Page 38 of Silent Girl

“Thanks. It’s a good team,” I say. Because it’s true. The Knights have been so close to that big win. They just haven’t been able to get to that final game. This is their year though. I’m certain of it.

It’s only been a few days, but something has shifted with the team. They’re accepting me. I’m sure it has a lot to do with Gray’s change of opinion towards me, although that’s not likely to last too long once he finds out what I’ve been doing with his sister. Or at least what I plan to do.

“Tell me about this animal rescue place,” I say to fill the silence that fell over us as soon as we got into her car.

“They rehome cats. There’s really not too much to tell.”

“Cats? Just cats? What have they got against dogs?” I ask her.

“Nothing.” She shrugs. “It’s just a cat rescue place.”

“Okay.” I smile. “Cats. Got it. Guess it’s a good thing I’m very fond of pussy.”

Aliyah whips her head around so fast to glare at me I’m surprised it doesn’t fall off her shoulders. “Gee, the dozens of tabloid pictures of you with all those puck bunnies on your dick would never have clued the world in on that one.”

“My dick has never made it to the tabloids. Although it probably should have. It’s fucking impressive.”

“Your mother filled your head with too much self-importance. I’ve seen better.”

“Lies. You have not.”

Aliyah’s lips twitch. She’s trying not to smile. I really want to make her smile. “So… dinner tonight. I know I said I’d take you out but how do you feel about ordering in instead?”

“I never agreed to have dinner with you, Liam,” she says, her tone dry.

“You didn’t saynoeither.”

“I’m not sleeping with you, and you can’t kiss me again. It’s not right.”

“Kissing you might be the best thing I’ve ever done. You can’t expect me to not want to do that again. Fuck, Aliyah, we’d be so good together,” I tell her and mean it. Not sure why. But it’s a gut feeling.

“Probably, but it doesn’t make it right. We’re adults. We can work together, refrain from getting involved personally.”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that, babe.” I swear I’m going to get whiplash from the hot-and-cold vibes this woman is constantly putting out.

“I’m not trying to be difficult or play hard to get or whatever. I’m just trying to keep you alive and me from having to explain to my father why I failed the first job he’s given me.”

“Why is your father’s approval so important to you?” I ask her.

“Because he’s my father. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because life should be about doing what you feel good doing. Don’t look for approval from others. Look for it within yourself,” I tell her.

“I owe it to my father to not fuck this up. He’s done a lot for me.”

“He’s your father. He’s supposed to do a lot for you.” Even as I say this, I know that not all fathers, parents in general, fulfill their roles properly. Though I have a hard time believing Jacob Monroe doesn’t dote on his only daughter. Fuck, I’ve seen firsthand how protective her brothers are of her.

“Maybe,” Aliyah says and shuts the engine off.

ChapterNineteen

Women always say that seeing a man holding a baby is a major turn-on, but they never mentioned anything about small, fuzzy animals. Cats in particular. Why wasn’t I warned? I would have chosen a different charity. My restraint is only so strong, more like paper thin at this point.

Watching Liam play and pet the homeless cats is giving me a whole new view of him. He seems genuinely interested when the manager of the rescue center talks to him about the costs and operations of keeping the place up and running.

Liam picks up a scrappy-looking ginger-and-white cat. “Hey, there, beautiful,” he coos. “Mark, how does one go about adopting one of these little guys?”

“There’s paperwork. We do a series of checks to make sure you’re a suitable candidate. And then, once all the T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted, you get to take your new baby home.”

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