“What about Slippers?”
Cormac pursed his lips. “She ate already tonight, right?” At my nod, he continued. “We’ll get up a bit earlier tomorrow so we can swing by your place to feed her on the way to the arena.”
“Okay,” I said.
Smiling, he took my hand, keeping the clasp light, and tugged me out of the kitchen. He checked the front door and slider before leading me up the stairs.
“Let’s get your night attire sorted. You want to stay with me—that’s my preference—or in a guest room?”
The heat built between my legs again. “I’d like to stay with you.”
On the landing, he turned to face me, clasping my face between his palms. “Ah, Keelie. Being with you makes me happy.” His lips quirked, and his eyes shone. “Keep telling you, I want you. Here with me. In bed with me. At my practices. At my games.”
My heart rate revved, and I leaned forward, but Cormac wheeled around, taking my hand again as he led me into his bedroom. He popped into the bathroom for a moment and then emerged. “There’s a new toothbrush on the counter. I’ll grab that shirt for you. Do your thing.”
I closed the heavy wooden door behind me and groaned. Cormac had tunneled under my defenses. I wanted him. Most women in the city—hell, probably the world—wanted him. He was beautiful, but more importantly, he was thoughtful. And he could kiss.
Yet still I remained leery, worried about a future I couldn’t predict. Stability was the paramount need in my life, and Cormac might not offer that. I couldn’t go back to the uncertainty of my childhood.
Bottom line? Cormac could break my heart—the one I’d never gotten back together right after my father left.
Chapter27
Cormac
Keelie had turned quiet last night, though I tried to ease her concerns about me just wanting her there for sex. I wanted sex—oh, man did I desire orgasms—but I craved her in my bed, snuggled close to me, more. So I refused to push her.
Holding her through the night relaxed me, her breath light as it skated over my skin, and I slept hard. I woke to my alarm, feeling happy as opposed to disgruntled. I eased from the bed, and after a quick trip to the bathroom, I headed downstairs to make coffee.
I rummaged in the kitchen and took care of a few things. A few minutes later, I heard the water running and smiled. Keelie cared about punctuality, her sense of responsibility was deeply ingrained. When she entered the kitchen, I admired her high ponytail and the golf shirt she’d chosen yesterday. It was form-fitting and lavender—not a color I’d have chosen, but it looked great on her. She also wore the coordinating capri pants…and cotton panties with pink polka dots I’d washed for her last night and run up to her this morning once they dried. Yeah, I’d be thinking about those little dots all day.
Her sun visor dangled from her fingers. I handed her a cup of coffee as I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Morning, pretty girl.”
“It is.” She smiled as she turned and swiped her mouth against mine. She rubbed her thumb on my lip to remove her lip gloss. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. You?”
“Yeah.” She seemed surprised. “And I’m looking forward to watching you skate.” Her smile bloomed, making my chest ache with joy. “Then, golf!”
I chuckled as I tapped her nose. “Want some of my smoothie?”
She wrinkled her nose, shaking her head.
“Well, drink your coffee, and we’ll go.”
“Should we take water?”
I showed her where I kept my reusable bottles, then went back upstairs to change into my gym gear.
When I returned, she’d stuffed her large purse with water bottles and the trail mix my trainer made for me. I added a couple of bananas to her stash, and we walked out the backdoor and settled into my vehicle.
I smiled over at her, glad to see her joy and curiosity back in full bloom.
“Who’s the chick,and why’s she here?” Naese asked.
“Because I brought her.”
Naese held up his hands, making me aware of my aggressive stance. “Cool, dude. Just…didn’t know. She’s pretty.”
