“We’ll have fun another time. This trip needs to be about hockey.”
“Hockey. Is that a euphemism for something?” He narrows his eyes, arching a brow, and I smack him in the chest.
“No. We have to keep our distance.”
“Okay, okay. Consider it done.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Because I’m not going to be the reason you get burned.”
Bright sincerity shines in his eyes and my chest loosens a touch. Maybe this will all be fine.
“I’m trusting you, Bennett.” I place my palm flat on his chest, over his heart. The steady thudding beneath my hand’s comforting.
“I’ll be good. Promise.” He kisses me softly on the lips and — God help me — I believe him.
“Hang on—” I tuck my shirt back into my skirt, try to fix my hair. Then I hurry to the door and crack it open. “Knox?”
Knox jerks his head up and stands at attention. “Ma’am?”
“Thanks for your work here. But we’re good. You can cut your shift short.”
He stares at me, a furrow etched deep in his brow. “What about tomorrow?”
“No. We’re done. I can handle it from here. I’ll let Bishop know.”
“Got it. Understood, ma’am.” Knox makes a clean ninety-degree pivot and walks toward the elevator.
Bennett’s at my side when I spin around, his gym shorts back on. One hand on the doorjamb, he leans out into the hall.
“Hey, Knox!”
Knox stops and peers over his shoulder at us.
“Thanks for the bodyguard detail. Hope your kids like the merch.”
Knox salutes Bennett and the elevator dings. He steps in and disappears, discreet as ever.
Bennett waves, then closes the door with a soft click.
“You gave your bodyguard merch?”
“Yeah. He’s got two kids at home. Big hockey fans.”
Warmth blooms in my chest as I stare at Bennett, standing in the living room acting all casually cool. Like he hadn’t just made two kids — and their dad — extremely happy.
“That was nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy, Sunshine.” He reaches over, brushing my hair away from my eyes.
“You are full of surprises.”
“Baby, you have no idea.”
CHAPTER 24
TORI
