Page 49 of Hat Trick Holidate

As a matter of fact, it did.

Bryce and I have chemistry that would blow up a science lab, but he would never want me long term. So, instead, I say, “It was okay. No sparks. We played mini golf and had dinner.”

Savoring his croissant, I fill his coffee cup and hand it to him. “Sorry, sis. It’s the first step to the next phase in yourlife.”

What he doesn’t know is I took the first step eight years ago when Bryce Wynward swept me off the dance floor, kissed, sucked, and fucked me into oblivion. The trouble is I’ve been trying to get over that, not my asshole ex who left me on my wedding day.

“I moved on from Grant a long time ago. You’re the one I’m worried about. Penelope sucks.”

He hangs his head, stands, and stares out my kitchen window. “She deserves to be happy, and she wasn’t happy with me obviously. I guess you should never marry your teenage sweetheart—she didn’t have a chance to sew her oats.”

Hugging him around his waist, I say, “She should have told you.”

“Don’t blame it on her. No woman deserves to be the wife of a professional hockey player. We’re gone too much. We care too much about ourselves and our success to be a good partner in life. I just thank God you have never been interested in any of my teammates.” He turns and squeezes me tight. “You’re going to find a nice accountant who puts you on a pedestal. He’ll be short and wiry with glasses.” A deep belly laugh tumbles out his throat.

“Stop. At least give me a gym teacher or a hot fireman. I need someone who will tell you to mind your own business. Anyway, have you found a match yet?”

“In fact, I have a date next week when we get back from the away series in Nashville.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’m coming and bringing Jolie.”

His brows dip. “Why?”

“Because Bryce wants to be a good father and since it’s aweekend, I don’t have to work the afterschool program. Jolie and I are flying out tonight.”

He stuffs the rest of the pastry into his mouth, then swallows a sip of coffee. “And here I was bringing you a treat because I wouldn’t see you.”

“Okay, you need to go. I need to pack a bag and be at Bryce and Jolie’s in an hour so he can get to the arena to leave.”

Roman twists his mouth and sets his mug into the sink. “Yeah, he’s always the first one there. It’s weird not being the team captain.”

“Roman, sometimes it’s good to be a follower. Just listen and enjoy your teammates. You always complained that you never got to just ‘Be.’” I use air quotes.

“I know.” He kisses me on the cheek. “Wear the jersey I gave you.”

“Sure thing.”

Pushing him out the door, I sigh. When I turn around, Bryce is standing there in last night’s clothes, looking just as scrumptious as he did before we had sex. Why does he have to look like a GQ model with those massive shoulders and thighs?

“No sparks, huh?” His tone is defiant as he stalks toward me and slips his hand down the back of pajama shorts, sliding his fingers down my backside, grazing my folds.

“Mmmm.” I immediately relax into him, getting wetter and wetter.

“Get dressed. You can shower at my house.”

He pulls his hand out, and I miss the feeling of his hand against my skin. When I press on my toes to kiss him, all I see is his resting dick face. No wonder everyone calls himCaptain Grump. His hands grab my waist, and puts distance between us. Then he pulls his phone from his pocket and walks out the front door. He’s talking to someone, but I can’t make out the words, so I go up and throw a suitcase together.

He doesn’t say a word on the way to his penthouse. It feels awkward like a one-night stand that won’t leave. I want to scream,“I can’t go. You’re the one who asked me to be your daughter’s nanny.”

I should have known last night wasn’t what I made it out to be. Roman’s right. I deserve a nine-to-five man who will treat me like a queen every minute of the day, not just in the heat of sex.

Now I just have to make myself believe it.

chapter 19

BRYCE

No fucking sparks?

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