Page 51 of Shot to the Hart

“Maverick,” is all I get out before whatever connection we had just now is broken and he’s across the room. What the fuck. He’s beginning to give me whiplash.

“Have fun tonight, Kodi. See you tomorrow.” And then he’s gone. I finish packing my bag and drive to Harley and Sin’s like a Nascar driver in the final lap.

“Hey, baby!” Sin greets me out the door with a kiss on the cheek.

“I need wine and cheese and an orgasm.” Sin guffaws at this like I just announced that the Loch Ness Monster is real.

“First off, he bought me stuff when I was on my period, like what the hell kind of sweet gesture is that? Then one night lastweek, he comes home, snatches my e-reader and I end up in his lap with his lips on mine, but then he’s telling me we can’t do that. And so, naturally, I avoided him for three days and then he shows up with a bouquet of multicolored daisies and apologizes. I met his Dad today too, what a sweet guy. I wish I had a Dad like him growing up. He also backed me against my bedroom wall today like some sort of man possessed, but in a sexy way, and his lips were basically on mine again without being on mine! Then he ran away!” Taking a deep breath, I add, “And you all are definitely going out next weekend right? To make sure I’m not imagining this.”

“Of course, free booze and hot men. I’m in.” Sin grins.

Harley has a feral grin. “Oh my God. This is perfect.”

“What do you mean this is perfect? My boss edged me and then left me alone. Now we are flirting, and it’s not perfect at all,” I say with frustration evident in my tone. Sometimes I wonder if they are even listening to me.

“Babe, because we can get him to give in.” Sin laughs maniacally.

“I never said I wanted him to give in.” Three faces break out into huge grins. I sigh, “Fine, I do. I’ll hear you out, but I’m not committing.”

Harley’s first question is, “Who of his teammates would be willing to flirt with you to make him jealous?’

“Nik.” I respond almost immediately knowing he would have fun with this.

“Call him. Now. On speaker,” they demand.

I reluctantly dial Nik’s number.

29

KODI

LOCKOUT

Istep out of my room at the same time Maverick does, with Bella trailing behind him in her dinosaur pajamas. He’s got on a black button up with maroon dress pants and black dress shoes on, rolling up his sleeves so his thick and corded arms are showing. He looks me up and down in the same way I imagine I’m looking at him.

“You look stunning tonight, Kodi. I’m going to have to remind the guys of the no touching rule,” he states matter of factly. Little does he know, that’s exactly what he is going to have to do. I know I’m blushing because it feels good to have someone look at me with such hunger in his eyes.

“Thanks, Mav. You clean up pretty well yourself. Hey, Bella bear, are you ready to go see Grandpa?”

She giggles and nods her head enthusiastically and takes off down the hallway with Mav and I following. I packed her bag, so I know she has everything she needs. Spare pajamas, clothes for tomorrow, snacks, two barbies, regular diapers, and her overnight diapers.

“Does she have Floppy?” I ask, knowing this will be imperative for bedtime.

“I made sure to put him in the key bowl so we wouldn’t leave him behind, but to make sure Bella could hold him in the car. I meant it when I said I wanted to have an adult night. It’s been a while.” I can see he’s smiling out of my periphery.

“Good. I’m excited.” I hop into the passenger's side after Maverick opens the door for me while he heads to the backseat with Bella in his arms, getting her settled into her carseat.

“Bella, what movie are you going to watch with Grandpa before bed?” Maverick asks, looking at Bella through his rearview mirror.

“Frozen!” She starts singing the Bella rendition of Let It Go, ad-libbing the lyrics she can’t remember, causing Mav and I to both laugh. Mav queues up the movie's playlist so that Bella can sing along as we make the short drive.

Pulling up to Stu’s house, I unbuckle and grab Bella’s bag and Floppy while Maverick gets her out of her carseat. I follow him up the walkway and we wait for the door to open.

Stu opens the door with a huge grin on his face. “My Bella girl! How are you?”

Arabella basically throws herself out of Mavericks arms to get to Stu.

We visit for about twenty minutes, run Stu through Bella’s routine and head back to the car. Maverick lets out a hefty sigh as he puts the car in reverse.

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