Page 32 of Behind the Net

His eyebrows knit together, and I have a feeling he’s still worrying about his mom. I think about what Donna said during the game, how Jamie takes on everyone else’s problems.

None of it is fair. It’s not fair that Donna gets panic attacks, and it’s not fair that Jamie feels the need to fix it for her. I understand that’s how family works—you take care of your loved ones. Still, I wish Jamie left more space for himself. Who takes care of him?

He’s quiet, watching the road. I notice how good a driver he is—confident but cautious. Like he doesn’t have anything to prove.

His gaze connects with mine before going back to the road. “Thanks for coming to the game.”

“I had fun.” The way Jamie moved on the ice replays in my head. “You’re so fast out there. You’re meant to be a hockey player.”

There’s something funny in his gaze, and it seems like he wants to say something. The car feels too small, suddenly, and there’s a warm tug in my heart.

“Thanks, Pippa,” he says, voice low.

When we get home, Daisy runs over to us, tail wagging. I say hello to her and reach for her leash to take her out one more time before bed, but Jamie’s fingers brush mine as he takes the leash from me.

“I’ll do it.”

“I don’t mind,” I tell him.

“It takes me a while to unwind after a game. I’ll be up for hours.”

An image flashes in my head—him unwinding in a different way. Standing in the shower, late at night, one hand on the shower tiles as water rolls down his perfect, chiseled chest and abs, the other hand fisting his cock. I bet his lips would part and he’d wear a tortured expression as he came.

“Okay.” My face is going red as I shove the image out of my head.

I can’t be thinking things like that.

“Good night.” His gaze drops to my mouth, and my pulse stutters as he frowns.

I’m frozen, locked in place, as he glares at my mouth like it offends him. Daisy’s waiting at our feet, but it doesn’t seem like he even notices. His eyes burn, and I’m more aware than ever of how big and broad this guy is.

Low in my stomach, arousal blooms.

“Good night.” My voice is a squeak as I hurry off to my room.

Later, as I’m lying in bed, I’m lost in thought, thinking about how Jamie takes care of everyone. But who takes care of him?

A dirty thought sneaks into my head. It’s Jamie and me, tangled in the sheets, him on top of me, his thick arms supporting him on either side of my head, caging me in. He’s pushing inside me. His mouth drops open and his eyes go deliciously hazy. There’s a warm thrum of pressure between my legs, and my pulse picks up.

That’show I would take care of Jamie.

He’s totally out of my league, and I’ve been burned by guys on his level before. I shouldn’t want to fuck Jamie, but I really, really do.

CHAPTER17

JAMIE

On Sunday morning,I lie in bed, staring out the window at the mountains across the water. It’s only October, but after a recent cold snap, there’s snow at the top of them, a dusting of white on the trees.

I’m also thinking about Pippa and the sweet curve of her mouth. It’s been like this all week. I can’t get one particular thought out of my head.

I really, really want to fuck my pretty assistant.

A groan of frustration slips out of me, and I close my eyes. I know better. Everything about Pippa is dangerous—her lush mouth, her smile, her sweetness. Back in high school, she was just the girl I was fascinated by, but as I get to know her, it’s turning into more. I can feel it.

I’m not going to do anything about it, though. Messing around with the woman working as my assistant is a fantastic way to fuck up both my life and hers. After Pippa helped my mom during her panic attack, I trust her. Daisy’s grown on me, and I look forward to coming home to her wagging her tail, excited to see me. Without Pippa, I’d either need to get a new assistant or find another home for Daisy.

I don’t want either of those things.

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