Chapter 13—On the Line

What had she done?

Stiff as a board, Marina lay in the bed and listened to her partner’s steady breathing. Not just any partner. But Drew. The most forbidden of all partners.

And the only man she wanted.

She couldn’t deny what they’d done. After all, they were naked. She could still feel his hands and mouth on her body, and his very nice cock inside her. The things he could do with those hands, that mouth, that cock had surpassed reality and blown away her best fantasy. She should be regretting her foolhardy decision to sleep with him. Not that it’d been a decision, more like a necessity, a requirement, an act she couldn’t control.

She’d done it. Now for damage control. He had games to play. She had guys to coach and a staff to win over. She couldn’t let this one indiscretion destroy her future. But what an indiscretion it’d been. Her body reacted to Drew in ways she didn’t know a body could react. He made her hotter and more bothered than a nympho in a room full of naked body builders.

She would dig deep and find a way to resist him. She couldn’t avoid him. They had a performance to prepare for and any changes would arouse suspicions among his already suspicious coaches and teammates.

Drew rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“What am I thinking?” She frowned, most likely he did know. Their situation was that predicable.

“Dredging up all kinds of reasons why this was not a good idea and why we won’t be able to do this again.”

“Then you’d be right.”

“Tell me again we can’t have more of this?” He kissed her long, hard, and deep with a possessiveness that curled her toes.

“Or more of this.” He nibbled on her earlobe.

“Or this.” His hands slid up her thighs and parted them. He slipped a finger inside her wetness and moved it languidly in and out. Marina gasped and arched into him.

“What were you going to say about why this is a bad idea?” He slid down her body and added a tongue along with the finger already inside her. His thumb rubbed her clit, while his mouth and fingers did the rest. She came in a rush of unfettered passion and hot release.

As her sanity trickled back slowly, he watched her with unveiled desire shining in his now brilliant green eyes. “Now why isn’t this a good idea?”

“Hell, if I know,” she said and reached for him, pulling him down for another kiss and more.

She was going to hell, or even worse, social media purgatory if this got out, but damned if she cared right now. They had sex again, showered together, and had sex one more time.

Only then did Marina hear the constant chirping of both their cell phones. She grabbed hers and gasped at the long line of text messages from Kaley.

Where are you?

You have a meeting with Ethan in fifteen minutes, and the bus leaves for San Jose in an hour. Mina is looking everywhere for you.

Are you OK?

Answer me. I’m getting worried.

Marina quickly tapped out a response: Overslept. On my way.

Drew frowned at his cell and looked up, “Shit, we have to get to the SHAC.” He rose to his feet and started pulling on a pair of sweats he scooped off the floor.

Marina rushed to pull on her rumpled clothes. She’d have to stop by her house and grab the suitcase she’d already packed. No time for a shower or to change.

Together they raced for the door and tore out of the parking lot in their respective cars. When Marina walked by Kaley’s office on her way to her meeting, Kaley looked her up and down, smiling knowingly. “Well, looks like you had a good night last night.”

Marina shot her a murderous glare and kept walking to the conference room, entering with one minute to spare.

Ethan was already seated, as were Aunt Mina and one of their young, new marketing staff. Ethan’s brow shot up, but he didn’t remark on her disheveled appearance.

“Our laundry facility is closed, and I—”

His brow inched higher.

“I—don’t have anything to wear other than this.”

“I see.” He narrowed his gaze and assessed her carefully. He had to be seeing the burns on her face from Drew’s stubbled beard, yet he decided to get down to business. For the next excruciating hour, she listened to thoughts about the ticket holders’ event and wondered why she needed to be there. She could feel Aunt Mina’s eyes on her and ignored her. The older woman had an uncanny ability to read Marina’s mind, and right now that would be disastrous. Her thoughts weren’t exactly clean as they continually drifted to how Drew looked as he thrust into her, or how hot it was when he went down on her.

She blushed, and the heat rose to the point she half expected steam to be curling from her collar. She tugged at it without thinking.

“That’ll be all. Thanks, everyone. Let’s get to the airport. We have a game to win.” Ethan rose from his seat, and Marina gladly stood, too. She was following Ethan out the door when Mina’s voice stopped her.

“Not so fast, missy. I need to talk with you. In private.”

Marina swallowed hard and shut the door, leaving her alone with the most feared person in the entire organization, even if they were related.

She stood near the door, ready to mount a hasty retreat if required. Mina watched her like a cat watching a tasty mouse.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing. My alarm didn’t go off.”

Mina pursed her mouth, looking like a guppy. “I see.”

“I need to go, and I can take care of myself.”

“Like you did four years ago?” Mina didn’t pull any punches, and Marina cringed at her aunt’s hurtful words.

“I’m older and wiser. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize my future.”

“I hope not.” Mina stood and walked to the door, pausing when she was even with Marina. “But if you do, I’m here if you need me, no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

“And, Marina, some things are worth fighting for, more than a job, or your reputation.”

Before she could respond, Mina was out the door and striding purposely down the hall.

Marina stared after her, confused as to what Mina could possibly know or have surmised. They’d been so careful in public. She touched her face, fearing the truth might be written there for all to see.

Warmed but troubled by her aunt’s words, Marina retreated to her office to grab her suitcase.

* * * *

Drew had a good practice that afternoon, still operating on a high from being with Marina all night. Despite little sleep, nothing slowed him down. He was all over the ice, stealing pucks, sending laser-accurate passes to his linemates, and shooting at the net with fierce determination.

He caught Gorst observing him with interest as he cut down the first-line defense and put one over Brick’s shoulder for a goal. His teammates were encouraging, even though they looked at him as if they were thinking, Who the fuck are you, and what did you do with Drew?

Drew was grinning, having the time of his life. OK, the second-best time of his life. The time of his life had been last night, and he was hoping for a repeat.

Marina had avoided him all day and not answered his texts. He’d figured as much. She was regretting what they’d done, while he was angling for more naked time with her. He’d let her be until tonight.

That evening, he had every intention of sneaking into her room. He hung out with the guys at dinner. When everyone broke up to go to their rooms or wherever they went, he slipped away, and bribed a cute, giggly front desk clerk to tell him Marina’s room number.

Drew took the elevator up to the tenth floor where the staff was staying. The doors slid open, and he peeked out, looking left and right. No one was visible, so he scurried down the hall, praying he wouldn’t be caught. He found 1032 and rapped on the door. No one answered. He rapped again. Nothing.

Disappointed, he stole down the hall and took the elevator to his floor.

He needed her. Badly.