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)
Youth hockey games are painfully slow and almost excruciating to watch as an adult. But this game… It’s worse than watching paint dry. Max is the only highlight so far. She’s taken seven shots already, two of which almost went into the net. The goalie on the other team has no hand-eye coordination, but somehow, she managed to knock the puck away at the last minute. Max pouted all the way back to the bench.
Midway through the game, a familiar face appears. Father of the Year strolls down the row toward us, talking on his cell phone. Ted doesn’t even glance at the ice. He doesn’t even notice we’re here until he almost trips over my shoe. Asshole.
“I’ll call you back in five,” Ted says and then looks down me. He narrows his eyes at me. “Duke, what are you doing here?”
The sight of him makes my skin crawl.
“Someone has to show up for Max,” I snap.
Ted’s nostrils flare. “How dare you? She’s my daughter.”
“Then, act like it,” I growl, balling my hands into fists.
He clutches the phone in his hand, his jaw set in anger. “You have no right.”
“Yes, he does,” Lila says. “Duke has shown up for Max every time she’s needed him.”
Ted shoots daggers at Lila. “You think you can replace her father?”
“Stop it, Ted!” Lila covers her face with her hands and sighs.
Fueled by my rage, I stand up, towering over Ted. I want to Hulk Smash him into the ground. He would deserve it. A shitty father like Ted deserves the same ass-kicking I gave to Dean. The same one I gave my dad back in high school. But I’m a changed man now. I can control my anger.
Lila tugs on my shirt with a pleading look in her eyes. It takes every ounce of energy to keep me from choking this prick. For Lila and Max, I have to be a better man.
“No one is trying to replace you.” I cross my arms over my chest, and Ted steps back. “Now, sit down and shut up. You’re ruining the game for everyone. And next time, show up on time.”
“You’ll regret this,” Ted grunts.
I wave him off, and he climbs up the bleachers until he finds an open seat.
“Thank you for defending us,” Lila says under her breath. “But Ted has connections in this city.”
“So, do I.”
She bites her lip and nods. “I hope Ted doesn’t do anything stupid.”
I consider her words for a second. Ted is the Chief of Staff for Senator Robert Banks, which makes Ted sort of a big deal in D.C. In recent years, politics have played a big part in American sports. Maybe that wasn’t the best idea to piss off one of my—now former—biggest fan.
Chapter Twenty-One
DUKE
Waking up next to Lila is the best feeling in the world. Until I met her, I had thought my team winning the Stanley Cup was the best high I would ever get. We won last year. Before my suspension, my team was on their way to another victory. But right now, Lila is the only thing I want to conquer.
I feel like I have waited my entire life for her. Lila and Max are the missing pieces to my messed-up puzzle. I didn’t know how much I needed love until I met her. I spent years of my childhood raising my siblings, and because of her, I realize how much I missed having a family.
Lila is in bed next to me, curled up on her side, her bare ass pressing against my hard cock. Lila purrs softly as she sleeps. Every sound this woman makes drives me wild. I slide my hand up her thigh, and she squirms. And by the time I make my slow exploration up to her breast, she rolls onto her back.
“Duke,” she whispers with one eye open. “I’m trying to sleep.”
I roll my thumb over her nipple. “You can sleep when you’re dead.”
Her laughter turns into moans as I massage the tiny bud between my fingers. Her eyes open, and she licks her lips.
“This isn’t a bad way to wake up,” she lilts.
I slip my hand between her legs, groaning when I feel how wet she is for me. Her body responds to the softest touch. Each thrust of my fingers rips a moan from her lips. She’s writhing against my hand, greedy and begging for more.
In one swift motion, I remove my fingers and lift her on top of me. Quickly, I reach for a condom, and seconds later, I’m inside her. This is the best feeling in the world, second to the way this beautiful woman loves me. She doesn’t have to say the words aloud for me to know that she feels it, too.
I rock my hips, digging my fingers into her side as she rides my cock. Her nails scratch my skin, clawing at me like a cat in heat. Lila screams my name, followed by a few curses. She’s so close I can feel it when her body trembles. Seconds later, her orgasm hits her hard, and I find my release not long after.