“If I don’t stop kissing you, we’re going to get banned from this restaurant because I’ll have you spread out over this table like you’re my whole meal,” I groan, turning Cara's cheeks bright crimson.
“Don’t tempt me,” she murmurs, but she does us both the favor of standing up and returning to her seat, putting the table between us. Her expression turns serious as she says, “Thank you, Jake. Not just for the present, but for noticing what I like. It means a lot.”
I reach across the table and take her hand. “You’re impossible not to pay attention to, princess,” I say, “and I’ll spoil you for as long as you’ll let me. I know I have a reputation in the press, but there’s nothing else I want in life except my job andyou.”
The smile she gives me is brighter than the sun. “I feel the same way, Jake,” she says, and the entire world could be burning outside right now, and I wouldn’t give a single shit as long as she keeps looking at me like this.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her, and I’m determined to spend the rest of my life proving it.
7
CARA
In the past few weeks, Jake has had more good press than he has in the history of his hockey career. Some journalist or paparazzo managed to snap a photo of us together on a lunch date, and we both briefly panicked that the discovery of our relationship would implode our careers; it actually did the opposite.
The team literally cheered for us, slapping Jake on the back and yelling about how theyknew itbecause he’d beensmiling like an idiot more than normaland kept staring at my ass when we’d pass each other in the halls. They all welcomed me into the fold with vows to punch Jake in the face if he ever upset me and thanked me for getting him under control for the sake of the team. The comments were all joking, but I got the sense that there was a layer of truth beneath the laughter and jeering, and it became clear that this was more than just a job. This is a family, and one that I’m now lucky enough to be a part of.
If I think about it too long, I get all mushy, so I force my thoughts back to my coffee when the door to my office opens.
In walks Ronald, the team’s manager, and Reggie, the head coach. My eyes widen with concern as they take a seat, crammed into the small space. Seconds later, Jake joins us, and my office is now full of a very large hockey player, an equally large coach, and Ronald, who, despite being at least a hundred pounds lighter than the other men and five inches shorter, has enough of a commanding presence to feel much larger.
I swallow.
“Uh…did I do something wrong?” I ask, heart pounding as I look to Jake pleadingly.
He shoots me a grin, leaning against the wall with the same cocky attitude and playful wink that sent me head over heels for him weeks ago.
“On the contrary,” Ronald begins, shaking his head. “We saw the photos and heard the gossip from the team. They’re worse than a gaggle of high school girls, I swear.”
Reggie laughs. “Oh, they certainly are. Can’t keep their noses out of anyone’s business, that lot.”
I laugh with them, knowing it's true. I know far too much about some of those guys already, just from overhearing conversations in the hall or during practice when I’m taking content. Jake’s one of the worst, but he’s always there to comfort or offer advice, too. His team all know what I do, too: Jake has a major soft spot for those he loves.
And now, that includes me.
“Anyway, we just wanted to quickly meet you both and tell you that we’re happy that you’re happy,” Ronald says, a littleawkwardly. “Your personal lives are up to you, and we’re not here to interfere.”
“Besides,” Reggie adds, looking to Jake, “with all the work Cara’s doing, and the paps sneaking pics of the two of you, you’re getting the best press you’ve ever had.”
“True,” Ronald agrees, pointing at Jake and then at me. “So just make sure never to break up, all right? I’m enjoying the break from bad press too much for that.”
Jake’s cheerful expression darkens at the mere idea of us not being together, and his voice is totally and utterly serious when he says, “I’ll make sure that never happens.”
I try to hide my blush behind my coffee mug, taking a big drink even though it’s gone mostly cold now. Ronald and Reggie mercifully leave a minute later, apparently satisfied that everything’s cleared up now, but Jake lingers.
“Aren’t you supposed to be training?” I ask, raising a brow at him.
In answer, he turns andclicksthe lock into place on the door. My pulse immediately picks up.
“Running drills,” he answers, though he doesn’t seem to care one bit that he’s missing it. “But I’d much rather be here.”
“Playoffs are next week,” I remind him. “You don’t want to give Coach any reason to bench you. You need to be in the best shape possible.”
Jake only grins, and in two long strides, he’s right in front of me, leaning over my desk with a glimmer in his eyes. “So help me get someexercisein then, princess.”
The way he looks at me, like I’m everything he’s ever wanted, like he needs his hands on me right this damn second, sends heat flooding through my body. I shift in my seat as it settles between my legs, my thighs squeeze together as an ache starts to build. An ache that only he can heal.
“We’re at work,” I say, but it’s not a protest, not really. The knowledge that we shouldn’t, that it’s wrong to do this here, only turns me on even more.
