Page 44 of Pucks and Likes

“I am,” I tell him, and I don’t miss the hint of warning in my voice.

Say one thing about my love, and I’ll lose my fucking mind.

“Congratulations, Cruz. You’ll be an incredible dad,” he says, and I see a bit of pride in his gaze, but surely I’m making that up. “A young dad.”

I scoff as I nod. “Yeah, my mom was over thirty when she had me, so I’m starting a wee bit earlier than her.”

“I’m thirty-six and somehow still haven’t knocked anyone up. Winning.”

I chuckle along with him as I stand, shaking out my limbs. “I feel like I’m winning.”

“Ah, that’s ’cause it’s all cute and sweet right now. Wait till you’re covered in poop and picking Cheerios out of your skates.”

I grin. “Know that from experience?”

“I used to do it to my dad.” His grin is unstoppable, and a bit of pain gathers in my chest. I don’t have little stories like that with a father figure, but my kid will have them all.

“Can I ask you something?”

“I have a feeling I’m going to regret this answer, but sure,” he says hesitantly.

“Why didn’t it work out with your wife?”

He lets out a long breath through his teeth. “Going for the jugular, aye?” I flash him a timid grin, and he shrugs. “We got married when I was drafted, and it wasn’t what she wanted. She thought it was going to be fast money and fun, but I started at the bottom and never made it to the top before I fucked up my knee.”

I nod. “And you haven’t met anyone since? You’ve been divorced for ten years now.”

“I have. And listen, giving yourself to someone is hard. I know it works out for some, but it didn’t for me, and I’d rather not try again.” I want to urge him to do so, to tell him someone is out there for his grumpy-ass self, but he tips his head toward the bench. “Your baby mama is over there.”

Heat burns my face as my eyes narrow. “She is more than just a mother.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. She is the love of my life.”

“Jesus Christ, you got it bad. Fucking fool,” he mutters, throwing my bottle at me. I catch it with ease, and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t get too distracted.”

I don’t promise him a damn thing.

I love being a fool for this woman, and I don’t give two shits how distracting she is to me.

I’m not letting her go.

CHAPTER 19

Elliot

The moment Alex’s eyes land on me, I’m burning from the inside out.

His gaze is so scorching, so dark and sultry, as he skates toward me like a fucking brick shithouse. I love him in his gear. I didn’t know I had a thing for goalies until I watched Alex be one. He is so methodical and disciplined when it comes to his game, and I love watching him do it. I love when he throws the balls around and tries to catch them. I enjoy watching him skate across the ice like he isn’t the size of two regular players in one.

But most of all, I love watching him in goal.

He bats away pucks like they’re flies, and the way he moves makes a mess of my panties. I had to force myself not to look, but each time I heard the thunk of a puck hitting his gloves or his leg pads, a zing shot straight to my pussy.

Is there a goalie kink?

I need to ask my sisters.

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