He stood taller, and somehow the muscles of his arms seemed even more defined.
Eyes on his face, Kendra. On. His. Face.
“Your presence.”
Oh wow. My body fired up in an instant. I opened my mouth, unsure how to reply, then shut it firmly before saying what was really on my mind. My pulse quickened. I had to fight the urge to press my palm over my heart; it felt like it might break through my rib cage any second now. Calm down, heart. It was one thing to acknowledge his hotness—it was impossible not to, since it kept smacking me in the face—but no heart flutters.
His smile matched his gaze, full of intent. I couldn’t exactly say what kind of intent, though my body seemed to have ideas.
I cleared my throat, hoping my voice would be even. “I’m going to check with my boss and let you know the details.”
“Good. I look forward to hearing from you, Kendra.”
Was his voice even sexier, or was I already lost somewhere between Lustville and Sexy Town?
“I’m going to go to the locker room, put on my skates, and give the kids a pep talk,” he added. “Are you going to be here when I return?”
“No, all the kids are here now, so I’m gonna go.” They’d been filtering in as we’d been talking, and a few were already down on the ice.
He winked at me before turning around and going into the locker room.
The door was ajar when I made my way out, but I didn’t risk a glance back inside. The last thing I needed on my mind was the image of Tyler Maxwell giving the kids a pep talk. It might just cause heart flutters—again.
Chapter Five
Kendra
Later that day, once I arrived at the office and checked my calendar, I dialed my boss. Henrik almost always worked from home. I put him on speakerphone. My sister wasn’t here, so I wasn’t concerned with bothering her.
After I told him about Tyler’s offer, Henrik scoffed. “The guy must really want to get back in management’s good graces.”
I frowned, not liking the implication. “That’s not why he’s doing it. He seems like a generous person.”
“I’ve met guys like him. Everything they do is planned.”
“He hasn’t asked me to report this to his management or anything. It doesn’t matter anyway, right?”
“No it doesn’t. You have the green light from me, but can you fit it into your schedule?”
I grimaced. “I’ll find the time for it.”
“Okay, I see you’re on top of everything.”
“Yes, yes I am. I’ll put everything in motion.”
After hanging up, I immediately texted Tyler.
Kendra: Hey, superstar goalie. I spoke to my boss, and he says no problem. When can the kids come on Thursday?
Tyler: You tell me. I’m flexible.
Hmmmm, just how flexible are you, Mr. Goalie?
Oh my God, I have to get these thoughts out of my system.
I tapped my pen against the table, trying to figure out what the best way was. Usually I’d talk my sister’s ear off, but she’d left early to practice her favorite sport: shopping. I’d never gotten the shopping bug since we’d been so utterly broke growing up, even pinching pennies for food. But Emma learned to make the best of thrift stores when she was twelve. She had a gift for that sort of thing.
I texted her on the off chance she might see it.
Kendra: Can I call you? I need to SPILL IT.
That was our code whenever we needed girl talk.
Emma: I’m on the train with bad reception.
Kendra: Call me when it gets better.
Emma: Nooooooooo. I need to know now.
I chuckled at my sister’s enthusiasm. She was my best friend. As kids, we only had each other, and I believed that made our bond stronger.
Kendra: I’m having all sorts of sexy thoughts about Tyler Maxwell, and I have no clue how to get them out of my system.
Tyler: I have some ideas.
Of course, Emma would have—
I did a double take when I noticed the sender’s name. A knot locked in my throat. I felt a bit light-headed. Had I accidentally texted him? Obviously, yes. My thumb was shaky as I pressed the Back button so I could review all conversations.
No, damn it. The texts with Emma were right there. I must have accidentally tapped his name.
Tyler: Shall I share them?
I laughed nervously, sitting lower in my chair.
This can’t be happening.
Kendra: Sorry... I meant to send that to my sister.
Tyler: But you sent it to me.
Tyler: Maybe you should share your thoughts with me, so I have a clear picture.
I prided myself in always finding a sassy comeback, but my mind was blank right now. Well, no, it was full of embarrassment. I was completely out of my depth.
And just when I thought nothing could be worse, Tyler’s name popped up on the screen. He was calling.
I bit the inside of my cheek, considering what on earth to do. I couldn’t ignore the call, that was for sure.
Come on, Kendra. Pull up your big girl panties. You got in this mess all by yourself. Now get out of it.
Taking a deep breath, I answered.
“Kendra!”
“Tyler... hi. Umm, look, I’m sorry about the message. It was meant for my sister.”
“So you said. Lucky me that it landed in my inbox.”
“Lucky?” I asked, feeling totally out of my comfort zone. All I knew was that my pulse sped up again, not because I was nervous but because I was talking to him.
“I’m attracted to you, Kendra. Very attracted. Your message just fueled my imagination.”
I licked my lips, toeing off my shoes and curling my legs under me as I resituated myself in the chair.
I laughed nervously. “I’m feeling super embarrassed right now.”
“Why?”
“This never happens to me.” And it was really unprofessional. Even though my work and office were informal at best, I still held myself to certain standards.
“I’m honored to be the first.”
I laughed again, feeling maybe 10 percent less nervous. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to put me at ease or flirting, or both. Of course, there was no way women hadn’t come on to him before—he was a professional hockey player! A celebrity! Something I needed to remember.
“There’s no chance to get you to share those sexy thoughts, huh?” Tyler asked.
“Nope,” I confirmed, feeling a bit of my trusted sass coming back to me. Thank God. I thought I’d lost it for good.
“I can bide my time.”
He spoke in a lower tone, one that sent chills across my skin. I still didn’t have my wits about me, so it was best to end this conversation. It was awkward, and if it lasted any longer, it would just get more uncomfortable.
“Umm... as soon as I put everything together for the pool excursion, I’ll text you. But I’d like to hang up now.”
“No problem. I didn’t want to put you on the spot.”
Hmm, I wonder what the purpose of the call was, then? But I didn’t ask.
“And, Kendra? If you change your mind about sharing those thoughts, you can always text me.”
I let out a sound somewhere between a yelp and a giggle. God help me, I wasn’t myself when it came to this man.
I was still on edge, though feeling oddly giddy.