Slap Shot(62)

On and on he kissed me, his tongue probing, his scent, his taste filling my senses and my mind. My heart swelled with love and I kissed him back with as much enthusiasm as he was kissing me. Out in the stands, thunderous applause rolled through the arena, followed by excited screaming fans. The sound of clapping in the tunnel rang through my ears and still Rick kept on kissing me, holding me tight and secure in his arms as if he didn’t ever want to let me go.

Eventually our kiss paused, but only long enough for him to murmur into my ear, “I love you, Dana Wilcox, event organizer.” Then he was kissing me again, this time as if he might truly never stop.





Epilogue



Standing on the chariot, I smiled for our cheesy arrival shot at the engagement party. I was wearing a full-length strapless white dress that hugged my figure and was as toga style as I was prepared to go. It had gold strapping around my waist and under my breasts and I’d piled my hair up and weaved a thin gold braid through it. I’d added thick black eyeliner and ruby-red lipstick and was pleased with the overall look.

Rick, like a lot of the players, had gone for a gladiator outfit, and I had to feel sorry for the barmen who were also wearing shorts and gold armor but looked like a bunch of wimps in comparison to the beefy hockey players.

As we stepped off the chariot, Carly and Brick were waiting to greet us. Carly wore a beautiful pale-pink dress, similar style to mine, and had placed a gold leaf tiara on her head. Brick looked like a pumped-up Julius Caesar in a white tunic top, leather sandals and a crown similar to Carly’s. I couldn’t help but wonder just what she’d done to persuade him to wear it. I didn’t think it would be wise to ask.

“Dana,” Carly said. “Everything is going wonderfully, Maddie is a superstar.”

I glanced over at Maddie chatting to the catering supervisor. She had the clipboard clutched tight against her chest and wore her most serious expression. Next to her stood Cassie, directing two men carrying sound equipment. Mae had offered to sing several of her hits as an engagement present to the couple.

“Great,” I said. “How is the ice sculpture holding up?”

Brick laughed. “It’s dripping, but you can still make out that it’s the Trojan horse.”

I smiled and took a glass of champagne a passing waiter offered. “Is the food okay?”

“Beautiful,” Carly said, reaching a fresh glass for herself and knocking half of it back in one go. “People are already digging in. The fruit is out of this world and the bread and cheese is amazing.” She paused and looked over my shoulder. Her face lit up. “Hi, Brooke, how are you?”

Rick and I stepped aside as Phoenix and Brooke Taylor joined us.

Brooke smiled and pushed curly blonde hair over her shoulder. “Fine, thanks, Carly, and congratulations to the both of you, the party looks great.” She wore a wide white toga-style top and a huge collection of gold bangles on each wrist.

“She’s tired,” Phoenix said, stepping up close to his wife and resting his hand on her swollen belly. “We agreed that she could come if she spent at least eighty percent of the time sitting down.”

“When are you due?” I asked.

“Not for another seven weeks, but he will not stop fussing.” She rolled her eyes but then smiled lovingly up at her husband.

“I’m not fussing,” Phoenix said in his gruff voice. “I just don’t want you to overdo it and then feel ill like you did last week.”

“Oh, that was nothing,” Brooke said, waving her hand in the air.

Phoenix shook his head then grinned at me. “It’s nice to see you again, Dana.”

Brook held out her hand and shook mine. “It’s great to meet you. I’ve heard your name mentioned several times lately.”

“All good I hope,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.

“Oh yes, all good.” Brooke smiled, and I couldn’t help but think how pretty she was. Even though she looked tired there was a glow to her skin and her stunning blue eyes were sparkling.

“We better go out back,” Brick said, curling his fingers with Carly’s. “I think your dad wants to make a speech before Mae starts singing.”

“Okay.” Carly nodded. “You all coming?”

“Are there chairs?” Phoenix asked.

Carly laughed. “Yes, there are chairs.”

Rick rested a hand in the small of my back and we followed the other guests through Carly and Brick’s grand home to the back garden. A stage had been erected, complete with sound system and microphone, and two Roman-style pillars wrapped in fake ivy dominated either side. Enormous vases of tropical flowers were dotted around and the pool had been sprinkled with water lilies and had a huge fountain set in the middle.