Chapter Thirteen

"Come to practice," Eduardo said the next morning as he poured himself a coffee in Theo's and Ben's kitchen. "And then when we are finished I will take you to a beautiful Italian restaurant I know." He kissed his fingers and then burst them into the air. "The food is to die for, each dish exquisite. I know you will like every taste on your tongue."

I sipped my tea and watched Ben shoving things into his kit bag. Theo was pacing outside by the pool on his phone.

"It is quiet here in this big house on your own," Eduardo went on, "come and make friends at the rink."

"There'll be other people watching the practice?" I asked.

" Oui , always a few." He shrugged. "I don't know who will be there, but please say yes. I want so much to see you enjoy Benita's dishes. It is a small restaurant, discreet and known only to a few."

I smiled. "That sounds nice. Just let me get my purse and I'll be ready." I slipped from the barstool and went up the stairs to my bedroom. Lunch with Eduardo was very appealing, and I hadn't had a really good Italian meal in ages.

After a quick squirt of perfume, I added a slick of red lipstick and re-brushed my hair, which I'd let dry naturally after my shower. I then found a fleece that I hoped would keep me warm enough at the rink.

Eduardo was waiting at the base of the stairs, his hand over the newel post. "Ready, ma choue ?"

"What does that mean?" I asked, drawing level with him. " Ma choue ."

His eyes sparkled, and he seemed to drink me up, breathing deep as though taking in my perfume. "It is something I save for special people in my life." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "It means ‘my darling'."

Oh, he was a smooth talker, but I loved it, and it certainly helped fade my traumatic memories from outside Ecclestone church.

"Come," he said. "We will go in my car so I can drive us to the restaurant afterwards." He tugged me to the door. "You will love Ciao! I am so glad you agreed to lunch with me."

We stepped outside into the Florida heat and up to his metallic-blue two-seater sports car.

"Nice set of wheels," I said. "What is it?"

He laughed and touched his hand to the small of my back. "You don't know what it is, but you know you like it."

"I know it's expensive."

He opened the door. "There are two things in life worth spending money on."

"And what are they?"

"Cars and women."

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"It is a truth." He shrugged. "And both make me happy. This, you getting in my car, makes me very happy."

His grin was infectious, and I couldn't help laughing as I sat on the plush black leather.

He also got in and belted up.

"So what is it?" I asked.

"An Aston Martin DB Twelve. I had it shipped from the United Kingdom." He paused and sniffed. "It's still got that new smell, right?"

"Yes, definitely."

He started the engine, a gentle purr that promised a roar if he hit the gas.

Soon we were driving onto the freeway and toward The Vipers' home rink. "Tell me about your family, Eduardo. Are they proud of your hockey achievements?"

"My parents are divorced," he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"No, don't be." He wafted his hand in the air, a silver thumb ring sparkling in the sunshine streaming through the windscreen. "It happened when I was a young kid, they both remarried, and I like my stepparents. I am lucky, I have four parents now."

"That's a nice way to view it."

"It's the only way. Got to make the best of a bad situation, that's what I think."

"I like your positive attitude."

He reached over and squeezed my leg. "And I like yours, you're handling this whole breakup very well, or at least you seem to be."

I enjoyed his touch and set my hand over his. "I'm not very good at hiding emotions, at least not around friends, so what you see is the truth. I am handling it…" I paused.

He retook the steering wheel to negotiate a maneuver. "You are handling it…and…?"

"And I suppose I feel like I've had a lucky escape. I can't imagine being married to a man who doesn't love me, and having a best friend who can lie so slickly. I'm well rid of them both."

"But it must hurt a bit."

"It hurts a lot." I paused, swallowed, and willed tears not to form. "But it's happened now, there's no going back. I guess I'll take out little bits at a time to pick apart."

"What do you mean?"

"I've pondered on it a few times, looking back, when they must have been together. My career keeps me busy, I trusted Steven totally, never gave it a second thought if I didn't see him for a week or two but…but I remember him being very vague a few months ago about where he was for a long weekend, and Cheryl was out of contact, too." I shrugged. "I'm guessing they were together while I was in Dubai on a shoot. I was busy, it was hot, I brushed off any suspicions before they even settled on me."

"Deception is a dagger to the heart," he said. "In France, if we take another lover, we always tell our husband or wife, not that we don't do it discreetly but we maintain the trust. It stops the soul being crushed."

"Really?"

" Oui , really, monogamy is not so popular in France as it is in other countries. The flesh has desires, the body has needs; some can't be denied, don't you agree?"

"Yes, I do agree." I looked at his arms as he held the steering wheel. His tendons danced beneath the surface of his smooth skin, and his biceps bulged around his red t-shirt. "Do you think you will ever get married, Eduardo?"

"What?" He laughed. "Why do you want to know?"

"I…I guess I'm wondering if you would take another lover, if you had a wife."

"If you were my wife?"

"I didn't say that."

"If, after many years of marriage the urge took me, I would speak to her about it. If she was okay, if she had a lover, too, then yes. If she didn't want it, then I would do whatever made her happy. A wife is a wife, a lover is a lover, they are two separate things."

We turned into the parking lot of the rink, and he killed the engine.

"You will be cold, a fleece is not enough," he said. "I have a jacket in the trunk, I will get it for you."

A few minutes later, I was heading through the back door of the rink. The cool air instantly surrounded me, and I shrugged into the huge Vipers puffer jacket Eduardo had given me. I'd really have to get something that fitted me better if I was going to start frequenting hockey games.

"Come, this way." Eduardo was striding ahead with his rucksack thrown over one shoulder. "I will show you where to sit, and today's practice, it is a short one, the coaches have their monthly meeting this afternoon."

"That's good, I didn't fancy six hours in the arctic."

"I will get you a coffee…no, no, a tea, you drink tea."

"No, no, don't worry, you get on with your practice, it's your job after all. I'll be fine. I'll get one if I want one."

The rink came into view, and I spotted several people seated near the tunnel. They were all huddled in big jackets, hoods up or winter hats on.

"Over there," Eduardo said, standing close. "Just up these few steps and you'll see the way." He paused and peered forward. "Mae is here, she is Wolf's wife. Sit with her."

"Okay."

"Mae French."

"Ah, is she French? Like you?"

He laughed and squeezed my shoulder. "No, no, she is from Austin, Texas, you have not heard of her?"

"Mae French," I repeated. "Ah, yes, she is a country and western singer, right?"

" Oui , and very successful."

"She must be for me, an average Brit, to have heard of her. Country and western isn't exactly on our radar."

"You are anything but average." He leaned forward and gently brushed his lips over mine.

I stood very still. A kiss wasn't what I'd been expecting, but I wasn't complaining. He smelled divine, his lips were full and soft, and the twinkle in his eyes told me there were many more layers to Eduardo for me to discover.

He smiled. "Wait for me, and I will come and find you." He glanced at the rink. Several players had shot out on the ice along with what appeared to be a coach. " Merde , I am late, Mike will have my guts strung up."

"You got distracted with cars and women, huh."

He chuckled. "My only two vices, I promise you."

I watched him stride off, his butt exceptionally cute in black jeans. I wondered what it would have been like if he'd been the guy to take me back to my room at the hotel in Cardiff. Dylan had been up for a fast, hard fuck, at least that first time. Would Eduardo have insisted on slow and seductive? Would he have forgone sleep for round two? I couldn't help but wonder what the handsome Frenchman would be like between the sheets.

As I approached the small group of rink-side spectators, I spotted Mae French. Even in a pink bobble hat and a huge black padded jacket she looked like a star. It was the way she sat bolt upright, the carefully applied makeup and the huge sparkling earrings in the shape of cowboy boots.

She turned and saw me. "Hey." She made a come-over-here gesture. "Take a seat."

Her friendly smile put me at ease, and I took a seat one along from her.

"Pippa Bentley," she said with a grin. "And you are just as beautiful in real life."

"Oh…I thank you."

"Gina told me about you coming over with the guys." She delved into her purse and pulled out a pair of fluffy white gloves. "Here, you'll need these. It's cold enough to freeze the ass off a penguin in here."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I slipped the gloves on.

"She also said you were a runaway bride." Her Southern drawl was thick and long.

"She did?"

"Yeah, wanna talk about it?"

I sighed and watched the players passing the puck at lightning speed to one another. "He was a cheat, I found out just before I stepped onto the aisle, and turned and ran the other way."

"Good for you." She held up her hand.

It took me a moment to realize she wanted to high five. Our gloved palms slapped together.

"But," she said. "I didn't even know you were dating."

I raised my eyebrows, surprised that she would have known one way or another.

"I'm obsessed with fashion," she said, with a shrug. "I was in Paris last year when you were on the runway for Dior, and then I saw you again in Milan. You're always the epitome of elegance, your experience and professionalism shines through, and your new advert, the hot-air balloon one, love it."

"Oh, well, thanks. Coming from you, a huge star yourself, that means a lot." I smiled.

"Ah, there's Wolf, he's mine." She pointed at the rink. A guy dressed all in black and with a black helmet was taking shots in fast succession at the goal. The goal defender was working hard to deflect as many as possible. "We just had our third anniversary last week."

"Congratulations."

"So are you with Eduardo?" she asked me.

"I…not really and—"

"It's too soon, right, to hook up with someone else. I mean, this time last week you were planning a wedding."

"That is true." I paused. "But Eduardo, and Dylan, Ben and Theo have all been really supportive without being intrusive. They've offered me a safe haven, for a few days, a week perhaps, while I sort myself out."

"They're all good guys." She nodded. "The whole team are. A few are rough around the edges, if you get my drift, but basically they're all decent human beings who just love hockey."

"I got to see my first game in Cardiff the other night."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Took me a while to pick up speed; you have to be quick to keep track of the puck." I laughed.

"So true." She closed her eyes and groaned, then rubbed her back.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, honey, I'm fine. Listen…" She frowned at me and swallowed. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"And you can say no…it just kind of feels like it's fate or destiny or something you sitting here today."

I had no idea what she was talking about. "Go on…"

"It's a proposition really, and feel free to say no…"

I waited for her to continue.

"I have a new venture," she said, her face lighting up. "I'm really excited about it, it's fashion, you see. A line of clothing that's the Mae French brand. Naturally it's very country, lots of denim, tassels, sequins, and all that jazz."

"Sounds great."

"Half the profits are going to Welcome Home, which is The Vipers' main charity, for sick kids, to get them out of the hospital and in their own homes, you know, they're happy then. Kids need to be at home with their families."

"I agree."

"And the plan was for me to model the range, it's my name after all, but now…well, it's not going to work."

"What do you mean?"

She chuckled. "This." In one swift movement, she undid the zipper on her thick jacket and exposed her swollen belly covered by a green sweater. "Little one is due in three months."

"Oh, I didn't realize, congratulations."

"Thank you, we're very excited." She rubbed her hand over her stomach. "The head of marketing for the brand is not so excited, I've thrown his plans into a tailspin."

"I can imagine."

"So, I've been trying to get inventive. The range is for active women, business women, women who are bringing up families and succeeding in all aspects of life, and it's about comfort and durability but still maintaining personality and that country theme."

"Tell me more." Her enthusiasm was infectious.

She refastened her jacket. "And so I've come up with a plan, a plan to get other women I admire to do the photo shoot for me, model the clothes for the website and promo. So far Carly, that's Brick's wife, has agreed, she's an Olympic medalist, cycling, and Gina, who you've met, and I'm hoping Dana who is Rick, the captain's wife, and CEO of her own business, will also jump on board but…but if you would also be willing to model a few outfits, that would really bring some traction to the brand and the campaign for Welcome Home."

I nodded slowly. This was the type of work I liked to get involved with. It wasn't all for profit, these were real women with stories and passion and that would shine through.

"But you don't have to." Mae held up her palms. "It's just an idea, I mean, how often do I find myself sitting next to a supermodel."

"Well, I don't know about supermodel." I laughed; the expression always made me uncomfortable.

"You are, and you know it." She nudged me. "What do you think?"

"Where would the shoot be?"

"Here, in Orlando, over the next week or so if that suits you, or perhaps if you are going back to London then I could arrange a—"

"No, no, I'm not going back to London. Here is good. And I have nothing in my diary. I was supposed to be on my honeymoon." I rolled my eyes. "So I don't see why not, I really like the sound of the project."

"Really? You sure? Wow."

I smiled.

"You have just made my day." She clasped her gloved hands to her cheeks. "I can't believe it."

"Just get your people to ring my agent, Trevor. I'll ping you his number. He'll have me drawn and quartered if he doesn't get a contract negotiated so he can dot all the i's and whatnot."

"Sure thing, honey." She pulled out her phone. "Got to keep the agents happy."

"But have you considered a maternity line?" I said. "That way you could still get your face on the website. I bet your fans would love it. And there'll be a percentage of them who are pregnant for sure."

Her mouth parted, and I could see the cogs of her mind working. "That's brilliant. My stupid pregnancy brain hadn't even thought of that. How hard can it be to design some sparkly maternity jumpsuits and a few rhinestone dresses and sweaters with extra room?" She laughed. "I'll get the design team straight on it. Thanks, Pippa. I really appreciate it. I always knew you were more than just a pretty face."