You didnt...
I do have some limits when it comes to my behavior.
Why didnt you say anything?
He grinned and shrugged. I tried, but they wouldnt listen. Besides, it wouldnt have mattered. They see me the way they want to see me.
She studied him silently. Malin had read his bio, the rags-to-riches storyhed been a juvenile delinquent, virtually orphaned and living on the streets before stumbling into an after-school hockey program.
Hed never had a steady male influence in his life. Instead, hed been forced to cobble together the rules and expectations of adulthood. Add to that the quick acquisition of wealth and fame and it would mess anyone up. But was she really prepared to untangle that mess? If it meant gaining a whole lot of respect, damn right she was.
Miss Pedersen? said a voice from behind her.
Malin turned to see her second cousin, Jason, waiting nervously at the door. His mother had sent him to the Twin Cities when hed failed to find a job after five years in college. He hadnt impressed her beyond his ability to overthink nearly every project hed been given. But Malin needed someone whod take the job seriously, someone whod stick to Thom Quinn like glue.
Jason Pedersen, this is Thom Quinn, Malin said.
II know who you are, Jason said. I met you last spring at the fan convention. You signed my helmet.
Mr. Quinn, Im going to suggest you hire a personal assistant. One wholl live with you 24/7. I trust you can make a place for him at your home. Of course, the team will provide a stipend for his rent.
You want me to live with someone? Thom asked.
This is nonnegotiable, Malin said. Perhaps we should discuss this with your agent?
No, he said. Its fine with me.
Youll also pay his salary, Malin added.
I will?
Yes. Due to contract restrictions, we cant force you to hire an assistant. We can encourage you to do it on your own, though. Which Im now strongly suggesting. She leaned forward, her hands splayed across the conference table. Please do it, Mr. Quinn. Trust me, if you want to keep your job, you need to do this.
Malin waited, knowing that her ability to sway his behavior was key to her plan working. If he fought her, then it was going to be a very difficult summer for them both.
All right, he finally said. I can make room for Jason.
Jason gasped. What? Me?
Youre going to be Thom Quinns new personal assistant, Malin said.
Jasons eyes went wide. Im moving in with Tommy Quinn? Im moving in with The Beast?
Were not going to be using that nickname anymore, Malin said. Call him Mr. Quinn for now.
You can call me Thom, he said, nodding at Jason.
At that moment, Thoms agent returned to the room, his phone still held up to his ear. Whats happening?
Ive just hired a personal assistant, Thom said in a bright tone. This is Jason. Hes going to help me get my shit together.
Jack glanced back and forth between his client and Jason. Thats it?
Yeah, Thom said. Hes going to be living with me. I think it will work out just fine. Jeff and Jake both have assistants, and they say its great. Maybe he can also do my laundry? And clean the fridge? It will be nice to have a workout partner. He stood, then held out his hand to Malin. If were finished here, Ill meet Jason at my place. You can give him the address and send him over with his stuff.
The moment their hands touched, Malin felt a current race through her body. Thoms hands were strong, his fingers long and slender. He was known for his great hands, but shed assumed that referred to his stick handling abilities. She stared down, her mind suddenly occupied with thoughts of what his hands might do to her body. Great hands indeed. A shiver raced through her.
What about you? he murmured. How will you know that Im complying with your wishes?
Ill be in daily contact with Jason, and hell keep me up to date on how youre doing. Youll be expected to work out with a team trainer and skate every day. Well put together a schedule.
All right, then, Thom said. He suddenly let go of her hand, and Malin wondered if shed ever have the chance to touch him again.
She watched him follow his agent out of the conference room, then flopped down into one of the leather chairs.
She was acting like a puck bunny, getting all flushed and breathless the moment she set eyes on a handsome hockey player. This had never happened to her before. Why was it happening now?
He is so cool, Jason said. The Beast! How can you not like that guy?
Malin was wondering the exact oppositehow could she stop liking him?
* * *
THOM STOOD IN FRONT of the open refrigerator door and examined the contents. Old takeout containers, a few packages of hot dogs, juice, vitamin water and beer. Though he worked hard to maintain a decent diet, it was much easier during the season when meals were provided by the clubs caterer.
Can you cook? he called.
Cook? Jason wandered into the kitchen area. Sure. Pizza. Mac and cheese. Man, your place is so cool. What guy wouldnt love living in an old firehouse? Was it like this when you moved in?
No, I renovated it myself. Thom grabbed a couple of beers, starting to make a grocery list in his head. McCrory and Pedersen had made it clear they wanted him to lay low for the next couple of months, so he wouldnt be dining at his favorite restaurants. He followed the sound of Jasons voice to the family room at the rear of the house.
Jason had already found the remote for the television and was flipping through the channels. You are old enough to drink, arent you? Thom asked before handing the other man the beer.
Im twenty-two. But I probably shouldnt drink since Im on duty.
Thom grabbed the remote and switched to the local sports report. We need groceries. You might as well hit the store. While youre gone, Im going to take a run.
Jason shook his head. Im not supposed to leave you alone. If you need me to shop, then you have to come with me. If youre going for a run, I go with you. Thats what Malin told me and Im not going to screw it up. Im supposed to stick to you like glue on rice. He cleared his throat. Or maybe it was white on rice. Yeah, yeah, thats it. White on rice. Flies on flypaper.
All right. We can send out for a pizza, Thom muttered, stretching his legs out in front of him. Why dont you go grab a bedroom and unpack your stuff?
I can do that later. IIm just gonna sit here and watch the sports report.
Im not going to sneak out while youre upstairs.
No, no, Jason said. I trust you. Completely. Why dont I call for the pizza? MalinI mean, Miss Pedersengave me some cash. My treat.
Malin, Thom repeated. You call her Malin?
Not around the office. But shes my cousin, so it would be weird to call her Miss Pedersen any other time.
What else did she tell you?
Jason shrugged. Just...stuff.
Like what?
She said I shouldnt let you drink. That I should keep you away from sleazy women. Im supposed to work out with you every day, and if I can get you to read an actual book, shell give me a bonus.
Malin, Thom repeated. You call her Malin?
Not around the office. But shes my cousin, so it would be weird to call her Miss Pedersen any other time.
What else did she tell you?
Jason shrugged. Just...stuff.
Like what?
She said I shouldnt let you drink. That I should keep you away from sleazy women. Im supposed to work out with you every day, and if I can get you to read an actual book, shell give me a bonus.
She expects you to do all that? She must be tough to work for.
Nah, shes really nice. Ive screwed up a few timesmore than a few timesand she always gives me another chance.
What else do you know about her? Does she have a boyfriend? He handed Jason the beer and this time the other man took a sip, his earlier reluctance forgotten.
I think she used to. Someone said he used to come to the games, but he lived in New York. Thats where she used to live before she came back to Minneapolis. He shrugged. Ive never seen her with a guy. Im pretty sure she likes men. Ive just never...
Whats her job?
Social media. She runs the team website and all the social media accounts. She filters the teams Twitter posts and Instagram photos. So if you post something that would reflect badly on the team, she catches it before it goes out.
I dont do social media, Thom said.
Yeah, I know. You make up for it with all the other stuff that gets posted about you. God, I wish I had your social life. All those beautiful women. Maybe you can give me some advice?
Where does she live?
Malin? Shes got a place in Merriam Park. Ive only been there a few times. Just to check on the place while she was out of town. Its nothing like this place. Just an ordinary house.
Thom let those few nuggets of information roll around in his mind for a bit, curious about the woman who suddenly held so much power over him. He wanted to dig deeper, to find out every little detail about her. What did she eat for breakfast? Did she sleep in pajamas or the nude? Did she
Thom stopped himself. This was exactly the kind of thought pattern that had gotten him into trouble in the past. Once hed decided he wanted a woman, there was nothing that stood in his way. It didnt matter how long it took or what he had to do to get her into bed. In the end, he always made it happen.
A voice from the TV caught his attention. A late-breaking report regarding your Minneapolis Blizzard.
Both Jason and Thom turned to look at the television.
Trade rumors are swirling, and at the center of the storm is Blizzard defenseman Tommy The Beast Quinn. Sources say his off-ice shenanigans havent been sitting well with teams owner, Davis Pedersen. Is Quinn on his way out? Fans are not going to be happy. Well have an exclusive on our late report.
Thom stared at the television for a long moment. With a soft curse, he shut the television off and tossed the remote on the coffee table. She told me I wasnt going to be traded, he muttered. Launching to his feet, he turned to Jason, looming over him in his most threatening manner. What do you know about this?
II Nothing. They dont tell me anything. I swear.
Come on. I want you to show me where she lives. Miss Pedersen and I have some things to discuss. Thom shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out the keys for his truck. When Jason didnt move, he said, Dont you have to go with me?
Shes probably still at the office, Jason said.
Im not going to talk to her there.
You can call her, Jason suggested. He held out his cell phone.
Thom shook his head. No, this has to be done in person. Why would she lie to me? I mean, I went in there fully expecting to be traded. And then she decides to put me through this crap. Locked up like a prisoner with you reporting my every move. Whats that all about?
I dont know, Jason said. But I do know that if I show you where she lives and you go there, shes going to fire me. Can you just sit down and well order a pizza?
No, Thom snapped. I want this settled now.
He walked to the front door, not bothering to wait for Jason. When he reached his truck, parked on the street, he got inside. As he slipped the key into the ignition, Thom heard a rapping on the window. Jason stood at the passenger door, a stricken expression on his face.
Thom unlocked the door and the kid hopped inside. I can show you where she parks. We could wait for her there. She always leaves the office at five. If she has to work late, she comes back after dinner.
Five, Thom said. They had fifteen minutes to make a ten-minute drive. At least it would give him a bit of time to figure out exactly what he wanted to say.
Hell, he should have known not to trust her. She wasnt on his side. She was the daughter of the damn owner. Of course shed side with her father. Well, he was going to fight this trade. Why lie down and let the team walk all over him? If he wanted to, he could make things very difficult for them.
He knew there was a morals clause in his contract, a section that directly addressed bad behavior. Beyond his youthful criminal record, Thoms rap sheet was long and colorful. The brawlswith fellow players, with fans, with bartenders and limo drivers and bouncers and parking attendantswere probably the most egregious.
The women followed a close second. Though they didnt cause as much legal trouble as the brawls, they were a distraction, especially when one decided to spill her secrets to a gossip website.
Until recently, Thom had been able to keep the drinking pretty much under control. But now, there seemed to be more reasons to drink than reasons not to. It wasnt just something he did to relax anymore. Getting drunk was the only way he could shut off the constant hum in his head, turn off all the questions rattling round in his mind.
Life used to be pretty simple for him. He played hockey and he did it better than almost everyone in the league. It provided for him and his family. But now, it seemed that with every year that passed, his life grew more complicated. What would he do when he couldnt play hockey anymore?
Thom had vowed that hed get out of the game gracefully. He never wanted to be one of those guys who hung around trying to recapture lost glory. He wanted to go out on top. But how could he be sure the time was right? And what would he do once hockey was over for him?
Its right here, Jason said, pointing to the parking ramp.
Thom turned into the entrance and grabbed a ticket, then steered the truck up the levels. What kind of car are we looking for?
She has a dark green Audi. Its usually on the fourth level.
Thom found the car and pulled into a spot across the aisle from it. He shut off the truck, then nervously tapped the steering wheel with his fingertips. What time is it?
A few minutes before five. She should be coming along any minute. Jason slouched down in the seat. What are you going to say to her?
I dont know, Thom said. The drive over had been too short to untangle the knot of emotions in his gut.
Dont you think youd better figure it Wait. Someones coming.
Is it her?
Yeah, it is.
They each watched in their side view mirrors as Malin strolled past. Thom reached for the door and then, at the last minute, decided to wait. Shes gorgeous, he murmured.