Page 39

“No proof the woman ever existed. Used a fake name just like you and paid with an offshore account. There’s even potential jail time for anyone who outs her. It’s an iron-clad NDA. Amazing how muzzling those can be.” Dalton’s teeth clack shut.

“Is that so? I wouldn’t know.” The tilt of Ellie’s head is so predatory that the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

“Excuse me, ladies. I need to steal my star player and our PR Specialist for a moment. Shop talk.” Peter appears at my elbow decked out in a designer suit that probably costs more than the event’s open bar.

Three other people stand behind him, eyes wide and star-struck.

Peter hands both Ramona and Ellie fresh glasses of champagne.

“A consolation gift for ruining your conversation. Ramona, would you mind introducing Ellie to some of our board? I’m sure they’d love to give her a deal on a season box.

” He gestures the group forward, who start fawning over the celebrity.

With a sweep of his arm, Peter guides Dalton and me into the hallway, leaving Ellie to seethe with no choice but to play her perfect American Sweetheart part.

Peter takes us to an empty suite, where I move to the opposite side of the room from Dalton. Every part of me wants to press against him, to hear him say everything will be okay. But this isn’t the time. Dalton seems to understand, keeping his distance.

“What the fuck, Peter.” Dalton rounds on his boss as soon as the door closes. “You’re giving her a box?”

The team’s owner holds up his hands in a T, calling a timeout.

“Jenna, I assume you’re aware of the issues Dalton has with Miss Edwards?” Peter asks as he heads to the bar, pouring a glass of scotch. He lifts the decanter in offering, shrugging when we both decline.

“I am.” The words come out in a snarl.

“Good, that will make this easier. I think what you meant to say, Dalton, is thank you,” Peter corrects, his greying brow raised like he’s scolding an ungrateful child. “Did I not just rescue you from your celebrity stalker?”

“You invited her to stay.”

“I smoothed over what could have been a messy situation. I’m sure Jenna can appreciate it.”

Professionally, I understood Peter’s decision. But that doesn’t mean I agree. I move closer to Dalton. “She shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near him, or your team, for that matter. She’s toxic, and she’s going to be a problem.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Like you did with my gag order and then putting me up in your Fort Knox apartment? I’m getting the restraining order.” Dalton counters, leaning in and gripping the back of a barstool so hard his knuckles go white.

“She hasn’t gotten in, has she? Tonight was just a hiccup. I didn’t realize she was seeing Trent.”

“ Using him to get to Dalton.” I’m surprised that even obliterated, Trent can’t see what I saw in seconds. Who knows what crazy shit she’s selling to control him, but those two together are like threading a bomb with a short fuse.

Peter ignores me. “Ellie will bring in an insane amount of money for the team. The public loves celebrities at sporting events. Just look at Taylor Swift. You don’t have to go anywhere near her at the games. Just play and pretend she doesn’t exist up in her fancy little box.”

“She tried to set my fucking apartment on fire, Peter! Ellie’s a threat. She needs professional help. I don’t want her anywhere near us.”

Dalton’s eyes flick to me. He’s not talking about The Vortex, he’s talking about us . As in me.

“Her presence will make all of us more money than you can, Ward. Maybe I should transfer you.” Peter says this like it’s basic business and not a dick move.

Dalton’s cheeks flush red. I step to his side, pressing a comforting hand on his back before moving to the bar next to Peter.

“This man is one of the best things that’s happened to you.

The guys follow him, listen to him. He’s the heart of this team.

You fire him to keep her, and they’ll hate you.

He’s far more valuable to The Vortex than an unbalanced actress will ever be.

And Ellie’s only coming to games because of him.

Dalton leaves, and she leaves. Then you’ll start the season with no captain, no celebrity endorsement and a pissed off team.

You’ll be fucked, Peter, and I mean that in the most cordial way.

Kiss the Stanley Cup and all that extra money goodbye.

” I grab the decanter and pour myself a glass, before adding a splash more to Peter’s half-empty tumbler.

“You want to make more money? Keep her away from your team, win the Cup, and your stadium will be packed for the next two years. Winners sell tickets long term. Not celebrity fans.”

Peter dips his chin in acknowledgement. “I see why Ramona trusts you, Miss Grant. I’ll discuss it with the board, but I think we can make sure her deal on a season box falls through.

” He drains the rest of his glass. “Dalton, go home. You’ve been an asset tonight with the investors, and for that, you deserve the rest of the night off.

Jenna, please see that he gets home without incident. ”

I watch the arrogant prick walk out, the heavy privacy door snapping shut behind him, and my knees give out.

I hear a faint swear, then Dalton’s arms are around my waist, catching me just before I hit the floor.

We slide in a tangle of arms and legs to the ground, slumped against the bar.

Dalton tugs me into him and I don’t fight.

He smells like leather and sandalwood tonight.

It’s been too long since we’ve touched like this, and holy hell, do I regret the wasted weeks we’ve spent being just professional.

I could have had this every night, and I was too stupid to take it.

We sit there for a few minutes, listening to each other breathe.

My head falls to his shoulder, Dalton’s chin tucking over me.

I want to stay in this bubble forever. But reality is knocking too loudly to ignore.

Dalton’s phone pings, an unknown number flashing on his watch.

Tell the trespassing bitch she’s about to get hers. UR mine.

He tucks the watch back in his sleeve, but it’s too late. I read every word and there’s no question who it’s from.

“She’s going to out me to Ramona,” I say what we’re both thinking.

“Ellie can’t prove anything. You’re not tied to the bid in any way. I made sure of that.”

“Except for all the people who saw me win.”

“A room full of drunk women and overwhelmed waitstaff who also signed NDAs before the event. Ellie can run her mouth all she wants, but there’s zero proof. She can’t touch you.”

We sit in silence, Dalton’s thumb tracing those small circles I’ve missed on my bare arm. I’m the first to break.

“She’s not going to go away, is she?”

Dalton’s breathing falters. “Doubt it. I should have known that. When I asked you to go on that date, I put a target on your back, Jenna. I’m so sorry. All of this is my fault.”

“You weren’t the one drunkenly waving around a bidding paddle. I’m pretty sure we’re in this together.” I try to joke, but Dalton’s not laughing.

“Thank you,” Dalton says, his lips brushing against the top of my hair. “For what you said to Peter.”

There’s something in his tone that sprouts ice in my veins.

It feels sad, wrong. Pulling out of his grasp, I tuck up on my knees to face him.

Dalton lets a hand fall to my hip, his green eyes skipping between mine like he’s searching for something.

I cup his chin, the fresh stubble scratching my palm as he leans into the touch.

“I meant every word. You’re the heart of this team, Dalton. I see it every day in the way the guys follow your lead. Well, except for Trent, but assholes don’t count. Peter takes you for granted.”

I’m about to say more when Dalton’s hand wraps around the back of my neck and, in one swift movement, his lips are on mine.

All thought slips away when his tongue traces my bottom lip, asking for more.

My mouth opens to him and the kiss deepens, hands tangling in each other’s hair.

It’s been weeks since his mouth has been on mine.

And God, I missed this. Kissing him is even better than I remember, but as I press in for more, Dalton pulls back.

The heated strokes of his tongue turn to longing caresses.

I open my eyes to find him watching me. Like he’s trying to remember everything in this moment.

His eyes slide shut, and the kiss becomes gentle, sweet, and terrifying.

Everything about it feels like a goodbye.

Even though I’m the one who’s been pushing him away, it hurts.

Keeping the grip on the back of my neck, Dalton drops his forehead to mine, breath warm on my skin.

“I think you were right. It’s better that we don’t see each other.

That this stays strictly professional. I should have never pushed you for more.

I’ve got a friend coaching with The Drift.

He made me an offer last month, same pay, but with the promise to coach next year.

I was waiting to see where thi… never mind. ”

“Dalton—” I interrupt, but he’s already shaking his head.

“I’ll talk to Tony tomorrow about the trade.

I’m sure Peter will be all too happy to have his penthouse back and Ellie in the stands, despite what he said.

I didn’t protect you before and I should have.

I should have listened when you said you wanted no strings.

I’m sorry, Jenna. The best way to keep her away from you is if I stay away.

Forgive me. Thank you for reminding me what I want in life, forty-eight. Even if I can’t have it.”

His lips press to my forehead and my heart wrenches as Dalton pushes up from the floor and leaves the suite.

I’m so stunned, I can’t move until the door shuts, leaving me staring at the empty spot where Dalton used to be.

I’m not sure how long I sit there, but when the door opens again and Lacey plops down next to me, there are tears on my cheeks.

She hands me a napkin. I dab at my face, sending a prayer of thanks to Maybelline for their waterproof mascara.

“How did you know I was in here?”

“Dalton found me before he left. Said I should check on you. He looked miserable. Like he lost the big game, then someone broke his favorite toy, and then stole his kitten.”

“He doesn’t have a cat.”

“Pretty sure you’re the kitten in this scenario, hun.”

Of course I am.

“He made the choice to step away from you because of Ellie, didn’t he?” My cousin stares into her wine glass, twirling the contents.

I stare at her in shock before managing a nod. “How’d you know?”

“I’ve got eyes, Jenna. And I was eavesdropping on most of your conversation before the owner pulled you out of the danger zone.

You weren’t exaggerating about that woman.

She seems like a bona fide psychopath. Plus, I was chatting with her assistant for a bit.

Sounds like Ellie’s even worse than we realized. ”

“I left this out before, but she set Dalton’s old apartment on fire.”

Lacey’s eyebrows shoot up, disappearing under her blunt bangs. “Damn! Maybe it is better if you two call it off. I wouldn’t poke that blonde pyro bear with a rusty forty-foot pole.”

“For a glamorous one-night stand, this has gotten sooo complicated.”

“Yeah, but he’s kinda worth it.”

“I was an idiot for not wanting to date him, right?” I ask.

“Total idiot.” Lacey agrees without hesitation.

I let out a sob. “Why couldn’t I just say fuck it and dive in? We could have come out to Ramona by now, and we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“You’ve never been a fuck-it-and-jump-in kind of girl, cuz. You’re fiercely loyal to your family, your job. You’ve never thrown either of those out the window for a guy. You’re everything your mother isn’t. Almost to a fault.”

She isn’t wrong. I’ve spent so much time hating my mom, working to be nothing like her. I never saw the consequences of those actions. Damn, I do have some massive mommy issues leading to some massive emotional baggage.

Why the hell couldn’t I see that on my own?

“Your dad, crazy Hollywood starlets, and charity auctions aside, what do you want, Jen?”

“Dalton.” The answer is easy. I want to wake up in his arms, to spend my mornings sipping coffee and arguing over which of Kathy’s pastries are the best. I want to whisper sexy jokes at inappropriate times, steal kisses, and have mind-altering sex with that man like my life depends on it.

I want what I got a taste of on our date, and I want to see where it goes.

“You know it’s not too late.”

“Pretty sure that ship sailed and sank. You can find it at the bottom of the ocean. Can’t miss it.

Look for the one with gigantic holes in the hull named emotional train wreck.

Dalton made it clear he’s out, and now I have to go back to that stupid party.

” I cringe at the idea of having to put on a cheerful face and kiss Ellie’s ass to keep her from outing me in the most public way possible.

She’s without a doubt the type that gets off on having an audience. Actress—duh.

“Welllll… pretty sure that’s the last thing Dalton wants.

He looked about as good as, well, you right now.

And that Peter guy already told Ramona you were taking Dalton home because he wasn’t feeling well.

So you can bail. I’ll finish schmoozing with the sponsors, keep an eye on loony bin, and help Ramona break down afterwards.

She loves me, you know.” Lacey flips her hair over a shoulder.

“Everyone loves you.” I nudge her.

“I know.” Her grin contagious before slipping into a sober line. “Seriously though, I’ll keep Ramona away from Ellie. Go to Dalton’s, tell him how you feel. If he’s in, see Ramona first thing in the morning—come clean and tell her the entire story. Better she hears it from you than Ellie.”

“I told you I love you, right?” I hug my cousin. “And that you are wise beyond your years.”

“You can always repay me with flattery and curry. Now go get railed hard enough for the both of us.” Lacey cringes, “Scrap that, heard how gross that sounded as soon as it came out. Trying again! Go get that sexy man!”

Pulling out my phone, I dial the newest number in my favorites.

“Charles, can you meet me out front of the stadium?”