Page 64 of Desire or Defense

Melanie laughs. “Okay, that’s pretty freaking cute.”

“It really is,” I agree. “I’m really going to miss ogling him at practice.”

She smirks. “I bet. What’s going on with you two anyway?”

I shrug. “Not sure, we had one date. Sort of. I’m not even sure it was a date, actually.”

Mel gives me an empathetic pat on the shoulder. “He’d be crazy not to nail this down. Plus, I need another girl to hang out with. It’s always just West, Remy, Bruce and me.”

“Mitch doesn’t hang out with you guys?”

She huffs a humorless laugh. “In the last year, I’ve only seen him at one party. They always invite him, but he’s kind of a recluse.”

I think about his instagram account where he follows zero people. “Yeah. That adds up. Well, if we ever define…” I gesture between myself and the ice where Mitch is playing. “Whatever this is. I’ll make sure he comes to social events.”

“Sounds like a plan to me!”

* * *

After the game, Mel takes me down to the same large hallway outside the locker room where Tom Parker took me and Noah last week. When the guys finally filter out one by one, my breath catches in my throat when I see Mitch. He’s wearing a game day suit, this one is navy blue with grey stripes and a green tie. It doesn’t sound like it would look good, but with his muscles and his whole bad-boy vibe, he’s seriously pulling off the look.

He spots me and his whole demeanor changes. Lips titling up, eyes twinkling, posture more relaxed. If he keeps looking at me like that, I'll be a goner. Actually, I think I already am.

“Hey, Blondie,” he says in that rumbly voice as he ambles toward me.

“Hey, Big Man.”

I glance briefly at Mel and see her watching us. She winks at me. Just then, Remy and West walk into the hallway and she rushes toward her man.

Mitch stops directly in front of me and we stare at each other for a second. His eyes shift and I can tell he’s unsure how to greet me. That’s okay, I don’t mind grabbing the proverbial reins. Placing my hands on his suit lapels, I stand on my tiptoes and place a kiss on his bearded cheek. His scent wafts around me and it’s intoxicating. His hands grip my waist tightly and he turns his head so our lips meet.

Smooth, Mitch Anderson, very smooth.

He gives me a short kiss, nothing like the ones we shared at his penthouse. But it warms me nonetheless.

He leans back with a confident smirk firmly on his face. “Thanks for coming to the game.”

“Not a single stint in the sin bin. I’m proud of you.”

His face grows serious and he stares at me with a stunned expression, then blinks a few times. I swear I saw his eyes get hazy, but he blinked it away so fast, I wonder if I was imagining the emotion there.

“You guys coming out with us?” Bruce asks, appearing next to Mitch and resting his chin on the big man’s shoulder just to annoy him.

Mitch shoves him away quickly. “Get off of me you leech.”

Bruce just laughs. “Come on, Blondie. Come get drinks with us. You’re the only one who can get this guy to join us.”

Mitch looks at me with what I think is hope in his eyes. Which warms my heart since he, apparently, never joins in on the team fun. And I hate to shatter that hopeful look. But I have to. “I’m sorry, I have to work early in the morning.”

Mitch’s shoulders slump just enough for me to notice the movement. “I’ll walk you to your car,” he says, his voice not sounding quite as happy as it did a moment ago.

Offering him an apologetic smile, I turn to Bruce again. “Thanks for the invite, though. You guys have fun. But not too much fun.” I wink.

Bruce shoots me a devilish grin, then struts off to find his other teammates.

Mitch steps toward me and laces his hand through mine. I look up at him and he looks hesitant again. “Is this okay?”

“More than okay.” I give his hand a gentle squeeze, letting him know I’m totally okay with this hand holding situation.