Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“God, imagine having this job,” Darcy said, sighing enviously.
“It’s definitely a sweet gig,” Hayden had to agree.
“I’d be in a constant state of arousal.”
She snickered. “That’s already your natural state anyway. I don’t think interviewing a bunch of half-naked hockey players would make a difference.”
“Good point.”
Hayden’s heart sped up when Jess Thompson stopped in front of a very familiar bare chest.
“Jeez,” her friend groaned. “His abs are delicious.”
No, everything about him was delicious, from the aforementioned abs to the chiseled jawline to the piercing blue eyes hot enough to melt ice. Seeing his face on a huge TV screen only highlighted his stupidly good looks. The man was stunning.
Ugh. Why did he have to be a hockey player?
“Brody, phenomenal game tonight!” gushed Thompson, shoving a microphone in his face. “You were on fire out there. Were you confident that the Warriors would bring home the W tonight?”
Brody grinned, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. “Of course. Each time we go out there it’s with every intention of winning.”
Thompson proceeded to ask him a few more questions about the game, but Hayden was only half paying attention. She couldn’t stop staring at that sweat droplet. It was sliding down his collarbone now, winding a tempting path down his smooth, golden skin.
“You have it bad,” Darcy accused, snorting from the other end of the couch.
“I know. It’s disgusting. What am I supposed to—”
“Quiet,” her friend interrupted, grinning suddenly. “I want to hear his answer.”
“Answer to what?”
“Jess Thompson is prying about his love life.”
Hayden’s pulse once again quickened. Despite herself, her attention was now fully on the screen.
Thompson’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in a little closer. “Oh, Brody, throw us a bone. You know the fans are dying to know. Is there a special someone in your life, or are you still skating solo?”
“You’re trying to get me in trouble, aren’t you?” Brody gave the camera a sly grin that was undoubtedly causing hearts to flutter across the nation.
“Lord,” Darcy grumbled. “This man is potent.”
“It’s fucking obnoxious,” Hayden grumbled back.
Why did he have to be so hot?
“How about a hint?” the reporter was pressing, still shoving the mic at him. “Just a tiny peek into the love life of Brody Croft?”
His eyes took on a thoughtful glint. Then his lips curved slightly, and he offered a shrug. “Well, now that you mention it… There might be someone on my mind at the moment.”
Hayden’s jaw fell open. “Oh, my God.”
“Oh, my God,” echoed Darcy, although she appeared more delighted than horrified. “He’s talking about you.”
On the screen, Jess Thompson was damn near salivating like a dog who’d stumbled upon a raw steak. “Please, tell us more.”
Brody chuckled, his gaze never leaving the lens. “I probably shouldn’t. I mean, it’s sort of embarrassing. This girl is dodging my invites like they’re opposing players on the ice. But…” He shrugged again. “I don’t give up. So let’s try this again, shall we?”
Hayden stared wide-eyed at the screen, a sick feeling creeping up her spine. “Swear to God, if he says my name on live television…”
But his next words showed that he clearly recognized he’d be a victim of murder if he outed her.
“To the woman who keeps turning me down, even though we both know she’s totally into me…” He flashed another grin at the camera. “If you’re watching this right now, what’s it going to take for me to see you again? Candlelit dinner? Sunset skate on the rink? Name your game, and I’ll play it.”
Beside him, Thompson looked utterly stunned.
Hayden groaned, sinking into the couch cushions in a sudden need to disappear. “Is this guy for real?”
“I love him,” Darcy declared, jaw agape.
Brody winked at the reporter. “Any other questions?”
It took a few seconds for Thompson to snap out of her stupor. The woman was probably already counting the millions of views that clips of this video were going to garner.
The interview continued briefly with Brody elaborating on his game-winning goal and the team’s strategy. Hayden wondered if he had any strategy when it came to women. Apparently, relentless pursuit was his go-to play.
“You know you have to see him again,” Darcy told her.
Hayden shook her head stubbornly. “I’m not having a fling with him. He’s too high-maintenance.”
She got the feeling that if she gave Brody an inch, he’d take a mile. That if she suggested a fling, he’d show up with an engagement ring.
Before her friend could argue, Hayden started cleaning up the table, taking their trays to the dinner cart. Fortunately, Darcy dropped the subject. She stayed for another hour before begging off, and Hayden hugged her friend goodbye and then went to take a shower before bed.
Barefoot, she stepped out of the bathroom into the master bedroom, pushing wet hair out of her eyes. She’d finally gotten around to unpacking her suitcase this morning, but the suite’s huge walk-in closet still looked empty. She changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and a cotton tank top, brushed her hair and tied it into a ponytail, then headed for the kitchen to make a cup of decaf tea.