Page 45 of King

I laugh, lifting my head to press a kiss to his neck. “How about we finish dinner, recharge and then go at it again?”

He stares down at me, a goofy quirk to his lips. “I knew you were the perfect woman from the moment I saw you give shit to Theo’s dad.”

Nowhere near perfect and still with all kinds of hang-ups, insecurities and doubts but there is no denying that we’ve just shared something very special, and I know I’m not going to be able to keep my heart protected.

King shifts off to lie beside me, seeming content to not rush back into the kitchen. “I’ve got a morning practice and then a team meeting. I’m not sure what your schedule is like, but would you have time for lunch tomorrow?”

I smile as I turn toward him, my fingers trailing along his chest. “I could probably swing some time. I’m doing rounds at the hospital, but I could meet you somewhere near there.”

“How about I come to the hospital and we eat in the cafeteria?” he suggests.

I lift my head in mild surprise. “Really? You want to eat cafeteria food?”

King’s eyes gleam with humor. “I want to see where you work. I want to see Dr. Willa Montreaux in action. Please tell me you wear a white lab coat because that would be hot.”

Laughing, I tickle his ribs. “That’s just perverted, but yes… I wear a white coat when doing rounds.”

“Just tell me what time to be there,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “The team meeting is in the afternoon, but I plan on making peewee practice tomorrow. I might be a little late though.”

“Honestly, King… you don’t have to come to all of these practices and games. I know how busy you are.”

“No busier than you are,” he reminds me. “Besides, I like teaching not only the kids, but you as well. I like you learning hockey.”

“I admit it’s been fun watching you on TV, knowing I have a personal tie to you.”

“You should come to a game,” King says and then squeezes my arm. “What I mean is… I’d like you to come to a game as my guest and cheer me on. I’ll play better, guaranteed.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I seriously doubt I would have that effect.”

King lifts his head, expression serious as his eyes lock with mine. “Then you seriously underestimate your power over me.”

My throat goes dry and I cannot deny the thrill that creates, my pulse quickening and my heart thrumming in pleasure. “I don’t want to have power over you,” I whisper, because that speaks to feelings I don’t know if I can reciprocate.

“I know you don’t,” King murmurs, brushing hair back from my face. “That makes me like you even more. Say you’ll come to Tuesday’s game against Ottawa. I’ll get tickets for Brittany and Izzy too.”

How can I say no to that? “Okay, yes… we’d love to come.”

“And say yes that you’ll go out with me after to hang out with my teammates,” he presses. “I want them to meet you.”

“King,” I start to protest, because while I’m feeling all kinds of things for this man, that seems to be moving very fast.

I’m silenced when he rolls me to my back and kisses the daylights out of me. His hand slides between our bodies, fingers playing between my legs, and I experience a full-body shudder that renders me loopy.

“Say you’ll go out with me after,” he demands, his lips moving over my neck. His finger drives in deep and I buck. “Say it.”

“Okay,” I gasp, reaching down with my hand to encircle his wrist. Not to stop him, but to hold him still for a moment. “Fine. Yes. I’ll go out with you after.”

“Good girl,” he rumbles, and just those words… they do things to me.

Sighing, I release my hold on his hand and let him do his worst, knowing I just signed on for a ride that might be one of the scariest of my life.

And yet I couldn’t stop this now if I tried.

CHAPTER 12

King

Looking in themirror, I grin at my reflection. “Hope you’re as good-looking a bastard as your friends seem to think you are.”

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