I shake my head at the fact he was listening outside and seems to be slightly annoyed, or maybe that’s my hidden wish.
This situation he’s offering is enticing, but I’m not sure it’s wise.
Laughter from outside breaks my gaze from the man in front of me, drawing my attention over his shoulder where I notice the adults outside, all happy in their solid marriages.
Pushing Declan away, I break free and walk to the cupboard that normally is home to the heavier stuff to drink.
“Damn it,” I curse to myself when I see the shelves are empty. I forgot that Ford hides the good liquid when Connor has parties. Responsible parenting is screwing me over right now.
“You okay there?”
I hate that I can’t suppress a grin, which is why I don’t face him. “Yup.” I recall another fact that I learned today. “Is it true?”
“That I want to fuck you in my hotel room? Yes.” His tone is neutral.
My entertained smile doesn’t fade. “I meant that Ford mentioned you might be in Lake Spark more often. You missed that detail earlier.”
I feel his eyes studying me. “Is that a problem?”
Could be. Makes an escape harder, and the reminder of him will always be around me.
“Not at all,” I lie.
My body trembles when I feel him step behind me, his talented fingers pressing lightly against my ass.
This man is shameless.
“What do you say?” His voice is a sweltering grovel that spreads across my skin, while he takes the opportunity to slide the strap of my dress back over my shoulder, as it fell slightly. I wish he would do that again.
Slowly turning on my toes, I face the devil that has me far too intrigued. “I think…” My tone is purposely a breathy, needy husk. “That the ice cream is going to melt.” I smirk, satisfied, and walk to the ice cream.
I notice he puffs a breath. “You’re the first woman to test me like this.”
The bottle of maple syrup sitting on the counter near the olive oil catches my interest. The label has a picture of a cartoon bear wearing sunglasses, leaning against a tree. It’s Declan’s family’s syrup. He really is unescapable.
Grabbing the boxes of ice cream, I slam them into Declan’s direction for him to carry. “Make yourself useful, will you?”
“Will I be rewarded?” How does this man flirt so easily?
Walking in a slow stride past him, I poke my finger against his hard pecs. “Undecided.”
He hisses a sound. “I’ll be relentless.”
“I’ll be defiant.”
Maybe a distraction and a good time is exactly what I need. I mean, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much today, despite my brain working overtime.
Declan’s jaw flexes, and then a relaxed droll grin graces his lips. “I’ll take the ice cream out.”
I nod in approval, as I need him out of here so I can steal the bottle of syrup.
Because I know exactly how I’m going to use it… when I show up to his hotel room.
7
DECLAN
Hitting the rewind button on the screen, I watch the replay once more. It’s from the final game of the season, when Toronto lost. I pay attention to their coach—our new coach—and his reaction to the loss in the final seconds. His frustration is a little too visible for my liking; he could work on adopting a poker face. If it wasn’t for his contract, then I would have him gone. I just added another bullet point to my long list of notes; I need to discuss the coach’s demeanor, probably with our general manager present. I know that I should leave training and strategy to the team, but I really feel my experience as a player can bring a lot to the table.
