Offside (29 page)

He went still. “I thought you trusted me?”

“I do. But it kinda pisses me off to know you’ll be holding him at arm’s length when I’ve told you again and again that I don’t mind.”

So she said. But her tone told him otherwise. She thought she was giving him what he wanted. He sat up, speaking slowly so he wouldn’t be misunderstood again. “I am not a man who enjoys a cheap fuck. That’s all Scott can give me right now. I will tell you the same thing you’ve told me. When—if—you decide to explore things with Scott, I will accept it. But be careful. I won’t be happy if he hurts you.”

“He’s not with me, Zach. He’s with you. I won’t be happy if he hurts you either, but I think you need to give him a chance.”

They spoke for a bit longer, the subject shifting away from Scott, becoming more relaxed as she brought up Silver and how excited Casey had been to see the baby. She mentioned the calendar the team would sell for charity with pictures from the cruise and made him promise to pose for one with Scott.

“Since you’re not here, I need some kind of mental image to help me take care of myself at night.”

He knocked his head back against the headboard, the image of her pleasuring herself while thinking of him with Scott making his balls tight and his dick hard. “The two of you are going to drive me insane!”

“Easy solution. Stop fighting us.” Her voice was deep and husky, resonating down his spine in a way that made him shudder. “Just promise you’ll call me and give me all the dirty details.”

“If anything happens, Becky, you’ll be there to see it.”

“If that’s true, I’ll be a little disappointed. With all the changes Scott’s making, I don’t want to see him losing his touch. He’ll find a way to break through that rigid control you’re so proud of.”

“Considering my control is one of the things you like most about me, I sincerely doubt that will happen.”

“We’ll see,” she said brightly. Then her tone changed, rough with longing. “I’ll miss you.”

“Already?” His lips turned up in a sheepish grin. “I thought I was the only one.”

“You do know we’re becoming one of those sappy couples no one can stand to be around? I don’t think anyone expected that from you.”

“I don’t care what anyone thinks.” He took a deep breath. “I’m falling in love with you, Becky. You’re everything a man could ever want in a woman. I need you to know I’ll never do anything to ruin this.”

“That . . . wow. I’m glad you said that. Because it scares me how fast I’m falling for you. This was the only thing holding me back—knowing there was part of yourself you were keeping from me.” She paused again. “He won’t come between us unless we pretend he’s not there. We fit in each other’s lives. And maybe he can too.”

“Maybe.” Zach still wasn’t sure. But it was good that they’d discussed the possibilities. “There’s only one way to find out. I’ll give him the opportunity to prove himself.”

“Do. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.” Her laughter this time was genuine. “Only one downside to all this.”

He frowned. A downside she found funny? “And what’s that?”

“All the flirting and teasing. All the offers. It worked. Scott’s going to think he won.”

Grinning, Zach shook his head. The way Scott and Becky pushed and pulled, the way they tested one another . . . he could practically see the sparks fly already when they finally came together. But when that happened, none of them would be playing around. “He hasn’t won because this isn’t a game. And this goes no further until I’m sure he understands.”

* * * *

Scott stepped to the edge of the diving board, inhaling deep as he prepared to take the plunge. After hours under the blazing spotlights in the ballroom, posing with several different Ice Girls, dressed in a suit, then full hockey gear, while they got to wear their cute little uniforms—he’d been more than happy to slip into his swim trunks. Cobra swim trunks, black with gold trim and the logo embroidered on one thigh. Little cheesy, but they’d work for the group photos. And they worked now that he needed to cool off.

The water was a good temperature, waking him without shocking him when he broke through the surface with a splash. He stayed under, crossing the pool with long strokes, coming up for a breath before racing to the other end. A few times he had to stop short when the Ice Girls playing in the water blocked his path, but he got in a few good laps, got his heart pumping, before he stopped. Chlorine stung his eyes and his nose, but the burn in his lungs and muscles was invigorating. He shook water from his hair, then groaned as cameras flashed, slashing white light straight into his skull.

“You haven’t gotten enough for today?” he shouted, not all that surprised when the cameramen ignored him and went to blind someone else. “And I volunteered for a fucking week of this?”

“Pretty sure Keane didn’t give you a choice, hot stuff.” Sahara grinned at him as she perched on the edge of the pool to dip her feet into the water. The sequins on her midriff Ice Girl jersey glinted in the sun. “I know you rich dudes can afford cruises like this whenever you want, but me, I’m happy to suffer the cameras all week long for all this.” She tipped her head back, bracing her hands behind her, soaking in the heat with her eyes closed. “Don’t mind me if I don’t feel sorry for you.”

That so?
His lip twitched. “Hey, I’m feeling sorry for
you
.”

She didn’t bother opening her eyes. “Oh? And why’s that?”

“They’re gonna be so pissed.” He scooped his hands under the water. “I’m pretty sure those uniforms aren’t supposed to get wet.”

The water splashed into her face and soaked her little jersey. Her shrieks rang over the laughter of the other girls. Screaming like an angry cat, she stood, pulling off her jersey and skirt to reveal a golden string bikini. She tossed her clothes onto a pile of towels near the lounge chairs and bared her teeth.

“Scott Demyan, you are a dead man!”

She launched herself into the water, and he back-paddled out of reach before she came up. They splashed and played for a while, attracting the camera crew as the other girls, and a few of the guys, joined in. Pischlar and Akira were in the water now, which tore his attention away from the fun. Akira was flirting, laughing, which was good. She was showing everyone a side of her that wasn’t afraid, and he liked that a lot. But her smiles seemed a little too bright, and she seemed to be letting Pischlar get a little too close. Scott eased away from the group to watch her as Pischlar picked her up by the hips and tossed her into the water. There, right before she floated back and slid her body up against the man. A tightness around her eyes. The determined set to her lips. She’d gone from a nice steady pace into being comfortable with men to a full-out sprint. Being here would give her and Pischlar plenty of opportunities to be alone. She might take a leap just to prove to herself she could.

And he couldn’t help but feel that would be a really bad idea. She wasn’t ready, and all it would take was one wrong move from Pischlar to trash all the progress she’d made.

But before he could intervene, a heavy hand settled on his shoulder. He glanced back to see Mason shaking his head.

“Leave them for now. I’ll talk to her later. She needs you as a friend—let me be the overprotective one.” Mason gave him a grim smile. “If she decides to go through with this, she’ll need someone to talk to. Since Jami isn’t here, I think that should be you.”

“Got it.” Scott looked back toward Sahara, who had climbed out of the pool and was posing on a lounge chair for the cameras. Behind the man crouching near her feet stood Zach.

Scott’s pulse sped up a notch. Zach must have just finished a photo shoot of his own, because he was wearing the bottom half of his hockey gear, his chest bare and glistening with oil that brought out the shadows and ridges of his bulging muscles. Just the sight of him made Scott’s dick harden and throb. Leaving the pool would give the cameras more of a show than he wanted to. But he couldn’t let Zach just walk away. He had to make every moment they had together count.

“You coming in?” he shouted as he reached the end of the pool closest to where Zach stood. His breath caught as Zach approached him, something in his eyes making Scott feel like he’d just stepped into a lion’s den with raw steak strapped around his waist. He hadn’t seen that look in Zach’s eyes for a very long time. His tone was rough when he spoke again. “I swear, I’ll behave.”

Little creases formed around Zach’s lips as he gave Scott a broad smile. “Really? I’d like to see that.”

“Is that a yes?” Scott rested his forearms on the edge of the pool, caught off-guard by Zach’s smooth reply. So far the man had shut him down at every turn. Maybe Scott was finally getting to him. “It would be cool to just hang out. If . . .” Hell, one of their issues was probably that Zach wouldn’t betray Becky. Scott needed to make sure that Zach knew he that he didn’t expect . . . he sucked in a deep breath and lowered his voice. “Look. What I said before was bullshit. I’m cool with nothing happening while we’re here. I’m not expecting you to do anything without Becky being okay with it. Same in reverse. I’m not trying to come between you.”

“I appreciate that. But Becky’s fine with it.” Zach chuckled as Scott stared at him. The hard glint in Zach’s eyes made him wonder what he was in for. Zach’s next words made it clear it wouldn’t be easy. “I don’t expect you to become a saint, Scott. Doing that would disappoint all your fans anyway. I want to see you having fun here. But not
too
much fun.”

Scott scowled.
Cryptic much?
“I didn’t have any orgies planned, if that’s what you’re getting at. I want you and Becky. No one else interests me in the least.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Because this is going to be a very long week for you.”

“Umm . . . what?”

Taking a knee, Zach glanced over at the girls. At the camera crews. Likely making sure no one was within hearing. “You’ve talked a lot about proving yourself, but I’m not convinced. You indulge too often for me to believe you’re waiting on me and Becky.”

“Fuck, I’ve had nothing besides my own hand since . . .” Yeah, probably better not to bring up the guys that had gotten him kicked out of Vanek’s place. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes. I know what the lotion reference means now.” Zach cocked his head, resting his hands on his thighs. “Hand over the lotion tonight. You won’t need it.”

Holy shit!
If Zach meant what Scott thought he did—Scott gulped and nodded. “Not a problem. I brought lube too.”

Zach snorted. “How nice for you. But you won’t need that either.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll take what I give you and nothing more.” Zach pushed up to his feet. “Have your fun, but know that if you’re not getting off by my hands, or mouth, or body—you’re not getting off at all.”

Okay, that was just funny. Not a night went by that he didn’t jerk off to release some pressure. It wasn’t the same as enjoying mindless sex, but it fit nicely into his bedtime routine. He laughed. “Listen, buddy. I told you already—you ain’t turning me into your sub. I’m not all that into that shit.”

“I don’t want you to be my sub, Scott. Give me more than words to go on.” Zach glanced at the others again, even though the girls were screaming loud enough to cover anything he said. His jaw hardened. “If you can’t wait for me, you’re not worth my time. Or Becky’s.”

“I have needs, man.” The water around Scott seemed to cool. He wasn’t sure he could pass this little test. Sex was his release. Had been for as long as he could remember. “Isn’t me saying I want no one else enough?”

“No.”

“Then tonight . . .” He could do that. He could hang on a night—maybe two—if Zach wanted him all revved up just for him. The thought alone had him chewing on the inside of his cheek, struggling for control. “Tonight I’ll—”

“Not tonight.” Zach patted his cheek. “I never said this would be easy.”

Try nearly impossible. But Scott simply nodded, shuddering as Zach slid a hand around the back of his neck and tugged his hair, his eyes dark and full of promise. If Scott could do this, he’d be rewarded. And it made him want to try.

Because the reward wasn’t just emptying his sac. Wasn’t just cheap, quick pleasure.

It was something that would last. Something he’d never had.

* * * *

Akira wrapped the big, fluffy white towel around her body, shaking so hard her teeth chattered. Shawn had invited her back to his room for “a nightcap after dinner.” It didn’t really surprise her; she’d practically shoved her willingness down his throat, but she wasn’t feeling it. The only reason she was doing this was because she felt like she had to. Hell, she was practically a born-again virgin. The only time she’d . . . she’d had
sex
was when those men had ripped into her body on that office floor. She needed to do it again just to prove she could. It shouldn’t be such a big deal. Maybe, once she got it over with, it wouldn’t be.

But she couldn’t be near him now. She needed to get her head on straight first. Remind herself that this was something normal people did.

And she wanted to be normal. She wanted to be like all the other girls hooking up with players tonight. Just having fun—not worrying about the consequences. She was too young to take . . . fucking someone this seriously. Yes, someone touching her body was scary as hell, but Shawn was sweet. Made her feel sexy. She kinda wished she felt more for him, but that didn’t really matter.

Sex on the ‘to do’ list. Sounded about right.

Someone cleared their throat and her blood ran cold, like she’d been caught snatching a chocolate bar at the drugstore. She lifted her head, gaping up at Dominik, sure all her thoughts were printed out in black ink on her face. She couldn’t hide from him. And didn’t really want to.

“What are you doing, little one?”

She shrugged. “Right now? Nothing.”

“You know very well what I mean.”

She did. But going into it felt like talking to her dad—before what happened with his coworkers. At fifteen, she’d missed curfew. Tried smoking. Had a few drinks. She’d been a normal teen, getting in trouble and driving her parents insane. Working for her dad had been a way to make up for all the trouble she’d caused.