Page 18

vladi

“ I ’m telling you, Vladi, sex this close to the equator is better!” Bougie spouts off, running his ridiculous mouth. “They say you can last longer with the increased gravitational pull.”

Wedding festivities have officially begun, starting with a welcome dinner for the happy couple. And I’m the unlucky bastard tasked with sitting next to Bougie.

I came down early to check out the bar and hang with some of my teammates while Maggie showered. I’m sure she is pissed I didn’t wait for her, but I pride myself on being prompt, and that woman would be late to her own funeral.

A part of me wishes I stayed back, the thought of getting a glimpse of the body I crave so much has me shifting in my seat. The other reason? My defenseman who is currently spouting off his asinine theories about gravity.

I roll my eyes, keeping my gaze on the glass of vodka in front of me. “Gravity is weaker here than back in Milwaukee, you idiot.”

“Okay, but maybe that means gravity doesn’t drag your dick down faster? Plus, it’s hotter here. Which means the girls are hotter, right?”

I turn, scowling at him. “Why don’t you test your gravitational pull theory by standing on top of that gazebo over there and jumping off.”

Most people would be upset at my comment, but not this rookie. He actually laughs . Like I was making a joke. I grit my teeth, swallowing nearly all my drink. I wasn’t.

He sobers, his eyes eerily clear and upset. “Someone’s extra crabby today. What’s up your ass?”

“I am my normal amount of crabby,” I grumble, eyeing my dangerously close to empty glass. “And why are you sitting by me anyway? Don’t you have some property to look into purchasing or something? Go bother EJ and Tay with your equator theories.”

Bougie grasps his chest in a dramatic fashion, as if he’s in a Shakespearian play, dropping his head to my shoulder.

“You wound me Vladimir. You know, you should try being nice to me once in a while. I have a lot of connections. I could hook you up with a hot woman and you could get laid. Even here!” He jumps to his feet, his chair almost clattering to the floor.

“Hey, that could be your one favor! Or did you want me moving away from you tonight at dinner to be your one favor? Personally, I think you getting some action would help you be more pleasant.”

I grunt. “No. I don’t want this to be my favor. I want you to move away from me, so I don’t punch you in the goddamn face.”

“Fine, fine, fine! I don’t want to sit next to your grumpy ass anyway. I’ll go sit by EJ and make all your wet dreams come true.”

I shake my head. What an idiot . Was I like this as a rookie?

I would hope if I was someone would have punched me in the face.

I take another sip of my vodka as I look around the room, spotting my roommate for the week finally making her appearance.

Every breath abandons me—for the second time today.

She’s wearing a turquoise dress that is so damn low-cut, her mouth-watering breasts are on full display.

My legs tense, and I grab the arms of my chair to keep me in place.

Part of me wants to run over and cover her up, the other part wants her to sit directly across from me so I can stare at her throughout dinner.

I want to rip this dress into tiny pieces and scatter them around the resort.

Her long hair flows past her shoulders, little strands being picked up by the breeze through the beachside restaurant.

The bottom of her dress is loose and flowing, making her appear as if she’s floating across the room.

What I wouldn’t give for the wind to pick up just a little bit to see what’s underneath.

I’m already sweating in this damn heat, but now my heart is racing and I’m stuck in my seat until I can get my cock under control.

Looking around the table, there is only one open seat left.

Right next to me. I don’t even bother to smother the grin lifting my cheeks. Maybe I do need to be nicer to Bougie.

“Welcome Magdalina. Saved you a seat.”

“Don’t call me that, jackass,” she snaps. “Go trade seats with someone. We already have to share a room—I don’t need to share a meal with you too.” She folds her arms across her chest, her glare doing nothing to quench the fire burning through me.

I meet her response with a giant smile. “Now Maggie, remember how we promised to behave and not disrupt our friends’ wedding week? Sit your ass down and don’t cause a scene.”

She huffs, the slightest hint of agreement ghosting behind her pouty, sexy mouth, and finally sits down. Her tits are on full display, still moving from her slamming down in the seat next to me. I shift, adjusting myself as discreetly as I can. Maybe this was a bad idea.

“Welcome everyone!” Larsy says, standing at the front of the room with Olivia tucked in next to him.

“Now that everyone is here, we wanted to thank you all for coming such a long way to celebrate our marriage. We have some fun things planned, but they are optional—we won’t be offended if you choose to just enjoy some time relaxing on the beach.

” He hesitates, glancing at his glass and clearing his throat.

“This time last year, I was moving to Milwaukee, starting with a new team, and trying to move on from a painful time in my life. I never imagined I’d walk into a bar and help the woman of my dreams load her gear into her car while being accused of being a Dateline predator, and now being here almost a year later with all of you, is more than I could’ve ever hoped for.

” He looks down at Olivia beaming back at him, and I see him wipe a tear from her eye.

“We are so happy, and we can’t wait to spend time with everyone in this beautiful piece of paradise as we start another chapter in our forever.

Please enjoy dinner tonight, and cheers to an amazing week! ”

Everyone raises their glasses and shouts of cheers ring out through the pavilion. I turn my head and raise my vodka to the feisty bombshell next to me, “Cheers to an amazing week, Magdalina.”

She picks up her glass of champagne and clinks it against mine. “Whatever,” she huffs before swallowing her entire drink in one gulp.