We all laughed. Then, two minutes later, we cheered because Cormac Bouchard had scored another goal.
After the game, I hugged Lola goodbye. She didn’t want to meet up with the team for the celebration, and I could see exhaustion in her features. She’d promised she was okay to drive, and I trusted her to know her limits.
I waited with Ida Jane and Hana in the suite until the crowd thinned. Then I followed as the two women wended their way through the arena, keeping a light level of chatter as we headed down to the locker room. The security guard at the door smiled at Ida Jane.
“Thanks for the apple butter,” he told her. “My wife’s been putting it on everything. Her current favorite is ice cream.”
“Sounds yummy,” Ida Jane said. “And I was glad to do it, Ross. How’s that baby of yours?”
Ross puffed up as a smile beamed across his face. “Cute as a button and smarter than me already.”
Ida Jane chuckled. “Just as it should be.”
Ross waved us through with a polite nod to Hana and me. My nerves swirled through my belly as I sidled into the locker room.
“I was so nervous the first few times I came down here,” Hana said. “This place is nothing like when Pax played in college.”
I took in the well-appointed space with the cushioned benches and a long bar that held high-end blenders and one of those restaurant-grade glass-front refrigerators with sports drinks, fruits, nuts, and a variety of other healthy snacks.
A huge, dark-haired man with cool eyes strode toward us. I tensed as he snagged Ida Jane by the waist, hauling her up against his chest with ease before he kissed her. “Missed you, Fists.”
I goggled at the brute being so gentle with Ida Jane. She smacked a second kiss to his lips and told him good game.
“They’re good together. Or rather, she’s good for him,” Lennon said from behind me. I startled but managed to bite back my yelp. I turned and tipped my head back so I could meet his gaze.
“Good game,” I said. That felt…inadequate. I blinked, trying to breathe through the overwhelm settling over me.
“It was.” Lennon’s expression softened. “I’m glad you’re here. I know this can be…a lot.”
“Oh, I’m totally freaking out.”
Lennon stilled, intent on me. “In a good way?”
I turned a little to take in the scene before me. Guys were laughing and chatting. Some, like Maxim and now Paxton, had their arms around their wives. They were all so…normal.
I faced Lennon again. “Yes. But I think it’ll take me a while to get used to this.”
His lips kicked up enough that they got lost in his beard. My breath caught. He was just so male. He inched a bit closer so that the tips of his dress shoes—I’d noted they were wingtips…swoon!—brushed my gray suede booties. My breath caught as he raised his hand and brushed my hair back from my cheek and off my shoulder. His thumb settled on the side of my neck, over my raging pulse.
“I like that you implied you’d be around for a while, Vivi. I want that. I want you around a long, long time.” His voice was tender. This was the man I’d spent the weekend with. I tipped my head back a little more, wishing he’d kiss me.
His lashes fluttered, and he gazed at my lips before returning his attention to my eyes. His thumb rubbed up and down my neck, causing a cascade of sensation along my skin, shooting outward to my fingertips, breasts, and belly.
“In fact, if I could have had my way then, just like now, I’d beg you to stay with me.”
Dimly, I heard Ida Jane speaking. Maxim rumbled a reply. But they almost didn’t exist in the bubble Lennon had created around us.
“You don’t have to beg.” I licked my lips. “I want to be here.”
He moaned softly. “I want to take this at your pace, Vivi. You’re in charge. I told you that. But damn…I want you in my life and bed every night. I want to hold you. Kiss you like I did yesterday.”
My breath broke over my moistened lips. His look of longing made me bolder, and I rose on my tiptoes, bracing my hand on his shoulder as I whispered in his ear, “What about fucking me?”
He kissed me fiercely, but then shook his head. “No. Not tonight.”
“What? Why?” My voice had a decided whine that was not attractive—or dignified—but I wanted Lennon terribly. I had for months, and he was denying me my biggest treat.
“Because, my beautiful Vivian, I want to take you out and show you off on my arm and know every man and many women wish they were me. I want to make you giggle and scrunch your nose. I want to watch you sip wine and lick your lips as you tilt your head back and moan, your eyes closed and your expression blissed out, as you taste some perfect little bite. “
