Page 46 of The Rebound Play

I look up into his eyes and feel a rush of warmth and peace. His gaze is steady, soft, and filled with an unspoken promise that somehow manages to reach deep into my soul.

With my chest tight, I ask, “Dan, what are we doing?”

His lips quirk. “Drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls, by the look of things.”

I can’t help but return his smile. “I think you know what I mean.”

“I do.” He takes a breath, lowering his eyes to our entwined hands before raising them back to mine. “I brought you here tonight because I know how much you love to read. This place is special to you, and I wanted to show you it’s one of the things I love about you.”

Love.

His mention of that four-letter word has my breath hitching in my throat.

“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been together. A lifetime. But I wanted you to know that I’ve never forgotten about you. I’ve always held you here with me.” He places his hand over his chest. “The truth is, no one has ever compared to you, my kind, beautiful, smart Kiki.”

My heart expands to twice its size and I could not stop the grin from claiming my face for all the trees in Washington state.

“I thought you’d moved on. I was sure of it. It’s been so long.”

“I know. Everyone told me I would find other loves, that you were just my first.”

“They told me that, too.”

“Kiki, my love, you’re it for me, but I’ve been too focused on my career, too blinded, too stupid to let you know. And right now, I’m totally putting myself out there, hoping against all odds that somehow you feel the same way about me.”

Tears spring to my eyes, my body shaking, barely believing the words that are leaving his mouth. This is what I’ve always wanted. Dan still in love with me. Dan wants to be with me.

“No one has ever compared to you, either,” I reply, my voice trembling.

In one swift move he rises from his chair and is beside me, pulling me to my feet. He holds me close against his muscular body, his large arms enveloping me.

I look up into his eyes moments before his lips come crashing against mine, holding me tight. I’m lost in him, the way it feels to be wrapped up by this big, strong man I’ve never been able to forget, all my fears and anxieties whisked away as our kiss deepens. He’s showing me how much he loves me. How much he wants me. And I can barely believe this is happening after wanting it for so, so long.

After we come up for air, he looks down at me, grinning. “I love you, Keira Johnson. With all my heart. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dan.”

“Why did we leave this so long?” he asks on a light laugh.

“I guess we were just a couple of idiots.”

He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist as he kisses me again. “You know I’m never letting you go ever again, right?”

I let out a giddy laugh. “You’d better not.”

“I promise,” he whispers, kissing me once more, and I melt into him, my Dan once more, the man I love.

CHAPTER 13

DAN

It’s the night of the Ice Breakers’ first game, and the atmosphere in the arena is electric. Having visited with my parents, Mimi, and Emmy yesterday, I know that the whole town is turning out tonight—and practically all of them are wearing my jersey.

But there’s only one person I want to see wearing my jersey.

Keira.

Since we confessed our feelings for one another that night at Emmy’s bookshop, we’ve spent as much time together as our schedules will allow—which isn’t nearly as much as I would like. I’ve got practices, PT sessions, and all the publicity stuff we’ve got to do for the team and games, as well as gym workouts and spending time with my family. For her part, Keira has her job, running around after her niece and nephew, and caring for her sister.

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