Page 16 of Blue Lines and Lullabies

“No, go ahead,” I challenge him. “Tell me what you thought.”

He sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “I thought you meant where that left us. You and me. Because we’ve slept together, and I thought maybe you thought this was going somewhere. Which it’s not.”

Well, that hurts. I wasn’t thinking about that, but it still sucks hearing it from him. “You made that clear when you hired me, Gabe. I have no hopes or aspirations of something happening between us.”

“Good,” he states. “But to circle back, I don’t have any intention of bringing someone home. If anything changes with my relationship status, I’ll let you know.”

“Likewise.”

“Huh?” he asks, a bewildered expression covering his gorgeous face.

“If my relationship status changes, I’ll letyouknow.”

“I just said I don’t want you bringing someone into my house, Cassie,” he says angrily.

I wave a hand nonchalantly at him, effectively shushing him. How dare he suggest I’m not allowed to date at all! I’m shutting this battle down right fucking now. “I said I wouldn’t bring anyone here. I never said I wouldn’t go to their houses. I’m a single woman, and I have … needs, Gabe.”

The look he gives me is downright feral, and sheer lust flows over me. “I know exactly what your needs are, Firecracker. And I’m willing to bet you won’t be able to find anyone who meets your needs better than me.”

He’s totally right, but I’m not letting him know that. “Eh. I’m not sure you’rethatspecial, Gabe. You do at least know where the clit is, I’ll give you that.”

He growls, and I feel it in my core. “That’s how you want to play this? You and I both know that —”

A sharp cry fills the air, forcing us to stop talking. With a huff, Gabe strides past me, and I let out a relieved exhale I didn’t know I was holding.

Cassie

The following week, Gabe and I took shifts with Mackenzie. He was a healthy scratch for the team, courtesy of his coaches, allowing us to develop a routine with each other. I was always available, should he need extra help, but he never asked for anything. It shouldn’t surprise me that Gabe turned out to be an excellent father. He’s very hands-on, and his love for Mackenzie oozes from his pores. It makes him even more attractive. Dammit.

The night before he’s ready to join the team again, I can tell he’s nervous about leaving Mackenzie. Besides taking a nap, showering, or running a quick errand, he hasn’t been apart from her since they left the hospital. Tonight, his mood is different. It’s agitated. Nervous. Borderline chaotic. As he gives Mackenzie her evening bottle, his leg jiggles constantly. Without thinking, I grab his knee to stop his leg from moving. When his eyes dart to mine, I see the confusion in his gaze.

“Crap, sorry,” I mutter. “Stop shaking your leg. You might make her spit up.”

“Dammit,” he spits out. “I just … I don’t want to leave.”

“I know,” I say softly.

His gaze is intense as he stares at me. “It’s not about you. You know that, right? I’m not apprehensive about you keeping her. I know she’s in good hands. But —”

“But they aren’t your hands. I get it, Gabe. Really, I do.”

“I’ve never hated hockey before. This is new,” he chuckles bitterly.

“It’s okay to be sad. She’s your baby. You can hate being away from her, and fearful of not being in control.”

“Millions of people leave their children for work every day. I feel like I’m making too big of a deal about this.” Gabe runs his hands through his hair quickly, the motion unsettling his wavy locks. His jaw clenches as he grabs the back of his neck in frustration.

“I don’t think so,” I tell him. “You’re in a unique situation. It isn’t just a nine-to-five job. And most people don’t leave town right away. You didn’t have any time to plan for this either, Gabe. You’re well within your rights to be freaked out about everything.”

“I’m lucky the team let me have two weeks off,” he says absentmindedly.

“That isn’t standard paternity leave?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Hockey comes first. They might give a couple days, but getting two weeks off is pretty atypical, especially leading up to the playoffs.”

“Unique set of circumstances.”

“I guess,” he murmurs, his brow furrowed as he stares at Mackenzie. “Are you going to be okay? I’ll be gone tomorrow morning, then again tomorrow evening. I’ll come home and take a nap in the afternoon.”

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