The Season: Rush (Austin Arrows #1) (17 page)

18

Tuesday, October 25th

Ellie:
Good luck tonight! I know you’re gonna do great.

Kingston:
You think so?

Ellie:
Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?

Kingston:
What if I said I needed a little motivation?

Ellie:
Hmmm. I’d have to ask what type of motivation.

Kingston:
I was thinking we could make a little wager.

Ellie:
On the game?

Kingston:
Yeah.

Ellie:
Isn’t there a conflict of interest since you’re playing?

Kingston:
Well, I was thinking something along the lines of what you’ll give me if I can avoid getting more than a certain number of goals.

Ellie:
I’d be willing to wager something, but it has to be that you win the game
and
that you can give up no more than two goals.

Kingston:
What are you willing to wager?

Ellie:
I don’t know. This was your idea.

Kingston:
I’m thinking that if we win the game and I can keep it under two, I get to peel that sexy black dress right off your body.

Ellie:
What do I get if I win?

Kingston:
You get me peeling that sexy black dress right off your body.

Kingston:
With my teeth.

Kingston:
So … I think it’s safe to say I won that bet.

Ellie:
Maybe.

Kingston:
Maybe nothing. That was a shutout, little girl.

Ellie:
Yes, it was.

Kingston:
So, when do I get to collect my winnings?

Ellie:
You’ll have to wait until I actually wear the dress.

Kingston:
So Saturday night, then? It’s a good thing I won’t be back in town until Friday. I’m not sure how I’ll manage to wait that long.

Ellie:
You’re ruthless, you know that, right?

Kingston:
I’m not ruthless. I’m determined.

Ellie:
Determined to what?

Kingston:
To have my wicked way with you. I’ve dreamt about it for years, Ellie. Years.

Ellie:
I find that hard to believe.

Kingston:
Well, I’ll prove it to you.

Ellie:
How will you do that?

Kingston:
Just wait until I get my hands on you for the first time. You’ll know.

19

Kingston

Thursday, October 27
th

I’m not sure Ellie realizes what she did to me when she sent that picture on Sunday. Ever since I got it, I’ve been worthless. Seriously fucking worthless.

Well, mostly. I think the fact that we won Tuesday’s game might be partially to her credit. Those promises she made helped me to keep my focus. I was not going to allow anyone to take that from me. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Saturday to collect my winnings. The mere thought makes my body harden.

Since we’ve got a game tonight, I should be focused on that, but instead, I continue to think about how fucking hot she looked in that sexy black dress. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m on the ice, I would’ve pulled up the image and drooled over it a little more. As it is, I jacked off to it every damn night this week, unable to help myself. I’ve been doing my best to battle my pent-up sexual frustration, and that picture sent me right over the edge.

It’s rare that Ellie wears a dress. Very rare.

But holy fuck… The woman should wear them all the time. The way the black material hugs her superb body and shows off her amazing legs… Damn. I want those legs wrapped around me.

A puck smacks me square in the chest, and despite the pads, it knocks the wind out of me. I look up and see Spencer grinning wide.

“Pay attention, Rush.”

Right.

Squatting, I focus on the players on the ice. This is morning skate, which means in a few hours, it’ll be the real deal, and the last thing I need is to be thinking about Ellie in that damn dress. Although our preseason games were shit, we’ve kicked off the season with a bang. As of right now, we’re 4-2-0, and though it’s early, I feel good about how I’m playing. Far better than at the end of last season.

Coach advised a few minutes ago that he was putting me in goal tonight, and I’m cool with that. There had been talk that he wanted Locke in, to give him some ice time, but it looks as though that’s not the case. Since I’m hot right now, pulling me could very well change that. I’m sure Coach is thinking the same thing.

I’m in position as several players come my way. I notice Spencer break away, and I know he’s looking to get a shot on me, but I’m ready for him now. My eyes never leave the puck, even when I drop to the ice and secure the net. My size is beneficial because I take up so much space, but that doesn’t mean shit when you’ve got a creative forward coming toward you. And Spencer is one of the best.

I shift; he shoots… The puck bounces off the post. I’m instantly on my feet when Mattias gets it, pulls back for a slap shot… I’m in position, peering around Spencer, who is looking to secure the goal. The puck sails my way. It bounces off my chest, hits the ice, and I pounce on it. The whistle blows.

“Much better,” Spencer mumbles.

I smile, but he can’t see my face beneath my mask.

Little does he know but I’m in it to win it. I’ve got a girl to impress. One with a rocking body and a sweet smile… And after seeing her in that dress, I’m pulling out all the stops.

Several hours later, I’m geared up once again, pacing as the arena prepares for our entrance. I received a text from Ellie earlier, letting me know that she’s willing to go double or nothing on tonight’s game. We’re playing Ontario, so I’m feeling a little confident. You can never predict the outcome, but I like that she’s playing along. This is a side of her I’m not used to seeing, but I like it. I spent a good hour thinking about what that meant, but now I’ve pushed everything out except for the next two hours that I’ll be on the ice.

Focus. Puck, patience. React. Focus. Puck, patience. React.

It’s time to focus.

Time to get down to business.

Focus. Puck, patience. React. Focus. Puck, patience. React.

Time to win.

Ellie:
So, I assume you plan to collect? Nice game, by the way. You were fantastic.

Kingston:
Thanks. And yes, I absolutely plan to collect. Saturday night, in fact.

Ellie:
We’ll be at a charity event. You can’t collect there.

Kingston:
No? Why not?

Ellie:
Because there’ll be people around.

Kingston:
That’ll make it even hotter. Knowing someone might catch us.

Ellie:
You mean catch me. I’ll be the one naked.

Kingston:
Holy shit, woman. Do you know how hot it is when you talk like that?

Ellie:
Talk like what? All I said was naked.

Kingston:
I think it’s hot in here. Too hot.

Ellie:
Oh, whatever. You’re such a tease.

Kingston:
Is that a dare? You don’t think I’ll sneak off with you?

Kingston:
Ellie?

Kingston:
Where’d you go?

Ellie:
Sorry. I needed a minute.

Kingston:
To do what?

Ellie:
Wouldn’t you like to know.

Kingston:
That’s it. Just wait until Saturday night.

Ellie:
I think you’re bluffing.

Kingston:
Call my bluff, little girl. I dare you.