Page 36 of On Thin Ice (Calgary Mounties #1)
Chapter Thirty-Four
FORMAL WARNING
Lincoln
The last few weeks with Adele have been like something out of a dream. While I’ve had three road trips since we decided to try this whole dating for real thing, and she’s had four longer tours, we’ve managed to carve out a few hours together wherever possible.
For the first time in my life, I’ve found myself looking forward to the off-season, just so I can actually spend a decent amount of time with her. It seems crazy to me that things could have changed so much for me in such a short amount of time, but I wouldn’t change it for all the world.
We’ve finally managed to both snag a Friday afternoon and evening off at the same time, which feels like a miracle.
But, instead of doing something like have a ridiculous amount of sex all over my condo, Adele decided we should instead go to the arena so she can film more content of Milo on the ice.
If I wasn’t so gone for this woman, I’d be pretty annoyed at spending my day off at work once again, but honestly, I’d sit and watch grass grow with her if it made her happy.
After discovering he can now open the latch leading onto the ice, Adele spent what felt like an hour getting Milo to run in and out, trying different angles with her phone, while I just shook my head.
But my favourite part was when she set up the tripod and just skated around with me for a while.
She said she wanted to film more content with me in it, to give the fans what they have been asking for, which seems like an elaborate way to have videos of me on her phone, but I wasn’t going to argue.
While the camera was still rolling, we played another round of one on one, and her competitive side came raging to the surface, knocking me over to get the puck several times and pretending not to hear me when I tried to send her to the penalty box for tripping at least twice.
“You know I have photographic evidence of you cheating, right?” I ask, smirking as she skates away from me for the fourth time.
I’ve spent more time staring at her ass than actually trying to score, so it’s not really much of a struggle for her.
“No idea what you’re talking about. That’s just for decoration,” she calls back over her shoulder as she waves in the direction of the tripod.
I laugh when she lets the puck sail into the net and Milo watches it slide past the tip of his nose. “Come on, buddy! At least try.”
Milo doesn’t even raise his head, simply flicking his eyes towards me before closing them again. We’d tired him right out earlier, which always feels like a massive accomplishment, given the dog’s ridiculous amount of energy most of the time.
“He just knows who the real MVP is.” Adele flashes me a grin, then squeals when I race towards her at full speed.
I turn at the last second, stopping myself from actually colliding with her, and she glares at me for a second before I grab her by the waist and pull her in closer.
“He just knows his dad is gone for the cheeky brunette who cheats at hockey,” I say before kissing her .
She laughs, leaning into my embrace and wrapping her arms around my neck.
I love every side of her, but this might be my favourite. The side that matches my own playfulness and gives it right back to me.
I start pushing her gently backwards towards the boards, keeping our lips pressed together, and she sighs, her hands weaving their way into my hair.
“We should head back to my place. I have some ideas for how I’m going to punish you for all this cheating,” I tell her, moving my lips down her neck while she shivers as I press her back against the glass.
“I suppose I could admit there was some cheating, if there’s spanking involved.” She tilts her head slightly, urging me to keep working my way down.
I chuckle. “Yeah? You want me to bend you over my knee, Wilson?”
Her breath hitches while I suck on the delicate skin just below her ear.
“Sounds like fun.” Her voice is breathy now, and I can tell she’s turned on by the mental image I’ve put in her head.
Who knew she’d be into spanking? It’s not something I’ve done with her, other than the night where my jealousy clouded my senses.
But knowing she’d be into it is doing all sorts of stuff to my brain right now.
Every minute with her feels like I’m unlocking an even wilder side to her that makes me wonder how I’d waited so long before taking her to bed.
I pull away and grin down at her. “Come on, naughty girl. I don’t think I should ravage you at my place of work. At least, not while people know we’re here.”
She looks up at me, fluttering those long eyelashes. “So, you’re saying we should sneak in and get it on in the penalty box next time? ”
I groan. “Don’t do that. Now I’m going to be imagining fucking you in there the next time I get a penalty.”
She gives me an evil little smile, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from pulling her in there right now and make the fantasy a reality.
But Sarah knows we’re here, as does Stevens, and the last thing I need is to get caught with my pants down around my ankles with my girlfriend in my lap, especially with everything that’s been going on.
I was pulled into a meeting with HR a week ago to discuss the situation with Alistair and was told to keep my head down while they continued their investigation into my complaint about his harassment.
It’s been difficult, trying to stay out of his way when I’ve been at work, but I’ve made a point of never being alone with him, so all he’s been able to do is glare at me disapprovingly, which I can handle.
Because Adele drove herself here, I walk her out to the visitor’s lot, holding her car door open while I sneak another kiss, pressing her back against the rear passenger door.
“I’ll see you at home,” I murmur against her lips. “Let yourself in if you get there before me.”
She nods, nipping my bottom lip before sliding into the driver’s seat.
We’ve spent every night together at my condo when we’re both in town, and she’s even stayed there a few times while I was away, now that I’ve given her a key.
We’ve fallen into coupledom so easily that it’s had me wondering why I’d avoided it for so long.
Milo is loving having us both around to shower him with affection.
Even though he sometimes gets jealous and burrows his way between us in bed.
Once she pulls out of the lot, I head back inside with Milo by my side, using the elevator to access the players underground parkade, stopping short when I see an unwelcome visitor leaning against the side of my Porsche .
“What are you doing down here?” I ask Alistair, feeling a gnawing sense of unease creep over me.
“Just came to thank you for the formal warning I just received,” he replies, his snide tone mirroring the angry glint in his eye.
I straighten to my full height and cross my arms, Milo’s lead looped around my wrist to keep him close. I can feel him quiver slightly as he presses close to my leg. He’s always been good at picking up on people’s energy, and there’s no hiding the animosity rolling off Alistair in waves.
“You’ve got no one to blame but yourself, and you know it.” I can feel every muscle in my body tense up as he pushes off from the car and walks towards me.
He gets right in my face, and I feel Milo recoil beside me, but I don’t move, even when his spit hits in my face as he starts spewing venomous words at me.
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Hiding behind that little bitch to protect your image.
You’re a liability to the reputation of this team, and I’ve worked too damn hard to make sure the Mounties remain scandal free to let you ruin it because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants. ”
Holding his gaze, I reach up slowly and wipe his spit off my cheek, flicking it away while I stare him down.
“Let me remind you of a few things, Alistair. One - Don’t ever call Adele a bitch again.
I’m not hiding behind her. That woman is better than either one of us, and I’m in love with her, you prick.
” I decide now is not the time to process the fact that I just admitted to this asshole how I really feel about Adele before I’d even let myself think about it.
“Two - I kept quiet for months about your constant bullying, which is more than you deserved because I didn’t want you to lose your job.
I’m not the asshole in your story. And three - and this is really the most important one - you seem to have forgotten that I’m a professional hockey player.
” I push him away, and he stumbles back.
“I am stronger and fitter than you and could lay you out on this ground right now if I wanted to. So don’t even think about getting in my face like that ever again. ”
He glares at me, and I can tell he’s fighting an internal battle between wanting to fight me and self-preservation. I’m a good foot taller than him, and while he obviously works out, it’s nowhere near as much as me, and he knows it.
I continue to stare him down, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “Now, I’m going to give you two minutes to get your ass out of here before I call HR and tell them about this.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks when he clenches it, but self-preservation wins, and with one final scowl, he storms off towards the elevator and bashes the button.
The doors open and he gets in, keeping his back to me.
A second before the door closes completely, I see him slump against the wall, his head bowed, and I almost feel bad for him.
Almost.
I let out a long breath, scrubbing a hand over my face while I process everything that just happened. So much for thinking that HR’s investigation would make things better for me. Now it just seems like I’ve got a target painted on my back.
It’s a few more minutes before I manage to shake it off and get Milo in the car.
But when I get into the driver’s seat, it takes me far longer than it should to get the car started and head home.
The lightness I’d been feeling after the afternoon with Adele has disappeared, and I consider messaging her to tell her I should spend some time alone.
But I need her right now more than I need to be alone with my thoughts.
She’s managed to pull me out of every melancholy moment I’ve had these last few months.
She’s like a balm for my soul, and I am too selfish to give her space when all I want is to cling to her tight and allow her to convince me that everything will be okay.