight against his muscular chest. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss those full, perfect lips, how it would feel to have him handle me the way he does the players on the ice. His bright blue eyes stare back at me, the color so piercing I can’t wait to see them up close.
Duke is gorgeous, too good-looking to play hockey. The Baldwins have good genes. His father, Nick, was hot when he was younger, and for his age, he still looks good. Nick has the whole DILF thing going on. I bet Duke will too when he’s Nick’s age.
I scan the pages, looking for something that will help me make a connection with Duke. A patient must feel comfortable with their doctor. Trust is vital in this business.
With a history of violence and suspensions from the NHL, it’s no surprise that Duke’s records read more like a rap sheet than a list of accomplishments. I can see the pride on Duke’s face after Dean Crawford’s body hit the ice. In one picture, Duke has his arms raised above his head in victory with a smirk. His looks are somewhat distracting, though as I flip through the pictures, his apparent rage stirs something else inside me—curiosity.