Page 149 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

The selfie we took in front of the Christmas tree the other night stares back at me on my lock screen, and a smile twitches at my lips. Yes, I have turned into that girl. One sniff of a relationship and I’ve put us on my lock screen. And my smile only gets wider when I discover that I’m right about who my message is from.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: Can’t wait to see you tonight.

“Ugh, look at that smile.”

“Oh, pipe down. As if you’re any different.”

Bea holds her hands up in surrender. “Guilty as charged. Anyway, I’ve booked us to check out these places next Monday. That good with you, or did you have a dick appointment?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure I can squeeze you in.”

“Talking about dick…Have you taken that man for a ride yet?”

“Taking it slow, remember? Unless you’re talking about his face, of course.”

Bea is hooting in delight as Savvy joins us.

“Uh…what did I miss?”

I shoot Bea a glare. I’m not ready for the world to know about us yet. And despite us all being close, that includes the girls here.

“Private joke,” Bea says as Savvy pulls the fridge open and grabs a protein shake.

Savvy shakes her head, more than used to mine and Bea’s antics. “Si, I think your client just arrived.”

“Ugh, she’s early,” I complain before I quickly tap out a reply to Calvin and drop my cell into my pocket as I pop my last strawberry into my mouth and head out.

The next few hours continue to drag, but my excitement only grows. By the time my final client of the day leaves, I practically run out of the salon and drive home like a bat out of hell.

I’m on the clock, and I need to shower and make myself look like I haven’t been sweating and standing on my feet all day.

For the first time today, the time seems to speed past. One minute, I have an hour to get ready, and the next, the clock shows five minutes.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I mutter as I rush to put the finishing touches to my makeup. I’m keeping it light and natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s a fast or easy process.

I’m curling a few strands of hair that refuse to do what they’re told when my buzzer rings through the apartment.

“Jesus Christ.”

Using my cell, I unlock the front door and finish up.

“Are you ready?” Calvin calls.

“Ugh, kinda,” I shout back, earning a deep chuckle in return.

His heavy footsteps get louder until his large body fills my doorway.

I swear, his presence alone sucks all the air out of the room.

“Hey,” he says, his eyes eating me up. I’m only wearing jeans and a long-sleeved top to ensure I’m warm enough in the arena, but from the way his eyes burn with need, you’d think I was standing here in what’s beneath: Vipers-green lingerie.

I have no idea if Calvin has any wicked intentions for after the game, but I wanted to be prepared just in case.

“What happened to my—” My eyes shift to my closet door, and his words die when he follows my attention and finds his jersey hanging there, waiting for me.

Those eyes…they’re smoldering now.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I warn when he turns them on me.