Chapter26
Keelie
After Cormac’s comments about us sweaty and naked, when we went inside he prepared dinner. I went to the cabinets he’d pointed out to me before to collect plates and glasses. Once I set them on the table, I wiped my palms on my thighs.
“I thought you wanted to be sweaty and naked,” I blurted.
His lips curled upward in a smile as he stirred the pot. Steam wafted around him, making the edges of his light-brown hair curl.
“Oh, I do. But…” He moved toward me, large and graceful. His understated confidence was intrinsic. Heat pooled in my belly. He caged me between his arms, his hands flat on the counter behind me. Leaning down, he nuzzled into my hair. “You’re not ready yet, and I will not push you.”
Push! Please.I bit my lip, wondering where that thought had come from. Well, I knew where: my bodycravedhim. But my mind wasn’t there yet.
That he realized that—that he reined in his desire instead of trying to seduce me—made me melt against him.
Maybe…maybe I could trust him?
He kissed my temple even as he drew back. “Dinner’s ready.”
I gulped, trying to regain my equilibrium. Once we’d settled at his table, hunger hit hard, and I draped my napkin in my lap, ready to dig in.
Our conversation flowed. Cormac liked big dogs but had never had one. He was a loyal friend and teammate—no surprise there—and he hated jalapeños.
“Must make it hard with all the Tex-Mex ’round here.”
He shot me a sardonic look as he finished eating his shrimp and creamed spinach.
“So, what’s your schedule tomorrow?” I asked.
“I have to be at practice by eight, but I’ll be back before one, for lunch—unless you want to come with me to the rink?”
I smiled, warmed that he’d offered. “That’s allowed?”
“Sure. Coach’s wife and daughter attend when they can, and various staff are in the stands. Sometimes the CATS come, too.”
“I’d love to see you practice.”
He’d piled my plate with more than twice my typical serving. And while I’d tucked in, there was no way I could finish. I pushed the dish away, trying to be dainty when I wiped my lips.
He grabbed my plate along with the dishes and moved back into the kitchen, shaking his head when I offered to help. “I like things a certain way,” he said, his expression adorably sheepish.
I nodded and watched as he rinsed and loaded the dishwasher, lining up the glasses and plates, and placing the forks and spoons pointed upward in the silverware slots, but the knives down. He wiped his counters, then wiped out his sink before taking the cloth to the laundry room. He returned, stifling a yawn.
“I can call an Uber,” I said.
Cormac shook his head. “I’ll drive you.”
I pressed a hand to his chest. “I can’t let you do that. You’re tired, and you need your rest.”
He took my hand, lifting it to kiss my palm. Shivering, I admitted to myself that I liked his lips on me. I liked that he hugged me, kissed me; those actions made me feel desirable. Needed.
“I don’t want to argue with you,” he said, yawning again. “Sorry. I guess the golf practice did me in.” He tilted his head, considering me. “You could stay here…since you’re already planning to come to practice with me tomorrow.” He winked. “We’d be saving on gas, protecting the environment.”
“I have nothing to wear—”
“You can sleep in one of my T-shirts, and we can wash your clothes. Or you can wear that cute little golf shirt and shorts we picked up today.”
He continued to break through my barriers, not letting me put up a fight to keep him out…because I didn’t want to keep him out. Not really.
