The Slot (Rochester Riot #1)(39)

“What?” Trey spat the question and waved Cole toward the door, fear creasing his brow as his breath came in tiny pants. “I think you better leave. I’m closing soon.”

“Oh, you’re closing alright. And I won’t need a petition to shut you down.”





Chapter Fourteen

Eloise sat at her desk, reviewing the press releases she’d composed for the grand opening as well as the Riot’s stats and standings for the website. She noted Cole Fiorino scoring two goals and one assist in the game against the Wild, bringing his personal point total to seventy-nine. Cole was badass at his job, of that there could be no denial. Their failed relationship hadn’t seemed to affect his on-ice performance. A ping of regret snaked through her stomach.

To her credit, Kylie didn’t badger Eloise about the karaoke night, but she could tell that her assistant was hovering; waiting for any juicy tidbit to drop like Hansel and Gretel’s trail. She stood in the doorway to El’s office, proffering a tall cup of her special coffee with steamed milk.

“I made you this,” she said, holding out her offering with worried eyes. “Time for a break?”

Eloise pushed back from her computer. “Thanks. Come on in, Kyles.”

Kylie smiled as though she’d just won a door prize and carried the steaming mug carefully to the desktop. “I added nutmeg this time, try it.”

“I told you not to mess with a good thing,” Eloise scolded.

And I wish Cole Fiorino would understand that as well. When you’ve just experienced the best sex of your life, you don’t run like a frightened rabbit.

“Sometimes you have to try new things. Switch up the karma.”

“Something wrong with my karma?” Eloise asked.

Kylie sighed and put her hands on her hips. “I can see your aura vibrating around you. It’s very negative. Be thankful I’ve only used nutmeg and not something stronger. Like truth serum. When are you going to tell me what happened between you and Cole?”

Eloise lifted the cup and sniffed the unique aroma rising from it. Nutmeg. Not bad. She took a sip. “I have an aura? Who knew?”

“Everyone has an aura,” Kylie stated. “But I don’t need to see it to know that you’re moping. Something’s wrong, Eloise.”

Eloise had always been open with her PA; they enjoyed a good relationship and trusted one another. But there was such a thing as too much sharing. She didn’t want to hurt Kylie’s feelings, but the emotions swirling in her gut right now were just too personal, too painful to reveal. They didn’t belong in the office; and neither did a romantic relationship. She wouldn’t be making that mistake again.

“I’m sorry that I’m moping,” she said, glancing up and beseeching Kylie with her sad eyes to let it go. “I guess I’m just not ready to talk about it. I hope you understand.”

Kylie’s shoulders sagged. “Oh. Yeah, sure,” she said, trying to sound okay with being shut out. Eloise knew better.

“Ready for the grand opening?” Eloise asked, changing the subject.

“On the inside, yes. But I’m nervous about what I heard at Blues & Brews. What do you think might happen outside on the street?”

“We can’t predict that. All we can do is beef up security. To us, it needs to be business as usual but on high alert.”

“Right,” Kylie said. “I’ll double check with the security chief to make sure he has enough staff on hand.”

“Thanks, Kyles.” Eloise’s cell phone beeped a text message.

Kylie’s eyebrows went up. “Hear that? It’s the sound of your karma being interrupted.” She winked and left Eloise’s office in peace.

Eloise picked up the phone, her hopes rising irrationally. Her karma could definitely use some positive interruption.

Cole: Hey PDL ?

She smiled and felt the tightness in her chest release. It was no good pretending she didn’t care about the man. Perhaps he’d had some philosophical epiphany while on the road.

Which could be good or bad. Either way, she was glad to hear from him, in spite of her continued misgivings about him ever being the man that she needed. The one a woman could trust when the torpedoes were coming in.

Eloise: Hey… good game vs Wild… well done

Cole: Thx… u free 4 dinner latr

Eloise: Maybe… where u now

Cole: Home… bored… thinkin of u… pick u up at 6?

Eloise: No… come to office

If they were in a place of business, the less chance she’d melt and form a puddle at his feet. She didn’t trust herself to keep her distance otherwise. Seconds ticked by before his single alpha reply.

Cole: k

***

At 5:59 p.m., Eloise heard the outer doors to her office swish open. She felt her pulse elevate despite her afternoon’s worth of efforts to push Cole Fiorino out of her mind. Just the thought of him sent her heart to pounding and her panties to flooding.

Kylie had already gone home when footsteps crossed the empty reception area. She looked up to see Cole standing in her doorway. He took her very breath away. As her eyes traveled up all luscious six foot and three inches of him, her intended inhale caught in her throat when they reached his face.

“What in the hell happened to you? I didn’t hear about any fight at the Wild game! I hope whoever high-sticked you got at least a two game suspension!” She left her office chair and rushed over to where he stood.