Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
Jackson waved me off with urgency. “Why are you still here? Move!”
I tossed him the monitor and sprinted to the garage, my heart racing. I struggled to keep my speed under control as I debated calling Luci. In the end, I decided against it. She might not answer. Her light peeked through the blinds in the front window, and I made a mental note to buy her curtains tomorrow so no one would know when she was home. “Luci,” I called, knocking on the door.
She opened it, her expression worried. “Is something wrong?”
I stepped inside, pushing her back gently and locking the door behind us. “You met Ambra.”
Her face hardened at the mention of that name. “Met is probably the wrong word, Easton. Did you have a type for outrageously beautiful models?”
“She’s a f*****g hag, Luci,” I retorted, my frustration bubbling to the surface.
Her nose scrunched up in confusion. “Is there a second one? Because the one I met is stunning. Even I could see why you’d be attracted to her.”
“No. She was an angry rebound that never should have happened. I wish I’d never touched her or taken her anywhere. She upset you.” I could see it in her eyes, the way Ambra’s words had struck a nerve.
“She upset Cole. It took a while to convince him she was lying,” she replied, her voice soft.
I cupped her cheek, forcing her to meet my gaze. “She upset you. What did she say?”
“After she attacked Cole, she asked me if I’d tried crawling into your bed yet. Warned me not to let any slight attention from you turn my head because I’m an unattractive dormouse and that there was no way you’d ever be remotely attracted to someone like me after being with women like her.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes avoiding mine.
“Luci, do you think I want you compared to her?” I asked, my heart pounding.
“It’s not… that wasn’t what I thought. But you obviously wanted her at some point. She said you dated for months.” Her words tumbled out quickly. “Seeing her and the others, you and I don’t make much sense. Not that I’m even sure there is a you and I. I mean, I shouldn’t presume just because of Friday night… you might not want anything else to do with me… just a fleeting attraction due to availability or something…” She rambled, and I brushed my fingers along her ear, trying to bring her focus back to me. “Luciii,” I called her name softly. When her eyes finally cleared and met mine again, I knew I had to lay everything on the line to ease her doubts.
“Three months with her, and I was a miserable ass when I asked her out initially, and even worse later being involved with her. She was a revenge rebound, and I’m not remotely proud of that fact. Looking back, I’m ashamed of myself, sweetness. She’s a vapid witch who wishes I wanted her a fraction of how much I want you. We make sense, Luci, and I’ll tell you why, even if it scares the hell out of you. I can’t stop thinking about you. Every time you leave, I have to restrain myself from following you. I talk myself out of keeping you with me because you make me feel hopeful about myself again. The way you care about others, especially Cole, it’s affected me. You’ve forced me to open up to someone again. And I’m so damn attracted to you that sometimes I can’t think straight. You haunt my dreams, and when you’re around, all I want is to kiss you senseless before stripping your clothes off and taking you to my bed.”
With that, I crashed my lips against hers, thrusting my tongue into her mouth, kissing her with a desperation that took over my usual control. She responded instantly, and I continued to dominate her mouth, kissing her over and over again. Lifting her up, I wrapped her legs around my waist, pressing her back against the wall. I rocked my hips against her, letting her feel how hard I was. I pulled away just enough to kiss down the front of her throat and as far as the opening of her sweater allowed. I moved back up to kiss her hard once more before pulling back to speak.
“Still think I don’t want you?” I asked, kissing down the side of her neck, waiting for her answer. I nipped at her skin just enough to elicit a soft hiss, but not in pain. “If Cole wouldn’t ask questions, I’d mark your neck up and down so everyone knows you’re taken.”
“Taken?” she questioned, her eyes wide with surprise, and I nodded firmly.
“I’m dating you, which means I don’t see anyone else. And I don’t share, sweetness. What’s mine is mine only. I don’t usually move slowly, but I did to avoid scaring you. Understand?” I stared down at her possessively, my heart racing.
She gazed back at me, wonder in her eyes, and not an ounce of fear. “Luci, do you agree? Only me and only you.”
“Ye… yes,” she stammered, a smile breaking across her face.
“What I said doesn’t scare you…” I mused, and she opened her mouth to respond. “Wait, Luci. I’m guessing people label you as dumb or timid because you pause to respond, making sure you didn’t miss something or were unfocused. You worry and pause, and they mistake that pause completely. You’re smart as a whip, and not timid. Am I right, sweetness?” I knew I was, and I could see how it must drive her insane to be thought of so wrongly.
“Yes. How did you know?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Because I’ve heard the answers you give; your witty comebacks. If people would pay attention to you, they’d see it too. You won’t doubt I want you again, Luci.”
Luci
He’s far too perceptive for my liking. Most people tend to underestimate me, assuming my hesitations stem from a lack of intelligence. I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me, trying to make sense of the implications behind them. Easton Reed, with his charming smile and captivating gaze, has just declared that he wants more than a fleeting encounter; he’s essentially claimed me as his exclusive date. The realization sends a jolt of shock through my system. It’s as if he sees beyond the surface, perceiving something deeper within me that others overlook. A genuine smile creeps onto my face, one I can’t suppress.
Yet, just as quickly as that happiness blooms, reality crashes into my mind like a freight train, flashing its glaring warning lights. This situation is impossible. I push against his shoulders, hoping he’ll release me, but instead, his arms tighten around me, holding me firmly in place. “What’s with that expression? You looked so happy just a moment ago, and now it’s like someone snatched your ice cream away,” he teases, concern lacing his tone.
“Easton, it’s reality. Please let me go,” I plead, my voice barely above a whisper.
“No,” he replies, determination etched into his features. “You just agreed to be exclusively mine, and I’m not about to let that slip away. What did my mother say to you? Because I’m willing to bet my favorite hockey stick that she’s behind this sudden dose of reality.” He stands up, guiding us toward the couch, where he sits down, effortlessly pulling me into his lap. I attempt to slide away, but he shakes his head, a playful smirk on his lips. “No, answer me, and let me hold you. It might just keep me from racing home and strangling her.”
“She was fine with me saying that Cole shouldn’t be around Ambra,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly. “She sent him to Baker with the intention of following, but my squirrel brain decided to respond to her rhetorical insult. When I mentioned that you’re careful about who he associates with and that you’d determine whether Ambra ever saw him, she stepped forward, reminding me that I’m nothing more than the hired help for Cole.” Easton’s expression darkens, anger simmering just below the surface. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, needing something to occupy my nervous fingers. “She told me to remember that was my only role, and that I’d never catch your attention. Even if I did, she’d sue me for violating my contract with her. I’m not supposed to date any of you, or sleep with you, or try to attract you. So, I shouldn’t have said yes. She was talking to Ambra as they walked away, Easton. Saying it was going to be time soon for you to step up, and she’d ensure the right person was on your arm.”
His eyes scan my face, searching for something. “I forgot about that damn contract. What she doesn’t know is that your contract ends in mid-January. I’m not waiting until then. She just won’t find out. Does it really say you can’t try to attract us?”
“Easton, really? It absolutely states that I shouldn’t attempt to attract any male members of Cole’s family,” I confirm, my heart racing.
“Yes, really,” he replies, his voice firm with conviction. “I’m not giving you up because of my mother’s ridiculous rules. We can keep this from her. My brothers won’t say a word. But we need to keep Cole in the dark. You’ve spectacularly failed that contract clause, sweetness. Mother is hell-bent on pairing each of us off with someone she deems suitable. Some vapid socialite who can only spend money and gossip about her neighbors. Ambra was someone she introduced me to ages ago. I was furious and wanted to retaliate against Lorelei. Ambra was a model, and I knew it would get back to Lorelei that I had moved on. She fits my previous description to a T, except I’m pretty sure she hails from the depths of hell. My mother was over the moon during my time with her. The first time she met Cole, Ambra shoved him in anger when he touched her dress with applesauce on his fingers. He hit the floor and would have knocked his head against the coffee table if it weren’t for Jackson’s quick reflexes. I was across the room, practically ready to drop-kick her out of the house. My dear mother must be desperate if she’s brought her back. Even she was upset with how Ambra treated Cole that night.” His eyes spark with a newfound thoughtfulness.
“Or maybe she was trying to prove a point to you. She waited until we were all gone with Dad. There are no coincidences with that woman,” he muses.
“Easton, your mother…” I hesitate, unsure how to frame my thoughts.
“Has transformed from our loving, playful mom into the cold-hearted dragon you see now. I have no idea what caused that shift twelve or thirteen years ago. Suddenly, she immersed herself in every social group and party she could find, shopping every weekend, and attending yoga or pickleball with those other women who give me hives. Bored women who can only gossip and spend money to be more interesting than their neighbors. I’ve given up on her being a real mother or grandmother. As for my dad… we’ve asked him if he’s still happy with her. We all know he can’t be, but he won’t admit it or walk away. They married for love, believe it or not. She came from nothing. Her father was a mechanic, and her mother drove a school bus. She was one of three kids, raised in poverty, but my grandparents were honest, decent people. He passed away from a heart attack when I was six, and my grandmother couldn’t bear to live without him. She followed him about a year later.” His hand brushes my hair back from my face, a comforting gesture. “Is everything okay with Stormi? I sent you those zoo pictures.”
“I was glancing through them when you showed up. Cole had a blast. So did Becker, I think. Yes, we’re going to give her a chance. Would you mind getting her a ticket to the game on Friday?”
“I’ll handle it. You look more tired than usual. Trouble sleeping last night?”
“After your mother and Ambra… Speaking of which, what kind of name is that? It sounds like an umbrella brand.” My mind wanders, trying to make sense of it all.