I erase the distance between us in three strides and wrap her up in my arms, pressing a kiss into her hair before I could stop myself. Her floral scent wafts through my nose, and she’s the best thing I’ve seen all week.
“Hi,” she says, smiling into my chest.
“Hi,” I echo, steadier now with her in my arms. “Penthouse,” I wave the bellman ahead of us. “We can change upstairs.”
Her brows lift. “Penthouse?”
“Just in case the evening runs later than planned.” I can see the clouds rolling into her eyes, already thinking about getting back to Aiden. I squeeze her shoulders. “Hey. You’re here with me on a date. A costume party, no less. It should be fun. Don’t think too far ahead.”
She quirks her lips and nods. We head up the elevator with the bellman, but I keep her hand in mine the entire way, not ready to part from her for a second.
The suite is elegantly appointed for a hotel of this caliber, with the city lights glowing beyond the windows. Stella peers at the city lights while I deal with the bellman.
“Nice view,” she comments, tossing her coat and scarf on a chair, revealing a body-hugging outfit.
I eye her silhouette against the light. A perfect curvaceous figure, rounded hips, small waist. I come up behind her, wrapping my arms around her middle, resting my chin on her collarbone. “No. I’m holding the best view in my arms.”
She chuckles. “I hope that’s not a preview of more cheesy lines to come tonight?”
“Depends on the costumes,” I quip. “What kind of hero am I? The kind who jokes a lot, or the kind who is serious and in command?”
“Okay.” She leaves me and reaches for the hanging garment bag with a grin. “No laughing.”
I snort-laugh immediately.
Half an hour later, Aiden’s idea had turned into something incredible. I wear green sweats and a fitted sweatshirt the exact shade of the Aspens’ jerseys. A yellow felt shield stitched over my chest has large, black and bold HH letters in the center. The green satin cape drapes down my back, the same felt emblemand letters stitched again between my shoulders. A yellow mask covers just enough of my face to make me feel like a comic-book idiot in the best way. Even the green satin boot covers are tailored perfectly to fit. The costume is better than I expected.
“This is great. And the HH stands for?” I ask.
“Hockey Hero. Aiden wanted you to be his hero at the party.”
I grin. “I’ll be anything he wants, anything for him.” That’s how much I’ve come to care for him. Being someone’s hero isn’t something I ever planned on—but damn if I don’t want to keep earning it.
“It amazes me how close you two have gotten in such a short time.”
“He’s the kid I’d hope for if he were mine.”
“Do you want children?” She eyes me in the mirror, finishing her hair and makeup.
“Yeah. Do you?”
“I could have them. I guess I never thought I’d have the chance to give Aiden a sibling. After the divorce, I thought that was it. I’d be alone for life.”
“You’re not alone anymore,” I state with full meaning, and so much goes unspoken between us as she fusses with her hair and makeup. I watch and lean against the doorway, mesmerized by her red hair and green eyes. She has no idea the super power she holds, capable of undoing me with a glance.
She wears the inverse costume to mine—a yellow one-piece bodysuit that hugs her curves in ways I do not deserve to gaze upon all night. A green satin mini skirt, green mask, and a yellow cape flutter behind her when she moves, completing her look. High heels add to the effect, with green satin shoe covers and leg warmers. She finishes curling her hair and teasing it big and wild.
We stare at our reflections for a beat. I have to admit—we look damn good, even though we are a bright and wild combination of yellow and green.
“Oh, Aiden made me promise I’d send photos of us.” She grabs her phone. We go out to the living room part of the penthouse suite and make all kinds of action hero poses and take dozens of photos.
We sort through them for the best to send him. Then she gets the giggles nonstop about it all. It’s contagious as I laugh. We’re almost rolling in tears when I pull her to me and kiss her, my lips warming hers up. Something I’d been dying to do all week.
“I hope I get plenty of these tonight,” I murmur against her mouth.
Her teasing smile baits me. “Kisses are nice.”
Nice… but the kiss deepens anyway into anything but nice. I pull her closer, her body to mine, our tongues tangling, her thigh lifting onto my leg. Until she pulls back first, breathless.
