Chapter Two

 

Raven’s hunky visitor grinned at me as I stepped into the side room the next day.

“My, my, have you worked wonders on misery guts,” he said with an approving nod.

“Shut the fuck up, Pretty,” Raven ground out from the bed. His arm was still in a sling and an empty breakfast tray sat in front of him.

I tried to control a flirty little smile as the heart-stoppingly beautiful blond man stood and placed his hands on his denim-clad hips. He wore a white t-shirt with a small snake logo over his right pectoral muscle. The sleeves were tight on his wide biceps and the jeans hugged his groin in a fascinating, bulging kind of way.

I quickly shifted my attention to Raven. “How are you feeling?” I asked, barely controlling a sashay in my step as I moved toward my patient’s charts.

“I’ll be better in forty-eight hours when I can sleep in my own bed.”

“Ah, but didn’t you just say how much you’d miss your lovely, needle-wielding physical therapist once you got back to Orlando?” Blond God said.

Yeah, right.

“No, I said, if the pain returned then I’d have to find an acupuncturist back home.”

“The pain has completely gone?” I asked, glancing up from the nurse’s night report.

Raven shrugged and that in itself told me everything I needed to know.

“Yeah, I guess,” he said.

I grinned. “That’s great news, sometimes a dramatic difference can be seen after only one session, but usually it is three of four before nerves settle and balance is restored.”

“Can I take this thing off then?” He plucked at the sling with his other hand.

“For a while is fine, but for a few days wear it as much as you can, give that tear a bit longer to heal. We don’t want you going back to square one, even if it was only a very small rip.”

He sighed and shut his eyes. Rested his head back on the pillow and did that thing with his mouth that made his lips narrow into a dead-straight line.

I did my best to ignore the irritation I clearly induced in Raven and the attraction I felt for the other man. Tilting my chin, I put on my most professional air of authority. “I’ll give your anti-inflammatory medication another thirty minutes to work and then I’ll be back to go through those hydrotherapy exercises you can do when you get home.”

“Hydrotherapy, that sounds great.” Raven’s visitor stood and moved toward me, his gaze roaming down my body as if it were a hot caress, then traveling up and settling on my face.

I glanced between him and Raven and backed out of the room. The atmosphere was bipolar. Frosty and knife-sharp one second, sexy and warm the next. Neither my mind nor my nerves could cope.

Halfway down the corridor, I felt a sudden pressure around my upper arm. Turning, I once again came face-to-face with what was possibly the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. I dropped my line of sight to the logo on his t-shirt. Beneath the snake were the words Orlando Vipers.

“Don’t rush off,” he said, not releasing my arm. “I’ve a proposition for you. Do you have time for coffee?”

I tried to move my wrist, to check my watch, but couldn’t. He was still gripping me with big, insistent fingers.

Noticing his hold, he released me, shoved his thumb through a belt loop on his jeans and let his hand hang relaxed, right against that enticing bulge.

Coffee? Proposition? Bulge? I am no way near relaxed.

“Well, I suppose it’s nearly my break time,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Great.” His face lit to a full-wattage smile. It was dazzling, enough to make my knees go weak. Anyone would have thought I’d just told him I’d secured world peace and was going to let him take the credit.

“I’m Todd Carty, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m a forward for the Vipers.”

“Fiona Wrigley. Nice to meet you.”

Five minutes later we sat in the hospital canteen with two strong coffees between us.

“Raven and I have been friends for a long time,” Todd said, tipping sugar into his coffee. “You haven’t seen the best side of him. He’s a great guy underneath all that caveman crap.”

“I’m sure he is,” I said, smiling and loving the way Todd smiled back, once again flashing his perfect white teeth. “No one is their best in hospital, I understand that.”

“He’s having a rough time. I don’t know if he told you, but he’s only been back on the ice a few weeks after a leg injury. I had to persuade him to come to the UK with the Vipers, he wanted to stay home and just keep his fitness up before the start of the season. But I thought the tour and the warm-ups would do him a favor, get him to the top of his game again. Because he’s good, you know, in fact more than good. He’s one of the best, which is why Fergal paid a damn fortune for him, record price for a defenseman last season.”

I nodded, my mind vaguely skimming through what Todd was saying as I studied the way his mouth moved around each word.

“So I feel bad that he’s gone and got himself injured, you know, like it was my fault ’cause I persuaded him to come in the first place.”

“Accidents happen. They’re no one’s fault. That’s why they’re called accidents.”

He took a sip of coffee. “Yeah, I guess, but I can’t help feeling guilty.” He paused. “Which is where you come in.”

“It is?”

“Yeah.” He placed down his drink and leaned forward. “I’ve just spoken to Fergal—”

“Sorry, who is Fergal again?”

“The owner, of the Vipers.”

“Ah, okay.”

“And I told him what a wonderful job you did with Raven’s shoulder yesterday. How you stopped him cursing and complaining for the rest of the day after you’d performed your magic. Hell, Raven even cracked a smile in the evening when I came back to sit and watch TV with him.”

“Well it wasn’t magic, it was just a bit of acupuncture and—”

“It was completely magical. And if you can do that with his shoulder, perhaps you could help his leg, too. He’s not admitting it, but I know it’s still painful and he’s not going to get back to the top of his game until it’s better.”

Nodding, I said, “Yes, it is still painful for him, but he didn’t want me to go near it when I tried to help.”

Todd widened his eyes. “Ah, so he admitted it was still a problem?”

“Well, yes, but—”

He leaned back and folded his arms. “That’s my point. He’s so intent on getting on the ice again, being the best defenseman on the team, in the country, that he’s willing to ignore his discomfort. But of course, in the long run, that’s not going to help him at all.”

“No, it won’t. Injuries need to be fully recovered before they’re subjected to the stress of a contact sport like hockey.”

“Exactly, which, Fiona Wrigley, physical therapist extraordinaire, brings me to my point. How would you like a working holiday in Orlando?”

It felt as though I’d been thrown into the air. My brain was flailing for comprehension, my stomach somersaulting.

Go to Orlando?

“I-I… But…”

Todd reached out and covered my hand with his. “Your expertise could be just what Raven needs. Plus, I get the feeling you won’t take any shit from him, and that’s also something he needs.”

A whispering tingle ran up my arm and settled in my chest. His touch was firing up nerves that had been asleep for some time. “Well, no, not when it comes to treatment. I’m very passionate about what can help my patients.”

“I’m sure you’re very passionate about many things.” He rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand and gave a crooked smile, the sparkle in his eyes speaking a thousand words, the heat in his stare stoking a flickering flame of lust burning in my belly.

Bloody hell, he’s flirting with me.

“Well, I, yes, I guess I am,” I managed.

He nibbled on his bottom lip as if suppressing a smile. He was enjoying the fact he had me ruffled.

“So,” he went on, grinning uninhibitedly now. “If you’re able to take leave from the hospital, three or four weeks, that would be great. Fergal would be prepared to speak to your superiors if need be, perhaps offer a retention fee.”

“That won’t be necessary. I work for an agency, scheduling shifts on a day-to- day basis. My time is my own.”

He nodded slowly and raised his eyebrows. “Nice way to live.”

“Yes, it suits me. I like to travel. See places, meet people, learn new skills.”

“So travel to Orlando. All expenses will be paid. First-class round-trip flights, accommodation, plus a very generous wage.”

I withdrew my hand from beneath his. Sipped my coffee and glanced out the window. It was raining, the sky a heavy gray dishcloth hanging over Cardiff. Orlando, Florida, the sunshine state. I had to admit it was very appealing. A light tan would suit me, as would a change of scenery.

Suddenly something else popped into my mind. It was an advert I’d seen for a reflexology conference in Miami at the end of the month. It was being given by a professor whose work I admired very much but had yet to meet in person. Perhaps if I agreed to Todd’s plan, I could make my way there. Pick Professor Nordstrom’s brains on some issues that were bothering me about a spinal cord patient I’d seen a while ago.

“Well, you haven’t said no,” Todd said. “I guess that’s a good sign.”

“Mmm, I’m tempted.” I turned back to him. “There’s a conference in Miami this month that I’d like to attend.”

“Perfect, I bet Fergal will even throw in the registration fee if I tell him it was a deciding factor to get you onboard with the fix-Raven plan.”

“Fergal sounds like a rich guy.”

“He is.”

I looked out the window again. Drips were streaking down the other side of the pane. The rooftops below the fifth-floor canteen appeared distorted through the haphazard lines of raindrops.

“Say yes, Fiona. What have you got to lose?” Todd asked in a rumbling persuasive voice.

“Leaving tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yep, Raven is flying back midafternoon from Gatwick. You would go with him. The Vipers have one last game to play in the UK and then I’ll be in Orlando by the end of the week.”

“But what about a ticket for tomorrow’s flight? It might be full.”

“Nope, two tickets were booked. Fergal would have hired a nurse to go with him.”

I suppressed a shocked laugh. “He doesn’t need a nurse.”

“I agree, but it’s fortuitous that there’s a spare seat. As though you heading to Orlando was meant to be.” He gave me that dazzling smile of his again.

“Mmm.” A nine-hour flight sitting next to Mr. Snappy didn’t appeal in the slightest. Neither did treating him every day over the next few weeks. But the challenge of helping his leg recover enough to be subjected to hockey again was like bait. I’d had several ideas already. Skimmed sport therapy articles when I’d got home the evening before.

Todd reached forward and took my hand again. “If you’re worried you’ll be lonely, then don’t be. When I get back I’d love to show you the sights, take you to dinner, maybe to a game. What do you say?”

That smile again and that big hand heating mine. Oh, and those euphoric words that promised time with a devastatingly attractive and sinfully seductive hockey player.

Okay, the decision has made itself. Grouchy patient or not.

“It sounds like a great opportunity. I’ve never been to Orlando, many parts of the US, but not there.”

“You’ll love it, there’s so much more to see than Disney.” He widened his eyes. “Does that mean it’s a yes?”

My chest rose and fell as I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “Yes.”

He produced a wide, triumphant smile. “It’s not just work, Fiona, it’s going to be one hell of a lot of fun, too.”

 

*****

 

The next day, for the first time ever, I boarded a flight and turned left instead of right—toward first class. Raven followed close behind as we were shown to our seats— large, plush seats that could almost be laid flat and had every gadget and convenience surrounding them.

“Champagne, madam?” an air hostess asked as I sat.

“Thanks.” I took the offered flute of bubbles and set it on my table.

“Mr. Starr,” she said, holding out a silver tray with another glass perched on it.

“I’m good, thanks,” he said, dropping his bulk into the seat next to mine. He still wore his sling and his left hand was resting high, near his right collarbone.

“I have to say how thrilled we are to have you onboard American Airlines today, Mr. Starr,” the hostess said, giving a stretched, glossy red smile. “Anything you need at all, just ask. My name is Tara, and I’m at your service for the next nine hours.”

“Okay.” He toed off his sneakers and kicked them to one side. Rested his feet up in front of him. He wore black socks.

“And maybe later, before you disembark, you’d autograph this week’s edition of Hockey Today. I’m a huge Vipers fan. It would mean a lot.” She gave a tinkling little laugh.

“Yeah, sure, no problem,” he said, one-handedly tugging an iPhone and a set of earphones from the front pocket of his flight bag.

“Thank you, very much… Er, would you like a hand with that?” She gestured to the knot his earphone wires were in.

“Nope. I can do it.”

“Yes, yes of course.” She glanced at me, a fast, assessing flick of her eyes.

I knew what was going through her mind. Were we together? Me and Raven. An item, a couple. And if so, what did I have that she didn’t? My ginger hair, passed down through generations of Welsh ancestors, curled around my shoulders in an unruly fashion. And I wasn’t the svelte shape she was; my sweet tooth ensured I had curves, dips and soft spots in what I considered to be all the right places.

She ran her hands over her slim hips, smoothing the blue pencil skirt she wore, and turned her attention back to Raven. “We’re scheduled to take off on time, so if you could just make sure your belt is secure, I won’t have to bother you again.”

“Yep,” Raven replied, making no move to do up his seatbelt and still fiddling with his earphones.

“Would you like me to do it for you? Your seatbelt?” she asked.

“Knock yourself out.”

She leaned over him, fussing and fiddling, lingering as she smoothed out the straps and clicked them over his lap. I swear a rise of color reddened her cheeks as her hands hovered over his fly and she did up the clasp.

“Thanks,” he said when she finally straightened from her task.

“You’re welcome, and anything you need, just ask.”

“Yep, okay.”

She stepped away, but not before giving Raven an over-the-shoulder glance and sweeping her tongue over her lips.

“Does that always happen to you?” I asked when I was sure she was out of hearing range.

“Autographs go with the territory,” he muttered.

I was getting used to the muttering now, it was the way he spoke. “No, well, yes that too, but I mean women throwing themselves at you?”

“She didn’t.”

I watched our hostess, Tara, look our way again, patting down her perfect auburn bob as she did so. She caught me looking and quickly turned away.

“She is so into you,” I said with an exasperated sigh.

He looked up from his iPhone and caught me with his blacker-than-black stare. “What difference does it make? I’m not into her, in fact I’m not into any woman. They’re more hassle than they’re worth.”

I held his gaze and tugged on my bottom lip with my top teeth. He didn’t scare me and I wasn’t starstruck by his hockey career, either. Plus, I’d just about had enough of the continuous foul mood. It was rude. “Ah, you’re into guys then? You and Todd must be together? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”

His eyes flashed and he pulled his lips back into a snarl. “Don’t talk fucking stupid, I’m not queer. We’re buddies, teammates.”

I beat down a grin that was trying to crack across my face. His reaction to my tease was hysterical. I could almost see his hackles rising. He’d gone for the bait. “Well, I just wondered because he was with you in the hospital every time I went to see you, and he was so keen to get me to come to Orlando and treat you. I thought there was more between you. Much more, if you know what I mean.”

“Well, you thought fucking wrong, okay? I like women plenty.”

He balled his fist, gripping the thin white lead of his earphones so tight I’d be surprised if they still worked.

“Ah, okay,” I said.

“What does that mean? Ah, okay?”

“It means okay. You like women.”

“Why you saying it like that?”

“Like what?” I widened my eyes, feigning innocence.

“Like you don’t believe me.”

“I do believe you. I was just wondering how much success you have when you look like you’re about to eat everyone alive most of the time.”

“I have plenty of success, not that it’s your business, and I do not look as though I want to eat people alive. People just annoy me, mostly by talking shit.” He shoved one earphone in. The other fell into the gap between our seats. He fumbled for it, reaching and twisting within the confines of his sling.

Easily grabbing it, I passed it into his big hand.

He didn’t say thanks, just tightened his lips and narrowed his eyes, took it, shoved it into his ear and shut his eyes.

Okay, so I’d wound him up. I shouldn’t have. But I just couldn’t help myself. His surly attitude was really grating on me. The long, silent taxi ride to the airport and the stiff uncomfortable way he held himself in the first-class lounge had me wondering what the hell I was doing embarking on a crazy plan to go to Orlando and treat him. The sooner I had some time with the delectable Todd, the better.

I sipped on my champagne, letting the bubbles pop on my tongue, and studied Raven, who’d rested back in his seat with his eyes closed. I could faintly hear the beat of the music he was listening to.

When he wasn’t snarling or frowning he was actually handsome. Not in the same way as Todd, who had picture-perfect, all-American good looks. Raven was more striking in a dark, secretive kind of way. He had high, angular cheekbones and a long straight nose, perhaps a little big for his face but it suited him. When his lips weren’t mashed together in irritation they were plump and soft and his eyes, now closed, showcased thick black lashes that rested against his caramel-colored skin. Yep, there was no doubt about it, he was a great-looking man, for those who liked the brooding, sulky look.

Which I for one definitely didn’t.

 

*****

 

“What do you mean you’re overbooked?” My mouth hung open as I stared at the receptionist at the Richmond-Saunders Hotel. “I’ve just traveled across the Atlantic. I need a room. I need to sleep.”

Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. It wasn’t like me to feel emotional over something small, but I was so tired and my body felt so heavy. The trip had been physically exhausting and right now my brain was screaming that sleep was required as a matter of urgency.

“I’m really very sorry, Miss Wrigley, but there’s been a mix-up with our booking system.”

“But I have a reservation. There must be something you can do?”

He gave a sympathetic smile and shook his head. “Under normal circumstances I could have transferred your booking to our sister hotel, The Bentley, which is right across the road, but there’s a pageant in town this week, and I’m afraid they’re fully booked too.”

Rubbing my fingers over my temples, I tried to think logically. This wasn’t the end of the world. I just needed to find somewhere else to stay. “Do you have a list of other hotels that might have availability?” I asked.

“No, I’m afraid not. But if you let me deal with these people here, I’ll make a few calls for you.” He gestured to a group of women, all very made-up and each towing along a small girl.

“Yes, okay, thanks.” What choice did I have?

The reception lobby was opulent. Only minutes before I’d been admiring it and thinking what a nice base this hotel would be for my few weeks in Orlando. Now it seemed there was no room at the inn and I was homeless.

Flopping into a squidgy armchair, I heard my cell trill to life. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller’s name on the screen. Todd C.

“Hey,” I said, “how are you?”

“Great, sugar, just calling to make sure you got to Orlando.” His voice was full of lightness and I could almost see him smiling as he spoke. I adored the way he did that.

“Yes, I landed a couple of hours ago.”

“And the hotel? Is your room okay?”

“Mmm, bit of a problem there. They’re fully booked and it seems I’m the one pushed out.”

“What? That can’t be right.”

“I’m afraid so. The receptionist is going to try and sort something out for me in a minute, but I’m not holding out much hope. There’s some kind of pageant going on and everywhere is full.”

“Damn.” There was a pause. “I could send you to my apartment but it’s being redecorated while I’m away and I’m sure you don’t want to breathe in all those fumes. The best thing to do would be to head over to Raven’s.”

“What?”

Is he serious?

“Yeah, he’s got a guest wing. I’ll give him a call and tell him to expect you within the hour.”

“No, really. I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Well, he…I don’t think he likes me very much. He hardly spoke on the journey, just grunted and, to be honest, I think he was glad to see the back of me when we arrived in Orlando. He couldn’t get me in a cab quick enough.”

Todd laughed. “Oh, don’t mind him. I told you, he’s not all bad, just mostly.”

“But—”

“It will be okay, and besides, what choice do you have?”

“I could head back to the airport and go home.” I was being childish now, I knew I was. But I was so damn tired my mind had fudged.

“Ah Fiona, don’t say that. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow and then we’ll hit the town. You’ll be feeling better by then. A good night’s sleep, that’s all you need.”

“Yeah, I guess.” I rested my head back on the chair and shut my eyes. I was happy just to listen to his deep, drawling voice and let it settle inside me.

“So that’s set then. I’ll call Raven and then text you his address. Go find a cab and head over there. It won’t take more than twenty minutes from where you are if the traffic is light, and of course Fergal will pick up the fare as part of your expenses so get a receipt.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that.”

“So what are you worried about?”

Raven biting my head off, chewing it up and spitting it out—for fun.

“Nothing really. You’re right. A good sleep and I’ll be fine.”

“Of course I’m right. Listen, I have to go. I gotta get on the ice.”

“Where are you?”

“Newcastle. It’s pouring with rain and, damn, it’s colder outside than in the rink. And they call this summer in the UK.”

“Yep, that’s what it’s like up north.”

There was a pause, then he spoke again. “Fiona?”

“Yes?”

“I wish I was there to sort this out for you. I’m very sorry.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault and you have sorted it out for me.”

“Mmm, I guess, but I’m looking forward to getting home, taking you out.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too.” A buzz of anticipation sizzled up my spine. The thought of a whole evening with Todd was the perfect antidote for my fractious mood.

“I’ll swing by Raven’s at eight on Friday and pick you up, is that okay?”

“Perfect, see you then.”

The line went dead and I put my cell away. The chair was soft and comfy and my nerves had calmed. All I wanted to do was sleep. Let the noises of the busy hotel fade into the distance and allow the warmth of the sun seeping through the large window at my side warm my bones. I stifled a yawn, let out a long sigh. I would find a cab in a little while.

A piercing scream to my left caused me to jump and flick open my eyes. An angelic-looking child was revving up to a full-blown tantrum—her cheeks bright red, her nose wrinkled and spit gathering around her mouth. Her mother was trying to placate her to no avail.

I pulled my weary bones upright, grabbed hold of my case and wandered into the Florida humidity. My phone beeped to signal a text message. It was from Todd. Raven’s address as promised. He’d added three x’s on to the end. I smiled and allowed a porter to open the door of a waiting cab. Two nights, that’s all it was until I saw him. Two nights, easy-peasy. Then I’d be with the hunkiest guy I’d seen in a very long time. Who knew, perhaps I’d even get lucky and spend some time worshiping that divine body of his.