Page 64 of Icy Pucking Play

"What now?"

She glances at the scattered papers on the desk in our “borrowed” office, then back at me. "Now...I think you should take me home."

"To be professional?"

"To be anything but professional."

And really, what can I say to that?

She gathers her things, neither of us talking about the weight of what we're choosing. About all the complications we're embracing. About how some things are worth the risk.

In the elevator, Sophie leans against me, fitting perfectly under my arm like she belongs there.

Maybe she does.

"Your place or mine?" she asks softly.

"Yours is closer."

"True." She looks up at me. "You sure about this?"

I think about all the reasons I shouldn't be. About boundaries and public perception and protecting my family.

Then I think about how somehow, in these last few weeks, it’s hard not to feel, not to imagine…that Sophie is a part of myfamily now. That she fits into all the broken places and makes them whole.

I stare down at her, my heart hammering inside my chest.

"Yeah," I say, pulling her closer. "I'm sure."

We get off the elevator and head toward the door. The security guard gives us a knowing look.

"Have a good night, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Daniels."

Sophie blushes. I clear my throat.

"Night, Frank."

Chapter 17

Evan

Sneaking around with Sophie Bennett is going to be the death of me. We’ve had so many close calls now.

Not that I'm complaining—especially not at six a.m. when she's wrapped in my sheets, warm and soft and wearing nothing.

"We should get up," she murmurs against my chest. "Practice starts in an hour."

"Plenty of time."

"That's what you said yesterday." She props herself up to look at me. "And we were definitely late."

"Worth it."

"Coach Martinez didn't think so."

"Coach Martinez needs to mind his own business."

She laughs, the sound doing dangerous things to my self-control. "He definitely noticed something was off when you missed five saves in a row."

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