Page 2 of Crossing the Red Line (Vancouver Dominators)

Lucas

I’d been so desperate to appease my mother, I really didn’t even realize what I’d agreed to, I thought to myself as we made our way through the airport.

What had I been thinking when asking my ex-girlfriend, whom my sisters and mother had loved, to join me this weekend and play the ever-so-doting girlfriend?

Also, whose bright idea was it to decide to travel on a long weekend? I was so used to getting preferential treatment with the team, I’d forgotten how busy airports were on weekends like this. I slipped my ball cap on and forced my way through the crowd while Ella walked slowly behind me.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” she said as she struggled to keep up.

I talked her into this. I let out a huff. I didn’t talk her into anything. I simply mentioned she looked like she needed some time away.

“Me talk you into this?” I said.

“Yes, you flashed the offer of a free trip when you knew I desperately needed one, and don’t say you didn’t. We dated long enough for you to know the signs of me being burnt out and stressed.”

“Just do me a favor and don’t get lost. The last thing I need is to have to go back into that mess of people to find you, increasing my chances of being recognized,” I said, finally spotting the fake last name I’d used when I booked the taxi.

“You remember I hate crowds, right?” Ella questioned. “You really think I’m going to just wander off?”

“Look, there’s our ride,” I said, reaching around and guiding her to the front of me as we made our way toward the driver.

“That isn’t our ride,” Ella said, stopping. “It says Keller.”

I leaned down, bringing my mouth to the edge of her ear.

Immediately, all I could smell was the scent of her skin and perfume, a scent I’d loved at one point and, according to my body’s response, still did.

“That’s right, that is the name I gave. Otherwise, we’d face the possibility of being mauled to death if someone recognized me. ”

“Oh, please.” She shrugged her shoulder, her cheeks flushing as I placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her forward. “You aren’t that popular.”

“Do you want to find out?” I questioned, ready to blow my cover just to prove her wrong.

“Not really.”

“That’s what I thought.”

I nodded toward the driver, and he quickly grabbed our bags, shoving them into the trunk of the cab while we climbed into the back seat.

“Where are we staying?” Ella questioned, checking her email as she sat beside me.

“I got us a two-bedroom suite at the Palazzo. Figured it was better than staying with my mother.”

I sat back in the cab and waited for the driver to pull away from the curb and take us over to the hotel.

“Why aren’t we staying with your mother?” Ella questioned.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You don’t know what my mother is like now that she’s moved out here.” I winked.

“I don’t have to. It’s your mother. I’m sure she is still the loving woman she always was.”

“That’s right, that is what you remember, but believe me, she changed, and it is my mother. Trust me, sweetheart, you’ll be happier in the suite.” I winked.

Ella elbowed me in the side as the cab pulled away, and when I looked down at her, she grinned up at me.

“Lucas, again, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Okay, but you’ll see.”

Half an hour later, we stepped into the suite at The Palazzo. I watched as Ella walked inside and looked around at the room and then checked out the two bedrooms while I paid the bellhop for delivering our bags. Then I shut the door, leaving the two of us alone.

“Well?” I questioned, slipping my shoes off and heading toward the couch to make myself comfortable after being squished in the plane and in the back of the cab.

“It’s amazing!” she said, making her way over to the window and taking in the view. “Can I have that room?” she questioned, pointing at the one on the right. “It has an amazing bathtub, and you know how much I love taking baths.”

“You can have it,” I said, putting my feet up on the end of the couch and lying down, flipping the TV on to catch the sports news.

“Thanks,” she said, running her hand along the mini bar. “Want a drink?”

“Sure, I’ll have water,” I said.

“Water? You aren’t playing this weekend?”

“Nope, but I’m also not drinking. I have tests that need to be completed when I get back so I can get my knee looked at, and if I need any type of surgery, I’ll heal faster if I look after myself.”

I glanced over at Ella, who was bent over, looking in the little fridge. She still had that perfect round ass, one that I’d never been able to keep my hands off. I wished I didn’t need to now, I thought as I quickly adjusted myself before she turned around.

“Have whatever you want. Don’t let me stop you,” I said.

“Really? You sure?”

“I’m sure, cupcake,” I said. “No need to worry about the cost, either. Take whatever your heart desires.”

Within a couple of minutes, Ella held a bottle of water out to me and then sat down on the table in front of me with her glass of wine.

“So, I think we need to sort out a few details, don’t you?” she questioned, taking a drink.

“About?” I was paying more attention to what was being said about me on the news regarding my injury than to her.

“About us?”

I looked over at her, noting the serious look on her face.

“It’s easy. We reconnected at work. Found out that our breakup was a mistake, and quickly found out that we couldn’t keep our hands off one another.” I shrugged.

“I’m not telling your mother that!” Ella screeched.

I couldn’t help but laugh as her face turned red. “Why not?”

“Why not?” she repeated.

“Yes, why not? Is there something wrong with me?” I questioned.

“No!”

“Well, then?”

Ella let out a sigh. “Lucas, I’m not telling your mother I couldn’t leave her son alone. So, you better figure something else out.”

“It’s not like she wouldn’t believe it. We used to be that way with one another, in case you’ve forgotten.”

Ella shook her head. “Trust me, I haven’t forgotten. I also haven’t forgotten how much more you cared for the game than for me. If only I’d been a hockey stick, we’d probably have little mini stick children by now,” she gritted.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I am not. I’m stating a fact.”

“Fine, you’re stating a fact.” I huffed, annoyed by her insistence I was the issue with our previous relationship ending. “Why don’t you tell me what we should tell my mother, then? Let’s see if you have a better idea?”

Ella shook her head and took a sip of her wine. “Never mind, Lucas. We’ll use your story.”

“No way. Come on, share with me some ideas. I’m sure we can find something in one of them we can use. It would help if you filled me in on what and who you’ve been doing since we split.”

“Pardon?” she gritted, her eyes narrowing at me.

I chuckled. “What’s wrong? Got a bit of a shady past since we ended?”

“No,” she said, becoming defensive.

“Well then, why not tell your boyfriend all about it?” I said, reaching out and grabbing her side, causing her to laugh.

“Stop.” She pushed my hand away so she wouldn’t spill her wine. “What time are we meeting your mom for dinner?”

“Six-thirty, we are meeting at a restaurant just downstairs.”

I watched as she glanced at her watch and then nodded, looking around. “I think I’m going to take a hot bath, get ready for dinner.”

I watched as she got up and made her way around the end of the table, watching her take that gorgeous body away from me. Once she was just about to the door, I cleared my throat.

“Ella?”

“Yeah?” She turned and looked over at me.

“Can I watch?”

She did nothing but shake her head.

“Can’t blame me for trying.” I chuckled.

When she turned away from me, I was certain I caught what might have been a small smile on her lips.