How did I not recognize him that night? Sure, his beard was gone, and the mask concealed some of his features, but now? It’s glaringly obvious who I slept with. No wonder he seemed familiar.
My heart pounds as I take him in, hoping this is some cruel joke. But the few tattoos peeking from beneath his shirt sleeves—including the number 19 on his left wrist—are unmistakable. They’re the same ones I traced with my fingers that fateful night in late October.
Well, shit. I’m totally screwed, and not in a good way.
I must be imagining things. I wasn’t that drunk…was I? Maybe it was the endless champagne clouding my memory and judgment.Who am I kidding?I honestly wanted to have a stranger fuck my brains out. For once, I can’t blame alcohol, especially since I got my wish and way more.
“Haisley, sweetie, meet Rasmus Westerholm.” My dad’s voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. “He’s my new star player who got traded last week. Rasmus, this is my daughter, Haisley.”
I can barely process what’s happening. My dad has no idea about the baby. Rasmus,definitely not Masked Man, has no idea either. But by the end of tonight, one of them will. And the other…well, let’s say I’m hoping my dad doesn’t somehow find out before Rasmus does.
Whoever had ‘Meet your baby daddy under the most awkward circumstances imaginable’ on their bingo card for 2024 wins this round. Me? I didn’t see this one coming. I’m officially the loser of the year with only fifty weeks to go.
I can’t believe he’s here. How did this happen?Well, never mind.We all know how. This is what happens when I decide to let loose for one night—no rules, no expectations, only fun between me and a mysterious stranger with an accent. Too bad that stranger turned out to be a hockey player. Not just any hockey player, though.
Rasmus Westerholm. The infamous former hothead who used to fight with Jasper Åkerman every chance he got. My dad’s new pride and joy on the team. And now, apparently, my freaking baby daddy. This is going to be a disaster.
“It's you,” I finally choke out.
My dad turns and looks at me. “You know each other, Princess?”
I hesitate, scrambling for words. “Uh, yeah, we’ve met before,” I tell him, trying to hide the fact that I have seen his star player naked. Then, like an idiot, I blurt, “but I didn't recognize Rasmus with his clothes on.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, the air shifts around us. My dad freezes, and Rasmus’ eyebrows shoot up in amused surprise. All I want is to melt into the floor. Did I seriously say that?
“I mean, uh, I’m used to seeing him on the ice. In his uniform. That’s what I meant!” I shout, my cheeks feeling hot.
Rasmus chuckles, his deep voice rumbling, making my insides melt. “It’s great to see you again,Haisley.”
Oh fuck, why does my name sound so damn sexy on those tempting lips?
“You too,” I reply, swallowing hard as he offers his hand. I take it, the brief contact sending a jolt of electricity through me. His touch lingers a second too long, and it causes a tingling sensation to spread all over my body. My traitorous body betrays me with an unwanted shiver that doesn’t go unnoticed based on his cocky smirk.
My dad clears his throat, breaking the tension hanging between us. “Well, I’ll leave you two to catch up. Rasmus, make sure you’re ready for practice tomorrow. Don’t have too much fun tonight, eh?”
He claps Rasmus on the shoulder, and with one last glance between us, he strides off, leaving me standing awkwardly with the man I never thought I would see again.
Rasmus crosses his arms, lips quirking up in another smirk that’s equally infuriating and so damn attractive. “So,Haisley,” he drawls, his slight accent making my name sound even more melodic. “Care to explain what just happened? Because I’m pretty sure you don’t want your dad to know how hisPrincesslikes to get her sweet pussy stretched by one of his players.”
I glare at him. “Don’t flatter yourself. It was one night. A mistake,” I get out between my teeth. “I clearly had no idea who you were back then.”
He chuckles, low and smooth. And that does something to my insides. “Didn’t seem like a mistake at the time.”
I flinch, my hand flying to my stomach. “Sorry, but I need to find the ladies’ room.”
Rasmus’s eyes narrow slightly as he steps close, blocking my path. “Running away again,Poppy?” His voice drops an octave and he whispers, “That’s becoming a habit of yours.”
“Well, at least I call when someone leaves their name and number,” I bite out, sidestepping him and head toward the nearest bathroom. My heels click against the hardwood floor, each step feeling heavier than the last.
I shut myself into a tastefully decorated guest bathroom and press a hand to my chest to calm my racing heart. Damn him. Damn his stupid smirk and ridiculously good looks. Damn the whole country of Sweden for raising someone so unreasonably attractive. I’ve spent the last weeks trying to forget that night, but now that seems impossible.
Even if he doesn’t know it yet, I carry a permanent reminder of what happened between us. And there isn’t much I can do to fix my current situation before telling him the truth. I can only hope he won’t hate me once he knows.
Lowering my hand to my stomach, I gather my strength to get through tonight without breaking down.
When I finally leave the bathroom ten minutes later, Rasmus is leaning casually against the wall across from me. His broad shoulders are relaxed, and one ankle is placed over the other.
Despite his chilled pose, his cockiness is gone, replaced by a seriousness that sends a shiver down my spine. One of those bad kinds.
