I settled into my car with as much grace as a sack of potatoes falling off a table. I struggled not to fan my heated cheeks. That man did things to me. My insides were molten, and my knees softer than jelly.
“Bye,” I murmured. I shut my door and started the ignition.Bye?I rolled my eyes. Why hadn’t I said something smart or sexy?
Because he overwhelms you, Keelie, my girl. All that sexiness is too much for you to handle.He was, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t game to try.
Ireallywanted to try.
Once I arrived home, I texted him, as I’d promised.
Home safe! Door’s locked and just kicked off my shoes. You were the best part of my evening, by far. Now I’ll dream about you.
I pressed send before I realized what I’d written. When I reread it, I squeaked, slamming my eyes shut. “You damn fool.”
I’ll dream about you, too, pretty girl. But I can’t promise it’ll all be sweet. Would you want to get together on Sunday?
I wiggled, happiness bursting through my skin.
I’d like that.
He never played disinterested or coy. I appreciated that—no, Ilovedthat. I hated mind games. With my family history, there was no way I’d ever be comfortable around someone who manipulated or lied. Cormac meant what he said.
He was so solid, and not just his big, muscled body. His mind remained grounded, and he went after what he wanted with determination. I admired that. I admiredhim, not just his tight booty and broad shoulders, buthim, the man he was inside the gorgeous, muscly package—though the exterior was damn superb.
I bounced up and down, squealing.
“Oh, right!” I grabbed my leftovers and put them in the fridge before bending down to pet Slippers, my gray-and-white cat. She meowed, her green eyes bright.
“Girl, you won’t believe my evening…” I chattered to her while we sat on the couch, cuddled together. Soon, yawning, I headed toward bed, still giddy from my date.
Cormac Bouchard had proved to be an unexpected, but definitely welcome addition to my life. In fact, I looked forward to seeing him more than I should have. Because in my experience, nothing good lasted—not a loving mother or a safe home or a faithful partner. But for now, I’d savor the giddiness pumping through my bloodstream.
Chapter8
Cormac
Ihit practice on Thursday morning still riding the high from my date. I was happy. Keelie Hayes might well be the best damn thing to happen to me.
“Guess the date went well?” Maxim asked after we’d showered and changed. We were heading out to a late lunch before we watched game tape for the game tomorrow.
“It did.” I settled on the bench in front of my locker to tie my sneakers.
The guys alloohed.
“It was just a date,” I said, but I continued to smile.
“You want to see her again?” Stol asked. He threw stuff into his gym bag.
“Yes.”No question there.
“Are you going to make your relationship status social legit and post something?” Nik asked. He glanced over from his locker where he was putting on deodorant.
I shrugged. “We’ve been out once.”
“But you’re texting with her,” Maxim said. “Right?”
I nodded.
“And you have plans to see her again,” Stol added.
