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vladi

I ’m never going to admit it, but this bourbon is good.

Almost as good as some of the premium vodkas I collect.

I don’t drink much during the season, not willing to leave my play up to chance, but I’m out the next game so fuck it.

Would I rather be home reading a good book?

Yes. But this isn’t the worst situation I could be in.

Especially given the view . The brunette bombshell standing before me, with her tits on full display, is one hell of an upgrade from the view in my living room.

Maggie James. She is the kind of distraction I need tonight.

What I wouldn’t give to take her home and have my way with every inch of her.

Her dress hugs her body, showcasing every delicious curve and making me want to peel it off with my teeth.

The way it molds her perfectly round ass, the way I want to bend her over and take her in every way possible.

And her lips…plump and red… fuck …what they would look like wrapped around my cock.

My cock that’s currently aching in my slacks as I watch her place her mouth fully around a shot glass, throwing back her head as she knocks back another drink. Fuck. Me.

There’s only one problem. My eyes glance around the room, annoyed anxiety simmering in my gut.

Larsy. He knows I don’t do relationships and will murder me if I sleep with Olivia’s friend and he finds out about it.

But goddammit, do I need this. It’s been a while.

Too damn long if you ask my cock. Plus, I had a shit day.

She said she had a bad day. Does she need this too?

I admit, she has me intrigued beyond her looks.

She’s got a good sense of humor, her laugh coming easy and often, but there’s something hidden behind her eyes.

She gives zero fucks about what comes out of her mouth, giving everyone a hard time without discretion.

I bet the filthiest things roll off that tongue of hers.

She doesn’t seem phased by the fame that goes with our careers.

More bourbon is on the cards tonight for sure, but my God, the things I could do with this woman.

I take a sip of my drink, finishing my scan of the room.

Larsy and Olivia have wandered off to God knows where, which means it’s only Maggie and my teammates.

They are preoccupied with childish things like sneaking more of the mini bottles in their pockets for later and daring each other to take more of the bourbon-infused shots.

I meet the eye of one of the vendors, silently apologizing for their behavior.

Why do I always feel like their parent at events like this?

At least they are distracted enough I can see what kind of trouble this gorgeous woman and I could get into tonight.

Fuck it. Larsy is gone, and there’s only one thing I need to turn this day around.

“Larsy said you did the design work for this event, yes?”

She nods, a smile curving her lips. “The banners, the signs, everything in the room and everything that will go in the ads rolling out over the next week. I designed it all.”

“It is very nice.”

She laughs. “Do you really want to talk about bourbon posters right now?”

“No,” I say with a chuckle. She is entertaining .

“Good, me neither. Can I tell you something? I know this is an event for my work, but I fucking hate my job right now.”

I tilt my head to the side, not expecting her boldness. “Tell me about it.”

She takes a step closer, her face right next to mine as she points across the room.

The heat from her body floods over me, shooting straight to my dick.

I adjust myself, feeling the strain from her body being so close.

“See that old fucker over there? The guy wearing a powder blue suit with one too many buttons undone on his shirt and his glasses falling off his old-ass face?” I look to see the man picking food out of his teeth with his bare fingers.

“That’s Bill. He’s a partner, the head art director actually, and I got kicked off a campaign today so that cocksucker could take over. I hate him so much.”

“That pathetic man picking his teeth made you have a bad day?” I look at her out of the corner of my eye. “Do you want me to take him out?”

She lets out a boisterous laugh, placing her hand on my arm as she does. “Are you secretly a Russian spy? ‘Cause that would be cool as shit.”

“Sadly no, only a Russian goalie. But tell me if he gives you any trouble. He doesn’t need to know I’m not a spy.”

“Noted,” she giggles, raising an eyebrow and tapping her nails on the table. “So…what about you? Why did you have a bad day today?”

Fuck. Why am I even considering talking about myself to this woman? Her cleavage must be the secret spy causing me to spill my secrets. “See that idiot rookie right there? Bougie? He had a bad game, which caused me to have a bad game. Shit rolls downhill when you’re the goalie.”

“Ah, yes, always the goalie’s fault. I see it on the Riders socials all the time.

Everyone blames the goalie even though it’s a team sport.

Shouldn’t your teammates have scored more goals?

I never understood why fans don’t complain more about everyone else missing shots, but if you let one by, you get crucified.

You know what I say? Fuck ‘em,” she snaps as she knocks back another shot and slams the glass on the table.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone knock back shots of bourbon, it’s usually sipped.

But she’s throwing these back like it’s vodka, and somehow it makes her even more intriguing.

I raise a brow. No one ever understands it’s not only the goalie’s fault when a goal is scored . More intrigued than ever, I raise my glass. “Fuck ‘em,” I agree, knocking back my own shot.

“So, Vladi. Tell me about your buddy Larsy. Is he really as good of a guy as he seems? Liv’s my best friend, so I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t do some investigating.”

“I can say with all honesty Hayes Larson is a good man. I trust him with my life. And he seems like he’s a goner for Olivia.” I grin, unable to properly express my happiness for my teammate. “Knowing Larsy as long as I have, I can assure you he will give her the best life she could ever imagine.”

She smiles, tilting her head to the side inquisitively. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.”

“He’s the only family I have, especially after…

” I take a sip of my drink hoping she won’t notice me trailing off.

Tonight is not about my past. Tonight is about letting loose and giving the demons plaguing me an outlet.

It’s not about spilling my guts to a new acquaintance.

Albeit a damn beautiful one with a pair of tits I can’t keep my eyes from.

“And what about Olivia? She will take care of my brother?”

“Liv is basically perfect. Damn her. The voice of an angel, innocent as can be,” she says in a sing-song voice waving her arms about. “Why do they have to be so damn sickeningly sweet?”

I laugh at the accuracy. Their obsession with one another is something out of a book.

“He goes on and on about her all damn day. It’s annoying as shit.

Some days I can’t decide if Larsy droning on about Olivia or Bougie talking about his social media is more annoying,” I confess.

“But I am happy for them. They are good together.”

“They are. And what about you, Vladi? Are you good?” she asks with a gleam in her eye.

This woman has the blood racing through my veins with the bad thoughts of what I’d like to do to her. Fuck, she is perfect. “Depends on what you mean by good?”

She steps forward and reaches out to rub her hand along the lapel of my suit jacket. “You said you were looking to have some fun tonight. So…I’m asking if you’re a good guy. Or…are you the type that’s going to wreck a girl like me?”

Holy shit. The ways we could wreck each other tonight has my cock practically bursting out of my pants.

I shift my weight, providing little relief, but enough to control myself momentarily.

“What exactly are you looking for?” I ask, running the back of my hand down her bare arm, a wanting, needy look in her eyes mirroring the same neediness growing inside me.

Screw Russian vodka. One drink of this woman could keep me satisfied for days.

I lean in close, a carnal heat flowing between us. Her eyes burn into mine, then shift off somewhere over my shoulder, a look of shock and horror widening her eyes.

“Oh shit! Fucking shit. Come on,” Maggie shrieks, grabbing my hand and dragging me behind her toward the bar. She shouts to my teammates, not even looking back, “Riders…Assemble!” motioning for them to follow us.

I look around shocked, no clue what is happening. “Where the hell are you taking me?”

She continues pulling me behind her, weaving us through the crowd of people peacefully enjoying the evening, as she points across the room.

Then I see it. Larsy looks like he’s going to punch some guy into next week, and I’ve never once seen the man lose his temper.

Shit . I race forward, passing Maggie and dragging her behind me in her heels.

I finally reach Larsy and pull him a few steps back, confused as hell.

“I’m good, Vladi,” he shouts, pulling his arm out of my grasp. Bougie, Tay, and EJ have joined us, standing behind me but more than ready to jump in if they’re needed. I still don’t know what’s going on, but I nod at Larsy, letting him know we’ve got his back regardless.

“Who the hell is this fucker?” I whisper to Maggie, refusing to take my eyes off the guy.

“That’s Olivia’s ex-boyfriend Cayden,” her breath fans across my face as she leans in to talk in my ear.

I know this is a serious situation, but goddammit, her voice in my ear is intoxicating.

“This guy is the worst…fucking awful. Treated her like complete shit. He’s the one who got her fired from the anthem gig.

I don’t know what the hell he’s doing here, but it looks like Hayes is letting him have it.

I’m so here for it. All I need is some popcorn. ”

“ This asshole is the one that got her fired? You may have to hold me back.” My fists clench so tight my knuckles crack on their own.

This cocksucker upset my damn home win streak.

Larsy is making a very passionate speech defending Olivia, his rage no longer threatening bodily harm.

God, he is so far gone for this girl. He deserves it after the shit he’s been through.

A small part of me wishes I could have that life too, find someone to settle down with, but I wasn’t meant to have that kind of life.

“Vladi, Bougie, EJ…. Make sure Maggie makes it home safely,” Larsy says firmly, as if he’s commanding his army.

“You got it, Larsy—anything for you!” Bougie shouts back.

I give him a quick nod, assuring him I’ll get her home.

I look to Maggie who is beaming at the way he just defended her friend’s honor.

But I also see a glimmer of want emanating from her.

She glances my way, looking like a feral cat who hasn’t eaten for weeks, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Heat floods my veins, my pulse hammering.

If she wants to devour me, I’ll let her.

I am more than happy to escort this beauty home under the direct instruction of my friend.

I hiss through my teeth, slowly dragging my gaze across her entire body.

He has no idea what he ordered me to do.

I will get this woman home safely and personally make sure she’s tucked in for the night.