“One baby isn’t enough?”
I pitched my glove to the ground and pulled her in close. Clover knew better than to hug a sweaty player immediately after a game, but she dug her fists into my jersey and sighed.
Her captured kiss tasted sweeter than any victory.
“I’ll never get enough of you,” I groaned. “Never enough babies. Never enough hugs. Never enough…” I kissed her again. She fell back against the wall, and it was only by the grace of the Sports Nation camera crew I didn’t steal more than that. “I wasted so much time denying my feelings for you. It stops now.”
Her fingers toyed with the letter C embroidered into my jersey.
“So…you’re saying you owe me twenty-five years’ worth of attention, devotion, and sexual favors?”
“At least.”
A biting profanity echoed from inside the locker room. It silenced the hall as the door flung open. I spun, taking the hit instead of Clover. Fortunately, my pads dulled most of the blow.
So much for only one bruise.
“This is bullshit.” Beau’s voice carried over the tunnel’s conversations. The Sports Nation camera crew eagerly trailed after him. “Fucking bullshit!”
The rookie hadn’t dressed for the game. A two-week league suspension was a generous punishment for his involvement in the bar fight. He was lucky he’d escaped jail time, though a solid portion of his eight-figure salary would go toward legal fees and arbitration—criminal, civil, and fighting with the league.
But the rookie wasn’t tossed out onto his ass. Any other franchise would’ve cut or traded the kid, and no other team would’ve picked him up.
Luckily for him, the Forge gave him a second chance. And we all knew the real reason why they had vouched for the rookie.
Oz followed. He’d cast off his goalie pads and followed Beau into the hall. His cackle bounced off the walls.
“See you at home, Beau!” He snickered as Beau’s middle finger offered the rebuttal. “Don’t be late. Wouldn’t want to break your curfew!”
Clover watched in puzzlement. “What in the world?”
Soon enough, the entire league would know. I stole the scoop from Sports Nation and told her myself.
“The disciplinary committee wanted to suspend Beau,” I said. “Instead, the Forge convinced them to place him on a sort of probation. A player-to-player mentorship program.”
“With Oz?”
“For this season—and until he can learn to behave—Beau Beckett will be living under Oz Zane’s roof.”
“You’re kidding.”
“He’s gotta shape up. If that requires constant supervision by a member of the Forge, so be it.”
Clover laughed. “So…not only does he have to move in with Oz, he has have a player with him at all times?”
“Morning, noon, and night. I guess the coaches waited until after the game to tell him.”
“And Oz is the mentor they picked?”
“Apparently, Oz is good friends with Beau’s older brother, Brady Beckett. He plays for the Thunderstrike. They all grew up together, so the coaches figured it’d be an…easier transition.”
Clover anticipated the problems before everyone else. “And when Beau and Oz come to blows over petty household and family issues?”
“They’re grown men. Beau can manage living in Oz’s basement.”
“And if he can’t?” She nibbled her fingernail. “Nothing like pitting the superstar rookie and the starting goalie against one and other.”
“They’ve known each other since they were kids. What could possibly come between them?”
A lively, singsong voice echoed from the tunnel. “Oz!”
Oz turned, utterly bewildered as a beautiful young woman broke into a full sprint and jumped into his arms.
“Zinnia?”
Oz laughed. They shared the same smile, same eyes, and same chocolate skin tone. Zinnia brushed her thick curls from her face and brightened the entire tunnel with her Tinkerbell laugh.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming to the game,” Oz said.
“I wanted to surprise my big brother!”
“One hell of a surprise. How long are you in town?”
Zinnia stared at her brother with pure adoration. “For as long as you need me. I decided to move home—with you.”
Clover and I grimaced at the same time.
“Uh-oh…” Clover muttered.
The lovely young girl grabbed her older brother’s hand and squeezed. Her grin was infectious, her laugh delightful, and her curvy body every bit the temptation a rookie in trouble couldn’t refuse.
Fuck me.
“God damn it,” I said. “I thought this was a foolproof way to tame Beau.”
“Oh…he’ll be tamed all right.” Clover arched her eyebrows. “But you’ll need to mop up the blood once Oz kills him.”
“A captain’s work is never done.”
She twisted into my arms once more, standing as tall on her tippy-toes as she could reach. Didn’t do much. I frowned, unsatisfied by her quick peck.
“You better get in the showers…” She glanced down and hummed in delight.
“Not sure the guys wanna see me in this condition.”
“Well, I certainly do.” Her words thrilled me with delicious promise. “So hurry up, Captain. I can’t wait to get you home.”
“Yeah?” I grinned. “And what will we do there?”
“Isn’t it obvious? First, we make love. Then we start the rest of our lives together.”
“You sure that’s what you want?”
“A perfect life with my best friend?” Clover placed my hand over her flat tummy—a lovely secret for just the two of us. “It’s a dream come true.”
“And there’s so much more to come.”
“Like what?”
“Well, you for starters. Then me. Then you again.”
Her smile turned wicked. “Oh, you do make such lovely promises.”
I lowered my voice, marveling at this beautiful woman and how eagerly she stared at me, touched me, wanted me. “Tonight, I’m going to prove just how much I love you.”
“Only tonight?”
“Tonight…and every night after. Think you can handle that?”
“I do love a challenge.”
“You better love me more.”
“Always have.” Clover shoved me toward the locker room, devilishly seductive and wonderfully cruel. “Now go back to your team, Adrian Alaric. Get your shower. Give your speeches. Have your meeting. Because tonight? You’re all mine.”
And for the first time in my life…
I couldn’t wait to leave the ice behind.
The End
Can’t wait to read more of the Ironfield Forge?
Keep that Kindle close!
Coming February 2021
BEAU - Book 2 of the Ironfield Forge Hockey Series
Their ultimatum was simple: Either I stay out of trouble, or I get kicked out of the league.
Easiest way to control the “uncontrollable?”
Constant. Fucking. Supervision.