Page 145 of Sin Bin

He smiled and stood watching as she headed off down the hall, calling impishly over her shoulder, “See ya later, Lunkhead!”

The old nickname hit him right between the ribs, piercing his already compromised heart.

When she was out of sight, he closed the door and sagged back against it, blowing out his cheeks.

After his mother deserted him at that casino, he’d vowed that he would never open his heart to that kind of hurt again. His mother had been the most important person in his world, and that hadn’t stopped her from leaving him. He couldn’t bear the thought of watching another woman he loved walk out of his life. It would kill him for sure this time.

He knew he couldn’t afford to lose his heart to Jupiter.

But something told him he’d lost that battle a long damn time ago.

Shortly after he returned from practice that afternoon, Santino’s ex-wife and daughter stopped by the hotel to see him.

Prior to their arrival, he’d arranged for the delivery of a fruit platter with a bottle of his adoptive mother’s favorite wine. Five minutes after the concierge left, there was a friendly knock on the door.

Logan crossed the suite and opened the door, his face breaking into a huge grin. “Hola, Mama.”

“Hey, baby!” Roxanne Tavárez smooched him on the cheek and gave him a big hug, holding him tightly to her as she rubbed his back. By the time she released him and cupped his face in her hands, he had a thick lump in his throat.

She beamed up at him, her dark eyes twinkling with affection. “It’s so good to see you, Logan.”

He grinned broadly. “Good to see you, too. Always.”

Roxanne was beautiful and voluptuous with smooth mahogany skin and a short curly natural that framed her ageless face.

“Come on in.” Logan stepped back so she could enter the suite. Before closing the door, he glanced down the hallway and asked, “Where’s the Duchess?”

“She’s coming. She had to take a call. You know how she is—always attached to that damn phone of hers.” Roxanne grinned and fondly patted his jaw. “You’re looking handsome as ever. I see you’re growing your annual playoff beard. Thank you for keeping it short and well groomed. I shudder every time I see hockey players walking around with those awful shaggy beards, looking like crazy mountain men.”

Logan laughed, stroking his jaw. “It’s gonna get longer as the playoffs progress.”

“Just keep it neat, that’s all I ask.” She looked at the top of his head, surprise flickering in her eyes. “Are you growing out your hair?”

“Um, yeah.” He ran a hand through the black locks, ruffling up the ends. “You like it?”

Her eyes twinkled. “Do you even have to ask? Haven’t I always adored your wild, beautiful hair?”

Grinning, Logan caught her hand and kissed the back of it. “Your opinion is the only one that matters.”

“Oh, go on with you,” she tittered.

He laughed, following her toward the living room.

“Oh, how pretty!” she gushed when she saw the colorful fruit platter gracing the coffee table like a work of art. “Is that for me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Logan was all smiles. “I know you already had lunch. I thought you might want to cleanse your palate with some refreshing fruit.”

“Aww! And you got all my favorite fruits, too!” She turned back and affectionately stroked his cheek. “Thank you, baby. You’re always so sweet and thoughtful.”

Logan grinned, basking in the warmth of her approval. As she continued to the living room, he went to the bar and grabbed the cabernet sauvignon.

“This suite is gorgeous, Logan.” Roxanne sat on the couch, picked up a plastic skewer and speared a piece of pineapple carved in the shape of a petal. She bit into it and hummed appreciatively. “Mmm. That’s delicious.”

Logan presented the bottle of wine to her.

“Ooh! My favorite!” She beamed at him. “You’re just spoiling me rotten, aren’t you?”

He winked. “You know how I do.”

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