The small reception room in our hotel is full of hockey players, their guests, and staff from the company responsible for the charity calendar, Sports Print and Design. My belly rolls with nerves because being around so many people makes me feel crowded. My brother is in his element though, especially with the gorgeous blonde whom he hasn’t taken his eyes away from. With a bit of luck she’ll provide a distraction so that I can slip away and find a computer to use.

I’m desperate to see if I can find a Kasey in New York without knowing any other details about him. I would have tried from home but I’m never sure whether or not my brother has a way of checking what sites I visit. I wouldn’t put it past him with how controlling he is. Even Roger has noticed, so at least I know it isn’t just me reading things that aren’t there.

But having lost sight of my brother, I slowly start to move around everyone when a hand lands on my neck. “Where are you going?” Blake asks against my ear.

“Restroom.” I try to move away but his arm slips to my waist.

“Loosen up and come over and meet some people.” He ushers me to where I can see Roger talking to some more players, but I hiss, “I really need to pee.” I elbow him in the side and turn to glare at him. “Stop being so controlling. This is your event and I’m happy that they chose you, but stop watching me every two seconds. Have some fun for a change. That blonde hasn’t stopped staring at you.”

His jaw twitches as though he wants to say a lot more than what he does. “Do not leave this hotel.” He growls.

I roll my eyes. “As if I would. You know how bad my sense of direction is. I’m not leaving without you so don’t worry big brother.” I smile now and see his returning smile reach his eyes. “I love you even when you’re an ass.” I grab hold of his arm and reach up to place a kiss on his cheek. “Go get the girl.”

Refusing to look back, I hurry to the restroom and entering, I quickly take care of business. At least I won’t be lying about visiting here now.

Heading out and along the corridor, I freeze where I’m standing when I hear Kasey’s voice coming from around the corner. It can’t be. I’m never so lucky.

Slowly moving toward the voice, I wish I hadn’t because it is Kasey, and he has his arm around another woman. Tears fill my vision while my heart cracks. I’d wanted to find him and know that he’s been missing me as much as I’ve missed him. I realize now that it was a dream. It always was.

I try to back up before I’m seen, but the woman he’s with notices me first and her eyes widen as though she recognizes me. She whispers something to Kasey and immediately his head snaps to me.

I can’t hear anything except my blood pounding harshly through my head, but I see his lips form my name. “Felicity?”

He releases the woman and starts to move toward me, which gets my feet moving in the opposite direction while my heart continues to pound. I don’t get far before his arm circles around my waist and he softly tugs me into a dark room.

“I don’t know where the fuck we are, but…God, Felicity.” His hands cup my face and his thumbs rub the tears from my cheeks. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. Wondering what I did wrong to make you run without so much as a note.” He drops his hands and takes a step back as my eyes adjust to the sight of him.

He’s even more handsome than I remember. His blond hair with reddish undertones looks like he’s run his hands through it a few times. But he’s still larger than life, over six feet tall. I reach his chin and his athletic build and the way he fills out his clothes still has the power to make my mouth water.

When I finally look back up and meet his blue eyes, they’re swimming with amusement, but there’s also heat there.

“Tell me why you left? Did you regret spending the night in my room? I need to know because it’s been driving me crazy. Didn’t you feel anything that night?”

I hear the anguish in his voice and move closer to where he’s backed himself up against the wall. I lay my hands against the scruff on his face, and admit, “I woke up and found so many missed calls and messages from my brother that I freaked out and left you there. I’m so sorry that I left after the best night of my life. I’ve regretted it ever since, even more so that I didn’t at least leave a note.” I drop my hands remembering that he has obviously moved on from our night together.

“I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to apologize to you.” I move to leave, but he cages me in with his hands on either side of me, resting against the door, his front against my back.

“You can’t disappear on me again. Please,” he begs.

I drop my forehead to the door. “You have someone,” I mumble softly.

“What?” he whispers against my ear, sending goose bumps racing across my skin, and then I feel his mouth on my shoulder. “I haven’t been with anyone since long before you, and since I met you, I haven’t wanted anyone else. It hasn’t even entered my head.” I feel him smile against my naked shoulder. “The only time sex enters my head is when I’m alone in my bed and I’m thinking about you as I wrap my hand around my dick and get myself off. It’s all you, Felicity.”

My breathing becomes heavy, and when he wraps an arm around my stomach and brings me against the length of his front, my legs weaken. He’s hard all over and the throb between my legs makes me ache for what is still unknown to me.

“The woman I’m with is a friend,” he whispers, his breathing also heavier than before. “Her mom is married to my brother Diego, and Andie is like a sister to me. She’s also in love with someone else, and my heart is also otherwise engaged.”

He groans as he rubs against my bottom once more before he moves his hips, his forehead drops against my shoulder. “You, my Felicity, are all I can think about…all I want...Will you come with me now? Just to talk again and this time we’ll exchange numbers first. And addresses. I’m not taking any chances of losing you again.” Both of his hands rest against my stomach as I intertwine my fingers with his, but then his body goes taut and he curses. “I forgot the reason why I’m in this hotel. I have a thing that I have to go to for a bit…Hey, come with me.”

I turn in the circle of his arms and rest my head against his chest. “I wish I could, but I’m supposed to be at a meet ‘n’ greet thing with my brother. I’ve escaped but I don’t want him to see me running around the hotel with you.”

He stills at my words and I close my eyes in distress. I’m going to have to be as honest as I can be for now. “I don’t mean that the way it sounds.” I lift my gaze and hold his. “My brother is a bit controlling.” I wince. “So I don’t want to give him any opportunity to come between us okay? And trust me, if he knows that I’ve met anyone he’ll go nuts.”

Kasey frowns. “I’m not sure I like the sound of your brother.”

I offer Kasey a wry smile. “He’s my only family and losing our parents so suddenly, really affected us both, and sometimes I think it hurt Blake even more. I love him, Kasey, and I’m not afraid of him.” So far I’m capable of standing up to him but I know him, and if he gets wind of Kasey, then he’d make it difficult for me to see him. “Trust me okay. He’d have me back in Cleveland before we had a chance to blink if he knew about you. He can’t know about you for now. Please, Kasey,” I beg, hoping he’ll understand.