SHOOTOUT SAVE (The Renegades Series Book 6) Read online

  SHOOTOUT SAVE

  Renegades 6

  By Melody Heck Gatto

  Shootout Save – Renegades 6

  By Melody Heck Gatto

  Copyright © 2017 by Melody Heck Gatto

  License Notes

  All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Editing by Bree Scalf - Vivid Editing

  Cover Art by Kat McCarthy - Aeternum Designs

  PROLOGUE

  (When it all Began)

  Alison quietly crept away from Hailee, as Dom tried his best to get her friend to warm up to him. She saw the glint in Hailee’s eye; his efforts were working. But Dom still had a lot of work to do. Dom helping Hailee around the rink was much more romantic than Alison helping her friend. He definitely had smooth moves. She just hoped Hailee would finally let him in.

  Alison skated towards the exit, where there were hockey players from the Renegades hanging out there. She liked hockey players. They were all tall, built, and handsome. But as she scanned the group of men, one stood out to her.

  He had blond hair and a sexy smirk, and she was sure he looked familiar. She’d never been the world’s greatest hockey fan, but she knew some of the players. She’d always been a fan of the team captain, Tyler. But she was sure she knew this player. More recently, when she’d watched the game, she’d been taken with his skill, not to mention his looks… and in real life, he was even more impressive. Pretty sure that’s the goalie, Kaden O’Conner. Mmmhmm, he is a cutie.

  Chills ran through her when she felt his eyes travel over her as she skated by.

  “Hey there doll, you looked good out there on the ice.” He smirked and quickly nodded his head, while his eyes glided over her. “I like a girl who can skate.”

  Stopping dead right before the ramp that exited off the ice, Alison spun around and flashed a sheepish smile. He’d called her “doll”, and so what if it was just a line; she liked it. “I teach ice skating, actually.”

  “Oh yeah? Maybe you can teach me a few things. Eh?” The handsome blond hockey hero winked at her, suggestively. And she liked that, too. “So doll, where are you headed when you’re done here? Not going too far away, I hope.”

  “As soon as my friend over there is done flirting with your teammate, we were just headed back to my place. It’s already been a long day.”

  “So, I guess you wouldn’t want to accompany me for drinks after our team charity event is over? I always feel better with a cute blonde on my arm.”

  He was so obviously a player, and normally that wouldn’t appeal to her, but at least he wasn’t trying to hide it. His frankness was actually kind of refreshing. And he was so hot, he could dissolve panties. She allowed herself to look him over the same way he had to her. I’d feel a lot better on his arm, too.

  She answered before her brain gave his words too much thought. “Sure, why not?”

  “Great. I’m Kaden, by the way.” He put his hand out for her to shake.

  “Alison.” Did I just agree to meet him at a bar? Like a date? She wasn’t normally so bold, but what harm could it do just to spend some time with him? He might turn out to be a jerk, but she could still enjoy just looking at him.

  “Well, Alison. You’re friends with Hailee? Make sure she tags along. I’m sure Dom would appreciate that.”

  If she was going, so was Hailee; that was for damn sure. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Convincing her friend to tag along wasn’t easy but was worth the fight. Hailee needed some one-on-one time with her ex, Dom. And Alison needed to meet up with Kaden. It was always a dream of hers to be asked out by a hot hockey player, and while Hailee was pushing her hockey player away, Alison wished she had one. If not for the long haul, then just as a temporary distraction. Fun, that’s what she needed. She hadn’t had fun in… well, a long time. Then came Kaden.

  Waiting at the bar for the hockey guys to show, Alison’s nerves had her trembling inside. They were hockey stars, after all, and had their pick from any of the gorgeous women pursuing them. But once she spotted them from across the crowded room, Kaden grinned wide as his glance met hers, and all nerves left her body. This might end up being a night to remember.

  Approaching her from the side, he slid his arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek, nestling his nose in her hair. “Mmm, don’t you smell good?” His words were soft in her ear, his hot breath tickled.

  Her feminine senses came alive in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. The way her body hummed, she realized with surprise that she wanted to be with him anywhere but here. But she had come along with Hailee, and to be honest, she was just happy for some alone time with Kaden while Hailee was occupied.

  It wasn’t long before Dominic Zanetti, Hailee’s ex, wanted to get out of there and go someplace quiet. But, Hailee being Hailee, strong willed, bull-headed, and anything but cooperative, she refused to leave. She purposely struck up a conversation with some college guys who were star-struck at first by Kaden O’Conner and Dominic Zanetti being at their hole-in-the-wall bar. That quickly changed.

  Poor Dom did his best to steer Hailee away and get her to go home with him, but she insisted they stay and play a drinking game called “Quarters”.

  Rolling her eyes out of annoyance, Alison lightly kicked her friend in the shin to show her displeasure. “It’s not every day I get to spend time with a hot hockey player. I don’t have that kind of luck like you, Hailee. Can’t you just give me that?”

  Ignoring Alison, Hailee insisted on playing the drinking game with the college guys. Dom of course joined in to make sure she didn’t get taken advantage of, and unwilling Kaden was asked to join, too.

  Giving Alison an apologetic look, he held out his arm to her and nodded for her to come close. “I promise we’ll get out of here as soon as we’re done here, but for now, I’d like you by my side,” Kaden said, with a devilish look in his eye. By his side was a good place to be.

  Alison hung onto Kaden while they tossed quarters and drank shots. Hailee seemed to be losing miserably, and she wasn’t holding her liquor as well as she thought she was.

  “Hail, don’t you think we should go?” she whispered to Hailee. “Can we find somewhere quiet where we can all talk? I’d love to get to know Kaden a little better, you know. I might not get another chance to come out with him.”

  But her stubborn friend was in no mood to back down, not even to help Alison out in her desire for the hockey player.

  Dom saw the game tilting in the wrong direction and made sure he and Kaden got most of the drinks that were left. Then he mumbled something about being done dealing with spoiled college brats, and dragged Hailee out of the bar.

  Kaden’s weight was against Alison, and her body pulsed at the sensation.

  “So, you wanna go somewhere, doll?”

  “What did you have in mind?” He was flirting with her and she was enjoying every minute.

  Kaden traced her jawline with his finger. Tipping her chin up so her lips met his, he kissed her. His lips were warm and soft, and moved against hers with
a gentle, simmering passion. Ending the kiss just as she opened her lips to him, he backed away and pulled her with him. “Let’s go get a coffee, get to know each other a little.” Pulling her to his side when they hit the sidewalk, he whispered in her ear, “Then if you’d like, we could go back to my place for some fun.”

  Yes, fun please. I’d even be willing to skip the coffee. “Hmm, sounds like a plan to me. I do like fun.”

  “Good, so do I.” Kaden squinted his eyes in a sexy, devilish way. Then he dropped her arm to the side. “Hang on a minute, I have to tell Dom one thing before we go.”

  She watched him walk down the cold sidewalk to Dom, because he was sure fun to watch walk away in those tight jeans. He quietly said something to Dom, then came back to her. “Hailee doesn’t look too good.”

  As much as she wanted to get to know all of Kaden O’Conner, Hailee was her friend, and worry filled her mind now. “Wait, I should take her home.”

  “Doll, that’s up to you, but Dom is a great guy who cares more about Hailee than she realizes.”

  Alison looked over to where Dom was helping Hailee walk. His arms held her with such care, and the way he looked at Hailee with such reverence, reassured Alison that her friend was in good hands. They had history, and it wasn’t all bad like Hailee wanted to believe. It might actually be good for Hailee, who always thought she had to be in control, to allow Dom to take care of her for once.

  Alison turned back to Kaden. “You’re sure he’ll manage?”

  “You know he’s crazy about her. He’ll take care of her, no worries. I promise.” Leaning in close to Alison again, Kaden quietly added, his voice edged with lust, “And I want to take care of you, if you’ll let me.”

  Chills ran through her at his words and hot breath. He was a hockey player, emphasis on “player”. She wasn’t a fool. She knew this would be just a one-night thing. It was possible that he just considered her another puck bunny, but right now she didn’t care. She wasn’t sure why. There was just something about Kaden that made her want to be crazy, to let go and just enjoy the moment. His sexy smile warmed her to the core, and the way he flirted with his eyes made her knees weak. She was already in; to hell with her rules.

  “Doll, do you like fun?” That sexy smirk did things to her body.

  All she could manage was a nod. She would surely like the kind of fun that he had in mind.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Alison

  Roughly ten months later…

  Alison Bishop turned over in bed and grunted as she reached for her alarm. It was seven o’clock and time to get ready for work. The aroma of coffee spread through the loft, thanks to the timer on the automatic coffee maker. But the soft warmth of her bed and pillow still called to her.

  She might’ve been able to combat the sun, her annoying alarm, and the alluring smell of coffee, but there was one thing that made her want to stay in bed all day. Kaden.

  Turning into his strong embrace, she wrapped her arm around him. He was the one thing that could keep her from all of her responsibilities. She closed her eyes and inhaled his wonderful cologne. She could still smell it on her skin as well, and on the bed. Is there a nicer way to wake up?

  A light kiss was dropped on her head before his voice broke through the silence of the morning. “Hey doll, it’s time to get up. No drifting back to sleep, cutie pie.”

  “I know…” she mumbled. All his pet names for her made her heart flutter. She nuzzled closer to him.

  His fingertips were gently sliding along her back, tickling her, and triggering goosebumps to appear on her arms. The amusing sensation also awakened her libido, causing her nipples to perk up.

  Of course, he noticed. “Interested in some morning fun?” His lips found their way to her neck, sliding slowly down to her shoulder. The scratchiness of his stubble teased at her skin, which didn’t help the decision she had to make.

  “Kaden, as much as I want to say yes…” Her voice trailed off as he continued to tease her. His kisses inched lower, until his mouth threatened to cover her nipple. Pleasure screamed from inside her. They were so good together, and she didn’t want the night to be over just yet. “I like you in my bed.”

  “Mmm… I like being in your bed,” he responded between kisses. “I also like making you late for work.” His warm mouth covered her nipple. As much as she wanted to refuse his advances, her body won out in the end.

  “Don’t you have practice or something you’ll be late for?” She tried her best to distract him, but it wasn’t for selfish reasons. Sure, her commute was walking down the stairs to her pet salon. His commute was to the arena on the outskirts of town.

  Kaden gently shook his head. With his hair in his eyes, she could still see the delicious and devious stare he was giving her. There was no saying no to him.

  “C’mon, cutie.” His grin matched his devilish stare, and it set a fire in her belly. When his mouth returned to teasing her nipples, the fire traveled to between her legs.

  This man knew just what to do to get to her, and he did it well. Talented hands pulled her close and moved along her body, sending chills from her fingertips down to her toes. He was like a master at his skill. Kaden’s happened to be the art of love. He was as gifted at giving pleasure as he was at being a goalie.

  Rolling her onto her back, he rolled with her. Pinning her body to the mattress with his own, his hands explored her until she was fully aroused. It was as if she was kissed by fire each time his lips brushed against her skin.

  He swiped a condom off the nightstand and tore it open. Alison admired his arousal as he rolled it on, but it seemed like forever before he finally claimed her lips with his. When he climbed back on top of her, his hips settled right at home between her thighs. Kaden’s arousal pressed against her.

  Alison pulled her legs up and wrapped them around his warm body. Nudged him towards her entrance. Ran her fingers through his hair. She was ready for him.

  His kiss deepened, and his tongue danced passionately with hers as he thrust hard into her. A moan rumbled in the back of her throat as he filled her completely, and waves of pleasure flowed through her.

  When she tossed her head back into the pillow, Kaden buried his face in the crook of her neck, kissing and sucking as he rode her hard. His muscular body pushed into hers, and had her craving more. The thirst for him with each thrust was driving her wild. Repositioning her legs around him gave him better access to what she wanted. What she needed.

  He was diving deeper inside her now with speed and determination, and she matched his movements until finally colorful fireworks exploded behind her eyelids. Shocks of pleasure reverberated through her body. After a few more thrusts, Kaden surrendered to his own orgasm with a groan, and then dropped a soft kiss on her forehead. When he moved off her, she turned to her side, and his warmth cuddled in behind her.

  Her body was spent, and his was molded against hers. This moment was her idea of perfection. But all too soon, Kaden pulled away, and cold replaced where his body should be. Not wanting to move an inch, Alison wished she didn’t have to get ready for work. Kaden slipped away to the bathroom first, allowing her time to bask in her delirious state of satisfaction a bit longer.

  Unfortunately, her bliss didn’t last long, and soon she was up and preparing for her day. She washed up and only put on enough makeup to get by. The chilly air of the bedroom hit her as she opened the bathroom door, while the warmth of the bed and the soft blankets still called to her.

  Sneaking into the kitchen barefoot, she tilted her head, admiring Kaden at her stove in nothing but boxers. The delicious smell of pancakes filled the air. The table was set and the coffee ready.

  “Well, that was an amazing way to wake up.” She circled his waist with her arms and laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Careful, I’m not showered yet. You don’t want to go to work smelly, do you?” Turning his head, he kissed her on the nose.

  “I think I’ll survive. Don’t forget I’m going to go wash d
ogs all day. Not the most glamorous of jobs.”

  “Well, you’re not going anywhere without breakfast and coffee.” Kaden quickly kissed her lips before plating the pancakes and pouring her coffee. “You’re not late yet, so sit and eat.” He motioned to the chair.

  The pancakes were divine, as always. Fluffy and light, absolutely perfect. And the hot coffee really hit the spot. Kaden was a great chef. She wasn’t so bad in the kitchen herself, but after spending a lot of time on her own, cooking for one, it was nice being waited on. If she absolutely had to get moving today, this was the way to do it.

  Breakfast was calm and relaxing. She didn’t have to keep an eye on the clock so much as she had to keep an eye out the window and down on the street for her clients. Alison wanted every last second with Kaden that she could get. Sitting across the little table from him, he seemed so happy, maybe even content. This domestic side looked good on him.

  * * * *

  “Hailee, watch out for that black Lab. He really hates the—” Alison yelled across the room to her bestie, just as the black Lab Hailee was about to rinse off felt the water hit his back. The dog shook violently, spraying Hailee with water from his fur, and deflecting the water showering him from the nozzle. “Water. Buster hates the water.”

  “Gee, thanks for the warning,” Hailee said, her words laced with sarcasm.

  Hailee scowled at Alison as water dripped from her violet hair, while her perfect dark eyeliner started to run down her cheeks. It was a sight to see, and Alison couldn’t help but find it amusing. As hard as she tried not to, a laugh slipped through her lips.

  “Shut up,” Hailee muttered with a fake pout, as she wiped her face with a nearby towel.

  Alison half-heartedly apologized. “Sorry, but I tried to warn you.”

  Hailee dabbed her face a few more times before she handed Buster off to one of the other girls. “I would hardly call that a warning,” she said, as she sat down behind the front desk. “Remind me again why I work here pro-bono?” Hailee looked as if she was fighting to hold off a grin.