Page 98 of In It to Win It

“Oh.” My belly does a flip and flutter. “Um.”

“But not now. Right now we’re just going to nap.Faire un somme.”

“Faire un somme.” I attempt to repeat it.

“Oui. C’est ça.” He kisses my forehead.

We clean up the kitchen together, then he leads me into his bedroom. With the blinds drawn, it’s nearly like night in here. He sets his phone on the nightstand, then strips naked. I stand in awe, watching him reveal that beautiful body to me, one piece of clothing at a time. He climbs into bed and pats the mattress. “Come on, Sunshine.”

“Why do I have this feeling if I take my clothes off we won’t be sleeping?”

He smiles, his eyes closed. “Don’t worry, I’m very committed to my nap.”

“Okay.” I undress too and slide in with him. His arm comes around me and pulls me into him, spooning. He feels so good . . . His body is about two hundred degrees, firm, strong, hair-roughened. Our legs twine together, and damn if I don’t find myself sliding deliciously into slumber.

After our nap, I cautiously let JP go about his routine. He eats a slice of whole-grain bread with peanut butter, then dresses in a suit and tie that makes him so handsome I could weep. It brings back memories of the wedding: him in his tux, me in my bridesmaid dress, dancing, then on his bed in his hotel room . . .

He smooths a hand over his blue paisley silk tie and smiles.

“You look gorgeous,” I say in a husky voice.

“Will you stay here?” he asks, moving closer. “I’m sure Byron would like it.”

“I have to work in the morning.”

“Do you want me to take you home before the game? Or in the morning?”

“In the morning.” I should probably go home and do some laundry or something, but I’m weak. Plus, staying with Byron is nice.

“Good. Help yourself to food, or order in if you want.” He kisses me, a long, gentle,hotpress of our mouths. “A new pre-game ritual,” he murmurs. “See you after the game.”

“Okay. Good luck. Oh . . . is it bad luck to say that? I’m supposed to say ‘break a leg,’ right? No, that’s show business. Uh . . . play well? Oh, wait, I know . . . go get ’em, Killer!”

He grins. “Thanks.”

It’s only three o’clock; the game doesn’t start till six. I have time to do some of the work I brought home—reports I need to finish writing for next week. I find my laptop and look around. The dining table is too high for me, and I can’t work for long with the computer actually on my lap. JP has a room he uses as an office. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I go in there.

As is his whole place, it’s beautifully furnished, with elegant dark wood office furniture. I park my butt in the big leather chair. Way too big for me, but it’ll do. I find the lever on the side and raise it as high as I can, then scoot up to the desk.

I get to work, but then I need to make some notes. I have a notebook out in the other room, but JP probably has pens and paper in here. I slide open a drawer in the desk and pause, staring.

Not what I expected to see in his office desk—it’s knitting needles, a skein of wool in multiple shades of blue, and some knitting. I poke at it, then pick up the needles carefully. I can’t tell what it is, but I don’t want to wreck it. I once tried to learn how to knit and didn’t get far with it, but I know that dropping stitches is not a good thing.

Everly and Lacey both knit. Why would JP have knitting here in his condo? In his office?

I’m super curious, but not likely to get an answer to that right now, so I slide the drawer shut and try another one. This time I find pens and a notepad. Perfect. I shake my head and get back to work.

When I next check the clock, it’s nearly game time.

I’ve already confronted the fact that I’m a fickle Condors fan because I’ve watched a few Golden Eagles games lately. But I rationalize it that I’m not an Eagles fan; I’m a JP Wynn fan. Ha. That makes it okay.

I feed Byron, then peruse the contents of the fridge. Oh hey, there’s the leftover pizza I brought home last night. That’ll be perfect.

With my reheated pizza and a glass of red wine, I sit cross-legged on the big sectional, Byron curled up beside me, and click the remote to find the game. They’re just finishing the anthems for the game against Vancouver. I bounce a little in anticipation.

JP takes the opening face-off tonight and the camera zooms in on his face as he bends over center ice. He looks fierce and focused.

The ref drops the puck and the game is on, fast and ferocious, both teams battling hard.

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