Bet on Ice (Boys of Winter #9) - S.R. Grey Page 0,3

Too bad he doesn’t know it’s my business to learn all I can about the Wolves players.

See, I just landed a sweet job in marketing as their team’s event coordinator.

That’s right—I’m newly employed by the very same team Landen plays for.

So yeah, I’m aware of the players.

I know their names, faces, and bios.

I better.

My first promotional event is tomorrow afternoon.

And guess who it’s with?

Yep, you guessed it—Landen.

I chuckle as I walk up to my townhouse, pressing the button on the key fob to lock my car, a simple silver hybrid sedan.

Tomorrow should be interesting, to say the least.

Landen Zehner has no clue that when he shows up at the arena in twelve short hours to skate with a group of school kids, I’ll be the point person he’ll be working with.

That’s why I asked him to wait to decide if he still wants to go out with me.

It’s only fair.

Though the Wolves have no restrictions or rules in place addressing dating amongst players and team employees—trust me, I’ve read that rulebook a dozen times—a lot of guys still don’t like to mix business with pleasure.

I need to find out where Landen stands on that issue before we move forward.

As I walk into my empty, quiet home, flipping on the lights, I note how fresh and new it still smells, like latex paint, recently installed carpeting, and newly bought furniture.

It should smell this way, as I’ve only owned the townhouse since September. And even though it’s pretty far out from the city, it came with a hefty mortgage.

That is why I better do a stellar job with the Wolves.

I need this job.

As I place my purse on the sofa in the living room, I look up at the darkness visible through the skylights and think about how I hope Landen doesn’t care about the whole mixing business and pleasure thing.

Damn it, I really do want to go out with the guy.

I guess it’s because I’m über attracted to him.

But he sure doesn’t need to know that.

No way.

I’ll continue to play it cool, like I did at the card game.

Yeah, let him wonder what I’m thinking.

Hockey boys are far too cocky, Landen included. I’ve read about his wild days. Though, to his credit, word is that he’s settled down a lot since then.

Like me, he even bought a house recently.

As I glance around, I think about how his place is probably much bigger and fancier.

Me, I was just excited to have two whole bedrooms and a bath and a half to call my own.

Woohoo!

Despite his recent settling down in some ways, I think Landen has a lot of wildness left in him. He’s a madman on the ice, taking chances with the puck and standing up to players much bigger than himself all the time.

And then there’s the fact I saw something in his pretty sage green eyes tonight, something untamed.

I groan.

Why do I like that in my men?

I guess I’m into wild.

No, there’s no use pretending.

I freaking love wild and untamed!

Landen could use a little domesticating, though…from me.

Good thing I’m the kind of girl who can get it done.

And if Landen falls for me in the process?

Well then, so be it.

I wouldn’t be sad.

No way.

I’d be elated.

Kicking off my heels, I hike up my red dress, plop down on the sofa, and make a little wager with myself.

“I bet I can make Landen fall for me.”

I don’t mean in some trivial, lustful way, either.

I want him head over heels.

I think about what I’d gain if that were to happen.

That’s an easy one—I’d win him.

And, no doubt about it, Landen Zehner would be quite the prize.

Holy Shit!

I wake up the morning after the blackjack game to the sound of lawn equipment whirring out on my property.

“Ah, hell,” I mutter. “I forgot the landscapers were coming today.”

I recently bought a newly constructed home that’s kind of off the beaten path.

I like that.

I’m not a suburbs guy, so it’s great to have a lot of land.

Unfortunately, though, thanks to the desert climate and constant beating sun, the lush green lawn and many shrubs and flowers I had put in need frequent watering and tending.

As if to remind me of that, a weed whacker just down from my bedroom window starts buzzing incessantly.

Annnd there goes all hope of going back to sleep.

So much for getting in a little extra rest after being out so late last night.

Sighing, I swing my legs over the edge of the mattress and sit up.

Running my hand down my stubbled