38
Emma
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” I said to Hannah, surveying the audience of the sold-out show. Ninety-five percent were women.
Over two hundred horny women—if their catcalls were anything to go by.
And that was before they even saw the hockey players, who were backstage with Holly, preparing to go on.
I hadn’t even had a chance to talk to Travis. Just as I was about to check on him and the other players earlier, Fanny told me there was an emergency she needed my help with.
The emergency? She needed me to open a jar of pickles she had smuggled in.
And then when I tried to go backstage, Holly told me it was off-limits to everyone except for her and the dancers.
Had I even seen Travis since he crashed my date?
No—he had been too busy preparing for tonight. So other than the occasional text, I hadn’t heard from him. And the last one I received was yesterday when I told him he could stop sending me gifts.
But that was okay. My heart needed to start getting used to the idea of not seeing him anymore. After tonight, I would go cold turkey.
“I didn’t doubt it for a second,” Hannah said. “Who doesn’t love to support a fundraiser for a worthy cause?”
I laughed. “You mean who doesn’t want to see nine hot hockey players take off most of their clothes?”
She barked a laugh. “That too.”
Was the staff at the youth center happy about how well things were going with the event?
Why don’t you ask them? They were sitting at the table next to the one with eight silver and gold helium balloons floating above the guest of Honor’s seat. Today was Fanny’s eightieth birthday.
Fanny, Abigail, and Hazel weren’t the only ones at the table. Several other eighty-year-old women were also helping her celebrate her big day.
And in case you were wondering who was guilty for the loudest catcalls—look no further than their table.
I glanced at the bar where Liam and Wes were sitting, beers in hand.
“There’s a smorgasbord of horny women in this room,” Hannah said, her gaze also directed at the bar, “and those two are sitting over there. Alone.” She shook her head as if trying to fathom why they weren’t attempting to score with some of the women.
“They’re here to support Travis and Josh, not to get laid.”
Hannah shrugged.
“Why? Are you thinking about getting laid by a certain dark-haired male?” I gave a small nod toward Wes.
She snorted. “He isn’t my type.”
Nor was Tony apparently. That relationship didn’t go beyond the one date. Hannah never told me what happened, but I got the impression the decision to remain friends was mutual.
My phone pinged with a message from Holly. Okay. They’re ready.
My heart rate picked up. Not because I was about to see nine oiled up hockey players shaking their asses onstage. And it wasn’t because I was seeing Travis for the first time in five days. All right—that might have had something to do with it. The increased heart rate and sweaty palms were mostly because I was the one introducing the show and thanking everyone for coming.
I showed Hannah the text.
She grinned. “Good luck.”
From me to Holly: Thanks. Here we go. Showtime! I released a long slow breath and walked onstage to the thundering applause.
“Hi, everyone,” I said into the mic, and waited a moment for the audience to settle down enough to hear me. “And thank you for coming to tonight’s show.” That was met by another round of applause—and women bouncing in their seats, eager for the show to begin. “On behalf of the Bell Youth Center, thank you for your support of the fundraiser and the kids that they help every day. So far with the ticket sales alone, we have raised almost ten thousand dollars. This will go to help the center’s programs that assist high-risk kids, giving them a chance to live to their full potential.” The cheers and whistles from the audience made me smile.
“The silent auction will be open until nine p.m.,” I said once the cheering had quieted a notch, “and then we’ll announce the winners.” I paused to let that sink in. “And now the moment you’ve been waiting for. How about we give a big welcome to the men of the San Francisco Rock?”
If I thought the cheers from before had been loud, that was nothing compared to now. And the men hadn’t even stepped onstage yet.
The pub lights dimmed, the spotlights kicked on, and the music started playing. A beat later, nine hot men—wearing dark gray suits, white shirts, and different colored ties—strolled onto the stage, moving in time to the music. I was positive the polar bears in the Arctic could hear the applause.
The wives of the five married players were laughing and cheering as loudly as everyone else. And when their husbands blew them kisses, I swear half the women in the room swooned.
The men started strutting around the stage, teasing the women, thrusting their hips. And sex-on-a-hockey-stick, those pants fit their asses just right.
All those hours of training had paid off. Watching them, you wouldn’t know they weren’t professional dancers. Holly had truly been a miracle worker. Although from the way the women responded, it wouldn’t have made a difference if the players were only stumbling about on the stage. Their presence in those suits was enough to cause spontaneous orgasms.
Without meaning to, I ran the tip of my tongue along my lower lip at the sight of Travis. If I had to be honest, he was the hottest one up there. All right—I might be slightly biased. Especially since I knew exactly what was under his suit…something the other women in the crowd wouldn’t witness tonight.
At least I hoped no one would witness what was under his briefs. My stomach churned at the thought of one of these women getting to do just that. I pushed it aside. Travis wasn’t mine and I had no say as to what he did or whom he went out with.
Repeating that in my head a few times, I cheered the guys on, rivaling Fanny and her friends when it came to the noise.
The men slowly removed their jackets while seducing the women with their eyes. I whistled my appreciation—as did quite a few other women. Without missing a beat, the players flung their jackets to the back of the stage.
Next off came the ties, while the men continued to move in near perfect synchronization. The single guys tossed them into the crowd—with the exception of Travis. The five married players strutted to their wives. I was too busy watching what they were doing that I didn’t notice Travis had crossed the stage to where I was standing at the side.
He jumped down in front of me, causing me to startle. Then he looped the tie around my neck and slid the silky fabric from side-to-side. His hips also moved the same way in time to the music. It was all very sensual and my girlie parts got hopeful.
“There’s something in my left pant pocket for you,” he said, loud enough for me to hear over the music and appreciative audience—but not loud enough for said audience to also hear him.
At his nod, I reached in and removed a piece of paper. This, of course, didn’t go unnoticed by the nearby women. As Travis hopped back onstage, they hooted and hollered—some no doubt believing I’d taken the moment to cop a feel.
My gaze shot to Holly, who was grinning at me. Read it, she mouthed.
While the guys were swaying their hips onstage, unbuttoning their shirts, I unfolded the paper. You’re the best part of my day.
With my heart stunned into shock, my gaze snapped up to Travis. He winked at me.
The women continued to go wild as the men’s smooth, muscular chests were revealed inch-by-inch. Maybe we should’ve hired the fire department to help us with the event. I had a feeling a few women would be bursting into flames soon at the sight of all those mouthwatering chests and abs.
The shirts were tugged out of the waistbands of the pants. With their hips thrusting to the beat of the music, the men slid their shirts off their shoulders and down their arms.
Once they had them off, they tossed the shirts into the crowd.
All except for Travis.
He aimed it at me.
Laughing, I caught it and folded it over my arm with his tie.
I glanced at Hannah to see if she was enjoying the show—or if she was watching Wes. She grinned at me and mouthed something I couldn’t make out. She pointed to her chest and then to the shirt in my arms. She mouthed the mysterious words again.
I looked at the shirt and noticed something was hidden in the pocket. I slipped my fingers in and removed another piece of paper.
You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
My poor heart didn’t stand a chance after that. It melted like ice cream left in the heat.
Travis wasn’t looking at me when my gaze returned to the stage. He and the other players were still dancing. Some women were fanning themselves, ready to pass out from all the hot testosterone onstage. Others were laughing and blushing at the guys’ antics.
The men moved into a V formation, with Travis at the front. And then in a swift move, they ripped off their trousers and tossed them into the crowd.
Instead of G-strings, they were wearing basketball shorts. But that didn’t stop the audience from jumping to their feet while cheering and applauding—me included.
They had done it. Travis and his teammates had nailed their routine.
They waved at everyone in thanks and moved to the back of the stage, waiting for me to make the next announcement.
But before I got as far as the steps, Fanny was up there…with her own mic. I held back, wondering what she was up to. Travis had never told me that Fanny would be addressing the audience.
“Wow, that was quite the performance, wasn’t it ladies?” she said, fanning herself. “Thank you, boys, for making me feel twenty again. I believe my ovaries just kick-started themselves after that.”
A ripple of laughter spread through the room, the loudest laughs coming from her table.
“But most of all I’d like to thank three very special people who made tonight happen. First, Holly Hoffer. You might be more familiar with her husband, Josh Hoffer.” Screams and cheers filled the room—although I had a feeling that was more for Josh than Holly. “Holly was the one who choreographed the dance routine and got these guys in tip-top shape for tonight. And from what I’ve heard, it wasn’t easy. As superb as these men are on the ice, their skills didn’t amount to much on the dance floor.”
The players laughed and nodded.
“So thank you, Holly, for all you did to get these men ready for tonight.” The audience applauded, thoroughly agreeing with Fanny. If it hadn’t been for Holly—along with the players—tonight wouldn’t have been the success that it was.
“The second special person who made tonight possible is my grandson, Travis Hamilton.”
That resulted in the same reaction Josh had gotten. Grinning until my cheeks hurt, I cheered loudly, adding my own appreciation.
“I had joked a month ago that I wanted his teammates to dance shirtless for my eightieth birthday. Well, thanks to my grandson, I got the best birthday present a grandmother could ask for. Okay, second best present. I’m still waiting for those great-grandchildren.” The audience laughed as she winked at me.
I didn’t have time to react before Fanny was waving for me to join her onstage. I peeked at Travis to find him smiling. My heart thumped loudly in my chest, eager to break free and kiss him.
“I don’t have any granddaughters,” Fanny said, “but in the short time I’ve known Emma, she’s been like one to me. Only I don’t want her to be my granddaughter. I wish for her to be something more.”
I mentally cringed, hoping that she wasn’t about to announce to everyone that she wanted me to be her granddaughter-in-law. That was the last thing Travis needed.
Fortunately, she didn’t do that. “Okay, boys.” She nodded at the nine men.
A new song pounded from the speakers. Huh? Holly and Travis never mentioned anything about a second dance routine.
Not that I was complaining.
I took a step toward the stairs but didn’t get farther than that. Fanny grabbed my arm. “You’re not going anywhere, sweetie,” she said, the mic no longer on. “Sit back and enjoy the show.”
Before I could ask her what she meant, Mark Milone and Josh walked up to us. Mark was carrying a chair, which he placed behind me on the stage. Then he and Josh gently grabbed my arms and encouraged me to sit.
Fanny handed me a piece of paper and walked down the steps to rejoin her table.
I love you even on bad days when everyone else annoys me.
It was signed from Travis. I laughed…until the enormity of what it said hit me.
He loved me?
There wasn’t enough time to dwell on that as Mark and Josh strutted back to join the other guys, only to be replaced by two other players. The men moved in time to the music, much like they had with the last song. The audience ate it up—laughing and cheering once more. This time instead of handing me a piece of paper, they each handed me a red rose.
Two by two, the rest of the players followed suit, each handing me a sweet smelling rose. Travis was the last player to strut up to me. He handed me his flower, this one with a message attached, then straddled my thighs and lowered himself, almost sitting on my lap. He thrust his hips forward several times—no doubt violating at least one rule his team had laid out for tonight. Heat flooded my face. I giggled.
But the heat in my face was nothing compared to the ache between my legs. Luckily, no one in the pub was aware of that.
I read the message: Forever yours…
Then he lowered his lips and brushed them against mine. The crowd went wild.
“How about we go somewhere quiet to talk?” he said against my ear. “We won’t be long.”
“Okay,” I breathed.
“And then after we’re done here, I’m taking you back to your apartment and making love to you all night long.”
The ache between my legs gave a heartfelt sigh.
“Okay.” That was about all I was capable of saying—my brain cells having melted into a sticky goo.
Travis thrust his pelvis a few more times—much to the audience’s delight—then straightened himself off my lap.
As the music came to an end, he held out his hand and pulled me to stand. He nodded to Fanny and led me offstage. In the background, I could hear her say something in the mic, which made the audience laugh. I didn’t hear exactly what it was, but I could’ve sworn I had heard something about great-grandkids.
Travis led me back to what looked like the staff room. No sooner had he closed the door behind us than he was kissing me.
But unlike the kiss onstage, this one was thorough.
Passionate.
Sweet.
Our tongues made up for lost time, reminding us how much we had missed this.
Because Travis was still half-naked, I took the opportunity to run my hands over his hard muscles.
The moan?
It might have been me.
Or him.
Or us both—I couldn’t be sure.
Eventually, we had to come up for air. Travis rested his forehead against mine as we regained our ragged breaths.
“I love you, Emma,” he said, voice low, rough, tender. “I’m sorry it took me this long to figure it out.”
He looked deep into my soul. It was only then that I realized I had yet to tell him my feelings for him. He had opened himself this way—not just to me but to everyone who had helped him tonight.
And he had done it without knowing how much he meant to me.
Except there was still the one major issue…would I turn around one day and find myself alone again? History was a snooty bitch. And this bitch wouldn’t let go of that fear.
Travis ran his thumb against my lip, removing it from my teeth. I hadn’t realized I’d been chewing it.
“I know you’re scared that I’ll be like everyone else who you thought loved you. But I’m not walking away. I’m in this for the long haul—even if I get traded and you can’t come with me because of your store. I’ll always come back to you.” His beautiful hazel eyes told me he was telling the truth. “I realize that tonight, the small tokens of my love that I left you this week, and the key to my apartment aren’t enough…” He paused—long enough for his words to sink in.
“Wait a second,” I said, positive I had misheard him. “Are you telling me the key on the key chain you gave me yesterday is for your apartment?”
He nodded.
Oh. Wow.
I just figured it was some random key—because guys like Travis didn’t usually give their apartment key to girls.
“Sorry,” I said, “you were saying?”
“I realize that tonight, the small tokens of my love, and the key to my apartment aren’t enough for you to trust me just yet.” He stroked his thumb along my cheek. I shivered at his touch—in the best possible way. “But I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance to prove myself to you.”
“Those gifts were the best,” I said. They meant more to me than if he had given me expensive jewelry. “And yes, I will give you a chance,” I added, my heart cheering me on. “But that’s because I love you too, and because I believe everyone deserves a second chance.” I tenderly kissed him. “Especially you.”
And then, because I’d barely survived the last few days without him, I went back to kissing him again.