Page 98 of On the Power Play

"That was impulsive."

"Uh-huh." His breath came in quick bursts, and as he searched her face, he looked like he might lift her up and carry her back up the stairs.

She wanted him to. Her inner thighs ached. Her ribs expanded like they might rip her in half. Delia clenched her hands against his skin, then dropped them from his neck and stepped back, letting Jack's hands fall from her waist.

"So . . . I'm assuming you told her?" Tyler leaned on the desk next to what looked like the Matrix's back office.

Delia looked between Tyler and Jack. "Told me what?"

A shy smile crept onto Jack’s face, and she wanted to kiss him all over again.

Then reality hissed against the blaze inside her. What was everyone doing there? Why did it look like there was a whale’s umbilical cord stretching across the floor? How long had the Snowballs been there, and why did she still smell bacon?

Jack shifted on his feet. "Did I ever mention to you that Tyler works in cyber security?"

_____

Jack sat across from Delia in the kitchen, barely able to sit still.

"So, let me get this straight." Delia took a bite of her sandwich, her words slightly muffled by a mouthful of egg and cheese. "Tyler turned into a cyber ninja overnight."

"I think he was already a cyber ninja."

"Which was why you brought him in?"

Jack nodded. "I didn't know if he'd have any ideas, but I figured it was worth a shot."

"He did it?"

"If by 'did it' you mean got the original video down, yes. There are still plenty of clips circulating, and we're working on that." He looked behind him through the window into the living area where his teammates were dismantling the equipment. Jack glanced at his phone. Eight fifteen. He had just enough time to get home and shower before he needed to start working for the day, but no part of him wanted to leave that kitchen.

Delia shook her head, her eyes glassy as she chewed. "I don't even know what to say."

Jack wanted to explain how much he'd enjoyed the way she'd thanked him earlier, then thought better of it. That was impulsive. Delia was grateful. Delia had big feelings. Those things had come through loud and clear. Jack was dying to know if there was anything else behind that kiss, and that slicked any excitement with an oily film.

He wanted this. For the first time in years, he woke up in the morning excited to see someone. Elated to see her name pop up on his phone. As cliché as it sounded, that kiss had made him feel superhuman. Like it didn’t matter he was quitting his job because, of course, he’d get a contract next season with the Blizzard.

You're allowed to want to be happy. That thought slid like a skewer into his gut. He could want happiness, but could he have it? They lived in a temporary bubble now, but Delia would go back to Toronto. He’d be there in Calgary.

Nevermind the logistical issues, was it possible for him to open up again? He'd never tried—never wanted to try. Until right then.

"What can I do for you?" Delia wiped a bit of mustard from her lips.

Jack frowned. "What?"

"Do you have data entry you need done? Your washroom cleaned? Dinner tonight? Please, let me do something to thank you for this."

"Delia—"

"I'm serious, Jack. I'm going to go insane if I have to sit here all day in your debt."

He laughed. "You're not in my debt."

"You missed practice last night! Don't even try to deny it, and you're probably going to be late for work—yes, I know you're quitting Big Rick, but you don't strike me as the kind of guy who slacks off in his last two weeks. Plus, I know you want to spend more time with your teammates, and?—"

"Okay, okay." Jack held up his hands in defeat. He thought about Clara's texts that morning.

Shorthanded at the hospital

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