Page 87 of Breaking the Pucking Rules (LA Vipers #1)

KODIE

I follow Coach and Fletch into the press room after the game to an explosion of flashes and excited chatter.

Fuck, it feels good.

Obviously, winning is always a high, but beating Nash, and having my girl in the front row to see it, was fucking euphoric.

The only person that was missing was Sutton. But despite her protests, we decided that it was better for her to watch from home until things calm down a bit.

I’m aware that I’m never going to be able to keep her out of the media. It would be easier if she wasn’t so hockey obsessed and always begging to be at the arena. But it is what it is. I’ll do everything in my power to protect her, but I won’t squash her dream.

“Congratulations on your win tonight,” the first reporter says once we’re settled.

My eyes scan the room as question after question is fired toward us. Thankfully, Coach and Fletch are keyed in, and they answer each as I search for my girl.

She said she’d be here.

She no longer needs to hide in the shadows and pretend she doesn’t have a vested interest in one player. Now, she can support me as openly and as loudly as she likes. Just like I can her.

“And how did it feel to take the final shot and secure the win for your team tonight?” one reporter asks, focusing on me.

“It feels fantastic. The whole team really did a fantastic job tonight.”

“We all know the rivalry between you and Cooper Nash. I can only imagine how sweet that victory must taste.”

I smirk, but keep any words locked down. Everyone might know that there’s tension between us, but I’ve never voiced anything about our relationship to the media, and I never will.

Nash might be okay with letting everyone know how much he dislikes me, but I’m not so petty.

“You’ve been killing it on the ice these past few weeks. Can we assume that might have something to do with the new lady in your life?”

Now my smile grows, and as it does, the crowd parts in just the right way, allowing me to see Casey standing toward the back of the crowded room. She looks phenomenal in my jersey.

Her eyes meet mine, and a smile spreads across her lips.

“Proud of you,” she mouths, making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

“Yes,” I state confidently. “How I’m playing, how I’m feeling, has everything to do with the new woman in my life. She not only makes me a better player, but a better person, and I couldn’t be more grateful that she gave me a chance.”

Heads spin around, noticing where my attention is focused, and Casey’s cheeks blaze as they find her.

“We’re happy for you, Kodie. And long may it continue. Keep up a winning streak like this, and we could have a first-class ticket to the playoffs.”

The questions continue, and I listen as Coach explains how proud of his team he is, and Fletch focuses on what we need to tighten up going into the next games. All the while, my eyes are on Casey.

I can’t fucking wait to get her home tonight and have her lying on my bed in nothing but that jersey.

I’m so lost in my own thoughts that I don’t even realize when our time is up. Coach teasingly slaps me on the shoulder, and when I look over, he and Fletch are already standing to leave.

“Shit,” I hiss, making Coach chuckle.

His hand clamps around my shoulder, stopping me from retreating to the dressing room once we’re free of the press room.

“I’m proud of you, Kodie. As a player, as a part of my team, and as my future son-in-law.

You’re not the only one who’s happier. Casey is, too.

” My chest expands as I take in a deep breath.

“I didn’t say it the other night, and I’m sure it doesn’t even need saying, but Casey is my little girl, she means everything to me.

If you don’t take care of her properly?—”

“I will,” I promise, cutting off whatever threat was about to spill from his lips. “I swear, I fucking will.”

His scowl slowly turns into a smile. “I know. I just felt the warning needed to be said. I’m not sure I could say I’m a father without it.”

“God, I’m already dreading the day I’ll have to give that very same speech to some asshole.”

Coach laughs. “It comes around all too quickly, Rivers,” he states, clapping me on the back as we begin walking again. “Enjoy celebrating tonight. Make sure you’re all at my house at six tomorrow evening.”

“We’ll be there, si—James. Thank you.”

Just before I duck into the dressing room to grab my things, I catch the genuine smile on Coach’s face.

I know Casey was worried. But there really was no need to be.

He’ll support her to the end of the earth as long as she’s happy. It’s exactly what I hope to do for Sutton.

T he second Fletch and I walk into The Fractured Compass, a cheer erupts. Everyone who’s waiting for us raises their glasses. I scan the familiar faces and see that every member of the team has come out tonight.

But I don’t want to see any of them.

I want Casey.

My heart races as I search the sea of hockey players before me.

She’s here—I know she is. She messaged to say that she and Parker were getting a lift with Linc.

There’s movement along the left-hand side of the bar, and I spot a flash of blonde hair hiding behind Marilyn.

My fists clench at the thought of anyone but me getting close to my girl.

I surge forward, shoulder-checking a couple of the guys in my way.

The second my eyes land on her fully, everything inside me relaxes.

She’s sitting on a stool but leaning back against the wall behind her with a cocktail in her hand and a soft smile on her lips.

Marilyn is talking, but she’s paying him zero attention. Instead, her eyes are locked on me.

Heat floods my veins, my body buzzing with desire, my need for my girl growing with every step I take.

At some point, Marilyn must realize he’s lost her, because he turns, looking over his shoulder.

He rolls his eyes the second he finds me, but I quickly look away again, focusing on who I really want.

“Hey, Trouble,” I say as I step right up to her, nudging her knees apart with my thigh so I can step between them. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve been here and wished I could do this?”

She tilts her head to the side in thought. From the flush of her cheeks, I’d say she’s already had a few drinks. “It can’t be many, because you never used to come out with the team.”

My lips twitch into a smirk.

“From what I’ve heard, nor did you,” I counter.

Yeah, okay, so I may have done a little detective work of my own about Casey Watson.

“Of course not, because unlike you, I was a rule follower. ”

“That sounds pretty boring, don’t you think?” I muse, sliding my hand up her arm until I’m cupping the side of her neck.

“Yeah, it was awful. I much prefer breaking all the rules.”

“Me too,” I agree, ducking down and stealing the kiss I’ve been desperate for since the moment I walked away from her earlier.

Having her so close while I was playing was incredible but the biggest tease I’ve ever experienced. Every time we made a shift change, all I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and kiss the life out of her.

Each stroke of her tongue sates a little bit of the need that’s been burning through me for the last few hours.

Her fingers twist in my shirt at my sides, clinging to me as if she’s afraid I’ll walk away.

Never.

I am never walking away from this woman.

You couldn’t pay me enough.

Eventually, I pull back, my lungs screaming for air.

“This is so unfair,” Marilyn grunts behind me as I rest my brow against Casey’s and stare into her eyes. They’re dark and full of hunger. The sight does little to stop the semi I’m rocking from going full mast.

“What was that, Rookie?” I tease, ripping myself away from Casey to glance over my shoulder at him.

“She was meant to be off-limits. And anyone who touches her will be traded.”

“Yeah, too fucking right. Casey is mine, and any motherfucker who tries anything will be traded.”

Marilyn shakes his head, his hair flops around his ears, making him look like the little puppy dog he is.

“I need a girl.”

“Dude, we’re surrounded by bunnies. Go find one.”

“I don’t want one of them. I want a real woman.”

Casey giggles beside me before shouting, “Parker, get over here.”

“Oh, shit. Is Donnelly fair game now?” he asks with wide, almost terrified- looking eyes.

“You two are disgustingly cute,” Parker says, trying and failing to look appalled as we cling to each other. “What’s up?”

“You know, Marilyn, right?” Casey asks.

“The rookie, yeah. Why?”

She looks at him with a blank, uninterested expression while Marilyn's eyes do a full-body sweep.

“Uh…oh no. I don’t think so, buddy,” she says, backing up.

“Aw, Parker, he just wants to know what it’s like being with a real woman,” I tease, earning myself a glare from Marilyn.

Dragging some confidence from somewhere, Marilyn suddenly stands.

“Dance with me, Donnelly?”

Parker’s mouth opens and closes a few times, her eyes looking between the puppy before her and the dance floor on the other side of the bar.

“Fine, but only because I want to dance. If your dick so much as grazes me, we are done. That is not on the table.”

Gripping his hand, she drags him away.

Casey and I both laugh when he looks over his shoulder, showing us his wide smile.

“He’s going to be disappointed. She never hooks up with hockey players.”

“Why?” I ask, more than aware of Parker's aversion, even though most of the team would be more than willing to keep her company.

“One broke her heart,” Casey explains while watching her friend dance with our rookie.

“Come on. I want to dance with my girl,” I say, taking her hand and dragging her toward them. I find us a bit of space before pulling her into my body and dropping my lips to her ear. “And lucky for you, you can graze my dick all you like.”

With a smile, she reaches up on her toes, wraps her arms around my neck, and presses her lips to mine.

I groan as I wrap my arms around her back and pin the length of her body against mine.

This is how we celebrate a win.

“I love you, Casey. Thank you for being my longest and most obsessed fan.”

She giggles happily, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Always, Kodie. I love you, too.”

Our lips melt together again as our bodies sway to the music.

Eventually, she pulls back and looks up at me with dark eyes and swollen lips.

“Can I take you home yet?”

She smirks. “Nope. We’re having fun with our friends. Reminding you just how good it can be to spend time surrounded by others.”

“I know,” I grunt. Although the truth is, I’ve only been remembering it since she came into my life. I’ve been doing a whole load of things I never used to think I wanted.

“Good. Now dance with me, boyfriend.”

Her smirk turns wicked before she spins in my arms and thrusts her ass into my crotch.

“Fucking hell,” I groan, watching as she dances.

My skin prickles with awareness, and when I glance around, I find almost everyone watching her—us—but none of my teammates are looking at her like they want her. Their expressions are mostly of awe and jealousy. I’ll fucking take that.

Forgetting about our audience, I focus on my girl.

Sweat runs down my spine, and my heart pounds steadily in my chest as song after song passes.

Casey laughs, her smile so infectious that mine hasn’t faltered once.

“This is fun,” she says, resting her head back against my shoulder as the tempo of the songs slows.

“Anything with you is fun, Trouble.”

She hums in agreement as Linc storms across the dance floor.

“What’s he—” My words are cut off when he steps up to Marilyn and drags him away from Parker without saying a word. “Well, okay then.”

I watch for a few seconds longer as Parker barks at Linc in irritation, but the brush of Casey’s soft lips on the underside of my jaw distracts me.

“Take me home, boyfriend,” she breathes. “I’m ready for our real post-win celebration.”

Taking her hand I turn my back on Linc and Parker before pulling her through the crowd and toward the door, ready to spend the rest of my life worshiping the woman who’s proudly wearing my number.

Who knew breaking the rules could be so much fun?