“So,” I say, my fingers tangling together in my lap as I look at him. He looks… unreal, sitting there with moonlight and snow drifting in through the windows behind him. Like some kind of massive hockey god who wandered into the wrong house.
And he’s here. In my home.
We’ve spent countless nights sleeping just a few feet apart in my apartment in the city, but this is different.More intimate.
“So,” he responds, clearing his throat and sitting back. His long legs stretch out in front of him. “There’s no Mayhem Valentine’s Day ball.”
I take a sip of my tea and practically choke. “What?”
His grin widens, lazy and unbothered. “I made it up. I figured if you wanted me to stay the night that badly, I’d help you out with an excuse. It was believable, wasn’t it?”
“Boone," I set my tea down on the small table next to the couch and notice that my hand is shaking a little.
Am I really this nervous around him? Every public dinner, every post-game photo op, there was always someone else around, something to hide behind when we made our public appearances.
And anytime we were alone in my apartment, he never looked at me like… this. Like he really sees me.
“I didn’twantyou here. I just thought that it made more sense than sleeping at my brother’s house.”
His eyes crinkle into a deeper smile as he gazes at me. I’ve never had a man look at me like this. It’s not with pity, or disappointment, but tender affection. “Rosie, you wanted me to spend the night.”
I ignore him. "Cain’s going to find out that there’s no event.”
Boone shrugs, completely unfazed with the prospect of my brother’s wrath. “Won’t be the first time he’s been disappointed with me given what Rhiannon revealed to him tonight about me moving in with you. Plus, that man is whipped. I promise he’s not going to follow up on my Valentine’s Day plans. He’s probably already forgotten.”
I blush, shaking my head with a laugh. “I’m sure you’re right. They’re probably testing out a new kink or something right now.”
Boone chuckles, low and deep, the sound vibrating through the quiet room as he takes another sip of his water.
“With that said, I do have some ideas for a Valentine’s Day charity event I wanted to run by you.”
That has me pausing. “Really? What charity?”
He nods. “There’s a women’s shelter a few miles down the road from here in Brookhaven. I thought me and the boys could offer up some gear to an auction to raise funds for them.”
“The women’s shelter?”
He nods. “Your pro-bono work inspired me. Would that be alright with you?”
He remembered. I swallow and try not to let the flutters in my stomach mean anything.
“I think that’s a really nice idea.”
“Maybe we’ll even auction off a date or two with one of our players.”
“I’ve heard Penn’s available,” I joke.
His lips twitch at the corner. “Ah, so the girls have told you about Penn.”
“He’s hard to miss.”
His eyes narrow slightly, like he doesn’t love that I noticed his teammate. What Boone doesn’t realize is that the only person I’m watching out on the ice is him.
“Right, well he probably already has plans for Valentine’s Day. The guy’s always keep a rotating roster of women on speed dial. He’s not one to ever settle down.” The way he says it is almost defensive.
I pick up my teacup and take a sip. “Yeah, of course. He’s a total player.”
That seems to satisfy him. He leans forward in his seat, his eyes more serious now. “So, what do you normally do for the holiday?”
