His jaw automatically tensed. Right. The man who had given her four orgasms wasn’t going to get any special treatment. He should have expected that. Special treatment only started after orgasm number five. “Jack. Jack West,” he grumbled.
“Well, Jack, Jack West,” she echoed his words. “I was in South America, traveling for the last five years, collecting data for New York University and compiling statistics on poverty, crime, and the number of street children in Latin America.”
Hm. That quashed his math professor fantasy. On the other hand, he was flexible when it came to dirty thoughts, so he could deal with the answer.
“That doesn’t sound hockey-like,” Leon remarked critically.
Jack ignored him. He merely nodded and said, “Thank you, Persephone.”
She pursed her lips. “Penelope.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “Sorry. It’s new for me.”
Her smile seemed more than forced but it stayed on her face. “No problem, Jack, Jack West.”
“You can’t hold it against him, Penny,” Captain Austin Fox spoke up, always the ridiculously friendly diplomat. “During the season, Jack only remembers plays and opponent statistics. No names, no faces. Especially not women.” Fox grinned at him. “Our saint here has a pact with himself not to start any affairs or relationships during the season. He plays better chaste.”
Oh, shit. “Thanks for revealing all of that information to her,” Jack said darkly.
Fox waved it off. “Oh, it’s really no secret and she did say she wanted to get to know us better. Right, Penny?”
He looked back at their potential future team owner, who was still staring at Jack, her mouth barely open. “Is that so?” she asked quietly. “No sex during the season? And now…it’s the season.”
He automatically sat up in his chair. His whole team was staring at him, so what else could he do but say, “Yup.”
Dax snorted, but thank God, kept his mouth shut.
“So that’s yourrule. And you don’t make exceptions?” Penny asked casually.
Just the one. “No.”
“Hm. Interesting.”
“Oh, it’s not that interesting,” Leon interrupted. “Jack is just a prude and an idiot. Nothing new. What I have yet to hear is if you knowanythingabout hockey?”
Surprised, she raised her eyebrows and tore her gaze from Jack. “Yes. I grew up around the sport and I’ve read your profiles. I know a lot about you.”
“Just not names?” Charkov asked, frowning.
“I have a better memory for numbers,” she admitted quietly. “But names will come. I know the important things.”
Leon snorted. “Naturally,” he said mockingly. “So, you also know that my stick technique is the best and that I deserve a raise?”
A small smile spread across her lips. “I know you’re A positive and statistically speaking, 38 percent of the opposing team’s goals this season were your fault, not Moreau’s. And I know that you’ve only won 22 percent of face-offs so far and that two women are currently claiming you impregnated them, although I think they’re both just after your money. Oh, and as for your stick technique…” Her smile widened a little. “Of course yours is the best. When you have a shorter, smaller stick, your technique has to be better.”
Jack didn’t want to laugh but he couldn’t stop himself. Evidently, the rest of the team felt the same way. For once in his life, Leon was too speechless to respond and that eighth wonder of the world prompted Lucy to rise and end the meeting.
Penny thanked them, Gareth Clark merely raised his hand, and their general manager simply left the room without saying a word. Jack didn’t miss the fact that Penny again avoided his gaze as she walked out the door.
“Great,” Coach Gray said, relieved as soon as they were alone again. “Now, can we finally get going? Everyone, get your things and we’ll meet downstairs for the bus to the airport! I don’t wantto hear any more moaning about the change in ownership today, we have to focus on the game.”
“Oh God, we’re screwed,” Alvarez said, violating their coach’s instructions as soon as he had left the room.
“Why?” Lucy asked sharply. “Because she’s a woman?”
“No!” Leon glared at her. “I’m not sexist, okay? No, we’re screwed because she didn’t know who I am! How well can she know hockey?”
Some of the others murmured in agreement.
