Page 11

Tenzin

“T ens, you’re coming, right? I booked the champagne room. All new players have to attend,” Carlos pressed, as we filed off the bus and into the hotel lobby in Glitter City, after our first away game of the season.

Tonight’s game had been fast and furious. If it hadn’t been for Double D, the Glitter City High Rollers may have won.

Clark had gotten two assists, which was amazing, considering he should’ve stayed home with Gwen. His ribs still hurt him, alpha healing aside–and his wrist was still in a cast. But Coach Atkins just shrugged when he’d begged to play, saying he knew his body best and the team doctor had signed off.

“No thank you.” My voice went tight. I had no wish to be hazed. I wanted to call Gwen and check on her. She was still benched from hockey and not going to class so she could rest and finish healing.

“Oh, come on. New players get dances. You know, last year, Lucky even had a dance,” Carlos gave me a sly look.

Carlos had been pretty adamant about getting me to the strip club tonight. I wasn’t a ‘go out after games’ sort of guy. Though our flight tomorrow wasn’t early or long, since we were just hopping over to play the Scorpions.

“Lucky had my dance because I didn’t go last year,” Grif told me. “Carlos, Bucket doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to.”

“Aww, come on. Everyone that’s coming, meet down here in twenty minutes, to catch the party bus, dress to impress,” Carlos called. “Those of you ditching to go purse shopping, again, are missing out.”

“Not really.” Nia shook her head and joined LeeAnn and some of the other lady Knights.

“Are you going?” Dimitri asked me. Tonight he’d been an angry beast and gotten several penalties.

“No. It’s not my scene.” I shook my head.

“Would you like to hit some tables?” Dimitri offered. While the Stonefeld Glitter City Hotel and Conference Center, where we were staying, didn’t have a casino, plenty of hotels around us did.

“I’m going to call Gwen and read. But thank you.” I held up my key card.

Glitter City was three hours behind New York, so it was late. She’d gone to Marabou Mike’s with some of her friends to watch the game. I worried about leaving her alone, but her friends and the MASOs checked in on her.

Once I got to my room, I removed my shoes and took a breath. I glanced at my phone and rolled my eyes, because my sister had been pestering me ever since the championship cup dinner.

There’d been a lot of very sweet pictures of me and Gwen–and me, Gwen, and Clark–posted online. Not to mention Cash had a million questions about Gwen’s dress. While Gwen looked beautiful, it was a dress.

Clark

Are you ready? We need to hurry.

Annoyance shot through me. He’d said multiple times tonight that he knew of a fun place to go. I was pretty sure it was just Carlos using him to get me to the strip club.

Me

I don’t want to see strippers.

How many times did I have to tell everyone?

There was a knock on my door. I opened it, and there stood Clark, still in his suit, which was burgundy. His shirt was navy and his tie burgundy–and his tie tack was the defender league symbol. He’d also taken his contacts out and put his glasses back on.

Clark grinned at me. “No strippers. Promise.”

I sighed. “Clark, I’m tired. I just want to talk to Gwen, take a hot shower, and read.”

Clark’s lower lip jutted out. That puppy face broke my heart. I opened the door all the way, and he ducked inside my hotel room.

“Stay. We’ll call her together, maybe watch a movie?” I didn’t necessarily want to be alone.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he pleaded.

Frustration whirled inside me. “I don’t want to go out. I just want to rest.”

Clark looked like he’d been slapped. “I… I swear on Gwen’s vagina that there will be no strippers. No one knows what I have planned and it will only be the two of us. It’ll be fun, promise.”

I blinked. Perplexed. “You swear on her vagina ?”

“Please?” Clark looked crestfallen. “Gwen knows what we’re doing, and she did say you hated surprises. But I thought I could just whisk you away after the game and it would be all good. I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disrespect your post-game routine.”

His phone beeped, and he looked at it. “You don’t have to go. Though, um, not to guilt you, but I worked hard on this and I’d be sad if you didn’t come. We don’t have to stay long. Please?”

The pleading puppy look got to me. Something inside me broke. Probably my willpower.

Those two.

“Don’t break my trust?” Fatigue pressed down on me.

“Okay, put your shoes on and let’s go, we need to hurry.” He looked like he’d eaten sunshine.

“We’re not changing?” With a sigh, I put my shoes back on.

“No time. Also, being dapper in Glitter City is good.” Clark hopped from foot to foot. I noticed there were tiny Defender League symbols on the laces of his shiny shoes.

I grabbed my phone and key, then followed him down the hall. We didn’t go to the lobby, but to the second floor, where we took the pedestrian bridge across the street to the L’Elegancia–a very upscale resort hotel and casino.

With a sigh, I texted Gwen as we walked.

Me

Clark is taking me out. Can I trust that there are no strippers?

Gwen

No strippers. I told him you didn’t like surprises. But he worked hard on this.

He did? Did they have a Defender League experience or Professor Weird-themed cabaret somewhere in Glitter City? He most likely got us the VIP package with bobbleheads and glowy drinks.

Okay, I could deal with that, as long as we weren’t out too late.

“You’re going to love this,” he told me as we walked through the empty and closed shopping promenade. Except for one high-end store known for their purses. Wait, were those some of my teammates?

Clark followed my gaze. “Yeah, someone has a connection and the lady Knights get after-hours purse shopping privileges. Nia’s going to see if they have a wallet to match Gwen’s purple bucket bag.”

“Oh, that’s what Carlos meant.” I nodded as we walked. One of my sister’s packmates liked that brand.

The shopping gallery ended in a two-story lobby, with a fountain, greenery, and a plethora of lights. The wall in front of us looked like a grey stone, covered in ivy.

“Clark, where are we going?” I sucked in a breath as I saw the sign. L’Petite Guges, Glitter City. The sturdy wooden doors had a sign on it that said closed.

This wasn’t the Defender League experience. Or a strip club.

Clark texted someone and anxiety rippled through his scent. “Trust me? I hope you like it.”

The door opened and a prim alpha, in a smart red skirt-suit and sensible shoes opened the door. “Mr. Edwards, Mr. Brooks, welcome.”

She ushered us inside the museum and locked the door. The security doors were already partially engaged. It also sounded quiet and looked empty. As if we were the only ones here.

“Welcome to L’Petite Guges. I’m Natalia, the assistant curator.” She handed us each a glass of champagne with a strawberry in it. “Welcome to our midnight private champagne tour. I will guide you through the bottom gallery, which is our permanent collection, and upstairs to our rotation collection, from our main museum in France. Then I will leave you to refreshments and wander through our visiting collection.”

I sucked in a breath. Clark had arranged for a private tour of the museum I’d wanted to see. Guilt at being snippy shot through me.

“Thank you so much for accommodating us. Tens loves art and hasn’t been able to visit, because he’s always here for work and you’re never open when he’s free.” Clark beamed, holding his glass.

My phone was blowing up with Carlos and some others wanting to know where I was.

Me

I’m out with Clark. Lucky can have my dance.

Carlos

Neither of you are coming? Ugh, fine.

Clark turned to me, looking part hopeful, part worried. “See? No team. No tricks. No strippers. Just us and the art. I… I was trying to surprise you.”

My heart exploded. That man. I wasn’t sure he realized what he did to me.

Then again, maybe he did.

“Thank you. This is one of the most considerate gestures anyone has shown me. I apologize for doubting you.” I reached over and squeezed his good hand.

“It’s okay.” His look went shy. “Let’s have our tour.”

“Perfect,” Natalia told us. “Let’s start by looking up. The chandelier goes all the way back to Golden France…”

“Oh, those are Dumases, right?” Clark stopped before a painting of an ice skater in a costume much different from what was worn now. An older woman in an old-fashioned gown, was applying lipstick to the skater, who seemed otherwise ready to go in a dressing area. The plate under the painting read Last Look.

Natalia was incredibly knowledgeable and the tour was excellent.

I sucked in a breath. “Gwen loves Dumas. Perhaps we should send her a photo?”

“Yes,” I told him. She was still miffed that her brother wouldn’t send her the print in her bedroom.

Natalia took a photo of us in front of it and I sent it to Gwen. Clark was busy texting someone. Carlos had sent a blurry video, that I think was supposed to be Lucky’s lap dance.

Did he really have someone give an imaginary cat a lap dance? I suppose it wasn’t the strangest thing they may have been asked to do. Hopefully Lucky was polite and a big tipper.

Clark’s arm settled around my waist. His brown hair was messy, and I wanted to grab it. My attraction to him grew with each passing day.

Like at the championship cup dinner, when he’d been in a tux and Gwen had grabbed our ties and kissed us together. He was right there and the urge to turn and kiss him was only overridden by the very public nature of the display.

There was no doubt that he longed for more attention as I tried to nurture my fragile relationship with Gwen and navigate her injuries and insecurities. She was the glue that held us together.

Perhaps that’s why he arranged this. We hadn’t had any alone time, not even just going to practice, because he’d been out with his injuries. Gwen was always there, in between us, needing copious cuddles, orgasms and naps with us as her pillow and blanket.

Which was lovely, but it would be nice to spend time with just him. After all, he’d been injured, too.

I still felt awful that they’d thought I’d friend-zoned them.

“Do you have Almost Perfect? That’s Gwen’s favorite by Dumas.” Clark looked around. We were toward the end of the rotating collection room.

“Oh, that’s an adorable one. No, I believe that’s in a private collection. Most of this series were commissions, the subjects actual people, and many are still held by the families. We’re fortunate to have these.” Natalia gestured to Last Look.

“Dumas wrote a little about each subject on the back of the paintings. This young omega was skating in her last competition, her promised alphas in attendance. If you look at the painting next to it, Last Look II, you see it’s the same young woman, only now she’s leaving home for her new pack.”

Indeed, the young woman, a suitcase at her feet, was the same. Her expression was wistful as she gazed back at the partially open wardrobe in her bedroom, where you could see skates and the costume from the last painting peeking out.

Clark’s hand went to his heart. “That’s poignant.”

It was. Though I wouldn’t let either of them leave behind their passions. What I’d said at the championship cup dinner was true, we’d celebrate and support each other. Did it sting watching everyone get what I’d lost twice? Yes.

Would I have missed sitting with them, seeing his face, as he put the ring on his finger, wiping away her tears of joy?

Never.

We finished the tour as she led us into the next gallery, which had many sculptures and pottery. The lighting was soft, and the aesthetic of the room was beautiful. A table was set up with a meat and cheese board, fruit, tiny desserts, and more champagne.

“I leave you to enjoy this gallery and your refreshments. I will return in an hour, though you are welcome to depart before, just come down to the first floor,” she told us.

“Thank you, for such a wonderful tour,” I told her, amazed at how much I’d learned.

“My pleasure. Also, there are cameras.” With a smirk, she disappeared into the elevator.

I blinked. “Does she think we’ll harm the art?”

Clark tried not to laugh. “I think that was a please don’t have sex in the gallery, warning. Most people book this as a romantic gesture.”

“Oh. I… I could see that. Thank you. This was so thoughtful. Please tell me you didn’t pay an obscene amount for this?” I poured us some champagne.

This was a date. I went giddy inside.

“My mom set it up for me. It cost six pies, a dozen jams, half a dozen jars of pickles, three pounds of fudge, and just as many caramels. I paid for the ingredients, her time, and shipping. The look on your face is worth it,” he assured. “I want you to know you’re appreciated. We are so happy you’re back in our life.”

He paid in treats. Treats his mom made. Which was so very Clark. Though I didn’t doubt that came to a nice little sum. Her jams and pickles were quite tasty.

Clark stood very close to me, and I could smell the want in his scent, see the wistfulness in his eyes, as his arm slightly brushed mine, as he gulped his champagne. He leaned in and kissed me.

Mindful of my glass, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him back. I could practically taste the bubbles on his lips, his tongue.

I wanted this wonderful, thoughtful man in my life. Gwen was a storm that swept me off my feet. He was the steady rain, wearing me down in the best way. Even if he was way too cheerful first thing in the morning.

Just like when Gwen said she needed us both, because we tempered each other, I needed both of them as well.

Finally, I broke off the kiss, and I met his gaze. “Do you mean that?”

“I do. I… I really like you, Tens, and I’m trying to be patient. But it’s hard.” His look went bashful.

“I… I like you, too, Clark, and patience will be rewarded.” I liked him by my side. When Gwen went off to her new team, I wanted him to still be there.

Clark lit up like the sun. “You do.”

“I do. This is perfect. I’m having a wonderful time. Should we see the art?” I offered my hand.

He took it and squeezed, smiling shyly. I liked making him smile, just as much as Gwen. Maybe it was time to try a little more and see how it went?

It scared me a little, but I was pretty sure if I tried, but ended up needing more time, Clark would be okay with it, as long as I properly communicated that. I’d been working on it. I’d been working on a lot of things. It was hard, but I had them and everything would be better for it, I’m sure.

We took our time, looking at the art and eating the treats. I wished we were going home in the morning, because I’d take some back for Gwen.

Putting my arm around him, we looked at some pottery. This collection was visiting from a museum in Boston.

“I like sitting next to you on the bus and plane. I don’t mind being alone together, just tell me, so I can switch my brain over,” Clark told me.

“I’d like that. I… I don’t go out much after games,” I admitted. Okay, Cooter usually dragged me out, but we went line dancing. The worst thing we might do is get on the mechanical bull.

“I enjoy going to Tito’s after home games, so does Gwen. But away games, where we’re staying over and not going straight back? Honestly, if I hadn’t planned this, I’d have been fine watching a movie and calling Gwen. It would be fun to have little dates though, even just snuggle dates, since it’s just us on away games.” His look went shy.

“That’s a great idea.” There were definitely places I’d like to take him.

We finished viewing the gallery and our champagne. Every time he looked at me, each time our hands brushed, heat built inside me.

After we finished, we said our goodbyes to Natalia and left the museum for our hotel. My hard-on grew with each step as we walked back, Clark chattering about everything we saw. I wondered what it would be like to grab him by the tie and kiss him. Shove him against the wall. I wanted to see if he took my instructions like a good boy.

Yes, I’d invite him back to my room, kiss him a bit, and take it from there. As the elevator doors opened, Clark slipped something in the breast pocket of my suit, looking hopeful and apprehensive.

“Tag.” With a gulp, he took off down the hall.

I took off after him, growling, not caring if anyone saw. Any alpha would understand. Everyone else would be jealous.

With one of his dopey grins, he turned the corner. Um, hmm. Yes, you’re grinning now, but once I catch you…

That grin turned to a look of panic, as he stopped at a door, turned the handle, and realized that the key was in my pocket.

“Looking for something?” I put both my hands on the closed door in front of me, catching his body between it and me. Caught.

“I… I didn’t work that out all the way.” Clark turned around. His breath turning to pants, heart racing so loudly, my alpha hearing could discern it. But the gleam in his eyes, the undertones in his hay and sunflower scent, told me everything I needed to know.

“Do you mean this? Usually when I catch my prey, it ends up with my belt around someone’s wrists and my cock in their mouth.” My voice was low and rough.

I had to be sure, because desire and consent were two different things. Clark had a playful nature.

Yes, I wanted him tonight.

I kept eye contact. “We’ve never played like this, so you have two choices–I can kiss you goodnight, and thank you for the lovely evening…”

“Or…” It came out like a gasp, as he looked up at me, still pinned to the hotel room door.

“You let me in and show me what a good boy you are,” I growled, my face getting close to his. “And permit me to show you how happy you made me tonight.” My hand wrapped around his tie, though I didn’t pull him to me.

If he said yes, then it was my sign that it was time to move forward with him.

His desire flared, and his chest shook, as he took the card out of my breast pocket, eyes never leaving mine. “Please, Tens, won’t you come in?”

I growled in pleasure. “I’d like that very much.”