Page 19 of Pucks and Coffee

She gives me a look. “I’d rather not and hire someone who is.”

Her answer gives me hope, and without much thought, I lean in, brushing my lips along her cheek. “Well, I have to say, McDavid, you are radiant in the morning.”

Her brows pull together. “Don’t need to kiss my ass anymore. I’m already going.”

“But you haven’t agreed to marry me,” I say with a wink.

“So, when I do agree to marriage, the flirting will stop?”

The gleam in her eyes makes it real hard to form coherent sentences, but I manage, “Unlike some guys, I do plan to flirt with my wife. Daily.”

“Gotta keep her somehow, huh?” she teases, and my eyes lock with hers.

“I don’t think I’ll have a problem keeping a wife.” The sexual tone is loud and clear, and by the flush spreading along her neck, I know she hears it. I hadn’t planned on sleeping with her this year. I wanted to respect her, and I know sex leads to feelings, which neither of us has time for, but that may change. “Ready?” I ask before she can comment, and she nods, taking my outstretched elbow.

We head to my SUV, and I walk around with her, opening the door. My SUV is lifted, so I hold her hand as she climbs up into the truck more quickly than I would have thought. “With those little legs, I thought I’d have to lift you in.”

She shoots me a dark look. “With these little legs, I can kick you. Hard.”

I snort. “Spicy.”

“Shut up.”

I shut the door, grinning like a fool. I like her. I can do this.

When I get in, I hit the button to start the SUV while I shut my door. I go to put it in drive when McDavid asks, “Before we go, I have a question.”

“Okay?” I ask, and I’m not a fan of her tone. It’s low, unsure, and it suddenly makes me nervous. “Having second thoughts?”

“Ugh, I’ve had thirty. But I’m going. I’m committed.” I flash her a grin, and she looks back down at where she’s moving the straw in and out of her cup. “But if we come upon a bear, trust and believe, I’m pushing you down and hauling ass.”

I let out a roar of laughter at that, and her sweet, angelic laughter joins in, her eyes crinkling with the emotion. As my laughter fades, I nod. “I will gladly be bear food for you.”

“My hero,” she swoons, pressing the back of her hand under her chin in the most adorable damsel-in-distress pose I’ve ever seen. Fuck, she’s pretty. Her braid swings and then comes to rest along her shoulder. I want to grab it, wrap it around my hand, and yank her toward me. I’d kiss the fuck out of her. I’d explore her mouth. I’d taste every single inch of her and then beg for more.

What the hell.

Why am I lusting so badly for this girl?

I try to get ahold of my raging emotions before I say, “But that’s not what you wanted to ask, is it?”

Her hand falls away as she blows out a long breath. “No.”

“What is it, McDavid?”

Her eyes stay locked with mine. “If all this wasn’t happening and you could still get into the NHL with no issues, would you still want a wife?”

“No,” I answer honestly and without hesitation. “I don’t want to be married. I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s feelings, their needs, and their protection. I want to play hockey and selfishly care about nothing but myself.”

Her eyes widen with each word, but she doesn’t look away. Her chin is high, and her lips are turned down. Guilt eats me alive, knowing I put that frown on her face. She shouldn’t be frowning; she should be giving me that little sneaky grin of hers. The thing is, I can’t lie. I have to be truthful, not only for her, but for myself. Maybe I could have toned it down a bit, because in those greenish-brown eyes, I can see the gears grinding. She’s going to say no. I’m not worth a coffee shop. I’m not worth her time.

I’m not marriage material.

CHAPTER 12

Eliza

As much as I expected him to say what he did, it still stings.

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