SAVI
“Areyou sure you’re okay with me leaving? I know we talked about going out after the game tonight.” Wren looks doubtful as she grabs her jacket off the back of the chair.
“I’m completely fine,” I laugh. “You go take care of your work emergency. I know better than anyone that animals are unpredictable and can pull you away at any time. Call me if you need me to take a look at her right away.”
“I will. The person who found her said she didn’t look injured, just neglected, so it should be okay to wait until tomorrow to see her. I’ll keep you posted.”
I nod and can’t help but feel the tinge of sadness whenever another neglected animal is found. Being on the receiving end of some of the cruelty in the world, I always knew when I became a vet that I wanted to also donate my time to the animals that have seen the worst.
Wren not only provides a shelter for these animals until they find their forever home, but she also slowly brings back theirtrust in humanity. Some of these animals had never felt love until Wren patiently showed them that there is still good in the world.
“Thank you so much for tonight. I think you’ve turned me into a forever hockey fan,” she grins, pulling me out of my thoughts, and hugging me.
“I’m so glad you came,” I smile. “The first one is always so exciting. There’s so much to take in all at once,” I laugh.
“You’re telling me,” she giggles. “Hot, sweaty men…fights…powerful muscles on display…the testosterone on that ice alone is worth every penny those tickets must have cost.”
“It’s definitely something to witness,” I grin. Especially when I know exactly what is waiting for me under that number twenty-two uniform.
After I returned to my seat and Knox stepped out onto the ice again, something changed between us. There’s always been that potent, fierce energy between us, but every time he glanced my way, his eyes showed…more. I can’t explain it, but I see more of him when he looks at me like a veil has been lifted and he’s letting me see all of him.
“Miss Montgomery?” I turn at my name and see Bobby, the one who pulled me away from my seats last time, standing there.
“Hi, Bobby,” I smile. “And I told you to call me Savi.”
His cheeks redden as he runs a hand through his hair. He can’t be more than twenty, and I can tell he’s nervous around me.
“Sorry, ma’am. I mean Savi.” I notice his southern accent comes out stronger the shyer he gets.
“You don’t have to apologize,” I smile, trying to make him feel more comfortable as I wait for him to speak again.
“I’m supposed to bring you with me if that’s okay. Stone…I mean, Knox asked me to get you.”
“God, you’re so lucky,” Wren says under her breath before moving past me. “I want details tomorrow,” she whispers before waving goodbye and walking up the steps to the exit.
Looking back at Bobby, I smile and grab my jacket and purse as we start toward the concession stands where the elevators are.
I make small talk with him on the way down, but I’m finding it hard to concentrate on the conversation as I get closer to Knox’s energy.
When we get to the hallway where I was last time, Bobby lets me know I can wait in the same room again before he says his goodbyes and heads to the locker room.
Stepping inside, I put my belongings on the table just as the door opens. I turn, and all the breath in my body leaves in one forceful swoop.
His hair is still damp from the game, and his shirt and pads are off like before, leaving him in half a uniform. I notice he’s barefoot this time, and his pants are slightly undone at the top, leaving them resting low on his hips.
A devilish look appears on his face as he locks the door behind him with a click that has my heart racing in my chest. The room suddenly feels smaller as his presence makes itself known.
“I…” Words fail me as his blue eyes pull me in. They are brimming with an intensity that I’ve never seen before. “Congratulations on your win,” I finally manage to get out as he steps closer. “You played one of the best games I’ve ever seen you play,” I whisper as he stops right in front of me.
“That’s because I was playing for you.” His smooth voice filters through the air, and I swallow hard as his finger trails down the vee of my shirt, branding me with his touch. “You know the part I said about needing you?”
I nod my head slightly as his finger skims along the waistband of my skirt.
“This is one of those moments that I’m going to take what I need, and I really hope you are okay with that.”
“I’m…I’m okay with that,” I whisper. “More than okay with that,” I say, right before his lips silence any more words that I was about to say. His tongue is urgent and demanding as mine dances with his, just as hungry for his taste as he is for mine.
He’s everywhere at once, as if he can’t get enough of me. His hands roam my body with an urgency that has me wanting more.
