Free Slap Shot by Lily Harlem Page B

into the hallway.
    I breathed in deep, inhaling his luscious scent. It swirled around my insides and laced my tongue, reminding me of his taste, reminding me of his touch.
    “The guys will be here by eight. I ordered some cars so everyone can have a few beers and not worry about driving.”
    “I could have organized that if you’d asked.” I dumped my bag on the chaise.
    His brow creased. “You don’t have to do everything for me.”
    “But that’s what you’re paying Best Laid Plans for, to do everything.”
    “I asked for food, drink and some entertainment, nothing more.” He stepped up close and studied me with his heavy brown eyes.
    “And you insisted on me being here,” I said in a quiet voice.
    “Oh yeah, and that.” He reached and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “How’s your week been? Since I last saw you.”
    “Busy, I was looking forward to a night off actually.”
    His brows lifted, his mouth twitched. “I can cancel if you want. It can be just you and me and a huge mountain of pizza.”
    “See, I was right, this was a ruse to get me out again, wasn’t it?” Placing my hands on my hips, I tried to look cross.
    He grinned. “You being here is a definite bonus but no, I genuinely wanted to give Brick a guy’s night. He’s been so wound up in Carly these last six months, we’ve barely been able to grab a beer with him. I reckon if he’s the guest of honor then there’s no way he can back out and spend the evening in bed with his hot fiancée.” He paused. “But we have time for a quick dip in the pool before they arrive if you want?”
    My belly clenched at the suggestion. “No, I think we can safely say I’ve experienced the pool.”
    He laughed and stepped away. “Well in that case come and take a look at the ‘dancing room’. They put up a great girly twirling pole yesterday.”
    * * * * *
     
    Before long, the house was loud with deep, raucous voices and the aroma of every type of pizza hung heavy in the air.
    Rick introduced me to the first few of his guests, Phoenix, Raven and a few others whose names I didn’t catch. But after that there seemed to be so many men all shouting over one another about the latest hockey scores and predicting future transfers that it was hard even to think straight.
    Tina and Cindy showed on time and I hurried them into one of Rick’s spare bedrooms to change into their stage clothes.
    “Phew, fabulous pad,” Tina said, whistling as she looked around the opulent bedroom.
    “Yes, it is pretty impressive isn’t it?” I said.
    She narrowed her eyes at me. “I know you’re not telling me everything, Dana, I haven’t seen you for a while but I can still tell there is more to this party than meets the eye.”
    “Are you sleeping with him?” Cindy asked, stripping off her clothes without a hint of embarrassment. “The big one, the captain, what’s his name…Ramrod?”
    “No,” I said quickly. “No, I’m not. Not at all. No.”
    She laughed. “Hah, you protest too much.”
    Tina raised her brows. “You could do worse you know, hon.”
    “That might be the case but I’m here doing my job, organizing his party, nothing more.” I folded my arms over my chest. “So if you’re ready, I’ll tell the guys to take their seats.”
    “This is all very civilized,” Tina said, removing her top and denim shorts to reveal a gold sparkling bra-and-thong set.
    “Yeah, but I’m not complaining. Makes a nice change from the grimy backstage rooms at Mackay’s doesn’t it?” Cindy pulled on a scarlet thong and bra that looked stunning against her deep-coffee-colored skin. She reached into a bag and drew out a red feather boa and high black stilettoes. She slipped them on and grinned at me. “Let me at ’em. I’ve always had a thing for hockey players. All that Neanderthal grunting and beefy brawn. This should be fun.”
     
    Standing at the back of the home theater, I watched Tina strut confidently up to the pole in time with the fast