Page 76 of From Maybe to Baby

She nods, as if this is all totally normal.

When the team starts arriving for practice, the unsolicited comments ratchet up exponentially.

"The vacation romance returns," Chuck Newcomb, the team’s latest recruit, sing-songs. I make a mental note to kill him later, or at least kick his ass on the ice. "TMZ loved that sunset dinner shot, man."

Really?

"This is purely professional," I try, but Jace ruins my attempt.

"Lexa's gonna live here and teach me princess hair and watch Daddy's games and?—"

"Just visiting," Alexa cuts in, her cheeks are a telling shade of red.

"Mmm hmm," Chuck smirks. "That explains the pep in your step lately." He smacks me on the back, a little too hard, and I throw him a stink eye that leaves him doubled over, laughing.

This means war. In the best way possible, of course.

"Is this the reason for the new records in training?" an assistant coach asks as he walks past.

"It’s not—" I start, but Tyler, my teammate, interrupts.

"Dude’s been smashing his personal bests since his little Hawaii vacation," he tells Alexa, a grin splitting his face.

"Delighted to assist," she says, her voice dry.

"Dad, can I show Lexa your locker?" Lukas tugs at her hand. "It's got his name and everything."

"Only if there’s nobody dressing," she laughs, letting him lead the way.

Vince sidles up to me again. "So, any comment on the new muse for your record-breaking pre-season?"

"No comment," I say, sharper this time. "And let’s keep it respectful. She’s here on professional terms."

I also want to tell him to not fuck this up for me, but that would be showing my cards, and that’s the last thing you want to do with a guy like him. He’s legendary at exploiting weaknesses.

"Knight, you’re a public figure. A bit of lost privacy is part of the game," he lectures.

I'm about to step on his face when Jace shouts.

"Daddy! Can Lexa watch practice?"

"For the article," Alexa clarifies hastily. "Professional observation."

"Uh-huh," Vince mumbles.

After a day where my kids have ignored every rule we have and Alexa has absorbed an unnecessary amount of hockey knowledge, we head home.

Home, where she'll be staying. For "research."

"This is our house," Lukas announces as we pull into the driveway. "Your room is right next to mine so I can tell you everything about hockey.”

"Can’t wait," she says, helping Jace out of her car seat like a pro. “I am a professional, if nothing else, and I definitely need my own room.”

"Always," I agree, my eyes locked on hers. "Anything else you need while guesting at our place, please just holler,” I say, trying to suppress my smile. And dirty thoughts.

"I can think of a few things," I say, our hands brushing as I hand her Jace's backpack. "All in the name of research, of course."

That night,I slip into Alexa’s room, where a dim lamp casts a soft glow. I find her curled up in bed, the picture of sexy comfort. Sliding under the covers beside her, the bliss of being next to her, warm and close, washes over me. I’ve been waiting all damn day for this.

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