Luc: Kassie, hey. How are you feeling today?
Maybe Sam was right. Did I need to find someone who only had eyes for me, and not because I’m a hockey player? He’d been used for the “notch on the bedpost” more often than he’d like to think about. But wasn’t that what he deserved? He wasn’t relationship material. He couldn’t say he hadn’t used any of those girls, either.
Obviously, Kaden had nothing to worry about when it came to Kassie. She’d never fall for someone like him. Growing up, he had no strong role model for relationships. With all the testosterone in his house, he grew up only knowing how to be a macho ass. He was good at sex, and maybe being arm candy. His hockey player status was why the girls wanted him, but there was always another waiting in the wings, so he had no reason to keep one around for too long. None of them ever made him feel the way this sassy brunette did.
He was well aware that there were other girls out there. There had to be someone for him, like Sam said. Sam was one of the lucky ones, found a great girl who wanted him for him and not his status. Trina stood by him through thick and thin, no matter what. She was his rock. And she was a pretty cool chick too, and an awesome mom.
Luc took a sip of his coffee. The caffeine was much needed to get him out of the alcohol-induced stupor from this evening. Kassie O’Conner obviously knew better than to get mixed up with someone like him. But that didn’t keep him from trying. He knew the truth, that it was already too late for him. He was fascinated with this girl.
Even though they hadn’t spent much time together, he couldn’t deny that there was something there, stronger than just physical attraction, that he wanted to dig deeper into. He’d never felt like that before about any other girl. Maybe he could’ve stepped back and tried to forget about Kassie, but last night she proved she was interested in him, too. Although whether she’d admit that when she was sober was another question.
When his phone buzzed, and he saw the text was from Kassie, he coughed and choked a bit.
He didn’t know why he couldn’t get her out of his head. Thinking again about last night, he brushed any concerns he had away. He never really had issue with the ladies. This shouldn’t be any exception.
But, Kassie was an exception. She was an O’Conner. She must know the unspoken rules between the players about dating their sisters. If she didn’t, he was positive Kaden would tell her. Luc was positive that was why she was standoffish, at least while sober.
Kassie: Yeah, woke up with a nice headache. Hope I didn’t say anything too embarrassing last night.
Luc: You don’t remember?
Kassie: Some. Not everything. But Quinn said you drove me home. Wouldn’t let me take an Uber. So thanks, I guess.
Was this girl worth ruffling feathers within the team? Was she worth the camaraderie he had with Kaden and the other guys? He was just starting to fit in with the major leaguers. He had a pretty decent friendship with Sam now, and was making progress with the rest. Was any girl really worth that?
Luc: No problem. Just wanted you to get home safe.
Absolutely worth it.
Kassie: So, what’s up?
He had no good reason for texting her, except he missed her, and no other woman would do right now. He’d proved that earlier.
Luc: You watch the game?
Kassie: Some of it.
Kassie: Shouldn’t you be off trolling for bunnies? It is the city that never sleeps, so I assume that goes for the bunnies too?
This girl had sass. Even after his pathetic attempt to kiss her the other night, and everything that happened at Mario’s, she still thought he was out here cruising for bunnies.
Luc: No bunnies. Just hanging in a hole in the wall coffee shop with a hot cup of coffee and a cupcake.
Luc turned the camera on his cell phone and quickly snapped a selfie of him and his cupcake. After sending it off to Kassie’s phone, he typed a new text message.
Luc: I like cupcakes.
I like cupcakes? Who says that? But as she responded to his ridiculous text, he felt his cheeks warm and his lips curl up into a smile. She was sitting there carrying on the worst conversation with him of small talk in the history of small talk. Yet she was still responding.
Kassie: I do too.
Kassie: So no bunnies. Shouldn’t you be out with the guys, then? I know there’s post-game drinking.
Luc: I was. Got bored.
Kassie: You’re bored so you’re texting me?
Luc: Appears that way. Seriously though, I wanted intelligent conversation and you can’t find that in a bar.
Kassie: Guess not.
Kassie: As thrilling as this conversation is, I need to go. Some of us have to go to work in the morning.
Luc: Right. Tomorrow is Monday. Okay, good night. Sweet dreams.
Luc: Maybe I’ll see you soon?
Kassie: Don’t hold your breath.
Luc: That wasn’t a NO. Which is positive. I’ll take it.
Kassie: Good night.
He was no longer questioning if she was worth the trouble. Luc was positive she was. Once Kaden found out Luc was hot for his sister… Well, Luc was going to be in a shitload of trouble, and yes, even knowing that, she was definitely worth it.
CHAPTER TEN
Kassie
Most of Saturday night was still a blur. Kassie remembered meeting Quinn at Mario’s, really looking forward to a night out. They had a few drinks and danced. The club was packed, the music fierce, and the dancing hot and sweaty.
After Luc showed up, things started to get hazy. She danced, and there was something about him not liking her dancing with a random guy. Kassie didn’t mind Luc pulling her away from Mr. Preppy, who had turned into Mr. Handsy. Dancing was one thing, but when a guy started to get grabby, the fun was over.
This whole dominant, protective side of Luc was new to her, and not such a bad thing. She secretly thought it was kind of sexy. He might’ve thought he was protecting her, but she was well aware what was going on, and she let it happen.
Kassie was on her own a lot, and for once it was nice that a guy had stood up for her. Well, a guy besides her brother. And when the alcohol started to set in, she was grateful for his being there. Quinn was too preoccupied with her puppies, JJ and Travis. Lucky for Kassie, Quinn never kissed and told, so she would never know details as to what went on behind closed doors with the rookies.
The only part that seemed to escape Kassie was some dirty dancing that went on between her and Luc—she couldn’t decide if it had really happened or if it was a dream—and how she got home. Quinn told her that Luc drove her home. She assumed he refused to let her take an Uber. She was confident the ride-share service was safe, but he wasn’t convinced. At least he saved her the Uber fare. She couldn’t complain about that.