Penalty Kill (Love on Thin Ice Book 4) Page 8

  Kevin? The spoken word wasn’t a question, but in her mind, it was a very big question. Her son had somehow gotten in touch with Vasily Oxentenko and asked him to hit on her. Her angry at the world, lashing out at everything she did, son wanted her to feel special.

  That was even more absurd than Vasily claiming he wanted her. She had to have passed out at the bar. There was no way this was really happening.

  “He loves you and is worried about you. I’m sure he didn’t think for a second that you’d do this to me.”

  She was lost in her thoughts, so she didn’t register him grabbing her hand until her fingers reflexively wrapped around his penis. His skin felt like velvet draped around a boulder. There was softness, but the hard ridge of him pulsed in her hand. Her eyes focused on it, even as a sharp intake of breath from him tried to drive her eyes away.

  “You have to understand,” he said between sharp grunts.

  Lacey didn’t know what she was doing, but her hand moved up and down him, adjusting her grip as he made different noises. She wanted to learn how to excite him, and it seemed she was doing a good job as a drop of liquid appeared at the tip of him. She wondered what it would taste like, and if she dared be bold enough to find out.

  George had always gotten fed up with her weak attempts at sucking him off, so she wasn’t sure that she’d ever really tasted him. She should be focused on the fact that her son had sent a sex machine after her and thought he’d stop at just flirting. Truth be told, she still didn’t understand why he hadn’t stopped.

  All she knew for sure was that she had to get him out of her system. If he left now, she knew she’d want more and would eventually make an embarrassment of herself trying to get it. She didn’t think he’d say anything else as his breathing became erratic, but his thought wasn’t totally lost.

  “I’m not relationship material, Lacey, no matter how much I wish I was right now. This can only be for tonight. You understand that, right? I’m not husband or father material.”

  Was he telling her that or himself? His voice sounded distant, so either was a likely possibility.

  She didn’t need to be told. As much as she wanted more of what he did to her, he would never be faithful to her. She wouldn’t put herself through that again, nor her kids. Eventually, she’d have to figure out how Kevin had found him and make sure that association didn’t continue.

  They’d surely run into each other at team events, and that’d be hard enough. She couldn’t risk Kevin getting attached.

  Before she could let her mind drift off to thinking about how in the world the two of them had come together in the first place, she answered his question. She had no idea if he was looking at her, because her gaze was glued to the come accumulating at his tip. Dropping to her knees, she took him into her mouth and sucked as hard as she could.

  Chapter 10

  Morning came way too soon. Vasily’s eyes weren’t even open yet, but he could see the light in the room, presumedly from the sun coming in the window. He wanted to black out the sun and stay in his oasis. But, as always, all good things had to come to an end.

  After exploring each other’s bodies until just before dawn, his need had finally subsided, and exhaustion had taken over. He’d told himself he just needed ten minutes to regroup and leave. His little kitten had passed out on top of him, though, and her warmth had lulled him a little longer than he thought, judging by the intensity of the sun trying to break through his eyelids.

  Something poked at his arm. The realization made him contort his face into a snarl. He didn’t want to get up, and the chances of his kitten being behind the needle-like jabs was slim. Lacey snored softly on top of him with a sheet haphazardly draped over their naked bodies.

  The poking wasn’t going away. It became more forceful as the finger increased speed. His left eye opened just enough to make out the shape next to the bed. He wasn’t sure who he expected to find there, but he figured a little girl was better than most options.

  When she saw his eye open, the poking stopped. She didn’t look upset, just curious with her eyes maybe a little wider than normal.

  “Uncle Jake wants to talk to you. He said not to wake Mommy.”

  Vasily hadn’t questioned who the little girl was. He couldn’t remember how old Rachel was, but she seemed smaller than he’d imagined. He was a poor judge of age, so she was probably normal-sized for whatever age she was.

  Her voice had been quiet, so he responded in the same volume. With her mom still on top of him, any volume had the possibility to wake her.

  “How mad is your uncle?”

  He didn’t pretend to wonder who in the world the guy was. Kevin had already explained that there were a close group of guys from the team who were like uncles to the kids. Uncle Jake was undoubtedly Jake Hunter. There were worse guys to wake up to wanting to kill you in the morning, but Vasily could only think of two.

  “When he saw your car, he said something about killing you. So, you might want to see if you can escape out of one of the windows.”

  Well, at least the girl didn’t share Jake’s bloodthirsty response. Vasily didn’t think about escaping. Tucking tail and running would be worse and give the idea that last night meant nothing. It was something that couldn’t happen again, but it meant something. He had no idea what, but it was something.

  “Why don’t you go tell Jake that I’ll be out in a few minutes?”

  She nodded and left the room without saying anything. Rachel didn’t look much like her mom. Her eyes were blue, but not the right shade, her hair was similar, just off slightly. Her nose looked like Lacey’s, though. Small and curved up a hint.

  Through the short conversation, Lacey hadn’t stirred. He couldn’t blame her. He’d love to do nothing more than just stay in their happy cocoon.

  Reality called, so he rolled her like a delicate flower onto her side next to him. She groaned softly but didn’t shift from her new position. He remained motionless for a few moments, half hoping she’d wake up, so he could say good-bye. The other half pleaded with her not to show him those lost and needy eyes. The second half won out, leaving him feeling slightly empty.

  He gave her a soft kiss and stared at her for a few seconds. When she slept, the trouble lurking in her eyes was gone and she looked so peaceful. He wished he had some time to just sit and watch her, but an annoying guardian called.

  Carefully, he got out of bed and took stock of the room. Other than the comfortable queen-sized bed, he hadn’t paid attention to anything else when their adventures finally brought them to the bed.

  The room was tidy. The bed and a low long dresser were the only furniture. A robe hung on a hook on the back of the bedroom door, and Vasily grabbed it and wrapped himself in it the best he could. The traditional way of wearing a robe wasn’t enough, so he positioned it in front of him to keep his most shocking feature covered.

  Jake deserved the glare he got when Vasily exited the room. With Vasily’s clothes close to the front door, his teammate had to know he was sending a little girl into a room where at least the male occupant was naked.

  The glare Vasily got in return was only slightly more murderous. He deserved it, so he didn’t shrink from it.

  “I take it we slept a little late,” Vasily said as he bent to pick up his clothes.

  He didn’t know where Rachel had run off to, but she wasn’t in the room. As he waited for a response, he threw on his pants and shirt, not even bothering with his boxers. He slipped them into his pocket. He needed a shower and a gallon of coffee, but it’d be at least a few minutes before he found either.

  “Outside,” was all Jake said before he turned and walked out the door.

  Vasily didn’t question the location change, nor did he question the fist that collided with his jaw the second he cleared the threshold. He bit his lip, trying to control himself from returning the blow. Jake had swung and turned his back to walk further towards their cars. It was something he needed to get out of his system, which Vasil
y couldn’t fault him for.

  “I was told there are cameras everywhere out here, so you might have to watch how many punches you throw. Concerned citizens may call the cops.”

  The lightness in his words had nothing to do with what Vasily felt inside. He would never say the night with Lacey was a mistake, but he was going to pay for it, sooner than he expected.

  “You’re worried about the cameras? You’re lucky it wasn’t my wife bringing Rachel home, let alone one of the other guys or wives. What the fuck are you doing with Lacey?”

  Jake had made it to the cars and was taking a deep breath as he leaned against his. The sedan was pricey, but it didn’t have the bling that Vasily’s sportscar did.

  “Last I checked, Lacey is an adult and can decide who she wants to share time with.”

  Jake nodded. “She is and can, as long as that person isn’t you. You have no idea what that woman has been through, or what we’ll do to make sure she never goes through it again.”

  There was venom in his eyes as he spoke. Vasily didn’t doubt there were things he didn’t know, but he got a good sense of what being married to George had been like for Lacey. Whether she believed him or not, the other man was getting knocked on his ass the next time Vasily saw him. Since they would play against each other at least a couple of times in the next season, living states away didn’t save the asshole from that.

  “I understand what she’s been through. I’m not here to make Lacey’s life harder. We had an agreement that we would enjoy a night together. You don’t have to get your tighty-whities in a bunch about me messing with her.”

  He planned on keeping an eye on his kitten, but there wouldn’t be any repeat performances. He had to keep telling himself that. Hopefully, one of these times he’d believe it, because his body told him he hadn’t gotten enough of her yet.

  Jake barked out a laugh, the kind that gave you an icy feeling. There was little chance it went along with the tighty-whities remark.

  “You think you know what she’s been through?” He pushed himself off the car and walked over. His finger pointing in Vasily’s direction like a dagger. “If you had any idea what she’s been through, you wouldn’t have been in her bed. George broke two of her ribs as a parting shot before he left. I suppose it’s been long enough that they’ve healed, but if rumors about you are true, you could have reinjured her.”

  The implied rumors where most likely about his tendencies for rough sex. The thought of how roughly he’d taken Lacey made him want to groan, but he kept it to himself. There was no reason to solidify the accusations.

  “What do you mean George broke her ribs?”

  The idea made Vasily homicidal. It had to be an exaggeration. He’d kill a guy for raising a hand to Lacey. If George had really broken parts of her, the man was as good as dead. He didn’t think about why he was so quick to protect her with that much passion.

  “Just what I said. No one knows why. We had the kids while George was picking up his stuff. When she didn’t answer her phone, I came over to check on things and found her unconscious on the floor. She claims she fell down the stairs, but she wasn’t anywhere near them.”

  No. The word screamed in Vasily’s head. Had he hurt her? He kept asking and she denied anything hurt. Why hadn’t she told him to take it easy?

  Because she hadn’t known what real sex was like, idiot.

  He put his hand over his forehead and eyes as he tried to remember everything they’d done. It wasn’t a smart thing to do, but he needed to catalog everything and make sure there weren’t any hidden winces. Had she masked a scream in pain with something else?

  “Well, at least that’s the right reaction. We haven’t played him after we found out, but he’s not going to skate off the ice the next time we do.”

  That went without saying. The next time that cocksucker was in town, he wasn’t going to make it to the arena.

  “He hasn’t been back at all?” Vasily asked.

  The season was over, and his kids were here. There was a chance he’d want to spend time with them, although Kevin hadn’t given that impression. Vasily wondered if he knew what his father had done. The kid was angry, but was he angry enough that he knew the truth?

  “No. Nina’s got people keeping tabs on him. He’s off playing house with his new wife. If he heads this way, we’ll know.”

  If Nina was running things, chances were George would be dead before she even mentioned it to anyone else he’d shown up. That woman was beyond ruthless, but she was going to have to get in line.

  “You’re one hundred percent sure it wasn’t an accident?”

  The answer wouldn’t save George from his wrath, but he still couldn’t believe anyone would hurt Lacey like that. She was so innocent and giving.

  “We went along with the story for the kids’ sakes, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind what happened. We have no idea why, and as far as we know, he’d never hit her before. But, there is no doubt those ribs were broken. She tried to push us away, but she could barely walk half the time. We took turns picking the kids up from school and making sure she didn’t make her injuries worse.”

  Jake didn’t add an “unlike you,” but Vasily heard it at the end of his words just the same. He’d like to think he would’ve done things differently if he knew. Remembering what Lacey had stirred, he wasn’t sure he could truthfully say he would’ve stayed away. He would’ve been gentler, but they would’ve ended up together all the same.

  “George won’t be breathing the next time I see him.”

  No other words were needed to explain what that meant. Vasily’s hand was back at his side, so he made sure the vengeance was clear in his eyes. He hated guys who beat up on women to begin with. Hate wasn’t a strong enough word for what he felt.

  “The only question I have right now is how many more punches am I going to have to take? I’ll gladly take them, but I don’t want to upset Lacey the next time I see her.”

  Vasily had to catch the fist flying in his direction. He should’ve realized Jake would take the words the wrong way.

  “My community service seems to be to spend time with her son. The organization buddied us up after he asked them to. I’ll have to pick him up, so chances are Lacey’s going to see me again soon. He’s the one who convinced me to meet Lacey. I didn’t know things would end up here.”

  He’d forgotten to fill her in on the information about the buddy program. When he revealed Kevin was who’d asked him to talk to her, he’d meant to explain everything then. The disappointed look that took over her face around that time had wiped the thought from his mind.

  As if his thoughts could conjure a person, he saw the boy in question coming around the corner a couple of houses down. He saw the two men in his driveway and stopped.

  A mirror hadn’t been in his path as he left the house, so Vasily had no idea what he looked like. He assumed it wasn’t a pretty sight. Thankfully, it wasn’t like he was wearing the same thing he’d had on when he saw Kevin last, so the kid probably wouldn’t assume he’d stayed the night.

  Kevin waited a second, then continued walking. Before he got close enough to hear, Jake continued their conversation.

  “I’m going to have to think about that one. As far as the other guys, I’ll keep this between us for now. If I find Lacey’s hurt in anyway or that this isn’t the one-time thing you just promised, Curtis and Brady will find out. Then George won’t be the only man in Lacey’s life on borrowed time.”

  Vasily held his hands up in defeat. Jake was definitely the most level-headed of them all. If the tables had been turned, Vasily would have left him bleeding in the driveway, so he couldn’t complain about a little punch and a lecture.

  “Hey, Jake. I take it you’re dropping Rachel off.”

  Kevin completely ignored Vasily as Jake reached over and grabbed him for a hug. The kid tried to squirm away, but the man was stronger.

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know Ox, Kev. He was just telling me he was here
to take you for breakfast and work off some of those community service hours. If you’re smart, you’ll use his generous nature this morning and get him to buy you some new gear or something. I think I heard your mom saying your feet were growing so fast your toes were getting ready to break through your skates.”

  Vasily raised his eyebrow as his teammate spoke. He had no trouble buying the kid some equipment, but he was in desperate need of a shower and bed.

  “Really?” Kevin asked, his own eyebrow raising.

  Vasily nodded, like that had been the plan all along. He didn’t want Kevin to find out how literal he’d taken the request to make his mom feel special. If shelling out some money kept that from happening, he was game.

  Chapter 11

  Lacey stepped off the scale and let it clear before she got back on it. She hadn’t believed the first time it said she’d lost five pounds in the last two days, but the numbers lit up the same.

  That wasn’t possible. She’d come down with the flu or something. Her body was a little tender and she had trouble keeping things down. But, five pounds? She had trouble losing a single pound, even when she was trying.

  The only times she had lost unexplained weight was when she’d later found out she was pregnant. All three times had been the same way. The aches, the stomach revolting.

  She looked in the bathroom mirror and shook her head. No. She couldn’t be.

  Her hand went to her stomach. There was always a little bump there, and it was only a few weeks after her night with Vasily. The thought reminded her that she should’ve started bleeding.

  After George left, she hadn’t paid close attention. Things hadn’t exactly been normal as far as her monthly cycle. The miscarriage had thrown things off, so she had no idea when she was supposed to ovulate. She had a pretty good idea when the last time she had was.

  A baby. Vasily Oxentenko’s child could very well be growing in her stomach.

  She hadn’t even thought about protection. George and she had never used it, so it seemed normal to feel Vasily shooting inside of her. What hadn’t been normal was the fact that he did it more than once. He must have assumed that she was on the pill or something, because he had been adamant that he wasn’t father material.