He holds a hand out to me, and I shake it. “Great game, Dax.”
Dominik releases my hand and turns to congratulate my teammates, then everyone starts conversing again.
Erik claps me on the shoulder with a, “What are you drinking, buddy?”
“Sam Adams,” I reply, watching as Legend and Bishop follow him up to the bar.
By the time I turn around, Dominik has launched into a story about some foreign business deal that is apparently funny by the way everyone seems to be laughing.
Everyone except Willow.
She stands opposite of him in the circle, watching Dominik with a certain detachment that surprises me. There’s definitely interest in her eyes, but there is a healthy layer of skepticism as she listens.
Now that is interesting. Dominik Carlson would be on the front page of the catalog entitled “Dream Man”. He’s the poster child for everything a woman could want.
I stand quietly and observe. My teammates return and hand me my beer, which I sip casually. Dominik carries most of the conversation, but after his funny business deal story, he turns the focus on my family, asking questions of everyone in an attempt to get to know them better. He’s gregarious, charming, and I can tell everyone is taken in by him.
Everyone except Willow, who smiles only faintly at him when the attention is turned her way.
There comes a moment when Dominik’s drink runs dry and he asks if anyone would like a refill. He turns to the bar after getting everyone’s order, and I step up beside him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask as I sidle in beside him at the bar.
He twists to see me with a bland smile on his face.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he replies dryly.
“Yes. You clearly have a thing for my sister. Everyone can tell you’re trying to impress her.”
“It’s not working,” he mutters.
“I’m glad you’re smart enough to see that.”
Dominik nods, glances to the bartender who is still busy serving someone else, then regards me pensively. “Any words of advice?”
“Yeah, stay away from her.”
This does not offend the man. If anything, I see a measure of respect on his face. Still, he is not put off in the slightest. “Willow doesn’t seem to be the type who needs protecting from her older brother.”
“She’s not. But that doesn’t make me any less protective as her brother. But I’m telling you… you might as well give it up. She’s not into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Money won’t impress her.”
Dominik straightens up and leans an elbow on the bar. He smiles in what I would term to be triumph. “Interesting. Tell me more. What will impress her?”
I stare at him incredulously. “I’m not giving you advice to help you out.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re my boss,” I growl. “That’s my sister. It’s weird and creepy and just… leave her alone, okay?”
Dominik snorts. I have clearly amused him. But then his eyes turn hard as he leans towards me. “I could just trade you.”
That gets my attention. “You wouldn’t.”
Dominik stares at me for a long, thoughtful moment, and I wonder just how far this immensely powerful man would go to get my sister. But then he shrugs and turns to the bartender. “No, I wouldn’t trade you. But I also don’t take orders from you. Until your sister tells me to stop, I’m going to keep on trying. My apologies if it bothers you.”
Well, fuck.
He is effectively putting me in my place and telling me not to whine about stuff I cannot control. But I think he’s also smart enough not to really piss me off as I can make things more difficult for him.
He needs to keep me on his good side.
I decide to use it as an advantage, changing the subject in an effort to catch him off-guard. “What is the team going to do about Tacker?”
Dominik’s head snaps my way, his eyes narrowing. “That’s private.”
I just stare at him, not willing to accept that.
Dominik glances at the bartender, then leans into me slightly. “Without giving details, we’ve offered him a means to stay on the team and we’re hoping he takes it. We think he’s necessary to help us win the Cup this year. The deadline for him to give us an answer is Monday.”
I think that’s terrific news, but I don’t show my jubilation. Instead, I say, “I’m going to see him on Sunday. He’s coming to Blue’s brother’s birthday party. We’ll all encourage him as best we can.”
The bartender walks up, interrupting our conversation. “What can I get you?”
Dominik starts rattling off the order, including another Sam Adams for me. I had not told him that’s what I was drinking, but he must’ve been observant when I had asked Erik to get me one earlier. I try not to be impressed by his level of attentiveness.
I step away from the bar, rejoining the group. Taking Regan’s hand, I give it a tug, pulling her a few feet away.