Offside (71 page)
Backing to the approximate place the blue line would be on a real skating rink, Casey’s small mouth twisted with concentration. She scooped up the puck and skated hard, racing toward Hunt, swinging her stick—then swooping to the left, lifting the puck just like Scott had shown her.
Hunt dove dramatically, right under the puck. It hit the back of the net.
All the men and Chicklet cheered. Becky clapped, shouting “That’s my girl!” Casey stood there with her mouth opened wide. Then she dropped her stick and slid across the ice on her knees, mirroring a move Vanek had done just last week after he’d scored against Philly.
“Did you see, Daddy?” Casey jumped up, almost falling over before skating up to them. She tugged on Zach’s jacket sleeve when his lips parted and he just stared at her, his grip tightening on Becky as she went completely still. “Daddy, Daddy, did you see? I
scored
against a pro goalie. One of the best in the league. Besides my Uncle Landon of course.”
Zach was still speechless. Coming over to grab one of the coffees, Hunt grinned at Casey, his face red. Chicklet came over to pick Casey up, speaking in a mock whisper, “I think your daddy is stunned. How about you show him again?”
Everyone took their places. This time, Vanek and Jami positioned themselves in front of Hunt, playing defense. Scott passed the puck to Casey, accepted the return, took a shot—Hunt blocked. Vanek slammed into Scott, knocking him on his ass. Chicklet nudged Casey as she went for the rebound. Fell back as Casey pushed by her. Casey poked the puck past Hunt.
Others on the rink who had stopped to watch clapped and Casey grinned, bowing. Vanek helped Scott to his feet, ribbing him affectionately. “Good thing she’s on your team, Demmy, she got more points than you have in the past five games.”
Casey frowned. “Hey, only I get to call him Demmy. He said so.”
“But—” Tyler shut his mouth at Chicklet’s hard look.
Becky covered her mouth with her mittened hand as Casey inclined her head at Chicklet in thanks. Casey was very possessive of the men in her life. She often called them ‘Her Demmy’ and ‘Her Zach’ when they went out and she introduced them to people. Drooling puck bunnies got dirty looks, and both men would politely excuse themselves without even offering autographs to any woman who was too forward in front of her daughter. Or her for that matter. Becky wouldn’t admit it, but she’d done a few searches online and the “bunnies” weren’t happy with how she and her daughter had claimed two of the most sought-after men on the team.
Despite how unconventional their life together was, it fit them all perfectly. But Casey calling Zach “Daddy” was a first. Becky didn’t mind, but she needed to know Zach was comfortable with it. And she had to figure out quickly how to dissuade Casey if he wasn’t.
“Daddy, did you see this time?” Casey skated over, peering up at Zach, something in her eyes causing Becky’s heart to stutter. Casey wanted Zach to take that role in her life. He did in every way that counted, but apparently Casey needed more. Needed to call him something other than his name to show who he was to her.
What do I say if he’s not comfortable with it?
A lot of men wouldn’t be. Casey had a father. He just wasn’t part of her life.
Zach cleared his throat. He smiled and bent down to Casey’s level. His eyes were shiny, either from the cold, or with emotion. His tone proved the latter. “I saw, baby. And I’m so proud of you. Come here.”
Casey giggled and threw herself in his arms, holding him tight as he stood. Then she peeked up at Becky. “Is it okay, Mommy? My father won’t be mad, will he? I didn’t think he’d care. He’s
not
my daddy. Zach is.”
Damn, what’s the right answer?
Jami stood close, shifting from side to side, mouthing “Sorry.”
“Why?” Becky’s eyes narrowed, and she held up one hand, forcing a smile for her baby. “One moment,
mon petite
.” She turned to the younger woman, pulling her aside. Casey making this decision on her own was one thing, but she didn’t want anyone else influencing it. “Did you tell her to call him—”
“No! Of course not!” Jami shook her head quickly. “She heard me talking on the phone with the
woman
who gave birth to me. I didn’t realize she’d followed me. I called her ‘mother’ and then sat with Silver for a bit. I swear, I thought Casey was still watching TV.” She bit her bottom lip. “I told Silver that she’s not much older than me, but she’s more of a mom than mine has ever been because she’s the one who’s there for me. I only call her ‘Mommy’ to bug her, but maybe that got Casey thinking . . . fuck, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Becky hugged Jami, then returned to her daughter, who was still in Zach’s arms. She kissed Casey’s cheek, then looked from her to Zach. “As long as it’s okay with him, you may call Zach ‘Daddy.’”
“Is it okay?” Casey leaned back to look into Zach’s eyes. “Can I?”
“Yes. God, yes.” Zach grinned, then kissed Casey’s forehead. “You’re giving me something very special in calling me that.”
“Special enough for you to get a goal tomorrow? Just for me?”
“Just for you.” Zach looked over at Scott as he joined them. “Think you can help me with that—what is it she calls you? ‘Demmy’?”
“Yes,” Casey said, her tone very serious. “Because it’s close to ‘Daddy.’ But it’s just for him. I love you both and I’m very lucky. Grandma said so.”
“She’s right.” Becky shifted so she stood between Scott and Zach, resting her head on Scott’s shoulder as he put his arm around her. She wanted to laugh and cry all at once. How was it even possible that this strange relationship had ended up being exactly what both she and her daughter needed? “We’re both very very lucky.”
Everything she felt was reflected in Scott’s eyes. And in Zach’s. Neither man could have predicted that they’d all be together in the end. So many things could have gone wrong. Things still could; who knew what the future held?
But . . . maybe she did. The beginning and the end was right here, all of them together, smiling and laughing, where they’d been yesterday. Where they’d be tomorrow. This was their life and it was right.
Complete.
THE END
Visit the Dartmouth Cobras
Game Misconduct
THE DARTMOUTH COBRAS #1
The game has always cast a shadow over Oriana Delgado’s life. She should hate the game. But she doesn’t. The passion and the energy of the sport are part of her. But so is the urge to drop the role of the Dartmouth Cobra owner’s ‘good daughter’ and find a less . . .conventional one.
Playmaker Max Perron never expected a woman to accept him and his twisted desires. Oriana came close, but he wasn’t surprised when she walked away. A girl like her needs normal. Which he can’t give her. He’s too much of a team player, and not just on the ice.
But then Oriana’s father goes too far in trying to control her and she decides to use exposure as blackmail. Just the implication of her spending the night with the Cobras’ finest should get her father to back off.
Turns out a team player is exactly what she needs.
“Ms Sommerland takes us on an extremely incredible journey as we watch Oriana’s master her own sexuality. She comes to realize that there is more out there that she craves and desires, than she has ever realized.” Rhayne —Guilty Pleasures
“With a delicious storyline and kinky characters outside of the norm, Game Misconduct pushes you outside of your comfort zone and rewards your submission with phenomenally erotic sex. If you’re a fan of hardcore BDSM, then this book is going to top your list of must reads!” Silla Beaumont —Just Erotic Romance
Defensive Zone
THE DARTMOUTH COBRAS
Silver Delgado has gained control of the Dartmouth Cobras—and lost control of her life.
Hockey might be the family business, but it’s never interested Silver. Until her father’s health decline thrusts responsibility for the team he owns straight into her hands. Now she has to find a way to get the team more fans and establish herself as the new owner. Which means standing up to Dean Richter, the general manager and the advisor her father has forced on her. The fact that their “business relationship” started with her over his lap at his BDSM club shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Their hot one-night stand meant nothing! But how can she earn his respect when he sees her as submissive? Can they separate work and the lifestyle she’s curious to explore?
Balancing her new life away from Hollywood, living among people who see her as the selfish Delgado princess, has her feeling lost and alone until Landon Bower, the Cobras new goalie slips into her life and becomes her best—and only—friend. The time they spend together makes everything else bearable, but before long his eyes meet hers with more than friendship, reflecting what she feels. Which could ruin everything.
Two Dominant men who see past her pretty mask and the shallow image she portrayed to the flashing cameras. A gentle attack from both sides that she can’t hope to block unless she learns how to play.
But she’s getting the hang of the game.
