Page 55 of Dirty Deal (Slayers Hockey 5)

Yeah, it’s there.

She’s leaving for Paris in a handful of weeks.

We both know it.

But while she’shere, she’smine.

Mine to laugh with into the night. To wash bottles with and search for missing socks with. To compete with for best picture of Otto. To share everyday wins and losses with and to sit in front of the fire and just be quiet with.

Until she leaves, she’s mine.

Chapter 18

Nora

Isleep in Axel’s bed every night. Even the ones when he’s traveling. He likes to see his headboard or sheets in the background when we video chat, so I accommodate him when I can, bringing Otto in to cuddle while his daddy reads him a story and then chats with me.

And when Otto’s napping or asleep after a game? Well, Axel especially likes to see me in his bed then, and he’s spent an inordinate amount of time trying to talk me into sexy acts I could never agree to but just hearing described in his deep, rumbling voice leave me achy and worked up. So much so, the last time he came home from a road trip, I jumped him at the door.

So good.

That man has skills.

And when he’s not making me pant and moan, he’s either melting my heart with how completely in love he is with being a father or making me grin and wish that I’d had him as a friend like this in my life since the beginning. That we hadn’t wasted so much time perfecting the art of nasty neighboring.

But none of that matters because it’s brought us to where we are now. And this place is so good it’s beyond my wildest dreams. What I’m not doing is thinking about what’s going to happen at the end of next month. I don’t want to stop living because I’m waiting to leave.

There’s just one hitch.

I still haven’t told Caroline about the latest development in our relationship.

She and I are closer than I am with any of the other kids. I love them all, talk to them once a week. But while my role with the younger kids is moreprovider, Caroline and I have always been friends. Confidantes.

And while I know exactly how she’s going to feel about the lines I’ve crossed with Axel, I really need someone to talk to who isn’t the man sweeping me off my feet a little more every day.

After dodging her for three weeks, I finally bite the bullet.

“So, what you’re saying is, this isn’t just some physical release? It’semotionaltoo.”

She saysemotionallike she’s about to throw up from the foulness in her mouth.

“Okay, yes. But I really don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s like a crash course in relationships for the girl with no experience. It’s a safe way to learn, right?”

“Umm, no. Like a thousand times, no, Nora. What the heck are you thinking with this guy?”

I knew she’d feel this way. It’s why I held off calling for so long. But still, a part of me had been hoping she could be happy for me.

“I think he’s become one of my best friends. That my life is better for having known him. And that I trust him with all things I’d be embarrassed or insecure about with someone else.”

“Are you talking about…sexright now? Because I thought you did it with that guy from—”

“I did,” I cut her off quickly. “And I am. But it’s more than sex.”

“That’s the problem! If it were some straightforward tutorial in how to get nasty in the bedroom, I’d be cheering you on, telling you to studyhard.”

“You did not say that.”

I can hear her smile. “I totally did. But my point is that this isn’tjustsex. This guy and his kid are working their way too far into your life when you’re leaving the country next month.They’re going to break your heart.”

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