Page 68 of Rowdy Hearts

She continued to stare into my eyes, and I could practically see those wheels turning. “But what do you want?”

“You.” Hell, I didn’t even have to think about that answer. Right this second, she was the only thing I wanted. Not hockey. Not to play for another team. Not anything. “I want you.”

For a second, I didn’t think she was going to let me get away with the dodge. Because even though what I’d said was true, I hadn’t really answered her question.

Putting my hands on either side of the wall so I wouldn’t grab her again, I leaned forward and nuzzled my nose against her neck, breathing her in. She sucked in a quick breath before leaning forward and tilting her head farther to the side, inviting me to do more than run my nose along her warm skin.

I pulled back before I decided to take her up on the offer.

“You better get dressed or risk Krista finding you in a compromising position.”

She huffed out a laugh and put her hand on my chest, though she didn’t push me away. She petted me as she smiled up at me, those blue eyes sparking with amusement.

“Then you need to leave.”

Nodding, I took a few steps back. “See you in a few, Princess.”

I forced myself to walk out and around the house to the front door, smiling all the way.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tressy

As I excusedmyself to use the restroom at the restaurant where we were having brunch, I couldn’t help thinking that Rowdy was hiding something.

After our talk this morning, all I could think about was the fact that Rowdy had a secret he didn’t want to tell me. And I wanted to know. I wanted him to trust me enough to tell me. Which was ridiculous, because we barely knew each other. And I had a pretty big secret myself.

Which was getting harder and harder to justify keeping.

When we’d arrived at the restaurant, almost everyone had greeted me like a long-lost friend.

The Angels cooed over my “absolutely adorable” daughter and introduced her to their children, a few of whom were the same age. She was now happily playing in a special corner of the restaurant rigged out just for kids, with coloring books and crayons and toys, watched over by a revolving stream of parents.

Rowdy’s teammates had welcomed me with smiles and not one had said anything even slightly snarky about my relationship with their captain. Rebel might’ve started to say something, but Rowdy had stuck an elbow in his side before any words had escaped.

Only Rain had been preoccupied and not very talkative, her attention clearly somewhere else.

And Rowdy had been…Rowdy.

“Hi. I know you.”

The voice brought me out of my thoughts, and I looked down at the boy standing in front of me in the hallway where the restrooms were located. I smiled down at him, the only thought on my mind was getting back to Rowdy and Krista. He wasn’t much older than Krista, maybe eight or so, his little freckled face intent as he stared up at me.

My smile widened. “Hi there. Are you looking for the men’s room?” I pointed down the hall. “I think it’s the next door.”

“I know you.”

He looked at me with wide, hazel eyes and the most self-assured look I’d ever seen on a child’s face. Panic twisted my gut into a knot, and my lungs froze for a split second. Then I immediately tried to dismiss it. This little boy had no idea who I was. I needed to calm down.

“I don’t think so, sweetie. I’m not from around here. My name’s Tressy.”

“No, I know that. But I know you. You’re on my favorite TV show.”

You’ve been caught.

Okay, don’t panic. Deep breath. He probably thought I was someone else.

“What’s your favorite TV show?”

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