Wild Tendy (IceCats Book 2) Read online

  He never noticed. It was like I was invisible to him.

  In his defense, though, he was older and so busy keeping up with his grades and his skills on the ice. He never dated much—yes, that may make me a stalker for knowing that, but his mom always bragged about how he was so driven. He graduated early, went to college, and didn’t even finish the year before the NHL wanted him. He is absolutely amazing, and all I want is for him to see me.

  To want me.

  When I moved to New York, I was convinced our paths would cross. Surely, right? Nope. Never. Even when our moms tried to set us up for a group dinner, we were just too busy. It annoyed me so much because all I wanted was a chance. Once I was eighteen, I knew he couldn’t see me as a little girl anymore. But I never got the chance.

  Until now.

  When the doors open, my heart is in my throat as I take in what’s before me. The party is in full swing, but I can’t ignore the spectacularness of the penthouse. It’s all glass. There are absolutely no walls, just glass looking out over the New York skyline. I wonder if Aiden walks around naked in here? Not that anyone would be able to see him; we’re so high up. The black furniture is sleek, modern, and ostentatious art hangs on the walls. A piano sits in the corner, the bench being used right now as a chair for a few girls, and I’m curious if Aiden plays.

  “Whoa.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty awesome,” Chris says as we walk farther in. “He’s swimming in money.”

  Of course he is. His entry-level contract was one of the highest salaries ever for a rookie. Reason being, everyone wanted him. And I mean everyone. He had his pick of teams, but he chose the Islanders. Mom didn’t have the salary cap for him, so the Assassins weren’t an option, which, of course, bummed me out. But then I moved to New York, he was traded to the Rangers, and things were supposed to change.

  They didn’t. Though, maybe now they will.

  I look around the party, hoping to spot him. I notice many of the Rangers’ players, along with some very gorgeous women. Puck bunnies, of course. I’ve been around this sport my whole life; I know them when I see them. My dad played in the NHL for close to fifteen years. With my mom being an owner, it’s easy to say I live, breathe, and sleep hockey, and if I’m honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love the sport.

  A massive TV sandwiched between two stunning guitars captures my attention. From where I am standing, I’m pretty sure they’re Gibson electrics, and I want so badly to go over and check them out. When Chris’s hand grips my wrist, I look over to where he is pointing.

  And there he is.

  Aiden Brooks.

  In all his gorgeous glory.

  He stands taller than the group surrounding him. A mixed group of beautiful women, hockey players, and businessmen. He wears a black bomber jacket with a white tee underneath it. Even in his jacket, his shoulders are massive, while his waist is trim. His dress pants are tight on his thighs and low on his waist, but they are loose around his ankles. He’s barefoot, looking every bit like a Greek god. His gray eyes are spectacular from where I stand, with his long lashes kissing his cheeks every time he closes his eyes. While his dark brown hair is up in a messy ponytail, wavy pieces fall along his temple from where they’ve come out of the elastic. His chin is covered in thick, coarse hair, but I can tell his jaw is so chiseled and strong.

  When he smiles, the world stops and all the air rushes out of me audibly. His teeth are so white, his face is so bright, and this all seems unreal. I move my hand to my other wrist, pinching myself hard. I can hear Chris laughing, but I don’t care.

  “He’s expecting you.”

  I shake my head. “No way,”

  “Yeah, I told him you were coming.”

  My stomach swirls. “Really?”

  “Yeah,” he says with his easy grin. “Are you going to go say hi, then?”

  I nod, though I don’t move. I hear my cousin Amelia in my head. She always teases me for never having the balls to go up to Aiden. But not today.

  I inhale deeply, licking my lips as I watch him walk away from the group he was with. He moves through the crowd with a grin, a cup in his hand. He stops at a group of guys, and they each take a shot before his laughter fills the room. Over the music, over all the conversations, I hear him. He slaps hands with his friends, even nods at a girl who has her eyes on him. I assume he’s going to go to her, but he doesn’t. He steps to the side and pulls out his phone as he leans into the wall, taking a sip of his drink.

  I know this is my chance.

  My legs are moving before I even realize it. My heart is so loud, I can’t hear anything but it thudding in my chest. The way he’s leaning, his shirt has pulled up a bit on his stomach, showing off a naughty sliver of skin that makes my mouth dry. I swallow hard as I weave my way through the crowd, my gaze locked on him, hoping he doesn’t move. When he looks up, his eyes land on me, and good Lord, his eyes are hooded. The air is knocked out of me, but a grin moves across my lips.

  This is it.

  Aiden nips at his bottom lip as he slowly tucks his phone into his pocket. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” I whisper, and his lips curve even more. “How are you?”

  “I’m really good now that you’re here.” He takes a long sip of whatever is in his cup before licking his lips as he lowers the cup to his hip. “You came with Chris?”

  I nod, but I can’t feel myself doing it. I feel as if I’m on autopilot, I’m so lost in his gray eyes. “I did.”

  He pushes off the wall and takes a step toward me, towering over me in the sexiest way. Almost like a lion stalking its prey. His lips are so wet as he gazes down at me with those naughty, hooded eyes.

  “You’re really fucking beautiful.”

  I think I just died. Aiden Brooks just called me, Shelli Adler, really fucking beautiful. And not just beautiful. Fucking beautiful.

  I mean, he’s isn’t wrong.

  I have my dad’s eyes and my mom’s beauty. But knowing that about myself doesn’t mean my face doesn’t flush with color and my lips don’t curve into the brightest smile. Because it’s him. The guy I’ve crushed on for most of my life. He thinks I’m beautiful, when I thought he never even saw me. “Thank you.”

  He looks me up and down, his eyes poring over me like the sweetest syrup. “Usually, Chris’s friends aren’t this gorgeous.”

  The way he says friends is weird, but that’s neither here nor there. Aiden Brooks is looking at me, and I swear he sees me. He really sees me.

  “Thanks…?”

  He grins, and Lord, he is so charming. A simple grin has my heart fluttering in my chest. “That’s one hell of a compliment. He’s brought a lot of girls through here.”

  “This is my first time.” Well, no shit, Sherlock! He knows this. Why the hell did I say that? I’m such an idiot!

  He reaches out, taking my hip in his grip. I look down at his hand as my body burns with fire from his touch. I have wanted to feel his hands on me for as long as I can remember. I look up at him, wide-eyed, as his white teeth blind me. “Believe me, it won’t be your last.”

  I blink, and when my eyes open, it’s just in time to see his lips coming for mine. His hand moves to the middle of my back, pushing me into him as his lips capture mine. It’s like a siren is going off in my head as I fall into the kiss, my hands sliding up and around his neck to hold on for dear life.

  Because Aiden Brooks is kissing me.

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  Also by Toni Aleo

  NASHVILLE ASSASSINS

  Breaking Away

  Laces and Lace

  A Very Merry Hockey Holiday

  Wanting to Forget

  Overtime

  Rushing the Goal

  Puck, Sticks, and Diapers

  Face-off at the Altar

  Delayed Call

  Twenty-Two

  In the Crease

  Nashville Assassins: Next Generation