Why yes, yes I did.
When he doesn’t immediately tell me I’m crazy, the sliver of hope I had when I gave him my one condition starts growing.
Is he really going to agree to this?
He doesn’t answer me. Instead, he turns around to look at his teammates, who I might add, failed miserably at trying to make it look like they weren’t eaves dropping in on our conversation.
His teammate Wyatt is not only a flirt, but he’s a troublemaker. The moment he told Luke there was one bed, I knew he was up to no good. But I gotta say, he might be the best wingman I’ve ever had.
“What size is the bed?”
Holy shit.He’s actually considering sharing a bed with me. My wildest dreams could all be coming true here in Sweden. I might win a gold medal at the Olympics and I might get to sleep with the guy I’ve been crushing on for years.
I’m sure sleeping is all that we’ll be doing, but still. It’s closer than anything I ever imagined.
Luke’s teammate Brendan is the one who answers. “Pretty sure it’s a king. Plenty of room for two people to share and not touch.”
I don’t like what he’s implying, but I keep quiet. Wyatt on the other hand, does not. I’ve learned in the short amount of time that I’ve spent with him, that he doesn’t really know how to keep his mouth shut.
“I volunteer as tribute.”
Brendan rolls his eyes. Zack snickers quietly to himself. A man I don’t know, who I’m assuming is the alternate on their team, shakes his head. And Luke…he’s grinding his teeth so hard I swear I hear one crack.
“Wy, I suggest you shut your mouth before I do it for you.”
If looks could kill, Wyatt would be a dead man. Feisty Luke is not one I’ve ever seen before and it’s suddenly stifling hot in here.
Wyatt raises his hands, doing his best to look innocent. “I’m just saying. I’ll gladly be the one to keep Char warm at night.”
Luke takes a step toward him and I realize what’s about to happen. Without thinking, I step in between the two men and place my hands on Luke’s chest.
“Easy big guy. I can handle this one.”
He refuses to look away from Wyatt but I can feel his heartbeat pounding beneath my palm.
Slowly, I turn back toward his teammate. I know Wyatt is just trying to rile his skip up, but I don’t take kindly to being talked about by men as if I’m not standing right there next to them.
“Sorry,Wy.But I don’t make a habit out of sharing beds with strangers. Besides, I’m sure Finland’s goalie could use some consoling after her loss tonight. That seems more up your alley, don’t you think?”
The mystery man who still hasn’t been introduced to me throws his head back and laughs.
He yanks Wyatt by his jacket, moving him out of the way, and sticks his hand out to introduce himself. “I’m Jimmy. I’m these idiots’ alternate. I do my best to keep them in line but sometimes this one is out of my control.” He throws his thumb over his shoulder at Wyatt, who looks sheepish for the first time since I met him.
“Although, now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I should let him loose and maybe I can take his spot.”
I grab his hand and grip it hard, just like my brother taught me. “I’m Charlotte. It’s nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine. I’m a big fan of anyone who can put Wyatt in their place like that. Let me guess, hockey player?”
I tilt my head at Jimmy. “How’d you know?”
He finally releases my hand and grabs his phone from his back pocket. When he lifts it toward me a picture of him and a beautiful redhead in hockey gear is on his lock screen.
“My sister. She’s sixteen and already has full-ride offers to six schools. Hockey girls are a force to be reckoned with.”
I smile at Jimmy. Just as I’m about to respond, I feel a warm hand land on the area of exposed skin between my shoulder and neck. The touch immediately makes my skin tingle and the warmth of Luke’s body begins to heat my back.
“Jimmy is always bragging about his sister.”
