I’m not the only one. Ashley’s lips part as she stares up at him, and behind the bar, Callie freezes in place with a customer’s drink in her hand. When I catch her eye, she mouths, “Oh. My. God.”
I nod back at her. Yes, Declan Wild’s voice matches his gorgeous looks and star status.
And the crazy thing is, Callie’s happily married to her own Declan, I don’t want any man but Hunter, and Ashley—whether she’ll admit it or not—has a thing for Murph.
So, if Declan Wild can have this kind of an effect on women whoaren’tinterested in sleeping with him, I wonder what it will be like for a woman whodoeswant him in her bed. My guess is that will be quite a ride.
“Hey.” Hunter’s eyes flash with amusement as he looks at me. “Did I get this wrong or did you, Callie, and Ashley all just swoon?”
I tuck my hand in the crook of his elbow and lean my head on his shoulder. “You got it right. We were totally swooning. Because Declan Wild is swoon-worthy.”
“So let me get this straight—you’re crushing on the star of our rival?”
“No.” I beckon to him so his ear is right next to my mouth before I add, “My crushing is reserved for you.”
“I like that answer.” His hot breath on my skin makes me break out in shivers.
* * *
We hangout at the Odyssey for hours, and it’s nice to see Hunter catch up with his brothers. Liam leaves early to get home to his wife and son, but the rest of us stay until closing. Jared and Max had gotten permission to stay the night, and they go to Liam’s so they can see their nephew in the morning. Hunter tells them good night, and the three of them make plans to meet for an early breakfast.
I hug Ashley, say good night to Murph and Dean, and Hunter and I head out to his truck. I insist on driving even though he says he only had one beer.
I believe him when he says he’s sober, but taking the wheel gives me a sense of purpose on our drive back to the townhouse, where I have a feeling we’re going to have some sort of come to Jesus talk.
As soon as we walk into the townhouse, we go find Theo. Turns out he’s hungry for a snack, so I feed him while Hunter cleans his litter box. Then, Theo happily settles on the top of his cat tower for a nap in the living room.
And Hunter and I start talking over each other.
“Princess, I’m sorry…” he starts.
“What was that kiss about?” I begin.
He holds up a hand. “I don’t know what came over me. That crazy fan was hounding me, and I felt so out of control. Then, I saw you in the crowd, and I just…” He pulls up short and takes a seat on the living room couch.
I follow and sit on the other end of the couch. “You just…what?” I ask him.
His green eyes roam my face for a moment before he speaks.
“I wanted you,” he says casually in that way only Hunter Storm can pull off. “I’ve never stopped wanting you, Winter.”
Butterflies roll through my stomach.
I wanted you.
So fucking casual. So Hunter Storm.
And God, I wanted him too. I want him right this very second.
I fist my hands and shove them under my thighs to stop from reaching for him.
“It’s been years,” I say softly.
“I know how long it’s been.” He rubs the slight scruff on his jaw. “I’ve counted the years since you left knowing I fucked it up by not talking things through with you before you moved. And we had that big blow-up over nothing your last night here, which I’m also sorry for.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t fuck anything up, Hunt. That fight was a two-way street thing. Really, it was just a way for us to make a clean break. We were kids. And we both had big plans. If we’d hung onto what could have been…”
“I get it.” His jaw hardens. “I had to sacrifice everything to get where I am. I come from nothing, and hockey was my one shot to make something of myself. For my future. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t think of you. A lot.”
