Page 42 of Sven

“Nope, all you have to do is relax and enjoy dinner. I already fed her.”

She smiled as he set down her plate.

“Can I get you something to drink? Wine?”

She seemed to be mulling it over before giving him a smile and a small nod. He brought over the bottle of red he had opened and poured her a glass.

“Please, dig in,” he said as he set the bottle down on the table and joined her.

He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her as she cut into her chicken and took the first bite. Her eyes closed, and a moan escaped her perfectly pouty lips. He would ignore the erection in his pants at the look on her face and hearing that moan.

“Oh, my word, this is good,” she said with her eyes closed.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said before he took a bite of his own.

“Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“I was drafted to Chicago, and part of the draft class was a cooking class. They figured that young athletes who would be on their own for the first time would need basic cooking skills and some go-to recipes.”

“Wow, that’s really smart. So, you were in Chicago for a while?” She sipped her wine.

He nodded and finished chewing. “Yeah, I was there for three years before I was traded here.”

“Do you like playing here?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I really do. The guys are great, and Coach Wagner is one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for. You were talking to his daughter today.”

“Oh, right, I can’t believe one of the players is dating his daughter. Does that happen often?”

His fork clattered to the plate, and he took a drink of water and sputtered. “What? His daughter is dating one of the players?”

Natalie cocked her head. “I’m pretty sure. His daughter was the one with purple streaks in her hair, right?”

He nodded again. “Who is she dating?”

“I think she said Taylor Campbell?”

“No shit?”

“That’s what she said. Did you not know?”

He shook his head. “But in all honesty, I’ve been a little preoccupied.” He turned his attention to Winnie, who was pounding her toy on the tray of her high chair, sending Cheerios flying.

“That makes sense,” she said, smiling over at Winnie.

The way she smiled at Winnie did nothing to put a damper on the feelings he was fighting. She was even better with her than her own mother had been.

Natalie turned, and a questioning look crossed her face. He could only imagine the look on his own.

Pure adoration? Probably, because that sure is what he felt.

“What?”

He glanced away. “I was just thinking about how good you are with her. You’re even better than her own mother. Sometimes, when I think about that, it just makes me sad. I just don’t understand how she could just leave.”

“Do you miss her?” Natalie asked quietly.

“Me? No, not at all... I just mean for Winnie. Someday, I’ll have to explain stuff to her, and I just want to make sure she’s always happy.”

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