Page 86 of Lucky Bounce: Game On: Part Two

"I'm not sure I even know how to do that." He sank back down into his seat and scratched his beard. "I've never done it before."

Holly sat down on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You start like this," she said gently. "You let people comfort you."

He pulled her close and buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling the lily-scented strands of her hair. "I'll try."

"I'm sorry about what happened to Fally," she whispered. "And what you're going through because of it. With the team, and because you're worried about your friend."

Eli closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. "Thank you, kitten. Forgive me for earlier?"

"Yes," she murmured. "Of course I forgive you."

His limbs and body felt so heavy that he wasn't sure how he was going to make it into the other room for a nap. "I'm exhausted."

"You should sleep." She traced her fingers gently along his bruised cheek. "It will help."

"Come with me," he urged. "Leave the cleanup and come lay down with me."

"Are you sure?"

"Hell, yeah. Maybe it's selfish, but I want you in my arms."

"I thought I snored?" she teased. "Won't that keep you awake?"

"Nah, you don't really snore. I was just teasing. Come on. Let's go have a nap."

Holly nodded. "Okay. I'm going to feed Miss first, and I'll meet you in your bedroom."

Eli pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and was pleased to see that when he pulled away, there was a dreamy expression on her pretty face.

Only he got to see this romantic, soft side of her. And if he got his way, no other man would ever see it. He couldn't stand to think of her in someone else's arms.

"Sounds like a plan." He kissed her again, but this time with purpose. "See you in there, kitten."

* * *

Holly let out a soft sigh and rolled over as Eli's phone rang with a video chat request. He struggled to sit up and sighed, running a hand over his hair before grabbing it from the nightstand.

Shit. It was his mother. He quickly hit the answer button.

"Mom?" He tried not to appear panicked when her image popped up on the screen. "What's wrong?"

Holly rolled over; her eyes heavy as she peered up at him.

"Eli?" His mother's face was pale and frightened as tears flowed down her withered cheeks.

"Mom, where's Irena? Is she there?" Panic seized him as she sobbed her heart out.

"Y-yes, she's here. She called you for me. Where are you, Eli? I've been waiting and waiting for you to come home."

"I'm staying here at my house because I need sleep for the playoffs," he said gently. "I'm okay, though. I'm safe at home."

"Oh. Oh, right. That's right," she said, sniffing. "But I'm lonely, Eli. I miss you. And your father isn't here. Do you know where he is?"

Holly put a hand on his arm, and he swallowed hard. It always came back to Ethan Donnelley. He should find the sonofabitch and givehima few well-deserved punches to the jaw.

"Don't worry about Dad. He's away on business."

As always, there was little sense in breaking her heart and telling her he wasn't coming home. She'd likely forget the entire conversation in ten minutes.

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