Page 24 of Goaltender Interference

“I mean, kind of.” Jesse shrugged. “At least to me.”

“Well, it stops now,” Connor snapped. “I mean it. This isbullshit. The team needs better from you. I need better from you.”

“Yeah?” Jesse’s face brightened and he tossed the backpack on the nearby couch. “What’ll I get for a reward if I behave?”

“The knowledge you worked hard,” Connor said, realizing a little too late that he sounded exactly like his father.Fuck.

“Somehow, that’s not doing it for me.”

“Well, it’s about time it starts.” Connor crossed his arms. “There will berulesliving here. And you will obey them.”

“Oooh,” Jesse said, sidling closer. “Are you gonna spank me if I misbehave?”

Connor’s face went hot. “No. You’d probably enjoy it.”

Jesse grinned. “There isn’t much I don’t enjoy.”

“And that’s another thing,” Connor said. “My kids live here part-time. You will be on your best behavior when they’re over. No partying. No having random hookups over. No inappropriate behavior when they’re around. Do you understand?”

“Hey,” Jesse said, looking a little offended. “I like kids! I know how to act around them, okay?”

Connor pursed his lips because he’d believe it when he saw it. “Look, I’m serious.”

“So am I! But like, can we have this fucking conversation tomorrow or something?” Jesse asked, yawning. “I’m fucking beat. I want a shower and then to pass out. Even if you offered me sex, I wouldn’t take you up on it.” He raked his gaze over Connor, licking his lips. “Miiight be up for a little fooling around in the shower though. What do you say?”

“I say that it’ll never happen,” Connor snapped. “You’re an immature, spoiled little brat. What happened in Chicago was a mistake, and?—”

“Was it though? Because it didn’tfeellike a mistake,” Jesse said teasingly. “Ohh, and did I tell you I got a new toy and named it Connor? It’s not as good as the real thing but it’s still nice for hitting my p-spot.”

Surely this is justifiable homicide, Connor thought wildly. No one could blame him if he strangled Jesse Webber with his bare hands. He would testanyone’spatience.

Connor turned on his heel instead. “I’ll take you to your room.”

He walked to the stairs, leaving Jesse to fend for himself with the bags.

“You’re a crappy host,” Jesse said when he reached the landing. He wasn’t huffing and puffing—he was in too good of shape for that—but his face was a little red.

“Well, unfortunately for both of us, you’re stuck with me.” Connor pointed to the closed door at the top of the stairs. “This is my son Nolan’s room when he’s staying with me.”

Connor walked down the hall, then pointed at another door. “This is your room. There’s an en suite bathroom you can use. The one in the hall is Nolan’s. He’s a good kid. He’s fourteen and getting serious about his hockey. He gets up ass-early for practices, so don’t eventhinkabout keeping him up with loud music or TV or whatever.”

“I’ll be good.” Jesse dragged the bag into the room, then flipped on the light. He set his backpack down with a sigh.

Right. Connor should be so lucky. “The girls—Evie and Maura—sleep upstairs. My room’s up there too.”

“Really?” Jesse widened his eyes and fluttered his lashes. “Aww, I’m sad. I thought I’d be bunking with you.”

“You listen to me, Webber.” Connor jabbed him in the chest, forcing him farther into the room. “What happened in Chicago was a one-time thing. It meant nothing and it’ll never happen again. It’s strictly professional between us going forward.”

Jesse sighed noisily, then pulled off his shirt and tossed it on the bed. “Are yousureyou don’t want to join me in the shower?”

Connor swallowed hard. “I’m sure.”

“God. You ruinallmy fun.”

“I’m about to.” Connor grimaced, turning away before he remembered one final thing. He turned. “We need to be up and out of here no later than nine for the PR shit tomorrow.”

“In themorning?” Jesse protested, pushing his pants to the floor. He was naked underneath.

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