Page 125 of Playboy

“Boston,” I breathe out. “I want to raise our son in Boston. As long as you want that too. I want him to have a wicked thick accent, and I want to take him to Revs games with his pretty mama because she loves the hot dogs there?—”

“The buns aren’t terrible to look at either.”

Growling, I nip at her bottom lip. “I want to spend weekends at my dad’s house so our son can bond with my baby brother. One day, they’re gonna be best friends.”

Hannah grins. “So taboo.”

I run a hand down her hair, smoothing it away from her face. “I want to hang with my sister and her family and spend time with Noah and Oliver. I want our kid to spend time with all his cousins, and I want to give him brothers and sisters.”

Her eyes dance. “Oh, a big family?”

“Yeah, Han. I want a big family with you. I want to sink inside you every night. I wanna fill you up over and over until you’re pregnant again. And again and again.”

With a waggle of her brows, she hums. “I definitely like the practice.”

I slide my tongue into her mouth, and when she moans, I swallow the sound, savoring it. When we come up for air, I can’t help but push some more. Now that I’m on a roll, I can’t help but ask for it all. “I want a lifetime with you, and I want it in Boston.”

“What about hockey? If you’re unhappy with the Bolts, and Vegas is offering you everything?—”

Heart thudding, I pull back and frown. “I’m not unhappy playing for the Bolts. I promise. But how do you know about the offer?”

Her lips twitch like they always do when she thinks I’m being a fucking idiot. The look makes me hard as steel every damn time. “I have my sources.”

Hand snaking behind her neck, I tug on her hair so her face is tilted up. “Boston matched it.”

Her eyes go wide. “What?”

“When Vegas made the offer and my agent called Gavin, he suggested I come out here and visit with management. Said he wanted to give me the opportunity to see what other teams had to offer. Didn’t want me to feel obligated to stay, I guess.” I lift a shoulder. “Apparently he did the same thing with Aiden and Brooks, but that was before my time, so I had no idea. Said he understands that it’s hard for me, not playing with Aiden and War, but he reminded me that Keegan needs a strong winger, and separating War and me made the most sense. This way pushes Keegan to work hard so he can keep up with Aiden. And he will one day. The kid is great. And I’ll have years left to play when War and Noah retire.”

I didn’t know how much I needed this push from Gavin until I talked to him after I met with Vegas’s management. When he called me into his office last week and told me to come to Vegas, to see what they would bring to the table, I was devastated. I was certain he was pushing me out the door. Terrified he’d trade me but hoping he wouldn’t, knowing Millie would be devastated. AllI could think was that he was betting on me initiating the trade request so he wouldn’t have to be the bad guy.

I should have known better.

I should have trusted him. Just like I should have trusted Hannah. I’ve known Gavin most of my life. He told me while I was still in high school that I had what it takes to make it to the NHL. He showed up at games when he had far more important things to do.

Or maybe not. Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that I was one of those important things.

By giving me the opportunity to see what other teams would offer, Gavin showed me how lucky the Bolts are to have me. He proved that I’m a valued member of the team.

And he flat-out told me that I’m the future of this franchise.

With that statement coming from a man I respect tremendously, as family and as my coach, I have every confidence that this season will be different. I’ll figure out how to make it work with Smiles and Keegan because I’m that fucking good.

I know that now. I truly see it. Thanks to Gavin.

“You are still a baby,” Hannah teases. Her smile slips, and she cups my jaw. “But seriously, I just want you to be happy. That’s what I realized when Liv came to me about my job.”

“She did?”

She sighs, sliding her hand to my chest. “I guess I can get off my high horse, since you aren’t the only one who didn’t share about big changes in your career. That’s one of the reasons I was so upset last week. She was wonderful. She always is. But she pointed out how difficult handling PR with a newborn?—”

Spine stiffening, I growl low in my chest. “Can she do that?”

Hannah huffs out a laugh. “I said the same thing, and technically, no. But she meant well. It’s hard to walk that line when she’s not only my boss but my friend. She wanted me tothink about the challenges I’d face, and she assured me that I could transition into a different role. But I realized that I’d rather write my books. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do; I was just too scared to give up on a career that I worked so hard for?—”

I stroke my thumb against her cheek. “It’s not giving up; it’s going after your dream.”

Her lips lift. “See? You get it. Just one more reason I love you. You get me.”

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