“I don’t know what I’m saying.” I hang my head in shame. “Me, being here between your legs like this? The blood flow situation is… compromised.”
Her fingers thread through my hair. “We fooled them, huh?” she murmurs.
I nod in agreement, and taking note of the guilt threading its way through my body, I exhale and say, “We did.” My thoughts go to Dylan, the main reason we’re doing this. “I love how fast your announcement wiped the smug look off that asshole’s face.”
“Yeah, I liked that too,” she says quietly.
“I like your family, Jay.”
“Me too.” She tilts her head. “Wait, Dad didn’t lecture you, did he?”
He did. Or… something. I’m not sure yet. I need to sit with his words.
She saw it before any of us.
Who the hell is she?
“Can’t remember,” I lie, angling toward her lips. “No blood, remember?”
“Right,” she breathes, and I kiss her like I mean it. Maybe… I do.
When I pull back, she smirks. “You said you were confident I’d get back on my feet. While I believe you, maybe I’d like to not be on them right now.”
I stand and walk to the door.
“Where are you going?” she asks, then gasps when I shut it and twist the lock.
“To get you, my sweet fiancée…” I take two steps and give her shoulder a gentle shove. As she falls onto the bed, I say, “…off your feet.”
“But…” She pauses and points. “Downstairs.”
I chuckle, and pop the button on her jeans. “Yeah, that’s exactly where I’m going, babe.”
11
Jaylynn
Penn comes back to our table at the inn, a plate full of crispy bacon. I arch a brow and he gives me a warning look as he points a finger at me. “Don’t tell Coach.”
I cock my head. “Oh, and what do I get for keeping your secret?”
“Something very special,” he tells me with a playful wink as I reach over and steal a piece of bacon.
“Something more special than clogged arteries, and a future bypass?” I ask, and he laughs. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret?” Jaxon asks, as he steps up to us. He glances at Penn’s plate, cringes, and then tries to hide his own when he says, “Dude, that stuff is going to make you sluggish today.”
“You’re one to talk,” I shoot back, protecting Penn as I point at the plate he’s trying to hide.
He hangs his head. “Yeah, okay. Busted.”
“Join us,” I say.
His brow lifts. “Yeah?”
Penn waves his hand, but that nervousness is back. “Sure.”
Jaxon pulls out a chair and sits and I take another big drink of my coffee. A young boy at the table next to us turns, his eyes wide as he sees the two NHL players sitting together. I gesture with a nod. “You guys have a fan.”