“Gentlemen, please excuse me for one moment.” I hit mute, then hop up and march across the room, ripping one AirPod out of my ear.
“What?” I yank the door open to a shirtless Bennett, his sandy waves damp from a shower. A single droplet of water trickles down his thick neck and I can’t stop my eyes from tracking it all the way to his bare pecs. He’s broad and tall, with the type of body you can’t help but notice. Sculpted and strong from all the hours on the ice, a tattoo winking at me on his forearm.
Not that I’m looking for personal reasons. Strictly out of duty.
He’s flanked by two burly men in dark suits, one of whom I assume is Knox.
Staring directly at Bennett’s face, I will myself to look into his shockingly blue eyes and not drift lower.
“Good morning to you too, Sunshine.” He shoots mean exaggerated wink, the corners of his lips turning up in a slow smile.
“What do you want?” I hiss, my voice low. “I’m on an important call.”
“I have edits.” Bennett reaches into his gym shorts pocket and pulls out a folded square of paper, hands it to me.
“What?” I unfold the paper as quickly as possible, red ink popping off the page. The man’s marked up every single rule.
“Figure this is more like a negotiation. That’s what you do, right?” He cocks a brow, smirking, and Knox and the other bodyguard half-snicker. I shoot each of them a dagger glare before turning my attention to Bennett.
“Sure, something like that. Listen?—”
Behind me, there’s a muffled sound. “Tori—are you still with us?”
Shit.The lead investor’s beckoning me back and this entire scenario is beyond unprofessional.
I tap on my AirPod, unmuting. “Yes, I’m here. One more second…” Then I double-tap again and glower at Bennett.
“I’m in the middle of a meeting. We’ll have to talk about this later.”
He frowns, popping his bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout. “The warden’s too busy for me? I’m hurt.” His hands clasp together over his heart and I scowl.
“Later—” I try to shut the door, but I’m not fast enough. Bennett’s large hand flies out and catches the knob. He leans in, his face inches from mine, his mouth hovering at my ear.
“Cute look. I dig it,” he whispers, his warm breath on my skin sending chill bumps skittering down my neck. Hesmells clean and fresh, like an alpine meadow, and I’m aggravated my traitorous heart kicks up to double-speed. “Wall Street up top, party on the bottom.” He grins down at my pj bottoms, and my face heats.
Crap.I forgot about the pjs. I’m certain they caught at least a glimpse of my Zoom outfit when I hopped up from my chair.
“Go. Away.” I grit out the words, shoving him and his inflated ego out of my condo.
“Tori—is someone there?” The investor’s voice echoes through the room, and Bennett leans in closer, like he owns the doorway. The investor doesn’t wait for my response. “We’ll reschedule. Send the investment deck.”
The call drops and I bite back my fury.
“Better get on that email, Sunshine. Practice starts at nine.”
CHAPTER 3
BENNETT
For the first time in a hot minute, I’m early to practice. Mainly to prove Coach wrong. But also because I don’t have a helluva lot of to do at the condo. That and the stupid rules I need to follow if I want to stick around.
The cold hits me the second I walk through the arena doors, the familiar scent of sweat mixed with bleach heavy in the air.
Metal doors clatter around me as I open my locker and pull out my practice gear. The image of Tori’s tiny black satin shorts barely covering her ass flicks through my mind.
Fucking hot.
I wonder if she had any panties on under those shorts.
