Become a fan of the hottest hockey team in town: The San Antonio Hyenas Where the guys know how to handle their big sticks and are so hot they’ll melt the ice!
Asteamy new hockey series from OTT specialist, Olivia T Turner Insta-love at its finest with no cheating and a super sweet HEAalways guaranteed.
To Lauren.
Who as a teenager dragged me to a hockey game to watch some cute boys play and then had to drag me back out
BrantleyVanFuckface is standingat the head of the huge table inhis darkblue designer suit. “Welcome to the Hyenas
headquarters, Mr. Kemp,” he says ina deep authoritative voice. He looks like he’s hoveringaround fiftyyears old withhis salt-and-pepperhairandfinely-groomedbeard.“Please,takeaseat.”
“What?” I whisper as chills ripple down my spine. He’s the best player in Europe, but he always refused to move to America Idon’tknowhowthisbillionairegotSvenssontocomeandjointheHyenasofallteams Theremusthavebeenashit tonofzeroesonthatcheck.
“We also gotAustinGambill inthe draft,” he says witha grin “How would youlike to have the number one draftpick linedupbesideyou?Howmanygoalsdoyouthinkyou’dscorewithhimpassingyouthepuck?”
Arecord-breakingamount.
IhavegoosebumpsasIsitalittlestraighterinmychair
“Iknow you’vehadproblemswithteams takingcheapshots atyou,”VanMorgansays.“Your currentteaminMiami has failedtoprovideyouwithproperprotection Well,theHyenashavealreadysignedTuckerMcKinstrytobeyourenforcer” Myjawdrops.He’sthetoughestfuckerintheleague.I’mnotsureifhe’sabetterboxerorabetterhockeyplayer,butIwant himonmysideforonce.AlotofthosecheapshotsIgotovertheyearswerefromhimandtheydid not feelgood.
“And,”VanMorgansaysasmyheartratepicksup,“toleadthepack,Ibroughtinlegendarycoach,FinnMoss.” I’mtoostunnedtospeak.He’sthebestcoachinthehistoryoftheleague.He’sretirednow,well,he was retired.
“Inadditionto all of that,” VanMorgancontinues, “we have a new state-of-the-art arena nearingcompletion We have everythingweneedtoformanewdynastyintheleague.Allwe’remissingisTheSniper.”
“Just one thing,” Van Morgan says as he slides the paper back. “We do have our reservations. We must consider your reputation”
Theexcitementinmychestdeflateslikeasadballoon.
Iglance atLydia She looks as concernedas Ifeel She mighthave beenkeepingthe funannouncementfromme,butshe wasn’tkeepingthispartfromme.She’sasinthedarkasIam.
“Sebastian Kemp is known as a team player,” Lydia says, jumping to my defense. “He’s a hard worker, a once-in-agenerationathlete,andagoal-scoringmachine”
Ireallywanttojointhisteam.Eventhoughit’stheHyenas,thisrostercouldbesomethingspecial.Andturningtheworst franchiseintheleagueintothebestwillreallycementmylegacyforalloftime.Icanreachthenextlevelwiththiscrew the legendarylevel
“Headsup,”thebubblyreceptionistJanesaysasshepopsherheadintoouroffice.“TheComedianisontheway.” “Shit,” I whisper as I open a contract, smooth out my hair, sit up straight, and switch my music fromTaylor Swift to somethingoldandclassical,allatthesametime.
I’vebeenworkinghereforsixyearsandI’vebeendesperatetogetahead.Thisismyshot.Icanfeelit. Wemakehigh-endluxuriouscustomclosetsandMr Seinfeldhasbeenlookingtoexpandhisveryprofitablebusinessinto somenew locations.Ijumpedattheopportunityandwroteupproposalsforfivenew cities.Ittookforevertoresearch,butI thinkIdid a good job. Atleast, Ihope Idid. And I’mreallyhopinghe’s goingto consider me to be the one to runthe new branchonceitgetsthegreenlight
Hockey Superstar Sebastian Kemp Engaged to Hometown Honey, Alina Hoover. It’snotjustmyname Mypictureisuptheretoo TheonefrommyFacebookprofile Mymuddledbraintriestopieceitalltogether,butnothingisclickingintoplace.AllIcandoisstareatthescreenwithmy mouthhangingopenlikeadrowningfish
“It doesn’t make anysense…” Iwhisper as Istare at the letters that are no longer formingwords. The entire article is filteringthroughmymuddledbrainandcomingoutamess.
“Alina!”shescreecheswhenIpickup.“What is happening?!You’re engaged to my brother?!” “I I ”Idon’tknowwhatthehellisgoingon It’slikesomeonetookmylifeandshookituplikeasnowglobe I’mstill tryingtocatchup.
“He’shere?!”me,Marie,andEddieallsayatthesametime “Congratulationsbytheway,”Janesays.“He’s so hot.”
Janerushesbackouttogethim
“Igottago,”IsaytoMarie.I’mfeelingvery flustered.SebastianKempishere?Thebiggestcrushofmylifeis here?At my office?Wantingtotalkto me?
Ineedasecondtobreathe
“Don’t you dare hang up with me,”Mariebarks.“Put me on speakerphone.” “Marie,Idon’tthink ”
“He’s my brother!Put me on speakerphone. I know he’s got his dirty hands all over this!” “Alright,alright,”IsayasIpushthebutton.
“I’m so sorry about this, Alina,”Mariesays,herloudvoicefillingmywholeoffice.“I’m going to kill my brother. ” IstandupwithmyhandstremblingandturntoEddie.“Canyougiveusaminuteofprivacy?”
Itaketheopportunitytocheckhimout.MybreathstallsasIlookhimupanddown.He’snotjusthot,he’sstylishtoowith designer everything dark jeans, light blue button-up shirt, brown blazer Designers around the world probably send him clothes indroves hopinghe wears somethingoftheirs. Iwouldn’tblame themeither. This manis a walkingbillboard. He’s gorgeous
Why is he looking at me like that? Shit, I had spinach for lunch Do I have any in my teeth? “Alina?”hesaysinalowvoiceashisicyblueeyespullmeinlikeamagnet.“Wow,I ” “Is that him?!” Marie screeches over speakerphone “Sebastian you better explain yourself before I tell Mom Why is every major news outlet saying that you ’ re engaged to Alina?!”
“Sebastian!”Marieshouts.“I know you can hear me I can hear myself echoing through the office!Answer me!” Hefinallyseemstosnapoutofit “Hi,Marie”
“What are you trying to pull? This is my best friend you ’ re messing with. I can’t believe ” “It’salright,Marie,”Isay,tryingtointerruptherbutshejustkeepsongoing “Icanhandlethis”
“No, you can’t. You’re too nice. Sebastian, you tell me what’s happening right now or I’m going to drive over there and ”
“How aboutwe go to a more private spot?” Iwhisper as Iclose the
screechingphone.
“I’dlikethat,”Sebastiansays,smilinggratefully.
He keeps lookingatme as Ibringhimdownthe hall to the emptyconference room It’s made ofglass windows, so we won’tgetmuchprivacy,butatleastit’ssoundproof.
And I’ve seenitall. The award events whenhe’s dressed ina crisp tuxedo, the charityfunctions whenhe’s handingout frozenturkeysorschoolsuppliesinahoodieandjeans,andthelate-nightpressconferencesaftergames,bothwinsandloses thosearemyfavorite.Sometimeshecomesoutinhissweatyshirtbeforehe’sshoweredandhismessyhairlookssodamn good Ilovethesmileonhisfaceafterawin,butIloveitevenmoreafteraloss Healwayslooksabitsadandhisvoicegets alldeepandgrowly.Hiseyesgetallflintyandhardlikediamonds.Iwatchhimandfantasizeabouthimcominghometome.I makehimadrink,curluponthecouchwithhim,andmakehimfeelbetterinallsortsofways
He tells me about beingoffered a contract inSanAntonio withthe Hyenas, and how the owner was worried about his reputation Too much drinking, and fighting, and girls I never look at those articles I’m happy wearing my rose-colored glassesthankyouverymuch.
We stare at each other for a long moment. I’ve always dreamed of hearing those words slipping fromhis lips. In my fantasies,I’dsaytheperfectthingorsteponmytoesandkisshim,butrightnow,allIcandoisstarebackinshock.
Alina is notthe shynerdygirl Ionce knew. She’s growninto anincredible woman. Smart, successful, and one hell ofa knockout.
Irememberherinthosescuffed-upblackandwhiteConverseshoes,jeans,andat-shirtthatusuallyhadsomethingclever onitlike I Just Hope Both Teams Have Fun.Itwasashocktoseehersodressedupattheofficeinaslimgraypencilskirtthat highlightedherlonglegs,heels,andawhiteblousethatmadeherlooksoprofessional Herstraightbrownhairwaslongertoo,endingsomewhereaboveherperfectass.
Butwhenshe smiled thatbigsmile, itbroughtme rightbackto myyouth Istill remember perfectlythe wayshe would chew onher pencil as she satatthis verytable withMarie, workingontheir homework. Iwould geta bite to eatfromthe fridgeandstealglancesather.Wheneveroureyeswouldmeet,she’ddropthemimmediatelyandthoseadorablecheekswould turnbrightred.
“So, what’s the endgame here?” Marie asks witha hand onher hip. She’s leaningonthe counter, glaringatme. “You’re goingtopretendthatyou’remarriedtoAlinawhileyougoaroundandscrewanygirlinaskirtbehindherback?”
“What?”Isnap.“No!”
Idon’twantanyonebuther Notanymore
She’salwaysbeentheoneforme,butIwastoostupidtorealizeit.Iwastoofocusedonhockeyandgettingtothehighest level.Ifailedtoseethetreasurethatwasrightinfrontofme.Itookherforgranted.Imissedoutonyears. Years thatshecould havebeenmine Idon’tknowifI’lleverforgivemyselfforthat,butallIcandoistakeitfromhereandlookforward There’s nopointindwellingoverlosttime.
“She’s too nice,” Marie says witha shake ofher head “That’s always beenAlina’s problem You’re goingto dragher namethroughthemudandwhatdoesshegetoutofit?”
At five o’clocktomorrow, I’mpickingher up ina limo, headingto the airport, and flyingbackto SanAntonio inVan Morgan’s private jet. We’ll attend the fancypartyhe’s throwingand ifall goes well, I’ll be signinga contractwiththe San AntonioHyenasbytheendofthenight Andifthingsgo really well,Alinawillbefallinginlovewithmealloveragain Mariestaresatmewithnarrowedeyes.“You’remybrotherandIloveyou,Sebastian.Butifyouhurtmybestfriend,I’ll killyou” She’llhavetogetinline. IfIwaseverstupidenoughtohurtAlina,I’dkillmyselffirst. That’sthelastthingintheworldIwant
Chapter Five Alina
Myphonehasbeenblowingupallweek!It’snotjustfriendsandfamilycalling,texting,andemailingeveryfiveminutes, trying to get the latest scoop, but it’s the media too. I’ve had over two hundred requests for interviews fromnews stations andcelebritytabloidsites the largestones tothe tiniestmostobscure YouTube channels andpodcasts I’ve ignoredallofthem.Idon’tevenknowhowtohandlethis.
“Idon’tknow,” Imutter as Ipull up the demographic stats ofSanAntonio. Imightas well getsome workinwhile I’m there.I’mthinkingitmightbeagoodspotforMr.Seinfeldtoexpandinto.I’vebeenresearchingitsinceSebastianshowedup. It’sagrowing,livelycity,andifIenduprunningthenewbranchoverthereandSebastianjusthappenstobelivingthere too…Wouldn’tthatbecool?
don’tknow,”IsayasIstepoutofthebathroominalongflowingredgown Sebastianhaditsentoverthisafternoon It’s beautiful somethingJulia Roberts would wear at the end ofa blockbuster movie but wearingit inmyapartment is makingmefeelnothingbutfoolish
“Really?” I say, turning to the mirror The dress is stunning, she’s right about that, it’s just me in the dress that’s the problem.“I’veneverwornanythinglikethisbefore.”
“And you’ve never flownina private jetbefore,” she says as she jumps up to adjustthe dress inthe back, “and you’ve neverbeentoapartyatabillionaire’shousebefore” AndI’veneverbeenonadatewithSebastian…
He sighs aggressivelyas he runs his hand throughhis hair. “WhenIsaw how youlooked inthatpinkdress… And then watchingyouwalkintotheschoolonhisarm Yeah Iwasjealous” Wow.Ihadnoidea.
“Iwouldhavegonewithyouifyouwouldhaveasked,”Isaywithateasinggrin.IknewitwasalongshotsinceSebastian paidmenoattentionandhadgraduatedtwoyearsearlier,butIstillthoughtaboutitconstantlybackthenjustthesame “Ishouldhave,”hesaysashepiercesmewiththosegorgeousblueeyes.“Maybethenwewouldn’thavewastedall this time”
Thelightsintheplaneturnoffandbesidesthewarmglowofthelightsofthecitydownbelow,I’mplungedintodarkness. Softmusicbeginstoplay The Lady In Red byChrisdeBurgh IsmileasIlookdownatmyreddress.
I’mshaking my head with a smile on my face as Sebastian walks back out with his hand on his lower back He’s so handsome.Soregal.He’smypast,andmypresent,andhopefullymyfuture,allrolledintoonestunningpackage. “Willyoudancewithme?”heasks,offeringhishand “It’snotprom,butitwillhavetodo” Islidemyhandintohisandstandup.“Thisisbetterthanprom.”
Wesettleintoeachother’sarmslikeit’sthemostnaturalandeasiestthingintheworld.Ican’ttakemyeyesoffhisaswe dancearoundtheemptyplane,swayingtothetimelesslovesong It’sthemostromanticmomentofmylife.I’llneverforgetit. Atthechorusofthesong,heslowlyspinsme Isettlebackintohisarmsandourmouthscometogether I’vedreamedofkissingthismansomanytimessincebeforeIevenhitpubertybutitstilltakesmebysurprise. The delicious way his hands tighten on me so needy and full of desire The soft tenderness of his mouth The low masculinegroanasIpartmylipsandhetastesmytongue.
That beautiful mouth descends on me and he kisses me with a little more urgency. A little more passion. My head is spinningasIkissthisgorgeousmanwhilewerocketthroughtheair
Ikeepmygirl nice and close as we step outofthe limo infrontofVanMorgan’s giantmansion Agroupofpaparazzi are hangingaroundwithcamerasandvulturouslooksontheirfaces.Theireyeslightupwhentheyseeme.
Theplaceisspectacular ThehouseIgrewupincouldfitinthislobbywithroomtospare Alinawraps her armaroundmineas weheaddeeper intothehousetowardthenoise.I’venever feltsoproudtohavea womanonmyarm She’sradiant She’sagoddessinthisreddress I’mtheluckiestmanintheworld Warringthoughts arebattlingitoutinsideofme.IwanteveryonetoseewhoI’mwith,butIalsowanttokeepher all to myself.I’veneverbeensoflusteredlikethis.MyobsessionwiththisbeautyisgettingstrongereverysecondI’mwithher. Heads turn and the whispering starts when we step into the backyard It’s dark out, but the backyard is lit up by the gorgeousin-groundpoolandalloftheglowinglanternshanginginthetrees.It’slikeamagicalfairytaleouthere.
“Ohshit,”IgaspundermybreathwhenIseeTuckerMcKinstrybarrelingtowardmewithanastylookonhisface. He’s the toughestfucker inthe league. Ithinkhe onlyplays hockeyso he canlegallypunchpeople inthe face. And he’s goodatit Thepunchingpart Athockey,he’sonlyslightlyabovemediocre
“Thethingofnightmares,”IwhispertomyselfasIstarebackatthosecrazyeyes ThelasttimeIsawthismanwaswhenhe slammed me into the boards so hard I thought my ribcage shattered. He skated away fromme so carefree like it was just anotherdayattheoffice.
Harris Suttoncomes over andintroduces himself Iknow whohe is Iusedtohave his jerseywhenIwas a tween He’s beentheonlygoodplayeronTheHyenas,buthe’swellpasthisprime.Butevenatthirty-six,HarrisSuttonisstillaforcetobe reckonedwithontheice
“Tellmethecontractissigned,”hesayswithasmile.“TellmethatSebastianKempisjoiningthedogpackthisseason.” I smile as I look at the eagerness on his face. This man could have been a legend if he was in a semi-competent organization with some decent players around him. Instead, he got The Hyenas, which means he’s never reached his true potential.
Butthisyear?Whoknows?IfIjointheteamalongwithTuckerMcKinstry,thestarrookieAustinGambill,thegoalieNolan Barlowe, the Swede, and CoachMoss… Who knows how far we cango? Maybe he isn’tpasthis prime yet. Maybe Harris Suttonwillhavehisbestseasonever
“He’s joiningthe team,” Alina says as she looks up at me witha warmsmile. “We just have to get that peskycontract signed.”
“Thebigmanisoverthere,”Harrissays,pointingtoanotherbarsetupontheoppositesideofthelawn. I spot the new billionaire owner, BrantleyVanMorgan. He has about twelve people around him, hangingonhis every word
I’ve always loved his face the sharp masculine curve of his jaw, the slope of his nose, the way his bright blue eyes alwaysseemtopopout,especiallywhenhe’stanned I’veneverbeenabletolookathimlikethis Tojuststareshamelessly I’vealwayshadtobecontentwithquickglancesandstolenlooks.
“So, Sebastiansaid youmetincollege?” VanMorgansays as we walk. He keeps his eyes locked onme as mystomach drops Didhe?Henevertoldmeanythingaboutamade-upcollegestory Sebastiandiscreetlysqueezesmyhand.I’mnotsureifthatmeansgowithit,orifitmeansit’satrap. Idecidetostickwiththetruth “No,wemetmuchearlierthanthat,”Isaywithagrin.“I’veknownSebastiansincebeforehehadanybodyhair.”
We turninto his luxurious office and Sebastiangasps whenhe sees all of the hockeyparaphernalia onthe shelves and hangingonthewalls He’slikeakidinacandystoreashejumpsfromapairofoldhockeyglovestoasignedstick “ThisisMauriceBelanger’shockeystick!”Sebastiansays,pointingatitinawe. VanMorganshakeshisheadwithagrinonhisface “Notanymore It’sminenow” I’mwatchingSebastianandmarvelingatthewayhelookslikealittlekidagain thekidIfellinlovewith ashelooksat someoldframedhockeycards.
