“You really want to go home.” Charlie waited until Austin was out of earshot to face me. A boyish grin popped out. “Or were you being nice so he could dry hump Samantha without you around?”

“What did you have in mind? And don’t ever talk about my brother like that again. I’m never going to get that image out of my brain.” I scrubbed my knuckles into my forehead with a grimace.

Charlie slid his hands into his jeans pockets and jerked his chin toward his shoulder. “Want to ride with me?”

“Ride what?” Why the fuck did my brain take my thoughts straight to Charlie’s dick? I’d ridden Duncan with a wildness that almost shocked me, and less than a day later, I experienced daydreams about doing the same to Charlie. What was wrong with me? Pregnancy hormones? Doctor Martin told me I’d most likely experience a higher libido at some point. Pretty sure she didn’t mean now.

Charlie stepped back and flourished his hand like a gameshow host. “The Seattle Great Wheel. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the city from up there.”

The giant ferris wheel lit up the section of the pier where it spun in slow circles. Lights fanned out in every direction, tonight’s theme a spectacular array of blue and white. A giddy, non-alcoholic feeling bubbled up and pushed me to say yes. I’d never been a fool–except for Luther–and I refused to pass up a chance to spend some alone time with Charlie.

“Good. I’d like to talk to you, but it would be better if we had some privacy.” He took my hand and led me through the crowd. Kids laughed and ran past, harried parents at their heels. The space was busy but not crammed full, and I had plenty of room to breathe and keep pace with Charlie. His long legs ate up the distance, and before I fully registered what happened, we stepped into a domed space and a man in a uniform closed the door behind us.

My stomach made that funny swooping feeling like when a car topped a hill too fast, and the ferris wheel car swung backward to admit another couple into a matching car.

Charlie’s hand remained wrapped around mine, his fingers warm and rough with years of working out and hockey showing in the thick knuckles. “Guess this is about as memorable as I can do.” He tugged on my hand, and when I looked up to meet his earnest gaze, he threaded a hand through my hair. “I’ve wanted to ask you out on a date since high school. Seeing you again now made things so much worse. I don’t know if I can keep away much longer, Miranda.”

Um. What? All those years of longing, of wishing he’d see me as a potential girlfriend and feeling dejected were pointless? Less than a year ago I’d walked in on Luther cheating, and now I had three of the sexiest and most talented hockey players in the league professing their feelings for me in their swoony Irish accents. Charlie didn’t say love, but a like that lasted decades had to at least border on love, right?

“I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel since the minute you arrived. I’m in love with you.” Charlie feathered his fingers through my hair, drawing it over my shoulder to fan across my chest.

He’d done it. He said the L word. My high school crush loved me. Unbelievable. And he brought it up in the middle of me fighting to figure out which of the three men my feelings were strongest for. Not fair. “You’re Austin’s best friend.” I caught the flash of pain lancing across his face and cupped his jaw in my palm. “That’s why I never told you I feel the same way.” How would Austin feel about me dating his best friend, or any guy on the team?

Charlie released a low groan and rested his forehead against mine. “I can’t believe I wasted so much time.” His hand left mine and moved to the small of my back, guiding me to his chest. Seattle spread out behind him, the glow of city lights sparkling in his hair like stars and creating a romantic background that heightened the feel of his hands on me, his lips searching out mine.

I lost control with those small touches, years and years of pent-up longing rushing out and demanding attention. I opened my mouth to him and speared my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

His hands stayed aligned with my spine, his thumbs wrapping close to my ribs. He cupped me hard and brought us together with a nip to my lower lip that sent wicked thoughts rolling through me. The cars were darkened, but anyone really looking would be able to see us. I didn’t care. Charlie’s hands on my body, his lips on mine, his tongue and teeth and the bulge of his cock, were what mattered.

I slid my hand beneath the band of his jeans and palmed his cock. I’d willingly bend over the narrow black bench and let him fuck me right here and now. No one had ever made me as desperate as Charlie.

I’d never been this happy or confused, especially at the same time. I finally had Charlie within my grasp. And I had two other stunning men ready to make me theirs. How was I supposed to pick one?