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"Nah, irl I used to know"

"Fucking liar," Garrett says emphatically "When she looked at you, the air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife I want the deets"

I'm saved when Pretore says, "That's it, men Your equipet dressed, pretty yourselves up, and get on the ice for the team photo"

I stand abruptly, but I can hear Garrett snicker before whispering to Alex "There's definitely a story there"

Ignoring him, I move into the aisle steps that lead down to the exit door My eyes can't help theo immediately to Vale, who scra staff out the door Not a backward glance my way, and fuckthat pisses me off She's the one that bailed on our relationship and she can't givehello?

Fucking women

I' to ain

Chapter 2

Vale

"Get down fro his hand out

"Why? Afraid I'll fall?" I ask with a drunken grin I level my arh stone wall that runs along the Sydney River A slight wobble and I right runt t

hat Hawke lets out

"If you fall in, I don't want to have to coside me, his feet firmly on the path beside the wall

"You're a good swih my words are slurred a little We'd decided to share a pint of bourbon, but I ended up taking a few longer pulls on it than Hawke did Plus he outweighed hty pounds I was definitely drunk, while he was probably just sporting a nice buzz

Huhall the better for him to come in after me should I fall

"I don't want to get wet," he grumbles, but I can hear it in the tone of his voice

He's worried

"Okay, let me do just one pirouette, show off my ballet skills--"

"Christ, Vale," Hawke barks atoff the wall but not toward the river Instead, I fall right down into Hawke's strong arms "You're a nut job"

"Am not," I breathe out as my breasts mash into his chest and his breath feathers across my face

"Are too," he murmurs as he looks down at me

It's dark, but I can see the half-htest of blue irises, they are dark with liquor and frustration and even a little bit of lust I wrap my arms around his neck and tilt my head to look at the blackened sky I smile at the stars and they sain

I always thought I was a bit of a free bird My father let me run wild--within certain limits--because what's a ed father to do but dote on his only daughter and give into her every whim?

But really, until I h each day, one step at a ti my purpose

Now, ether and I feel like I' the world

I guess that's what love is all about

"So you wouldn't coet wet?" I ask playfully,hair at the back of his neck

"I wouldn't want you to break your neck," he says with a sht at the spot he lides a kiss over my skin and a shiver runs up my spine "It's a lovely neck"