Woman after my own heart.
Chapter Twelve
Noelle
* * *
It had been a while since I’d had an all-night sex fest, so when I got up in the morning, my nether regions tingled from the exertion. Remy was everything I’d imagined he’d be in bed—and more. So much so that I hadn’t been able to get enough. His staying power was impressive, and the moment we touched, he was ready to go. In the light of day, though, I felt an uncomfortable urge to get going. It would be so easy to just lose myself in him, but that wasn’t an option. I was an adult, but small-town living meant everyone knew everything and Rudy was undoubtedly on the phone telling half the town I’d spent two nights with Remy Knight.
“Where are you off to?” Remy asked as I got dressed after my shower.
“Need to get to the arena and check the ice machine—it probably needs a good cleaning. Then I have some errands to run.”
“You don’t have to go,” he said quietly, his eyes finding mine. “I’d like you to stay.”
I smiled. “I’d like that too, but I have to be careful. This is a small town and everyone I’ve ever known is probably going to know I’m sleeping with the infamous Remington Knight. It’s better I don’t give them anything else to talk about.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that, but I should have.”
“It’s all right.”
“I booked a hotel room in Vancouver for the night of the game. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Much better than driving home late at night, especially this time of year when you never know what the weather will be.”
Not that either of us were thinking about driving home. Based on the way he was looking at me, he was contemplating all the fun we could have in a hotel room far away from the nosy neighbors here in Garland Grove. Which was exactly what I was thinking about.
“We could leave tomorrow morning,” he said, grabbing his keys as we got ready to go. “Spend the day in Vancouver, have an early dinner, and then go to the game.”
“I like to be there for the warm-ups,” I told him. “Is that okay?”
“Sure. You want to go down to ice level?”
“Of course. That’s half the fun!” I laughed, grabbing my bag.
We walked out to his rental and he opened the door for me. I climbed up and settled against the comfortable leather seats. I was already getting spoiled, riding around in an SUV with all the bells and whistles, sleeping in a warm, comfortable bed, and getting taken out to nice dinners. Sleeping at the arena tonight was going to suck, but at least I had tomorrow night to look forward to.
“What are you going to do today?” I asked him as he headed for the arena.
“I’m going to spend the day on the phone, taking care of all the things I’ve let slide since I got here.”
“Owning a hockey team must be pretty cool,” I said softly. “I’ll be excited to watch them on TV. I bet you’ll be a nervous wreck opening night.”
“Probably.”
“Were you nervous when you played? Like right before a game?”
“Not nervous, so much as anxious, like ready to go. That last fifteen minutes between when we were dressed and warmed up, and when the game actually started, used to drive me nuts. I could never sit still.”
“Sounds like it.”
“What about you? Were you nervous before you played?”
“Always,” I said, chuckling. “But the minute my feet hit the ice, I forgot everything but the game.”
“Me too.” He glanced at me and we smiled, a warmth passing between us that hadn’t been there before. Last night had been so, so good. Absolutely the best sex I’d ever had, and I was struggling to be casual about it in the aftermath. I’d had good sex before, but it hadn’t felt like this, and I didn’t understand why. Remy wasn’t like other men, though, and certainly not like anyone I’d ever dated. He was the whole package—the kind of man women fell head over heels for.
And I didn’t have that option.
He’d be gone in two weeks and I’d still be here, working and trying to figure out when I could afford an apartment. Even a studio. All I needed was a warm bed, a bathroom, somewhere to keep my stuff, and a microwave. I’d pawned or sold most of my stuff, including my TV and a good portion of my household stuff. For one thing, I’d needed the money. For another, I had nowhere to keep it all.
Six months, I told myself firmly. If I kept on doing what I was doing for six more months, I’d have enough to get a small place to live. And if Remy came through on getting me a raise, I’d be able to breathe for the first time in a long time.
“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” he asked as we pulled up to the arena.
“Nothing in particular.” I grabbed my bag out of the back. “So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Hey.” He got out of the car and came around to my side.
“Hmm?” I looked up to find him lowering his mouth to mine, his lips gentle but strangely possessive. They caressed mine as if he owned them—and me—and I inadvertently sighed.
“You sure you don’t want to sleep over tonight?” he murmured, his mouth hovering a fraction of an inch from mine.
“I do, but it’s better if we don’t.” I quickly kissed him one last time and turned to go, but his arms tightened around me, keeping me tight against his solid chest.
“Last night was awesome, Noelle.” His knuckles grazed my cheek.
“It was.”
“I’m looking forward to spending tomorrow with you.”
“Me too.” I reluctantly took a step back, smiled, and hurried into the arena without looking back. A little distance would be good for us.
Well, for me anyway.
I absolutely could not get hooked on this guy.
No way, no how.
We left at eight the next morning, heading to Vancouver. I’d gone to university there and though Garland Grove was home, I’d loved my time living there. I’d had a scholarship that covered almost everything, so it had been the only four years of my life I hadn’t been worried about money. I had a place to live, food, and I loved school. Those had been good years and coming to Vancouver reminded me of them.
It was a nice day walking around, even though it was cold, but I’d worn two long-sleeve T-shirts beneath my hoodie and remembered my gloves this time. And with Remy’s arm around me as often as possible, I wasn’t even thinking about being cold. He was nothing like what I’d imagined a professional athlete, even a retired one, would be like. He was a big guy, but gentle and sweet, always opening doors, pulling out chairs, and offering to buy me things. He seemed to take my refusals in stride, but kept trying, which was as endearing as it was infuriating.
“I have a gift for you tonight,” he said as we walked up to the arena where the Vipers played. “It’s already bought and paid for, and the money went to charity, so please don’t say no.”
I arched my brows as he collected our tickets at will call and a Vancouver Vipers-themed shopping bag. He turned and handed it to me. “What is it?” I asked in confusion.