Page 96 of Defensive Zone

“No, I haven’t. We aren’t there yet. It’s new and I have no clue how she feels. And I’m not going to have this conversation with you two assholes,” he muttered, ignoring their stupid grinning mugs.

He’d only hooked up with Gabi less than two weeks ago. It was way too soon to be thinking about that stuff.

Not that he hadn’t been thinking about that stuff since well before she finally let him kiss her.

He pulled at the collar of the bunny suit. He swore it just had heated up another ten degrees. He couldn’t wait to get out of the damn thing and away from his annoying teammates.

“Want to sit on the bunny’s lap later tonight?” Max whispered in Gabi’s ear as they walked up the pathway to Harty and Penny’s front door on Easter weekend.

His beard tickled against her jaw and she fought back a shudder.

“That is wrong on so many levels,” she said calmly, like her heart wasn’t racing.

“You love it,” he murmured.

“Nope,” she deadpanned.

“What are you two whispering about?” Ava asked when she turned and spotted them.

“Nothing. Max is being annoying as usual,” she said. “So, are you guys excited to hunt for eggs?” she asked Amelia and Connor, moving closer to them and away from temptation.

Because that’s what Max was, a big, giant, frustratingly sexy temptation.

“Yes. I’m going to find the most,” Amelia said, spinning in her pink Easter dress. The kid may love being a tomboy, but she also loved frilly dresses paired with sneakers so she could run faster as she’d explained to Gabi when they were getting ready earlier today.

“I want lots of chocolate. And peeps,” Connor said.

Ava made a face. “Peeps are gross.”

“Bite your tongue. They are sugary pillows of perfection,” Max said.

Gabi laughed and agreed with him.

“Come on in,” Amanda said from the open doorway. “Most of the kids are outside.”

They exchanged greetings and then Max disappeared as Gabi, Ava, and the kids walked outside. He had to get into his bunny suit for the hunt.

“Hey, guys, we’re doing the kids hunt first and then ours,” Penny said when she greeted them. “I have baskets for everyone.”

“Let’s hope the eggs don’t get messed up,” Harty said.

Penny swatted his chest. “Don’t even say that. I made sure that our eggs are on the opposite side of the yard from the kids.”

“I can’t believe I’m about to watch adults hunt for booze-filled eggs.” Gabi laughed.

“It’s all in good fun. The Easter Bunny should be here soon to help the kids hunt and then hang out with them and a few of the other parents while the rest of us hunt,” Penny said.

“I’ll hang out with the kids, too,” Gabi said.

“Just want to hang out with the bunny?” Penny said with a not-so-subtle nudge.

Ava laughed. “Yeah right.”

“I’m the nanny; that’s part of my job,” Gabi said, hoping her cheeks weren’t bright red.

“Oh stop. You’re a family friend helping us out. You’re not just a nanny, Gabs,” Ava said.

“And you’re our friend and part of the Strikers family, so you’re on the hunt,” Penny said. “Okay, I need to go check on the food and make sure everything is in place,” she said, pulling up her tablet.

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