Reclaiming Kate, page 7
As the night went on, she had a good time hanging out with all the players and some of the girlfriends. It felt familiar. Guys like this had always been around growing up. It brought up feelings, good nostalgic ones. But that nostalgia was laced with regret of what could have been if things had played out differently. She had tried to bend herself to be the person for Jason. Giving up hockey had been something she had done out of self-preservation, but she probably wouldn’t have stayed away from it so long if she didn’t lose herself in him. She could see that now, but her feelings around all of it were still so complicated.
“You okay?” Wes whispered in her ear as he rested his hand on her thigh under the table.
“Yep, I'm good.”
“Do you need another drink?” he asked.
“No, I think I'm just going to run to the restroom really quick,” she said.
She got up and made her way down the stairs to the restrooms. It was undergrad central. There was something wonderful about women's bathrooms. No one was in your corner quite like a room full of drunk women. She could hear the pep talks and gossip and it made her think of her own college experience that felt so long ago.
As she was washing her hands, she caught a bit of a conversation next to her. “Did you hear the professor is sleeping with our TA?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes! And I saw him out there with her. He's hot for a professor!”
“Isn't it against the rules to sleep with your TA?”
“Maybe, but he doesn't seem to care.”
Her heart was in her throat. What were the odds? Surely there were other professors who slept with their TAs. That did not mean that Jason was out there right now. But that thought was not enough to stop her heart from pounding in her chest. Not the nice flutters she got around Wes, but big panic filled thuds that she could hear pounding in her head. She took a deep breath and left the room. No Jason. She just had to make it up to Wes, then it would be fine. But oh my god, what if Conner saw him? Conner didn't know everything that went down between them, but he had figured enough out to know that a guy he hated to begin with had hurt her, and that's really all he needed to start a fight.
She was almost to the stairs when she saw him. Her heart dropped out of her chest; she wasn’t even sure how she was still standing. It had been over a year since she’d seen him. He still looked exactly the same, a thin frame, short brown wavy hair, a well-kept beard, and an air of superiority. The need to run overtook her, but she was frozen in place.
She didn't know how she had missed him before, but there, at two tables away from the stairs was Jason, sipping on whiskey. His eyes locked on her, and she froze. She couldn't move. She didn't know what to do.
“Kate? Is that you?”
“Yep, it's me,” she said. Her eyes frantically searching for Wes or anyone other than Conner. Fuck! This was not happening!
He got up and walked over to her and hugged her. She felt like she was going to crawl out of her skin. Her clammy hand pushed him away slightly trying to find enough space to breathe, but when they were in the same building, that space didn’t exist.
“How have you been?” he asked her like she was some pathetic child. “Are you still working at that bookstore back home?”
Her eyes searched again, but this time they caught Wes's.
“Yep, I'm still there. I’m really enjoying myself working there,” she said.
His hand found her upper arm and gave a little squeeze, then started to slowly rub.
“I’m glad you are enjoying yourself. I’ll have to stop by and see it.” He stopped talking and his eyes perused her body. She wanted to disappear. “We should get a drink. We have so much to catch up on. I have to say—”
And thankfully before he could finish that thought, Wes slid in next to her and put his hand on the small of her back. “I was wondering what was taking you so long, Red. Hi, I'm Wes,” he said with the same cocky look on his face and stuck out his hand to Jason.
Jason looked at him with an unsure expression and took his hand. “Jason,” was all he said.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked Wes.
“Yep, let's get out of here.”
“You're leaving with him?” Jason asked, shock in his voice.
“Yeah, and you might want to think about heading out. Conner is upstairs and he won't be happy if he sees you.”
Wes wasn't sure what was going on, but his cocky grin had turned into a glare after she said that.
“Why is he worried about Conner?” Wes asked, still giving Jason a hard look.
“It's nothing. Please let's just get out of here.”
Without another word, Wes began to guide her away. He parted the crowd, getting her out of there safely and out into the car.
She slipped her coat on, but it was cold from being in the car and didn't do much to warm her up. Wes turned on the seat warmers and the soft leather seats beneath her started to warm. Finally, she took a deep breath.
“Thanks, sorry about that,” she said, not looking him in the eye.
He put his hand on her knee and she almost jumped at the zing that shot through her. “You have nothing to apologize for. Who was that guy?”
“Just an ex. Now are you going to take me home or what?” she asked.
And at that Wes put the car into drive and was on his way.
CHAPTER 9
WES
Wes kept stealing little glances over at Kate on their way home. He wanted to ask more about that guy. The look on her face when she made eye contact told him something was wrong. Pride swelled deep down in his soul knowing she looked for him when she felt uncomfortable. He wanted to be that for her.
He had never been serious about anyone like this, but Wes was someone who trusted his gut and went all in. That was part of the reason he was good at hockey. He knew what he wanted, and he went for it. When he played timid hockey, not only did he suck, but it was also dangerous. When a player was in their head too much, mistakes happen. So, the fact that Wes saw what he wanted and went after it served him well in his career, but he was hoping it would serve him well here too.
But there was the other side of him that wanted to punch that guy for making Kate uncomfortable. If she was that uncomfortable just running into him, he knew he was no good. And the way Kate was trying to keep Conner from seeing him told him all he needed to know. He would not be getting anywhere near her again.
He pulled into the underground parking for his condo and glanced over at her. She smiled at him, and his heart skipped a beat. He had never felt that way except on the ice. He had gotten a hat trick, and he was making major inroads with Kate in one night. He knew he still had a way to go until she trusted him completely. There was something about her relationship to hockey and hockey players that was strained. It wasn’t something he understood yet, but he would. He would be patient, because that is what she seemed to need him to be. He would show her that he wasn't going anywhere, and that he was an intelligent and compassionate person. She could trust him.
He pulled into his parking spot and looked over at her. “You ready for this,” he said with a glint in his eye.
She looked at him and bit her bottom lip, nodding. They got out of the car and walked up to his place. As he opened the door, he took a breath, trying to settle his nerves. His condo wasn’t big, but it was nice. His living room looked like what one might think a twenty-four-year-old NHL players condo would look like. Everything was sleek and modern. Lots of white, clean lines, a big leather sectional with a large tv, video games, and a VR headset and all sorts of stuff he bought when he got drafted. Going from being a kid with next to nothing to a nineteen-year-old making millions had caused some extreme spending for a couple years, but that wasn't what he did anymore.
“So, this is your place, huh?” she asked, looking around.
“This is it. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Sure,” she said quietly. She looked different here in his space. Her confidence seemed to be faltering a bit, and that just wouldn't do. He loved how tough she was and how much shit she gave him. When they had met there was so much fight in her spirit, he adored that about her.
He went into the kitchen and got her a beer from the fridge. It was the same kind she had ordered when they were out at dinner in Mystic Falls. “Is this okay? I have wine or water if you would rather have that.”
“This is good.” She walked over to him and took the beer from his hand, leaning back against the counter. She took a sip. He watched as she swallowed, not making eye contact. He hadn’t been this attracted to anyone in a long time. It was everything, from her attitude to her wild red curls, to the decadent curves of her body. He wanted to get lost in Kate McPhee.
He leaned his hip against the counter facing her. He reached out and wrapped her silky red curls around one of his fingers.
“I'm really glad you came tonight,” he said, leaning in a little bit.
She set her beer down on the counter and turned to look at him more fully. “I am too.” The air felt heavy between them. The tension of their nearness was palpable. He wanted to touch her and feel that warmth that took him over every time he touched her. That magic spark that seemed to dance between them was intoxicating. He was barely holding on. His eyes were drawn to her bottom lip as she nervously chewed it.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked as he let the finger that had just been wrapped around one of her curls lightly trace her jaw. The electricity hung in the air as he waited for her answer.
She looked up at him through her lashes. A hint of a smile danced across her face, and she gave a small nod. He slid his hand to the back of her head, cradling it. Slowly he lowered his lips to hers. The moment their lips met he felt a jolt of electricity shoot straight through him. A low moan escaped him at the surprise of the feeling. He moved closer and deepened the kiss. She opened to him, and he swept his tongue into her mouth. He pulled her closer, one hand still cradling her head and the other sliding around her back. All of her delicious curves pressed into him, filling all the spaces of his hard body with her softness. He wanted to sink all the way into her.
He started to kiss down her jaw and she fisted one hand in his hair, pulling him closer to her neck. She smelled warm, like vanilla and maybe a hint of cinnamon. He wanted to curl up and just hold her. And he hadn't told her yet, but that is exactly what he was planning on doing tonight.
“Where’s your bedroom?” she asked in a sultry voice that had him questioning his original intent on bringing her here. But he knew it was what he wanted to do.
“I have to tell you something first,” he said, pulling away and looking at her. His willpower was being tested with how good she felt. “I don't want to have sex tonight,” he said.
She tensed beneath him, and a wrinkle formed between her eyes. “I don't understand.”
“Kate, I know you think I’m just some hockey bro. You’re probably confused about why you like me, and you might even be thinking about…What do they call it in romance novels? 'Banging one out of your system’.”
She looked down and gave a little chuckle. “Am I that transparent?” she asked.
“I just want you to know, I think this could be something special. I’m not going to sleep with you for the first time on a bet.”
She looked up at him with an eyebrow cocked. “Then what was the point of said bet?”
“Just to get you to give me a chance. So please, can we start with a blank slate? I'm not a hockey bro. I'm just a guy who desperately wants to get to know you.” He held his breath while she just looked at him, evaluated him.
“You're serious?”
He nodded while his hands rested on either side of her hips pinning her against the counter.
“Cause…” She looked down between them at the growing erection tenting his suit pants. “I'm not sure someone got the memo.”
“Don't pay any attention to him. He'll do anything for the attention of a pretty girl,” he said slowly lowering his face to hers.
“What if I want to pay attention to him?” she said, looking at him through her lashes.
“Then you are just going to have to be patient,” he said as he kissed her slowly, exploring her mouth, pinning her to the counter.
“Can we still make out? Because I'm not sure if anyone ever told you this Wes, but you're pretty hot,” she said, tracing her hand up his back.
“Oh, there will be so much making out.”
“Okay, then can you show me your room?”
He pushed off the counter. “Follow me.”
He led her into his room. He was excited for this, not only to have her in his bed, which was something he had been fantasizing about, but also because he had a feeling she was in for a pretty big surprise.
“Are you ready?” he asked her with a grin.
“Are you about to show me where the magic happens?” she asked.
“All kinds of magic,” he said as he pushed the door open and stepped aside allowing her to walk into his bedroom.
She walked in and gasped.
CHAPTER 10
KATE
“Oh my god, Wes! Look at this!” She walked over to the wall opposite the door. In the middle was a fireplace with a big screen tv above it, and on either side of it were giant, custom-made floor to ceiling bookshelves. He even had a rolling ladder for the books closer to the vaulted ceilings. She was not expecting this.
“Why do you have so many books?”
“Believe it or not, it is because I like to read. I spend a lot of time on the road, and I have since I was thirteen. I read when we travel.”
She walked over to the shelves and traced her hands along the books. “You have even more books than I do,” she said. “Why did you let me go on like that in the bookstore?”
She came to one shelf that was all Tolkien. Some beautiful old collector editions and some that look like they have been read time and time again. “You have three copies of The Hobbit now. Why didn't you tell me that?”
She turned and saw him grinning from ear to ear. “You assumed I didn't read,” he said.
“And you assumed I couldn't skate,” she said with a sheepish smile. “I think we both made some incorrect snap judgments of each other.”
“That we did. Although, I'm just gonna say, I assumed a cute little bookworm wouldn't know how to ice skate, and you assumed that simply because I play hockey I wasn't as smart as you,” he said.
“I never said you weren't smart!” she protested.
“No, you just questioned my ability to read,” he said.
“I'm sorry. I was wrong, you clearly know how to read.”
There was a big comfy chair that sat next to the bookshelves. On the table next to it were the stack of books he had bought from the bookstore. “But seriously you now have three copies of The Hobbit.”
“Yes, but you see, I needed another one,” he said in all seriousness.
“And why is that?”
“Well,” he said as he walked over to his shelves. “I have this copy, which is a first edition. I can't read that. It's no good on a road trip. Then I have this copy,” and he gently pulled a very used copy from the shelf. The cover was barely hanging on and the spine was cracked. It looked like it had been read over and over. “And I'm not sure this one would take another reading without just falling apart in my hands. So, I clearly needed another one. My mom actually gave me this one before I moved to Minnesota. Growing up, there was a library next to where she waited tables. I spent days in that library.”
“I was wrong about you. You’re never what I expect you to be,” she said before trapping her plump bottom lip between her teeth.
“So why don't you stop expecting things of me and just get to know me.”
She looked down at the carpet. She hadn't been fair to him. He was proving to be a good guy time and time again. Looking back at him, his gaze still holding hers, the intimacy of this moment had her buzzing. It was teetering between anxiety and just plain excitement. “I think I can do that,” she said quietly.
And with that he turned on the fireplace and lamp, and turned off the overhead light. His room was filled with warmth and soft light and all she wanted to do was jump him, but he had taken that off the table. Although he was standing there by his bed, giving her eyes that told a different story.
“Come here,” he said.
She walked over to him and slipped her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest. His heart was pounding like hers. She sighed and melted into him. Seeing him in this new light had thrown her. She was hoping they would be having some hot sex right now, but instead she was in his space, learning that she might actually like him. He would’ve been the first person she slept with since Jason. She had thought he was just some cocky hockey player who would show her a good time, and then they could both move on. It would be easier than feeling vulnerable again because she wasn't entirely sure she knew how to do that.
“This is different now,” she said. Her voice was muffled by his chest.
“Not for me. I've known this is something special the moment I saw you take off your helmet and push Conner down on the ice,” he said as he kissed the top of her head.
She looked up at him, her arms still wrapped tightly around him. “Really? That's what did it for you?”
“Oh yeah. A bookworm who's lethal on the ice? Red, you've gotta know that's my type.”
She chuckled, burying her face in his chest. This was not at all what she thought it would be. It wasn’t as safe as she thought it would be. She was terrified at the thought of being in love with someone else. And while she wasn’t in love with him, she knew that’s the kind of relationship he wanted. That was NOT the kind of relationship she felt ready for. Her body started to tremble at the thought of letting someone in again. She didn't know if she could do it.
“Hey, are you okay?” He tried to pull back to look at her, but she knew if he did that she would cry. And she would not cry tonight.
