After a few more questions, the team’s press manager stands up. He’s a tall man with dark brown hair and a lean frame named Jonathan who I’ve worked with a bit to put things together for the magazine. He clears his throat and draws the room's attention toward him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we bring this to an end, we have a very special announcement. I’m happy to share with you all that our own Zander Caldwell will be featured as Bachelor of the Year for ICON’s Lifestyle Edition Magazine. Please join me in congratulating Zander for this honor.”
The crowd breaks into polite applause as Zander leans into his microphone, preparing to say a few words. He gazes around until he spots me and I give him a thumbs up and a big smile.
Sucking in a deep breath, he leans into the microphone and opens his mouth to speak.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected for this feature…” he pauses, flashing a handsome smile. “And look forward to bringing more attention to the Night Hawks and the amazing things our team is doing on and off the ice. Thank you.”
The pack of reporters breaks out into excited chatter and questions again, but Zander and the other players stand up and make their way out of the room, leaving them wanting more. I watch them go, my chest swelling with pride.
I am going to fuck that man’s brains out tonight.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: MINE
ZANDER
The press conference is a blur.Honestly, I can hardly remember any of the questions I got asked. I was struggling to keep my eyes off Rylee as she moved around the room, her camera flashing. Fuck, she looks good in my jersey. I was nervous to give it to her, because dear God if she didn’t want to wear it I was going to die of humiliation. Thankfully, it seems I didn’t have anything to worry about. She’s wearing it with her head high and I fucking love it.
It’s really crazy to think about how far we’ve come together. The girl who drove me absolutely crazy more than anyone else ever has is working her way deep into my heart. I’m falling for her, and I have no interest in stopping myself.
When he finishes announcing the bachelor of the year thing, Jonathan lets us go and works to rein in the horde of reporters himself. Once we’re out in the hallway and away from the cameras and flurry of questions, I can breathe again.
“God, I hate doing those,” Jensen grumbles, stretching his neck from side-to-side. “Such a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, they suck,” I murmur, distracted as I look back at the door to the press room, hoping Rylee will come out.
“Zander? Earth to Zander!” Jensen shoves his shoulder against mine. “You good, man?”
“Huh?” I blink at him. “Oh, yeah, sorry. A bit distracted is all.”
Jensen smirks, “You wouldn’t happen to be waiting for a pretty blonde, would you?”
Arching my brow, I murmur, “And so what if I am?”
Chuckling, Jensen claps me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, buddy. I get it. I really, really get it.”
At that moment, Grace and Rylee finally come out of the press room and we both jump to attention, hurrying toward them. I grab Rylee’s hand and drag her further down the hall, away from everyone else.
“Zander,” she giggles. “What are you… ?”
I press her up against the wall and catch her lips in a hungry kiss. She moans, grabbing the front of my jersey and going soft and warm in my arms.
When I pull back from the kiss, I murmur, “I missed my Wildcard.”
She grins, slipping her arms around my neck. “I missed my Kodiak.”
I rest my forehead against hers and let out a long sigh.
“I’m exhausted,” I whisper. “I just want to get out of here with you.”
“Then let's go.”
Grinning, I grab her hand again and start heading down the hallway. We stop at the locker room to get my duffle, and then I navigate us through the stadium to the exit. I manage to wave down a cab and we climb inside to head to the hotel. I keep an arm wrapped around Rylee’s waist, not wanting to let her go for even a second right now.
When we get to the hotel, I practically drag her up to our room.
“Someone’s eager,” she giggles as I unlock the door and pull her inside before cupping her face and kissing her again. Our tongues tangle and I slowly back her further into the room and toward the bed. When we reach it, I push her down to sit and then step back, holding her gaze as I pull my shirt off and toss it to the side.
