Page 99 of The Ruthless and the Strong

“I do want something,” she said shyly.

My curiosity was piqued. “Anything.”

“I would like a kiss.”

I smiled as she said it, and I leaned down and kissed her, closing my eyes to the feel of her soft lips against mine, and cherishing every second of it with her.

All too soon, I pulled away and rested my forehead against hers. We were both breathing hard from the kiss, and I realized I wanted more.

I craved more from her.

I didn’t think I could ever be fully satisfied. “Let’s go make some breakfast, darling.”

She moved her hand down and squeezed my butt. “Okay, sweet cheeks.”

I threw my head back and laughed as she walked away, smiling a bit and swinging her hips in an exaggerated manner.

* * *

I endedup showing Hunter how to play hockey in the house. I still had some of the kids’ hockey equipment that I had brought for Olivia when she was just a little bit older than Hunter now, and that was what we did in the afternoon.

I hadn’t really played since my college years, but I had to admit, teaching Hunter how to play was making me miss it, just a bit.

Hunter let out a loud giggle when he scored, and jumped up and down in excitement.

I looked at him indulgently.

“How do you feel about me teaching Hunter how to play ice hockey?” I asked Lizzie, who was sitting on the floor in the far corner, out of the way.

“Do you think he’s a little young for that?”

I shook my head. “I was about his age when I started.”

She took us in, and it was hard to tell from a distance, but her eyes looked a little misty. I didn’t comment on that. “I think he will really love it.”

“Perfect. I’ll set it up. Hunter?”

“Yeah, Maxie?”

“I think it’s time for a water break, don’t you?”

He nodded seriously. “Yes, water break.” He ran over to his mom excitedly, and she already had a water bottle open for him. He took a seat on her lap and drank his water. I took a seat next to her on the floor.

The couch was no more than twenty feet away from us, but I liked being like this with her. She handed me a water bottle and took a large gulp.

I was aware of her eyes on me but I didn’t say anything, waiting for her to gather her thoughts. When I capped the bottle, she said, “Why did you walk away from the NHL?”

I placed the bottle down and looked at her, smiling a bit. I wasn’t surprised she knew about that. I was offered a position at the start of my senior year in college. They would have signed a contract with me right then and there, and I wouldn’t have needed to finish college. Not when the starting salary ranged in the millions.

That was a lot of money for a young kid who didn’t know what to do with his life. I had thought about accepting, but in the end, I couldn’t do it.

“Because the game was no longer fun,” I said.

“What do you mean? Because you would be playing professional hockey?”

I shook my head. “The game stopped being fun for me for a while before that.”

“Then why did you play in college?”

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