Garrett(3)
“Yeah…got here not long ago. They’re out back, I think,” Zack says as he leans in to kiss Gina on the head. They are always touching and kissing, which is an intimate concept I don’t understand outside of the confines of my one-night stands.
I make my goodbyes and step out onto the deck. The North Carolina air is warm and muggy, and fireflies float all around in the early-evening dusk. Suzie has strung brightly colored lanterns all around the deck, where a few more of my teammates and their significant others hang out. I call out hellos and trot down the steps into the backyard.
I head directly to the open-walled tent that houses a keg of beer set up beside a table, which is laden with even more food. Our backup goalie, Paul Mattara, is pouring himself a beer, so I grab a cup and hold it out for him. “Fill me up when you’re done.”
He looks up and gives me a grin as he tops off his own cup and takes mine. “Good summer?”
“The best. Carolina beaches and hot women,” I tell him as I look around for Alex and Sutton.
“If Karen weren’t standing just five feet away,” he says in a whisper as he leans toward me, “I’d demand deets on the hot women.”
“Man…you got your own hot woman,” I tell him as I accept the beer he poured. “You don’t need my details.”
“True enough,” he says, and then walks off to join his wife.
I take a sip and glance around the backyard. Many people I recognize, as I’ve gotten to know my teammates’ families over the course of last season. Some I don’t recognize, and I’m sure they are other members of the organization I haven’t met, or even friends of some of the other guests.
My eyes scan around, looking for Alex and Sutton, my dirty joke practically burning on the tip of my tongue to get out.
And that’s when I see her.
Holy fuck, is she gorgeous.
Tall and willowy, with long hair in the most unusual shade of caramel I’ve ever seen. I can’t tell what color her eyes are from this distance. She’s standing by herself, delicately sipping a glass of wine, and before I know it…my feet are moving and my body is following, in her direction.
She’s glancing around at the other partygoers with interest, a slight smile on her face and her foot tapping on the ground to the beat of the music that is playing in the background. I scan my eyes down her body before she sees me, noting the long white skirt she’s wearing that hangs almost to the ground, with a wide, brown leather belt cinched around a narrow waist. She has on a white shirt that hangs off both of her sun-kissed shoulders, revealing just a tiny shadow of cleavage.
Absolutely beautiful…in a fresh, bohemian sort of way.
When I get no more than five feet from her, her eyes slide to mine and she gives me a cautiously welcoming smile.
“I don’t think we’ve met before,” I tell her as I stick my hand out. “I’m Garrett Samuelson.”
She accepts my hand, and although the bones in her hand look fine and delicate, she gives me a firm grip and a tinkling laugh, “Of course I know who you are. Star right winger for the Cold Fury. Everyone who is a hockey fan knows you. I’m Olivia Case.”
Her smile is wide and open, revealing perfectly straight teeth cushioned by lips that would make Angelina Jolie break down in a fit of jealousy. Holy shit…they are perfect. Just the most perfect set of lips I think I’ve ever seen.
Now that I’m closer to her, I notice that her hair is an actual riot of colors, with big, thick chunks of amber, honey, and chocolate streaks. Her eyes are a mossy green and she’s sporting the sexiest little diamond pierced through one nostril.
Putting on my most dazzling smile, which I know for a fact pops my killer dimples, I can’t help but hit her with brutal honesty. “I’m sorry…but you are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
It’s true. That is not a pickup line, although if it gets her in my bed…score!
She chuckles and flutters her lashes at me. “Pretty lame, Samuelson.”
“I’m dead serious,” I tell her in a low voice. “You’re stunning, and I just had to tell you that. But now…sadly, since you think that was a cheesy pickup line, I will just be on my way. It was a pleasure to meet you, Olivia.”
I turn away from her, but her hand immediately shoots out and rests on my wrist…just as I expected. I can tell she’s not one to turn down a challenge. “Wait a minute, tiger. If that was a true sentiment, then thank you.”
Turning around, I give her a grin. “So, I can stay for a while in your magnificent presence?”
Olivia throws her head back and laughs, her eyes lit from within, and I notice large, sparkling gold hoops in her ears, adding to the overall gypsylike allure of this woman.