Page 59 of Hat Trick Holidate

My body trembles as I look into her pleading eyes, I know she’s right. I would do anything for my brother, evenif it meant sacrificing my own happiness. I sigh and release my fists that I didn’t know I was clenching. Staring down at my trembling hands, she reaches out and intertwines our fingers, her touch calming me.

“I know it’s unfair to ask you to hide our relationship. I just don’t want to see my brother’s career suffer because of my past mistakes.”

“We’re not a mistake.”

“Bryce, as much as I feel the magnetic pull between us, I’m not risking his career until we know… really know how we feel. The sex is fantastic, but it’s the little things that make you fall in love.”

“Like watching you make dinner. Or playing board games with Jolie. Or the way you hum when you work out. Or how I love it when you’re in my space rambling, or filling it with laughter, sarcasm, and happiness. Are those the little things?” I ask as I run my hands up her arms.

My jaw relaxes. I have an idea. A fucking great one. And just maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. “Okay, we’ll date in secret until you see what I see. We’re perfect together.” She needs exactly what Jolie needs… for me to love her without conditions. God, I finally feel like a grownup.

Her hands cup my jaw, running her thumbs back and forth, caressing my face. “Really?”

My mind races with all the things I want to say to her in response, but I bite my tongue. “I want to say something dirty to make your panties wet and slip my fingers through your folds,” I whisper, my voice laced with desire. “But I won’t. I don’t want to break the rules before we’ve even set them.”

“No rules. Let’s live in the moment.”

I throw her a wink and a coy grin. “Don’t worry, I’ll woo the fuck out of you.”

“We’ll see.” She smirks. “Now, Mr. Wynward, I need to put on my brother’s jersey.”

I let out a low, possessive growl at the thought. “Then, after the game, we’re heading to Dane and Lettie’s. You can either come with me or stay with your brother. Either way, I’ll make sure no one says a word.” I shrug on my jacket and adjust my tie, watching her watch me. “And I promise to keep my hands to myself but know that I’m thinking of them between your legs.”

chapter 24

EMMALINE

Lettie and Danehit the last note of the national anthem, and the fans aren’t just clapping. They’re jumping up and down like they just rocked the crowd with a country music tune. Lettie puts her hands together over the microphone and mouths the words, “Thank you.” Dane has his hands in the air, and everyone in the stadium, including Brooke and the kids, are yelling, “Greathouse.”

We’re in a corporate suite that according to Bryce, was paid for by Dane and Lettie. Jolie likes it up here because she can play with the Cross and Greathouse kids. Dane and Lettie have some interviews to do, so we’re keeping an eye on Laney and Kingston for the first period.

As Brooke juggles a baby and plate of appetizers, I reach out to hold the plate so she can eat. Instead, she says, “One night away from the kids, and I found myself waking up wondering why no one had barged into tattle. ‘He broke my this… she took my that.’”

“Believe me, I understand. The after-school program is fun because I adore children and want a few of my own, but damn, they can wear your ears out,” I say when a snort sound comes from my nose. “Lady like, I know.”

Brooke has a carrot in her hand, dripping with ranch, and she holds it in front of her. “I’m a ballet teacher, and I’m never graceful except when I’m there. I just opened my studio. Do you think Jolie would like to come?”

“Will Cannon be there?”

Her eyes twinkle. “He would if she were there. Cannon adores her. I can’t believe she said his name.”

“It’s a huge step for her. To be honest, Bryce is a little jealous. Or disappointed is a better word.” I say, glancing down at the ice, but Bryce, Roman and Reed are still on the bench.

She gives me a once over. “How are things between you and Wynward?”

“Good.” I don’t know whether to confide in her or not. I assume she tells Reed everything. And last night, it seemed as though they both knew. “The attraction is there, but there are extenuating circumstances… Jolie… and my brother.”

“So, you’re not dating?”

At first, I shrug, but then I say, “No. I can’t fuck up things for Roman. He has been there for me through the worst time in my life. My ex dumped me at the altar the week before I met all of you at the club.”

“So, Wynward was a fuck you to your ex?”

“No, it just happened. My first and only one-night stand. It’s not in my personality. I want to get to know a personbefore I… you know. But he swept me off my feet, literally and figuratively, that night.”

“Same. Reed and I did some things the first night I met him that I had never done with anyone but a boyfriend. I felt safe with Reed, and I had no reason to. We didn’t know each other, but he had this intuition…” Her speech drifts off for a moment. “He guessed everything in my tote bag that first night. There was something different about him, and I just let myself give in and damn the consequences. He played hockey for my dad.”

“Oh yeah, Bryce mentioned it. Your family is beautiful. I hope to have one like it someday.”

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