Captive by Brenda Rothert Page A

I’d have to put on for this.
    I paid the driver and walked in to pounding music and dimmed lights. This wasn’t the kind of place I’d be able to get a decent dinner. And in our suits, the hockey players stood out. I saw the large table of my teammates immediately.
    “Jason Ryker!” one of them yelled as I approached. “What’ll it be?”
    “Surprise me,” I said. “With beer, I mean. Don’t bring me a fucking cosmo or anything.”
    I pulled a chair up by Luke and sat down. Women were already chatting up some of the guys.
    “Feeling better?” Luke asked, sliding me a shot. I nodded and we tipped them back. The burn of the whiskey reminded me how little hard liquor I drank anymore. Someone slid a tall glass of beer in front of me, followed soon by another shot.
    “Hey there,” a blonde in a tight black shirt said, smiling widely at me and Luke. “Which one of you wants to buy me a drink?”
    “Uh. Sorry, I’m married,” I said, my gaze sliding to her D cups for a second.
    “Engaged,” Luke said. “Unfortunately.”
    He really sounded bummed about it, but it was the line he brought out when he wasn’t interested. He fucked women of all body types if he was hard up enough, but Luke didn’t like huge tits. The blonde moved on and I went up to the bar to see if I could find a menu. This place had to have some food, even if it was just pizza and peanuts.
    I was leaning on the bar, waiting, when I caught the scent of Lauren’s expensive perfume. I turned and saw her next to me in a sparkly top and a short skirt.
    “Just … getting a drink,” she said, sounding like I’d accused her of something. I sighed deeply and rubbed the scruffy beard I hadn’t shaved since my hot streak started.
    “I’ll get it,” I said. “I was a jackass before. If I made you feel bad, I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay. I’m sure you’re stressed about the problems with your wife.”
    I shook my head. “We’re not—”
    “I know. Everything’s great. She just never comes to the games anymore and you’re pissed off all the time for no reason.”
    I smiled. “No relationship is perfect all the time.”
    “Do you want to talk about it?”
    The bartender stopped in front of us. “A menu?” I asked. “And whatever she wants.”
    “Do you want to go somewhere we can get a real dinner?” Lauren asked. Her blue eyes glimmered hopefully.
    “I promised the guys I’d hang out with them.”
    “Later?” She brushed her fingers over the top of my hand and a rush of desire hit me hard and fast. I could be giving Lauren a no questions asked fuck within half an hour if I wanted to. I’d checked out of the emotional part and just enjoyed the physical part many times before getting married.
    The bartender reappeared with the menu and held it out. I shifted, trying to readjust my hardening cock without touching it. “I think I’m gonna eat somewhere else, actually,” I said.
    Lauren smiled, her fingers sliding down to stroke my wrist. “Now or later?”
    “Uh, alone,” I said. Her face fell.
    “What’s so wrong with dinner?” she asked. “As long as it doesn’t end with an orgasm?”
    “Look, I just can’t. I meant what I said before. You know you want more than just dinner, and I don’t fuck around on Kate. I also don’t talk about our marriage with anyone but her.”
    “You want more than dinner, too,” she challenged, leaning in closer. “I’m not blind.” She eyed my crotch and I scrubbed a hand over my face, wishing I’d never come to this bar.
    “I’m leaving now,” I said. “Have a good night.”
    Luke was holding out another shot for me when I got back to the table, a brunette perched on his lap.
    “I’ve gotta go,” I said, grabbing the coat I’d left folded over a chair. “See you later, man.”
    He waved and I made my way through the crowded bar, relieved when I stepped into the crisp Denver air. I pulled out my phone and dialed Kate.
    “Hey,” she said. “Are you out celebrating