Page 33 of Stick Play

My God, I can’t believe I’m staying at his place—in my own bedroom, of course—but I have to say, I didn’t see this coming. But under the circumstances, with his dad unwell and the snow outside, I made the decision based on everyone’s safety.

The fact that we both might get up for a drink, meet in the kitchen again and corrupt his table much in the same way we corrupted mine did not play into my decision.

Much.

I glance at my daughter, who looks quite sleepy, and I check the time. They’re all up past their bedtime, but they did rest today after sledding. Still, I think it’s time for them to get to sleep. Unfortunately, I don’t have a book to read them and it’s clear there are none in this house, so I guess I’ll have to make up a story.

I lightly rustle my daughter’s hair. “I think it’s time I put you all to bed.”

They groan and complain, but all jump from the sofa when I grab the remote and turn the movie off. “Mommy, are you going to read to us?” Zoe asks.

“I don’t think Ash has any kids’ books.” A cute, almost sheepish look comes over Ash’s face. “You do?”

“I’m a bit of a pack rat.” He shrugs. “Actually, Dad is the pack rat, and when he moved here he brought all my childhood things with him. His place is too small to store them, so I have them. Like Dad, I have a hard time throwing things away.”

“When I saw the jerseys and the old pinball machine, I should have figured.”

He pushes to his feet and heads out of the room. “Come on.”

The kids are about to hurry behind him as he walks to the stairs, and I put my fingers to my lips.

“I need you all to be quiet, okay?” I point upward. “Ash’s dad isn’t feeling well, remember, and he’s sleeping.”

They all tip toe up the stairs, and Ash leads us into the spare room the kids are using. I lag behind for a second and put my ear to Grant’s door. When it’s met with silence, I step into the kids’ bedroom. Ash pulls open the closet to reveal numerous boxes.

“My childhood right here in these boxes.”

I laugh, and the kids all jump onto the bed. “I want Ash to read to us,” Zoe announces.

“Me too,” Tate agrees and Camryn nods her head.

Ash scratches his head. “Uh, I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to,” I tell him as I check the scratches on the boxes. One says toys, another says games, and I spot the one that says books.

“Please, Ash,” Zoe begs, her tired eyes pleading with him.

As she wins him over his shoulders drop, the fight going out of him. “I guess I could.”

I clap my hands. “Okay, why don’t you guys all go brush your teeth and I’ll find a good book.” Ash had opened a pack of toothbrushes for us all earlier, and set them in the bathroom.

They all hurry to the bathroom and I smile up at him. “You’re good with them.”

“I don’t know about that.” He bends and picks up the box of books, carrying it to the bed. “I hope there’s something age appropriate.”

He peels open the box and I stand close to him, the warmth radiating from his body curls around me, and I put my hand on his back, needing the contact. His gaze jerks to mine, and the want I see there sucks the air from my lungs. Damn, I really want this man again.

He glances at the door, and then quickly presses his lips to mine. “I’ve been dying to do that all night.”

I chuckle. “Same.”

His voice is low, and gravelly when he whispers, “Not being able to have my way with you whenever I want is torture.”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize what I’ve said. His demeanor doesn’t change—heck, maybe he has no blood left in his brain—which is good. I don’t want him thinking I want any hearts involved here.

“All done,” Tate announces coming into the room and we quickly break apart.

“Now let’s see what we have here.” I start pulling out books and examining them. It’s fun to get a glimpse into Ash’s childhood, to see what he liked. There are a lot of novels that he likely read in high school, along with some younger books. “Do you still read a lot?”

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