Penalty Play - Lynda Aicher Page 0,33

devilry. “The whip’s only for me.”

The burst of stunned laughter that flew from Henrik’s chest was followed by a quick cough. “Right.”

He shrugged. “You asked.” Hauke didn’t broadcast the lifestyle he led with Vanessa, but he’d revealed parts of it to Henrik and Walters over two years ago. Since then, light ribbing and banter around the topic was common between the three of them. Well, the two of them now that Walters was gone.

Henrik shook an ice cube into his mouth from his empty glass, the crunch satisfying. “So, uh...” He cut a side glance at Hauke. “That stuff still work for you?”

Hauke’s eyes narrowed. “What stuff?” He scanned around them, lowering his voice. “There’s a lot of stuff that still works for me.”

The man was going to make him say it, wasn’t he? “The spanking and kneeling stuff.” Hauke shook his head, smirk pressed flat. “What?” Henrik arched a brow. “Would you like me to yell it across the room?”

Hauke grunted. “Go ahead...but you’ll have to answer to V.”

Damn. Henrik suppressed a shudder. He did not want to tangle with that woman. Now Jacqui... He smiled. She was strong without being cutting or cold. Hell, she’d been all kinds of hot the other day.

His dick perked to life at the memory of her riding him, all wild yet controlled. Shit. He wasn’t thinking of Jacqui.

Hauke’s grin was full of victory. Yeah, Henrik wasn’t taking on Vanessa. The Ice Queen was still his PR rep, and he needed to work with her.

But Hauke... Henrik nudged him, goading a little more. “So how does it work?” He nodded toward Vanessa. “Does she tie you up, or do you bend over willingly for her?”

Hauke’s grin morphed into a scowl that hardened his expression into the cold glare he usually leveled on their opponents. “What the fuck’s your deal?”

If Henrik knew the answer to that, he’d probably tell their newly anointed captain. Maybe. Hauke was a friend, a good one even, but he didn’t have the personal history with him that he’d had with Walters.

“Just my natural charm, I guess.” He rolled his shoulder, faking indifference. He could do that all day. Sometimes it even covered the ache that never quite left his chest.

A redhead broke away from her bunny pack and headed their way, focused determination painted on her face beneath the lipstick and heavy mascara. Shit. He usually welcomed those types because it was easier for him. Except now his stomach rolled with something close to disgust. At himself, not her.

Why had he always settled when it wasn’t what he really wanted?

Hauke stepped around to stand in front of Henrik, blocking the pending attack. Had that been on purpose or pure accident? Either way, relief rushed through Henrik, the knot in his gut easing a bit.

“Where’s Patty?”

“Patricia,” Henrik automatically corrected. “And we split.”

Hauke let that hang, his shoulders lowering. “You’ve been avoiding the available women all night.”

Henrik snorted. “What difference does it make to you?”

“There’s always a girl on your arm.”

Fuck. “Your point?”

Hauke slowly shook his head. “I don’t know. But...there’s something.”

“Do you want to hug now?”

His lip quirked up. “Not a fucking chance.” He flipped his chin up. “I wouldn’t want to make the girls jealous.”

Henrik held a straight face for a moment before his bark of laughter burst free. “Right.” He nudged Hauke on the shoulder. “You’re probably afraid of what V would do to you.”

Hauke waggled his brows. “That hug is looking more inviting now.”

“Christ.” The bitterness coated his mouth with sardonic mirth. It definitely wasn’t jealousy. Not at all. “I don’t need that picture in my head.”

“What picture?” Hauke stepped away, an innocent grin in place.

Hell. Henrik shook his head, bowing out in gallant defeat. “Don’t you have someone to schmooze?”

The weight of his new responsibility fell onto Hauke with a physical drop of his head. “Dick.”

“That’s me.”

The man blew out a breath, head whipping up, charm in place. “You sure you don’t want to be captain?”

“Ha!” No fucking way. “Good one.”

“Shit.” Hauke swung around to stare at the room. “I could still back out and—”

“No.” Henrik’s insistence was sharp and serious. Hauke froze, stunned brows raised. “You are the only one who can follow Walters. You get the guys and the team. We need you as our captain.” He let that sink in, meaning every word. “The guys voted you into that role for a reason.”

Hauke pressed his lips thin, gave a short nod of acknowledgement. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat, straightened his jacket and tipped