In Your Wildest Dreams (Wildcat Hockey, #4)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“You’re alive.” His gaze travels down the length of me, holding on my legs for a fraction longer than necessary before slowly dragging up. “And I’m dead. I suddenly understand why there was a brawl at the club.”

My insides light up even if I want to roll my eyes at him a little. “Wow. That was bad even for you.” “I thought it was clever. Maybe you just didn’t get it the first time. You’re so hot, you caused a bar fight.” He grins proudly. God, he’s too much. “It was a club.”

“You’re as bad of a dancer as you are a drink maker,” I say.

“Good and tequila don’t belong in the same sentence.”

“Yeah. It’s like everything inside of you is on fire and at the same time you’re so aware of every thrum of your pulse in a way that you usually don’t notice.”

“Like you remember anything. You almost fell in the hot tub.” “Yeah. That last shot was not a great idea.”

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I liked kissing him.” “So your lips like him. That seems promising.” “Every part of me likes him,” I say honestly. “But it was one kiss. He knows it’s as bad of an idea as I do.”

“It’s what we were drinking,” I say by way of explaining the contents of the gift. “Damn, Kelly. I’m impressed,” she says more to herself than me. She turns those knowing hazel eyes on me. “Still think it was just one kiss?”

The best kiss I ever had was with this smoking hot girl I met at work. Yep. Yep. That’s jealousy making the sugar cookie turn bitter in my mouth.

Wow. At work? Scandalous. I guess mine was probably this guy I dated briefly my freshman year of college. Ash Jesus, woman. I meant you. I met you at work. Brb, gonna go jump off a cliff.

“Not me. My mom and sisters say they want me to be a part of it, but then they go behind me and move every ornament to a different spot.”

He has a way of charming people.” “The biggest assholes always do.”

“At first, he was great. I’d been hanging out and hooking up with guys from school and you know how romantic and considerate they can be.”

“I won’t be back. I had planned to stay here until the second, remember?” “Because you’re having such a great time avoiding your parents?” I glare at her from across the room.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, stopping in front of me. He slowly brings his stare up to my face. “My heart just stopped for a second. I forgot how gorgeous you are. Damn, it’s good to see you.”

The smile Everly was fighting stretches across her face. “Yeah. I see Ty. I’m going to congratulate him and then pick out a cute boy to kiss at midnight.” “Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that last part,” Ash says with one brow quirked.

“Oh, please. I kiss boys. Get over it.” Ev waves her fingers at me and then disappears into the crowd of people standing around Jack’s living room.

He pulls back too soon and rests his forehead against mine. “I’ve been thinking about that for ten days.”

“You and your math-ing.”

fun. If not a little bit torturous. I’m not usually the kind of guy to want to go all caveman and throw a woman over my shoulder (unless it’s in the bedroom),

Who is your celebrity crush? Me—Florence Pugh. Bridget—some young prick I’d never heard of but now hate.

“Well, I don’t do normal things. I do awesome things.”

She nods thoughtfully. “Do your friends know about me and Gabe?” “Just that you dated and he’s a giant prick.”

“Jack makes a big toast right before the new year. It’s a whole thing. The man loves being the center of attention.”

“The things that come out of your mouth remind me of the boys in junior high.” “Worked then and works now.” “You wish.” She laughs again.

The new angle is bliss. Stars explode behind my eyes and my head falls forward and rests against his shoulder. “You’re close,” he says. “I think it’s the alcohol.” “I think it’s my dick.”

“They’re not as pretty as you. Stay and hang out. I’ll feed you and then we can chill. I don’t have anywhere I need to be until late this afternoon.”

I pull up my panties and re-tie my scrubs, then giggle when I look around. “No kidding. I think my brain short-circuited when I saw you. I can’t believe you’re here. Aren’t you exhausted?” “Not anymore.” He tugs me to him and brushes his lips over mine. “How long do you have for break?”

“I’m gonna crash early. Game tomorrow. But if you want to send me some sexy, drunk texts later I won’t be mad about it.” “I’ll see what I can do.”

Whatever this is might be casual, but she can’t get enough of me and the feeling is mutual. Casually obsessed.

As soon as he’s gone, Jack looks to me. “What was that about?” “My shitty season stats and a thinly-veiled threat of being traded.”

would kill him for cheating on you, but he would never. Me We’re not together so it’s not cheating. Appreciate the loyalty though. Everly Always.

“You’ll get them next time, or whatever they say in this scenario.” I jolt when

his thumb strokes my clit over my panties. “In this scenario, the only thing I want you to say is my name, babe.” “Ash,” I say, far breathier than intended.

“Are you seriously trying to blame your baby right now? What does he weigh, ten pounds?” “More like seventeen.” “Yeah, but he’s on wheels.” Leo angles the stroller toward me. “Let’s see you do better.”

“Hi.” She rubs sudsy hands over her stomach and breasts. “Tough run?” “I learned a hard lesson about physics and weight distribution.” “O-kay.” Her brows scrunch together. “Leo brought Callum in a jogging stroller. It’s harder than it looks,” I explain. A smile spreads across her face. “I cannot picture you running with a stroller.” “I looked cool as hell. I’ve got future DILF written all over me.”

He shakes his head. “Nope. We have one more stop.” “Is it your bed?” I ask hopefully. Silent laughter makes his chest rise and fall and a wolfish smile takes over his face. “Make that two more stops.”

He doesn’t move until I nod. Then a boyish grin takes over his face. “Come on. I hear the best way to warm up is to get naked and share body heat.”

“I’m gonna go save my man,” Jade says. “He looks like he needs to feel me up in a dark corner somewhere.” “Get a room!” Scarlett calls behind her, but she’s smiling.

“We’re not exclusive,” I say as jealousy sweeps through me. “And yes, I know it isn’t ideal, but I want to support him even if it means we can’t make out in the corner like Jade and Declan.” “Oh, honey, that is just about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” Scarlett reaches over and squeezes my hand.

My heart beats so loudly I’m certain he can hear it. The people next door can probably hear it.

“Fine. I’m just gonna punch him and say it’s because I don’t like him, then.” Leo’s jaw is set hard.

“Yeah, just exhausted all the time. This little monster inside me better love me more than Johnny. Did I miss anything?”

“We love you,” Everly says. “You’re upset and we want to be there. You don’t have to talk to us or even be in the same room as us, but we’re going with you because that’s what friends do.”

He laughs. “Now I know that’s just who you are.” “Annoying and unattractive?”

“Oh, and one more thing,” I say. “I lied to you once. Actually twice.” His brow quirks up. “My best kiss…you. And my favorite celebrity crush is…also you.”

“You’ve got a good one. Don’t fuck it up and make me regret all this. And don’t tell anyone about that last part. I’m sure the feeling will pass.” I laugh. “I won’t.”

“Have fun you two.” She whispers as she walks past me, “I predict that dress is off in under five minutes.”