Page 37 of Power Play
She frowns. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I'd like to make a go of this. I'd like the chance to romance you, take you out, see where this can go because I like you, Lacey, a lot. That night with you," I shake my head, trailing off. "It was so unexpected. You're so unexpected. But I loved every minute of it. Even if a relationship never takes off, I'd still like to be friends and raise our babies together."
It's the first and only lie I'll ever tell her. I don't want to be friends. I can't imagine something worse than living with this sexy, insatiable,firecracker of a woman and never touching her. But if that's the only way I can keep her, then I will.
She looks down at an invisible point on my chest, clearly processing my words. I know it's hard for her to be vulnerable. Her demons are big, and if I had to guess, are in control most of the time. But when I look at this beautiful, strong woman, all I can think about is how much I want to hold her, kiss her, protect her, provide for her.
I had given up on my dreams, but this pint-sized woman in my arms has caused hope to sprout in my heart again after decades of loneliness. In an instance I see her, snuggled up on my couch, Christmas morning. With two beautiful toddlers opening presents with Ben and Jonesy helping them and fuck, I wasn't expecting my heart to ache so fiercely at how badly I want that. Sure, there are two more men in the equation than I expected, but I kind of even like that. Having more men here to protect and provide for her and our babies. Because whether I'm the biological father or not, if she lets me, I will parent those babies right alongside her.
I track her eye movement and it's rapid. Her eyes are darting between two points on my chest, clearly spiraling.
I need to turn her mind off and let her process things slowly. My hand finds her ponytail, tugging just enough to tilt her head back. Her lips part in a soft gasp, and for a heartbeat, I hesitate, searching her eyes for permission. What I find there—surprise, heat, trust—makes my resolve snap. The corner of my mouth kicks up in a smile. She still wants me.
I back her against the wall by my front door and press my lips to hers. Her breath fans my cheek as she exhales and relaxes in my arms.
Yeah, baby, I've got you.
I thrust my tongue into her mouth, caressing her tongue with mine, tangling in a seductive dance. I don't want to have sex with her right now... okay, lies; I want to have sex with her all the time... but right now I want to get her out of her own head, shut off the nervous, anxious, spiraling thoughts. I want to bring her peace.
She surprises me when she lifts a leg and wraps it around my hips, pulling me hard against her.
I pull back before this goes further than I intended. She blinks up at me, her gorgeous chest heaving. I'm hard, but this isn't the right time. We have logistics to figure out first.
"Let's go catch up with the boys," I say, grabbing her hand and yanking her towards the basement.
The change of gears keeps her off kilter and not thinking about her problems. This is the conversation we need to have, all four of us, and I'm hoping Ben and Garrett will back me up.
I open the basement door and chuckle when I hear Ben and Garrett's excited chatter. Their voices are deep, but they sound as excited as kids at Christmas.
I push through the doors at the bottom of the stairwell and usher Lacey inside with my hand on the small of her back.
Ben and Garrett are sliding around on the synthetic ice in my underground ice rink. I love skating and running drills from when I played in the comfort of my own home.
Ben slips, arms flailing, as he looks up at us with his eyes aglow. Garrett manages to shuffle and gain some speed before sliding.
"You have a rink!?" Ben asks, his grin wide and adorable.
I nod. "And a pool, and a theater room." I want them onboard and I'm not above straight bribery.
"This is amazing!"
I gently guide Lacey back into my arms. I can't get enough of this woman.
"I think you should move in." Her eyes widen, so I clarify. "I think you, Ben, and Garrett should move in here. The house is more than big enough, and logistically, it would make everything easier. You have a craving at two AM; one of us will run out and get it. You need your feet rubbed? Your laundry washed?" I look at Ben and Garrett, who are listening intently. "You've got three of us to take care of you."
Her lips part in surprise, and I can almost see her weighing the offer. She glances at Ben, then Garrett, her fingers worrying the hem of her shirt. I know what she’s thinking—what would this mean for her independence? For her already fragile sense of control?
Ben shuffles towards us. "It's not a bad idea, L. It would get you away from..."
"It honestly makes everything simpler, if Coach has room." Jonesy adds. I give him a nod. Good man.
"You've got time to think about it, but I promise you, if you let us, we want nothing more than to take care of you."
She looks up at me and nods. "I'll think about it."
Chapter twenty
Scott
