Page 61 of Cold as (N)ice

Barrett nodded, his expression unreadable but sure, as if this moment, this day, was something he had already decided was theirs to claim.

“Then it’s settled,”he gestured, speaking gently to Irene as well.“I’m going to get the coffee. Go get your slippers, buddy, and brush your teeth – and we’ll hang out on the deck for a little while.”

Stephen grinned, his little feet pattering across the wooden floor as he hurried off, leaving a trail of quiet excitement in his wake. The moment he disappeared down the hall, Irene felt the shift in the air before she even turned.

Barrett was still there, close, watching her with a look that made the floor beneath her feel unsteady. There was something unreadable in his gaze, something deeper than words.

“I haven’t finished my first cup of coffee,” she murmured, tilting her head as she studied him, pretending not to notice the way her pulse quickened beneath his stare.

He exhaled slowly, a small, knowing smirk curving his lips.

“I know – I just needed a minute.”

And before she could ask what for, before she could brace herself against the quiet intensity that always seemed to radiate from him, he pulled her close. The kiss that followed wasn’t hurried or teasing—it was slow, searing, a brand of warmth that stole the air from her lungs. It was the kind of kiss that promised things she wasn’t sure she was ready to believe in but found herself wanting all the same.

By the time he pulled away, her toes were curled against the hardwood floor, her breath unsteady, her coffee long forgotten.

A minute?

That wasallhe needed?

And heaven help her, there wasn’t enoughminutesin alifetimefor the amount of kissing that she wanted to do. She could cheerfully spend a lifetime holding onto these feelings he created within her with a simple look, a touch, or a smile. He was everything to her, and that knowing smile combined with the look in his eyes could only be described as molten and intimate as he held her gaze, speaking softly as she tensed at the sound of Stephen headed back in their direction, his feet padding down the hallway along the wood floors.

“Maybe tonight, when we are alone, I could have more than a few minutes…?” he invited, caressing her cheek with his fingertip.

“You can have them all.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he chuckled intimately as Stephen was already there, tapping Barrett on the shoulder.

Ugh! Quit kissing, and let’s go, Daddy.

“Duty calls,” he smiled – and winked.

“I’ll get the coffee,” she chuckled. “Go.”

C’mon, Daddy – I want to see the deer. There was a rabbit yesterday by the tree line.

“I love you,” he said softly, getting to his feet and holding out a hand to help her off the couch, meeting her eyes – and she smiled.

“I love you, too - and don’t forget we have the family get-together at the arena later.”

“Is it too late to call in?” Barrett asked, openly whining playfully.

She just smiled.

17

COEUR

Barrett couldn’t be happierthan he was right now. Not only was everything falling into place in his life with Irene, but today was the first time they were getting together – the team, their families, the staff, and a few lucky winners chosen because of a charity giveaway. Oh yes, the Wolverines were off to the races to make sure they made a name for themselves.

“Heaven help me, I hope it’s a good one,” he muttered under his breath as they walked up to the door of the convention center. The coach was going to have them all over to his place but then had second thoughts regarding the space needed once he got the official headcount. There were going to be over seventy people there today.

I’m so excited!Stephen gestured quickly, his smile bright and enthusiastic as he skipped around them, wearing his ‘Coeur’ shirt with a number twelve on the chest.

Irene chuckled beside him, causing Barrett to steal another glance as she smoothed the jersey material over her slightly bulging belly. Just the sight of that made his stomach clench at the memory of kissing that same spot last night and again this morning.

“Oh…” she whispered, stopping – and he immediately caught the back of Stephen’s shirt in a panic, not wanting the three of them to get separated. Her hand was on her stomach and her eyes were huge, putting him on guard.

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