Page 17 of Rowdy Hearts

I really wanted to know the answer to that question. Pulling the t-shirt I’d slept in over my head, I almost tossed it on the bed before I realized there was a face on it. I hadn’t really noticed last night, but that was Rowdy’s face staring back at me. Beautiful dark eyes and long lashes that couldn’t possibly be real. Cheekbones to die for. And a panty-dropping grin.

It took me way too long to lay that shirt on the bed and head for the bathroom. And some sense.

After a quick shower, I walked back into the bedroom and looked for my clothes from last night. My dress was laid over a chair, and my luggage sat next to it. On top of the dresser was an unopened pack of underwear in my size, a pair of cream lounge pants with a matching top, and a bralette in my size with the tags still attached. A pair of fluffy slippers sat on the floor.

I just shook my head. If this was a dream, maybe I didn’t want to wake up.

By the time I was dressed, my stomach had become an angry monster and, when I opened the door, I caught a whiff of something delicious. Following my nose, I walked down the hall, taking note of the original artwork on the wall and the Persian wool rug on the floor.

Maybe this place was actually a bed and breakfast, and I just hadn’t noticed last night.

The hall dropped me back into the entrance foyer I remembered from last night. I looked for a reception desk or a sign to the dining room, but of course, there were none.

Did Rowdy live here? Not that I cared. Of course I didn’t. I was just curious. At least I wasn’t wearing the guy’s face on my chest anymore.

I really hoped I didn’t see him first thing in the morning. Okay, late morning.

Liar.

Yeah, maybe I’d just go back to bed and stick my head under the pillows.

From farther back in the house, I heard Krista’s laughter. The sound immediately lifted my mood. I hadn’t realized how low I’d been feeling until everything seemed just a little brighter at my daughter’s joy.

How long had it been since I’d heard Krista laugh like that? Months, maybe. A little of the brightness dimmed. I was a totally sucky mother if my daughter hadn’t been laughing and I hadn’t noticed.

Cut yourself a little slack. The last couple of weeks haven’t exactly been normal.

I snorted. That was a bit of an understatement.

My daughter’s laughter rang out again, a carefree giggle this time. I followed the sound through another couple of amazinglydecorated rooms, including a library, before I turned a corner and entered an open-concept kitchen.

This place was freaking huge. It’d probably fit four of our apartment.

“Ah, Tressy. You’re up.” Raffi smiled at me across the huge island. “How did you sleep?”

“Mommy, Rowdy made me pancakes, and Miss Raffi gave me pineapple juice. I didn’t know pineapple’s had juice.”

Krista held her arms out to me, so I walked over and gave her a hug, just like I did every morning. But this morning, Krista was sitting in someone else’s kitchen, and I was wearing someone else’s clothes.

“Do you want something to eat?” Raffi smiled as she opened the built-in refrigerator that looked big enough to feed an army. “I can whip up an omelette or a sandwich or?—”

“I can make you pancakes.”

My gaze tripped over to Rowdy, who leaned against the counter on the opposite side of the huge island. And my mouth dropped open for a split second before I snapped it shut.

Had he been this hot last night?

Tight, worn jeans showed off bulging thighs. Tight, worn t-shirt stretched across a broad chest. My fingers curled with the desire to pet him. Likeactuallypet him. Dark stubble on a strong square jaw. Dark messy hair with a wave that made me want to run my fingers through it.

It only took seconds for my gaze to reach his eyes, which were so dark, I felt like I could fall into them and drown. I got caught in those eyes and only realized I was staring when Krista said, “Mommy, you should try Rowdy’s pancakes. They’re really good.”

I blinked, breaking the connection as I turned to smile at my daughter.

“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t have the time?—”

“Actually, I do have time.” His voice sent a shiver down my spine. “I don’t have anywhere to be for another couple of hours.”

“Rowdy’s gonna play hockey, Mommy. He has a whole team.”

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