Page 65 of Tainted Love

He chuckles and leans in closer. “Oh, I’m not insinuating anything. It’s written all over your face. I can reach parts of you that you hide from everyone else. I’ve always been able to.”

I bite my lip, trying to stifle my annoyance because he’s right—and we both know it. “Well, maybe I am a little afraid of losing control around someone as irresistible as Michael Tazman,” I say as I fan myself with my hand in an exaggerated fashion.

He flashes me another brilliant, panty-melting grin. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he says.

I roll my eyes and reply, “You’re impossible.”

“But you love it,” he teases with a wink.

I slowly approach him, closing the distance between us until his cologne envelops me like a warm, familiar embrace. The scent is both musky and sweet, sending my senses into overdrive. “Taz,” I whisper seductively in his ear, causing him to lean in even closer to me. I can feel his body melting against mine, his breath tickling my neck. “The only thing I love about you is when you’re far, far away from me,” I continue, teasingly running my fingers down his chest before stepping back just as Jerry reenters the room.

“Alright, let’s get down to it,” Jerry interrupts, breaking the mounting tension and signaling the start of our meeting.

Chapter 28

“Glycerine”

Taz - Age 24, 1994

Sascha strode into the room with her usual air of confidence, her fitted blazer and pants accentuating her curves. The woman is beautiful—she always has been, although I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss her goth look from high school. Those black stockings and combat boots got me every time. I wonder if she still owns that stuff?

Sascha Bell has always known how to fill a space with her presence. It’s a constant reminder of why I could never deny my attraction to her, and believe me, I’ve tried. She’s assertive and a bit bossy, and the truth is, I find it undeniably sexy.

She hurt me, but that was a long time ago, and if we’re being honest, I hurt her first. We’ve both grown up. Something tells me things would be different now. Seeing her at Sarah’s wedding sparked something in me. I can’t stop thinking about her.

As usual, she seemed irritated with me today before I even said a word. Trust issues have been a constant theme in our relationship. Some of those are my fault, but Sash also likes to carry a grudge. She doesn’t just carry it—she straps it to her chest and nurtures it like a newborn baby. Our views on our past relationship may differ, but one thing is for sure—Sascha would never let a professional opportunity slip away.

With dwindling endorsements and competition from other sports like football and basketball, hockey needs someone like Sascha—persuasive and knowledgeable, to pull in new and younger fans. That’s what I told Jerry, and that’s why she’s here. Of course, he asked me if I was sleeping with her because that would’ve been a problem.

I didn’t lie unless you get technical. I told him I was not having sex with Sascha. That part is genuine. He didn’t ask me if I made her come in the bathroom of the Merrimack Country Club at a wedding reception recently. Then I would have said, “Yes, with pleasure.”

I wonder if Jerry saw through my lie of omission when I entered the room and the energy shifted. I can’t help but ogle her, wanting to devour her like the world’s best cupcake, savoring every last bite and licking my fingers clean afterward. If he did notice, he chose to ignore it.

We settle around the mahogany table, sinking into plush leather chairs, Jerry and I on one side and Sascha on the other. Jerry clears his throat and regards Sascha with a warm smile. “Taz has mentioned that you two have known each other since childhood.”

Sascha’s lips press together, her fingers gripping the edge of her chair. Tension radiates off her as she answers through gritted teeth: “Yes, we have.”

Jerry leans in, his eyes full of curiosity. “And I understand that you took Taz in during high school when things were tough for him at home.”

A softness enters Sascha’s gaze as she looks at me for clarification. I give her a reassuring nod that it’s okay to elaborate. “That’s correct,” she says. “My mom and dad are foster parents and have always opened their home to children who need it.”

“Her family helped me through a difficult time during my senior year of high school,” I offer. “Sascha herself has been there for me several times over the years to kick my ass when I needed it.”

Jerry nods approvingly. “That’s truly selfless. It’s like you and Taz are already family.”

Sascha has just taken a sip of water from the glass before her when the word reaches her ears, causing her to choke and cough. She recovers quickly and apologizes. “Sorry. You were saying?”

“Just that you and Taz must be quite close,” he reiterates.

Sascha nods politely, but I know the frustration is simmering beneath the surface.

Jerry continues. “I’m going to be honest with you. Your agency is rather small and we hadn’t considered you until Taz brought you up. However, I’m willing to give you a chance at this opportunity,” he says with a hint of skepticism.

Sascha nods again, her professional demeanor never faltering. “Thank you for your honesty, sir. I appreciate the opportunity.”

“Please, call me Jerry,” he says with a charming smile that lasts a bit longer than it should, causing a twinge of jealousy to tighten my chest. Is he flirting with her? How did I not see this coming? Every horny asshole in the vicinity is going to notice her. How many people am I going to have to threaten and possibly fight? Fuck. The list is endless. Sascha’s not mine, but she certainly isn’t going to be screwing around with anyone else within this organization. Not if I have anything to say about it.

“Jerry, may I ask what you are looking for?” she asks, retrieving a notepad from her bag to jot down notes.