Page 64 of Breaking Point (IceHawks #1)

Bella

MOM

is Grayson okay??

what happened?

BELLA

Going to him now

I’ll keep you updated!

I ’m running.

Cindy is behind me, still yelling at the security guard that took his precious time and made plenty of excuses not to allow me past to see Grayson in the medical room.

The second I saw the anger come over him, I was up and out of my seat. When I saw the punches he was throwing, I took off.

I’ve never seen him like that.

Grayson is even-tempered. In all the games I’ve attended he’s never thrown a punch despite people trying to make him.

So what the hell did the player say to elicit that reaction?

I keep trying to reassure the hive of bees buzzing frantically in my chest that it was the other player who was hurt, but I won’t truly believe that until I lock eyes on Grayson unharmed.

Not caring for how deranged I look, I keep running, following the directions the burly security guard drawled out to me with an eye roll.

Turn left.

Take a right at the second hallway.

Three doors down?—

“You should have fucking heard what he said!” The sound of Grayson screaming has my feet coming to a stop. “He should be fucking fined!”

I can’t hear the response of whoever he’s talking to through the closed door, but before I can decide against it, I’m knocking and barging through.

Grayson stands in the corner, his neck flushed and face red, chest heaving. Whatever he was about to scream next dies on his tongue as he takes me in.

At first, I think I’ve intruded. I mean, what the hell am I doing here? I’m not his real girlfriend, but before those thoughts and insecurities can take flight, Grayson is striding across the room, still in his hockey kit, and scooping me into his arms.

A loud humph flies from my chest at how tightly he squeezes me.

“I’m sorry, I’m sweaty. I just…need to hold you.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I murmur, “It’s okay.” He gently places me down, albeit reluctantly, giving me a chance to look him over. “Are you hurt?”

“This big dumbass is fine. It’s the other guy who’s pushing to have Grayson fined.”

Peering over Grayson’s shoulder, I spot a man in his late fifties with salt-and-pepper hair, his gray eyes staring me down.

Despite the tension crackling in the room, he smiles, and it’s full of sincerity. “Well I’ll be damned, it’s about time I met the girl who got this big idiot in line.”

Grayson scoffs.

I can’t help but return the older man’s warm smile. It’s infectious. “I’m Bella, and honestly it’s all Grayson’s hard work, not mine.”

The man leans forward, his hand outstretched to shake mine gently. “I’m his coach, Anderson, and that’s how I know it most definitely was you.” He lets go of my hand, his gaze flicking behind me to Grayson, who I can feel towering behind me. “Although it seems he’s had a small blip.”

“I told you what he said,” Grayson all but growls.

Anderson lifts his hands in surrender. “And I believe you, but all things considered, I’m not sure the refs are going to.”

“Whatever, tell them to fine me. Pummeling his face was worth every penny.”

Anderson just shakes his head as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Just go back to the hotel, ice your hand, and calm down.”

“No press?”

He barks out a laugh. “Are you kidding? They’d have a field day with you, and I don’t need you saying anything stupid.” Anderson moves past me, that warm smile back on his face as he pauses in front of me. “I’m sorry it was under these circumstances, but I’m glad I finally met you.”

“You too,” I offer back, loving the caring energy I can feel between him and Grayson despite the stern words exchanged.

It isn’t until the door closes behind me that Grayson speaks again. “Where’s Cindy?”

“Giving a security guard hell.”

“Figures,” he mutters warmly with a hint of humor.

“What did the player say?”

His eyes grow hard. “You don’t need to know.”

I physically recoil, taking a step back. “Oh…okay.”

Grayson sighs, closing his eyes. “No, not like that, Bella. Trust me…you don’t want to know.”

“I do want to know. That’s why I asked.”

He blows out a breath, putting his hands on his hips. “Stubborn woman.”

I mirror his pose, throwing it right back at him. “Stubborn hockey player.”

His eyes narrow before he straightens. “Wait here. I’ll go shower quickly and grab my stuff, then we can head back to the hotel together.”

Clicking my tongue, I take a seat on the medical table. “Fine.”

He doesn’t move .

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “That was too easy.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I told you to do something and you just…said okay.” He cocks his head, moving forward to lay a hand on my forehead. “Are you feeling okay, Blaze?”

I swat his hand away. “Stop it, I’m fine. Go take a shower and hurry up. The antiseptic smell makes me want to puke.”

It reminds me of my mother’s endless hospital visits.

Something clicks in his gaze and before I know what’s happening, he’s leaning forward, wrapping his arms around my waist and picking me up.

“What the fuck, Grayson?”

“You can wait out here then, away from the smell.”

“My feet work,” I huff out as he gently places me down, outside of the room.

He winks before sauntering off down the hall. “I know.”

Watching him walk away, I can’t put my finger on what’s different about him. I’m not sure what it is, but all I know is that…I don’t hate it in the slightest.

In fact, I love it.

W ith damp hair from his shower, and still a slight scowl on his face from the fight, Grayson and I walk into the hotel room an hour later. The clock on the bedside table shows it’s nearing midnight. Yet despite the time, I’m not tired in the slightest.

I’m not the only one who won’t sleep tonight. Grayson is worrying his bottom lip, his mind seemingly running a mile a minute.

“Are you going to sit down or keep pacing?”

“Pacing.”

“We certainly switched roles in the last eight hours.” At his continued silence, I probe, “Have you eaten?”

Just a shake of the head, but it’s all I need.

Without another word I slide over the side of the bed, pick up the room service menu, and call for in-room dining.

I relay off his favorites: medium rare steak, mushroom sauce on the side; tossed salad; steamed vegetables; and a large plate of French fries.

I grab myself a grilled ham and cheese sandwich because, even though I stuffed my face full of food during the game, if I see Grayson eat, my stomach will suddenly become a bottomless pit.

As I hang up the phone, I find Grayson isn’t pacing any longer. “You didn’t have to do that.”

I shrug. “I figured some food will help settle you.”

His eyes bore into mine, an emotion passing through them that I can’t place.

Cocking my head, I ask again, “What did the player say?”

His shoulders stiffen. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does if it still has you riled up. Why can’t you let the comment go?”

He licks his lips. “Because it’s unforgivable and…”

“And?”

“And I’m worried he was right.”

I pat the bed beside me. “Now I definitely need to know what the bastard said.”

He doesn’t sit on the bed. Instead, he falls back completely, putting his arm behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling. “I can’t say it. It’s despicable.”

“Could you at least tell me the topic?”

His eyes cut my way. “It involved you.”

My brows rise in shock. “Me? Why would you get riled up about me?”

He rolls his eyes at that. “If you want me to be honest then you’re going to have to stop playing coy.”

“I’m not playing coy. I have no idea why you would get so angry over an assistant?—”

My words die as he suddenly sits up to face me, the intensity in his gaze piercing me to the spot. “You know you’re not just my assistant, Bella. I said it before I left. I’ve said it a few times actually.”

“I thought you were just teasing,” I say slowly.

He sighs heavily before tearing his gaze away, and the defeat that wracks his body makes my chest ache so painfully it has me reaching a hand out onto his leg. A spark of electricity zaps down my fingers the moment I touch him. “What do you need, Grayson? What will make it better?”

“You can’t give me it.”

“Try me.”

He turns to me then, and the fire in his expression has my mouth drying. “You, Bella,” he says. “I need you .”

My head rears back, my heart pounding furiously in my rib cage. My mind scrambles. Utterly scrambles and screams out in fear, telling me to abort as soon as possible. “Grayson, this is just an agreement?—”

He laughs, but it isn’t one of humor. “I knew you would say that.”

“Well, it is.”

“You’re lying to yourself if you think we’re just coworkers.” He stands. “You’re just not ready to admit it to yourself yet, but I’m a patient man, Bella, and I can wait.”

“Wait for what?” I stutter out, standing with him because sitting right now with my heart leaping out of my chest is agony.

“Wait for you to finally admit that this has never been fake.”

“Grayson, we have a contract?—”

“Fuck the contract, Bella!” He’s heaving now, his eyes so full of lust and heat, along with an emotion I can’t decipher it’s hard to step away. “We’ve kissed more in private than in public. This has never just been a contract and you know it.”

I can feel indignation rising in my chest, can feel words forming on my tongue that I don’t want to say. I can practically taste the denial and protectiveness of my heart on my tongue.

Trying to swallow past the dryness in my mouth, I murmur, “This was fake . We agreed that this was never real.”

“Then just keep pretending,” he breathes.

“What? ”

“Keep pretending that what we have isn’t real, pretend that this is for practice.

I don’t fucking care what you tell yourself to feel less fear but pretend ,” he all but begs.

He keeps stepping into my space until I’m backed against the desk.

Placing his arms on either side of me, the raw hunger in his eyes is tantalizing.

“I need you like I need air, Bella, and if you stop, I’ll cease breathing.

So please, just keep pretending.” His eyes flick back and forth, searching mine, for what I’m not sure, but in the next breath, he’s placing his heart in my hands.

“Pretend that you want me as badly as I want you, even if it’s just for one night. ”

“You want me?” I whisper softly.

His chest heaves. “I have wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

My heart is hammering for a different reason this time. My heart that’s been locked away. But now, it takes a step forward, because all I see is sincerity. I can hear it in his voice, feel it sparking between us. I can see the unadulterated raw need for me in his entire body.

It’s utterly consuming him.

And being between his arms, bearing the full weight of his desire for me, I can’t remember why I have been denying myself of Grayson Crawford.

“This was never fake for me, Bella. I know you want me but if you need to tell yourself?—”

I’m moving before a part of me can stop this.

I lift my chin, fist his shirt, and drag his mouth to mine.