Page 28 of Power Play Pursuit

I push a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and cup her cheek.

“I'm crazy about you, Elizabeth Bowen,”I say, and she leans into my hand. “Don’t you see it?”

I caress her cheek with the back of my hand and stop when I reach her chin.

Just when I’m about to pull her a few inches closer, she closes the gap between us. Her lips taste like cherry, probably from that lip gloss she always wears. And just like I imagined they would be, they're soft. Like a cloud or a pillow.

Something touches my foot, and I chuckle against her lips. “Stop it. That tickles,” I say, but she keeps going, clearly intent on starting a war.

I want to retaliate, but all of a sudden she disappears from my grasp.

“Stop it, dude,” a deep voice chides.

“But it’s weird that he can’t feel it, isn’t it?” someone else says. Wait. Is that a hint of a French accent? “Maybe the doctors missed something,” he continues.

“The doctors didn't miss anything. He's fine. Look, he’s smiling.”

Wait a minute, I know that voice. It sounds suspiciously like . . .

“Miles,” I croak, opening my eyes to find him next to me, wearing his game suit. Elizabeth is nowhere in sight. A twinge of disappointment hits whenI realize that kiss was only a dream.

“Aw. Let the record show that he said my name first,” Miles says with a grin, leaning closer and squeezing my shoulder. “You scared us, bro,” he adds, and I notice a large cut on his cheek. “Glad you're okay. The entire team is sending their love, but we thought it would be best if only a few of us came in.”

“Good to see you again, man,” Hawthorne says from my other side. His beard looks even more full right now, and his eyes are bloodshot from exhaustion.

“Welcome back, mate,” Wally says, his large frame taking up the entire width of the bed.

“Did you feel that on your foot?” Beaumont asks, a shadow of concern over his face. “Can you move your toes?”

I frown. “Was that you tickling me just now?”

Everyone laughs. Even Wally’s deep and boisterous laughter fills the room.

“Do that again, and I'll kick your butt,” I add to Beaumont, who breaks into a smile.

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, by the way, how did the game end?” I ask, suddenly remembering that I left them shorthanded.

“We won,” Miles says, grinning ear to ear. “Three to one.”

My eyes widen. “Shut up!”

“What? You think we need you to win?” Beaumont asks, stretching his arms over his head.

“Obviously,” I reply without hesitation, and everyone laughs.

Beaumont lets out an exaggerated breath. “Phew! He’s back.”

“Frenchie Boy and I scored,” Hawthorne explains. “Went at them strong too. The game was heated after you left, as you can imagine.”

Wally shakes his head. “And Rogers got a match penalty.”

I let out a long breath. “Thanks, guys. For having my back.”

“Anytime.” Hawthorne taps his fist on my leg.

“What about me? How long am I out for? The doc hasn’t said anything yet.”

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